What to Do in Bangkok: One of the World’s Best Chefs on Her Favorite Haunts

Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, known as Chef Pam, is the Thai chef and restaurateur behind Potong, her 36-seat fine-dining flagship in Thailand’s capital city. Recently named the World’s Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, she is the first Asian chef to win the title—the latest of many accolades she has earned since winning Les Disciples d’Escoffier’s Asia Youth Hope Cooking award in 2011.

Raised in Bangkok with Thai, Chinese, and Australian heritage, Chef Pam studied at the Culinary Institute of America, then honed her budding talent at Jean-Georges, the New York City flagship of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. There, his “philosophy of food” influenced her, she says. “It was eye-opening to see that Thai ingredients could combine with butter and cream and create new flavours with new complexities.”

Potong in Bangkok
This building that is now home to Potong once housed Chef Pam’s family’s herbal pharmacy. Photograph by DOF Sky/Ground.

It’s a lesson she’s applied to her growing empire of Bangkok restaurants, comprising Potong—No. 13 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list—which she opened in 2019 in the building that had been her family’s century-old pharmacy; Opium, a hidden bar in the same building; Khao San Sek, a casual Thai eatery; Tora, a Japanese izakaya; Smoked, for Texas-style barbecue; La Copita, a new agave bar; and her latest, Ra-O, a reimagined Thai grill. Here, she shares some of her other favourite places in and around Bangkok.

Eat

Chef Pam, Photo by Chris Shalkx
Chef Pam. Photograph by Chris Shalkx.

Sai Nam Phueng Noodle Shop:Rung Rueang is my favourite noodle place, but everyone knows about it and it’s always busy. The other noodle place I love, Sai Nam Phueng, is very underrated and not as well known. It’s a simple, family-run place where everything is done well, especially noodles with stewed chicken wings. It’s addictive. I always have three bowls.”

Nusara: “My favourite Thai restaurant is right across from Wat Pho, and when you dine, you’re looking out onto the temple illuminated beautifully at night. My favourite dish is their take on pad krapow stir-fried beef with Thai holy basil, only they make it with short rib so it melts in your mouth.”

Visit

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Photograph by Norbert Braun/Unsplash.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: The famous floating market, just southwest of Bangkok, has become a huge tourist attraction, but Chef Pam recommends visiting if you want “to see how things were…when they [traded] on the canal.”

Song Wat Road: “This up-and-coming area in Chinatown, very close to Potong, has a lot of history. Centuries ago, it’s where boats and ships came to trade their goods. Today, the area has become very hip because a new generation that appreciates the history has converted old warehouses into cafés, galleries, and shops. Locals and tourists who appreciate the culture and heritage are coming. People don’t want to go to malls anymore; they want to see local coffee roasters and local chocolatiers. There’s a strong neighbourhood vibe—Song Wat was just named [one of] the coolest communities in the world.”

Koh Kret: “When someone visits me and wants to do something new, I take them to Koh Kret, a tiny island an hour from Bangkok, where they specialize in clay pottery and speak their own language. A one-minute boat ride across the river, it’s like a country within Thailand. We’ll go to Chit Beer, a craft brewery.”

Stay

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
BKK Social Club.

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River: “Every time I go to the hotel, I’m greeted by name. I feel the warmth. I love BKK Social Club, where [beverage manager] Philip Bischoff is so welcoming; he’s become a good friend. He comes to our bars, and I go to his. I don’t place an order—I have whatever he mixes for me. And Cafe Madeleine is also amazing: [executive pastry chef] Andrea Bonaffini’s pastries taste as good as they look.”

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

Uncover Your Travel Personality

We all want different things out of travel: Some people are chasing heart-pounding adventures, some are craving a taste of new cultures or cuisines, and others are on a journey of self-discovery. Four Seasons offers experiences tailored to every travel personality. Enjoy one of the World’s 50 Best Bars in Bangkok, balance your energy in Costa Rica and reach new speeds in Whistler. Whatever your travel style, Four Seasons can help you live out your wildest dreams this summer.

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For the cultural explorers: Seoul and Paris

The city of Seoul is a study in contrasts: rich traditions and historic landmarks in the heart of a bustling, forward-thinking metropolis. Experience both the old and the new on a guided walking tour arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. You’ll enjoy special access to some of the city’s top attractions and sites, like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and the gallery-lined alleys of Insa-dong. To further immerse yourself in the city’s culture, don a hanbok – a traditional Korean garment worn during holidays and celebrations – for your tour.

Your cultural journey continues when you return to the Hotel. Chief Concierge Sojung Park suggests you unwind at the Spa with another Korean tradition: a visit to the Korean sauna, featuring cold, warm and hot baths as well as wet and dry sauna rooms. Afterwards, toast your experience at The Market Kitchen, where carefully preserved 600-year-old ruins are on display beneath a glass floor.

Immerse yourself in Korean history in Seoul

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Alternatively, opt to escape the city. All eyes may be on the world-class athletes competing for the gold in Paris, but if you need a break from the action, set out from Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, for an exclusive visit to Maison Belle Époque, set in the heart of Champagne’s vineyards. Once the house of the founders of Perrier-Jouët, this private residence and UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the largest private collection of French art nouveau in Europe – as well as the oldest vintage champagne in the world. Explore works by Emile Gallé, Georges de Feure, Rodin and Toulouse Lautrec as you tour the historic venue, including a stop in the legendary Eden Cellar to taste the finest vintages of the house. Join Chef Sébastien Morellon for lunch in the estate’s gardens, then return to the Hotel for an exclusive dinner at the Michelin-starred L’Orangerie, paired with bubbles from the House of Perrier-Jouët.

If you’d like to extend your time in Champagne, you can opt to spend the night at Maison Belle Époque, an experience available exclusively to Four Seasons guests. After a gourmet dinner served with vintages from the cellar, make yourself comfortable in one of the home’s five meticulously restored bedrooms. The next day, take a stroll through the vineyard for a picnic among the vines before your return journey to the city.

Explore beyond the city in Paris

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For the romantics: Maui and Los Cabos

It’s hard to picture a more romantic getaway than Maui: sandy beaches, lush palms, fragrant plumeria and stunning sunsets over clear blue waters. It’s no surprise, then, that the island is one of the top honeymoon destinations for couples. Whether you’re seeking an intimate sanctuary for the two of you to hide away or the chance to make memories together on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is the ideal setting.

The Resort’s experts can craft a personalized itinerary for you and your loved one, including unique travel experiences like sunset sails, a private beach picnic or a helicopter tour of the island. For the ultimate day together, join a Resort chef on a helicopter ride to a local organic fruit farm for a tour and an exotic fruit tasting; then explore the famed town of Hana, where a cultural expert will guide you on a swim in the lava caves at Wai‘anapanapa’s Black Sand Beach or a hike to a waterfall deep within the bamboo forest. Afterwards, return to the Resort and savour a multi-course menu tailored to your tastes and served by your personal waiter in a secluded corner overlooking Wailea Beach.

Feel more connected in Maui

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If you’re looking for the perfect place to rekindle your romance, look no further than the undiscovered East Cape of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. “Our location on the East Cape of Los Cabos is picture-perfect for romance. It’s far removed from the busy ‘El Corridor’ area and surrounded by never-ending beach, mountains and sky – the perfect setting for meaningful connection,” says General Manager Borja Manchado at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. “There’s a magical sense of discovery here. To share those moments with your person is to fall in love with them all over again.”

Embrace the spirit of discovery – and your inner child – at Camp Verano, the Resort’s summer camp for adults. The itinerary makes the most of the Resort’s picturesque setting: dive or snorkel Cabo Pulmo, which famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called “the aquarium of the world;” hike to a stunning vista for an above-the-clouds HIIT class; go off-roading through the desert dunes; or splash in a secret waterfall. After a day of adventure, return to the Resort for the Oasis Signature Massage, which combines energetic stones and local herbs to create a sense of stillness, followed by a private beachfront dinner.

Reignite the spark in Los Cabos

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For the soul searchers: Chiang Mai and Costa Rica

On a quest for personal well-being and inner peace? Discover pura vida at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, where wellness experts lead you through a holistic program designed to help you centre mind, body and spirit – just steps from the beach. The Resort’s visiting practitioners program includes workshops and private sessions with world-class healers who can help you embrace life’s challenges. Throughout July, you can uncover hidden core beliefs and inner strength with the help of Dr. Debra Greene, a mind-body integration specialist who uses energy kinesiology and energy-based techniques to encourage lasting improvements, or embark on a journey towards self-discovery through movement and breathwork with fitness innovator Ashli Katz during her August residency. You might be surprised by your transformation.

If you’re still searching for rejuvenation, try yoga in the Resort’s new Wellness Shala, a sacred space inspired by the natural grace and lightness of the Guanacaste winds, overlooking Costa Rica’s lush tropical forest.

Centre yourself in Costa Rica

Two people sit cross-legged on the floor facing each other, both with their hands clasped together and eyes closed, on the ledge of a pool with a lush green jungle in the background

Retreat to a secluded haven at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, a sanctuary of well-being. The Resort’s in-house experts on Thai culture, traditions and holistic healing will tailor wellness experiences to your needs, guiding you on a journey to live a life in balance. It all starts with a good night’s sleep: Give your body, mind and soul time to rejuvenate and discover the power of slow living to fine-tune your circadian rhythms. The Soulful Awakening experience begins with a three-course wellness dinner carefully curated to complement your metabolism before signalling to your body that it’s time to wind down with a luxurious bath ritual. The next day, restorative yoga will activate your parasympathetic nervous system to help you reduce stress, balance your energy, and experience a state of peace and calm.

For those seeking spiritual healing or new meaning, the Resort can also arrange a visit to one of the area’s temples for a private session with monks who have dedicated their lives to the deeply harmonious teachings of Buddhism. Your time with them will help you look within to discover your true self, leaving you uplifted and inspired.

Find balance in Chiang Mai

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For the eco-tourists: Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Naviva

The Maldives islands are stunning: pristine white-sand beaches, endless balmy sunshine, sparkling turquoise waters. That beauty extends below the waves, where you’ll discover an underwater kingdom filled with sea turtles, manta rays, vividly coloured fish and coral reefs. Help protect this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, where a team of marine biologists at the Marine Discovery Centre lead conservation efforts.

Contribute to the cause by becoming a scientist for a day: Stop into the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre to help with turtle-monitoring and photo-ID projects, or join in on the pioneering Reefscapers program to help build coral reefs in the Resort’s lagoon. For a truly unforgettable experience, sign up for Manta on Call so you’ll be notified immediately whenever manta rays are spotted nearby. When they are, you can hop on a speedboat for an opportunity to swim with these giant, gentle creatures.

Since you’re never too young to care about the health of our oceans, scientifically minded teens and young adults can join the Resort’s new Trainee Marine Biologist Program for a deep dive into what it takes to pursue a conservation career. The program’s six modules combine educational sessions with hands-on activities like helping the team track dolphins in the waters around the island, using artificial intelligence to monitor coral reef restoration efforts, and supporting the on-site veterinarian providing life-saving care to injured sea turtles.

Help with ocean conservation in the Maldives

Person sits with eyes closed in a cedar bathtub surrounded by a bamboo privacy wall

At Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, México, every experience is designed with conservation and sustainability in mind. “We embrace sustainability not just as a practice, but as a core principle of our ethos,” says Resort Manager Eduardo Sampere. “We are deeply committed to environmental stewardship, which extends to the way we source and use our water.” The Resort uses hydropanel technology to extract clean, pollutant-free water from the air and, using the power of the sun, mineralize it for taste, producing enough premium-quality drinking water to meet all the Resort’s needs.

Other conservation measures can be found throughout the Resort, from specially designed roofs that collect and filter rainwater for irrigation to the careful design of Resort tents, buildings, and pathways to accommodate trees and animal habitats to preserve biodiversity. For a truly immersive, sustainable experience, head to the Spa for a serene soak in an ofuro tub, made from regionally sourced high-insulation cedar wood to capture and retain heat to conserve energy. This thermal soak is soothing to mind and body, promoting detoxification, elevating cardiovascular performance, fortifying the immune system, purifying the skin, and easing pain or stress.

Unwind sustainably in Punta Mita

A row of tables set on an open-air restaurant terrace with large wood-framed widows on one side and lush greenery on the other

For the foodies: Bangkok and Hoi An

Flavour is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, where the talented chefs and mixologists have been earning accolades for their inventive culinary creations. Explore Cantonese flavours with Chef Tommy Cheung’s signature tasting menu at Yu Ting Yuan, or get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Argentinian-inspired cocktails served at BKK Social Club – which recently took the top spot on Thailand’s 20 Best Bars list and ranked number 13 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.

At the new Palmier by Guillaume Galliot, Michelin-distinguished Chef Guillaume Galliot blends the charm of French brasserie cuisine with reimagined traditional favourites, set against the relaxed backdrop of Bangkok’s riverside. The menu offers a taste of classic French ingredients in dishes inspired by Galliot’s childhood in the Loire Valley, as well as a selection of regularly changing signatures from the chef’s storied career.

Taste award-winning food and drink in Bangkok

Split image of chef demonstrating a cooking technique to two guests on the left and an image of a bowl of ramen on the right

Gourmands will leap at the opportunity to discover the art of cooking authentic Vietnamese dishes. A chef from Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam, will guide you on a culinary adventure, from Hanoi’s haute cuisine to Hoi An’s street food. At the Resort’s Cooking Academy, you’ll tour the organic herb and vegetable gardens before setting off to explore unique local produce at a vegetable village and one of the area’s age-old markets. Then return to the Resort for a lesson in centuries-old cooking techniques and a meal of flavours you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

Even the youngest chefs can expand their palates. An hour-long Junior Academy course will introduce them to new flavours and ingredients, then teach them how to prepare simple but delicious Vietnamese dishes.

Learn to cook Vietnamese food in Hoi An

View of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at an upward angle

For the adventure seekers: Sydney and Whistler

Take your travels to new heights in Sydney with an adrenaline-pumping 1,332-step walk up the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, accompanied by a guide from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Your reward: a 360-degree view of the city that you will never forget. As you gaze down at landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Luna Park – or, on a clear day, the Blue Mountains – it’s easy to see why Sydney Harbour is considered by many to be the most beautiful natural harbour in the world.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, escape to the Australian Outback and Uluru, the sacred heart of Australia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Experts believe the massive sandstone monolith started forming around 550 million years ago; today, it stands 348 metres (1,142 feet) high. After your private jet flight to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, join a guide on a private walking tour of the site. If the timing is right, you might get to see the rock seem to glow red under the light of the sun from iron oxide in the sandstone.

Reach new heights in Sydney

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The heart-pounding adventure continues in the Canadian mountains, where Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler offers world-class skiing and activities like hiking, white-water rafting and bear viewing. Take the plunge with an exhilarating leap over the glacial-fed Cheakamus River. Leap from the Whistler Bungee Bridge for a 160-foot (50-metre) bungee jump – one of only two places to bungee jump in British Columbia and considered one of the most scenic jump sites in the world.

For a bucket list–worthy experience, strap on a helmet and race through 10 icy twists and turns in a real bobsleigh driven by a trained pilot. During your run through the course, you’ll reach speeds of more than 100 km/h and feel the acceleration of up to 4 g-forces. The Whistler Sliding Centre is the only place in Canada where you can try bobsleighing and take to the ice like an Olympian, and Four Seasons can make all the arrangements for you. Available during both summer and winter, this experience is a can’t-miss for those in search of an intoxicating rush of adrenaline.

Challenge yourself in Whistler

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

What’s your travel personality?

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Summer Checklist: Your Ultimate Vacation Awaits

As the temperatures begin to rise, we find ourselves dreaming of summer: warm waters, bright sun, endless opportunities to make lifelong memories. So how do you decide where to go and what to do? That’s where Four Seasons comes in. Home to championship golf courses with one-of-a-kind greens, Michelin-starred restaurants brimming with fresh summer flavours and thrilling adventures designed to inspire, Four Seasons offers unique summer activities that can help bring your dream vacation to life.

We’ve rounded up some of the best summer vacation spots all over the world, including recommendations from local insiders who know their destination better than anyone. If you’re looking for things to do this summer, here’s our checklist for making this year’s vacation one you’ll never forget.

Man wearing black polo and shorts takes a swing on a golf course

Perfect your golf swing on a luxury golf vacation

Summer is the ideal time to tee off at Four Seasons. With sprawling green spaces designed by some of the sport’s biggest names, first-class golf instructors and cutting-edge innovations like indoor golf simulators to help you perfect your swing, you might not score a hole-in-one, but you’ll still win big on these courses.

Tail of the Whale island green in Punta Mita

TEE OFF INTO THE OCEAN IN PUNTA MITA, MEXICO

It might be hard to concentrate on your putt at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico, a Forbes Five-Star resort that’s also home to two of the world’s most renowned Jack Nicklaus–designed courses. The warm weather and sunshine make summer the perfect time to tee off at the challenging Bahia Golf Course, which offers panoramic views of glittering blue waters and a hole on the beach just steps from the famed El Faro surf spot. (And summer is prime surf season, if you’re thinking about paddling out.)

But for a true bucket-list experience, you’ll have to plan ahead: The Pacifico Golf Course’s signature “Tail of the Whale” optional 19th hole is the world’s only natural island green – and it can only be played at low tide.

Swing big in Punta Mita

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GET EXPERT GOLF INSTRUCTION IN ORLANDO

Looking to take your game to the next level? This summer, why not learn from the best? Let the PGA Director of Instruction at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort assess your technique during a two- or three-day golf retreat. Use innovative TrackMan swing analysis technology to perfect your full swing, refine your short game and work with the pros to improve your course management. Then put what you’ve learned to the test on the Resort’s Tom Fazio–designed Tranquilo Golf Course: The course’s varying elevations will challenge your newly improved skills as you soak up the sunshine and connect with nature in the picturesque Certified Audubon Sanctuary setting.

Improve your game in Orlando

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Soothe your soul on a wellness retreat

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, refresh your spirit or focus on your well-being, Four Seasons offers reinvigorating spa treatments that make the most of the season.

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ENJOY HEAD-TO-TOE RELAXATION IN MACAO

The warm glow of the sun and warm temperatures encourage us to slow down and savour each moment of summer, taking the time to refresh body and mind. For the ultimate sense of renewal, indulge in the Blissful Sensation ritual at Four Seasons Hotel Macao Cotai Strip. Each step of the experience is infused with Macao’s rich Portuguese heritage. Start with a foot and body scrub using a unique blend of salts mixed from the essence of port wine, then unwind with a full-body massage with body oil using fragrant Melissa herb (or lemon balm) from Portugal. Feel the tension melt away as you emerge reinvigorated and revitalized.

Feel refreshed in Macao

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FIND HEALING DURING AN EQUINE WELLNESS RETREAT IN LANAI

Discover clarity and inspiration during a five-day, four-night equine program for women at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. From July 24 to July 28, 2024, join 12 women for the intimate and exclusive Unbridled Retreat, where you’ll discover the healing power of horses with help from world-renowned equine coach Devon Combs. The retreat “helps women heal from their pasts, get clear on where they’re headed, and find the courage to move forward,” Combs says. She’ll guide you through a spiritual journey of self-discovery, with hands-on interactions with the horses that are meant to break down inhibitions and stimulate creativity, changing the way you see the world – and yourself – and helping you take the reins of your own life.

Find a new perspective in Lanai

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CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IN NEW YORK

Summer in the city brings a renewed sense of liveliness, coming to life after a long winter with activities that make the most of the season’s long days and warm nights – think street festivals, outdoor concerts and sunset cruises around Manhattan. Tap into that energy at the Forbes Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown with The Collective, an innovative wellness program focused on mind, body and spirit. Renowned astrologer Rebecca Gordon will draw on the spiritual power of the summer solstice – a symbol of renewal and rebirth – to help guide you to a new understanding of life’s challenges so you can reach your highest potential. Or have the on-site experts help you create your very own tailored wellness retreat while in New York.

Harness the energy of New York

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Savour award-winning culinary experiences

Balmy nights make it easy to linger over the dinner table as you gather with loved ones. Discover world-class experiences for every palate, highlighting summer’s freshest ingredients and seasoned with a taste of Four Seasons culinary magic – a meal to remember.

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TREAT YOURSELF TO THE BEST FINE DINING IN HONG KONG

At Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, there are a few not-so-secret ingredients on the menu: talent, innovation and creativity. Artful cuisine isn’t hard to find at the Hotel, a foodie travel destination in its own right that boasts eight Michelin stars: three for the impeccable French dishes at Caprice, two each at Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen and Italian restaurant Noi, and one for Japanese at Sushi Saito.

This summer, treat your taste buds to An Epicurean Journey. This special package – available for select dates through August – includes a stay in a spacious suite, dining credit at Lung King Heen, one of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants in the world, as well as access to the exclusive Executive Club. After your meal, toast your time together with inspired cocktails at ARGO, named one of The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Sample new flavours in Hong Kong

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HARVEST THE SEASONAL BOUNTY IN PARIS

Discover the ingredients for a refreshing summer feast with the help of Chef Simone Zanoni of the Michelin-starred Le George restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, who will whisk you away to the Domaine de Madame Élisabeth in Versailles, a historic home that was a gift by King Louis XVI to his sister Élisabeth in 1793. Today, the park encompasses more than 7 hectares (17 acres) of orange groves, floral displays and contemporary sculptures – and Le George’s kitchen garden, providing an abundance of organic produce for the restaurant’s menus.

With Zanoni’s expert guidance, you’ll handpick fresh greens and harvest seasonal produce, then head to the garden’s open-air kitchen for an al fresco cooking class. Afterward, sit down to dinner under the stars as you savour the gentle summer evening and a taste of the freshest fine dining in Paris.

Experience a summer garden in Paris

Hawaiian navigator Kala Baybayan Tanaka talks to four people aboard a sailboat

DINE LIKE A WAYFINDER IN MAUI

Set sail on a culinary and cultural voyage aboard a luxury catamaran. Depart from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea at sunset with distinguished Hawaiian navigator Kala Baybayan Tanaka as she follows the path of her Polynesian ancestors, who sailed the clear blue waters surrounding the island using only the stars, wind and swells to guide their wa’a kaulua (double hulled voyaging canoes). As you savour a tasting menu inspired by their journey and the canoe plants they carried with them, like ‘ulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro), and ‘uala (sweet potato), Tanaka will share the “magic of the stars” – part storytelling, part astronomy lesson.

“Indulging in a meal inspired by ancient Hawaiian ingredients and traditions is a fusion of cultural exploration and culinary delights,” says Director of Concierge and Guest Experiences Margaux Pfeiffer. “Adding Kala’s insights into traditional navigation techniques is a one-of-a-kind experience that showcases the rich heritage and natural bounty of the Hawaiian islands.”

Connect with the past in Maui

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Toast to the season at the world’s best bars

Summer’s fresh flavours make for some surprising – and delicious – sips. Toast your time together with inventive seasonal cocktail menus, unique wine pairings and the chance to explore some of your favourite beverages with help from Four Seasons experts.

Bar at BKK Social Club in Bangkok

GO BEHIND THE BAR IN BANGKOK

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River isn’t just one of the best bars in Bangkok – it was named Thailand’s best bar on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2022 and 2023. This summer, you can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the secret of its success. “Take a seat at our bar with one of our talented bartenders, who will be your guide through a series of handcrafted cocktails that tell a story about the people, places and culture of Mexico,” says Beverage Manager Philip Bishoff. “This summer’s new cocktail menu and the Secrets of BKK Social Club experience are an exciting introduction to Mexico’s intricate flavours and ingredients, and it’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening.”

Try award-winning cocktails in Bangkok

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SIP THE BEST SAKE IN TOKYO

Sake has been brewed in Japan for centuries, and the fermented rice-based alcohol was used to “bring people and gods together.” Today, sake plays an important role in Japanese celebrations, symbolizing a fresh start and a prosperous future. Let Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi introduce you to the traditions and culture behind Japan’s national drink during a tour of local sake breweries, where you’ll have the chance to sample different styles and flavours – including namazake, an unpasteurized sake whose bright, fresh, fruity taste makes it the choice drink of summer.

Taste tradition in Tokyo

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SPEND SUMMER IN THE VINEYARD IN NAPA VALLEY

Discover your inner sommelier at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, the only Forbes Five-Star Resort in Napa Valley with an on-site working winery. For a true grape-to-glass experience, the Resort’s Elevated Elusa offering is a celebration of summer’s flavours. This new immersive food and wine tasting begins with a tour of the vineyards at Elusa Winery and its production facility before you head to the exclusive Wine Library overlooking Elusa’s barrel cellar for a meal that’s been carefully crafted to complement the winery’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon. “The Elevated Elusa experience is more than just a tasting,” says Resort General Manager Robby Delaney. “It’s a journey into Napa Valley’s storied heritage and its vibrant palate of flavours and exceptional wines, set in California’s golden summer sunshine.”

Sip summer wines in Napa Valley

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Set out on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure travel excursion

Whether you crave an adrenaline rush or a slower-paced outing, Four Seasons offers exclusive access to unique experiences that will change your perspective on the world around you.

Four people wearing orange life jackets board onto a white-water rafting boat docked on the side of a river in Bali

PADDLE TO ADVENTURE IN BALI

As the longest river in Bali, the Ayung River stretches 75 kilometres, from the northern mountains to the Badung Strait at Sanur. Along the way, it winds through the island’s lush jungle and majestic gorges, offering opportunities for thrilling adventure: some of the best Class II and Class III white-water rafting in the world. During Bali’s dry season (May to October), the water is lower, making it ideal for rafters of all ages – you’ll experience some rough water, some rocks and small drops.

Set out with a guide from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan and catch a glimpse of Bali’s vibrant culture as you paddle past splashing waterfalls, rice-farming villages, and historic and holy sites. But it’s not all roaring waters: You’ll have the chance to hop out of your raft to float through a natural tunnel formed by the leafy tree limbs overhead.

Hit the water in Bali

Four people on a walking safari in the Serengeti

WALK WITH THE MAASAI ON A SERENGETI SAFARI

Every year, more than 2 million animals – zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and more – make their 800-kilometre trek across Africa in search of greener pastures. At Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, you’re perfectly positioned to see the herds during the prime viewing months, May through August. Follow their path during a game drive safari or join the Safari Lodge’s resident naturalist and Maasai guides for a late-afternoon walking safari to learn about the animals’ natural habitat.

“These are led by our resident naturalist accompanied by a ranger and Maasai guides,” notes Trevor van de Ven, Senior Director of PR and Communications at the Lodge. “It allows guests to get close to the wilderness, while the Maasai guides impart their knowledge of the trees, birds, animals and animal tracks that guests encounter on their walks.” Conclude your time in the bush with sundowner cocktails and canapés, then return to camp and recharge with a reinvigorating kifa massage using Tanzanian baobab oil and a heated Rungu – a Maasai warrior’s wooden baton.

See another side of the Serengeti

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SEE THE SUMMER STARS IN THE SONORAN DESERT

The natural beauty of this oasis is breathtaking, with sunlit vistas of saguaro cacti, dramatic valleys and iconic Pinnacle Peak. But for some of the area’s most captivating sights, you’ll have to look to the night skies. Uncover the secrets and enormity of the cosmos with Mark Johnston, a NASA Solar System Ambassador and resident astronomer at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, during a guided tour of the stars using his high-powered telescope and viewing screen.

Summer’s clear, dry nights offer optimal viewing of planets, star clusters, double stars, galaxies and more. “Scottsdale’s low light pollution means the stargazing is stunning, especially in summer,” says Director of Rooms Toshihiko Yoshimura. “It’s a great activity for the entire family, and the perfect end to a summer day spent hiking or relaxing poolside.”

Marvel at the night sky in Scottsdale

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A Meal to Remember: Luxury Dining with Four Seasons

An extraordinary meal endures in our memory, not only for the artful cuisine but also for the experience around it. When we take our seat at the table with friends or loved ones, time slows down: We’re fully present, together, in the moment, with all our senses engaged.

Fans of award-winning fine dining will feel at home at Four Seasons, whose 25 restaurants with Michelin stars across 20 Four Seasons hotels and resorts have 34 stars and counting – the most of any luxury hospitality brand – and a host of accolades from arbiters of excellence like Black Pearl and Gault&Millau. Along with outstanding cuisine, there’s another important aspect of every meal: the warm, personalized service Four Seasons is known for.

Those looking for fine dining in Hong Kong will find a variety of exceptional cuisine all under one roof. Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong alone holds eight Michelin stars for impeccable French cuisine at Caprice (three stars), Cantonese at Lung King Heen (two), Italian at Noi (two) and Japanese at Sushi Saito (one), while ARGO is honoured on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars. One of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants anywhere, Lung King Heen shines in dishes like Pineapple Pork Buns, with ingredients personally sourced and inventively prepared by Executive Chinese Chef Chan Yan Tak.

At Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Michelin-star dining captivates at modern French Le Cinq (three stars), plant-focused L’Orangerie (two) and Italian-Mediterranean Le George (one). In Le Cinq dishes such as Line-Fished Sea Bass, Executive Chef Christian Le Squer marries elegant and personally meaningful flavours like caviar with buttermilk that nods to his childhood in Brittany. The team’s service, notes Michelin, “is a model of empathy and style that is close to perfection.” And the experience at Le George, which also holds a Michelin green star for its commitment to sustainable gastronomy, extends beyond the dining room: Guests can join Chef Simone Zanoni for a visit to the organic kitchen garden in Versailles, followed by a private cooking class, taking fine dining in Paris to new experiential heights.

While legends like Le Cinq have been celebrated for decades, even the newest Four Seasons restaurants are earning acclaim. Pavyllon London, the debut London restaurant from multi-Michelin-award-winning Chef Yannick Alléno set within Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, has also received its first star just six months after opening in July 2023. Chef Alléno and his world-class kitchen team have drawn inspiration from seasonal British produce as well as a passion for innovative French cuisine to create “an interactive, less formal, neighbourhood dining experience centred around countertop seating and great food,” just as Alléno intended.

Set within a working vineyard, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley is an immersive culinary experience in and of itself, and its Auro restaurant was awarded a Michelin star within a year of opening, as well as a “Wine Spectator” Best of Award of Excellence. Executive Chef Rogelio Garcia draws from seasonal and personal inspirations to develop dishes like Dry-Aged Shima Aji, a flower-shaped creation that entices the eyes and the palate with its bright citrus, spicy and salty flavours. Guests can also enjoy wine dinner series, harvest festivities and other special events. Here, though, as at all Four Seasons restaurants, coming together over unforgettable food and drink can become its own kind of special occasion.

Iconic dining experiences in iconic settings

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Hong Kong skyline

5 Festive Winter Cocktails You Have to Try

Cozy interiors of wood and stone surrounded by fresh powder and expansive mountain views are always memorable. But they’re downright magical when paired with the perfect holiday cocktail. The same can be said of starlit nights by the beach and twinkling city skylines.

No matter where you choose to celebrate, here are some of our best winter cocktails, plus recipes for taking some of that festive magic home.

For fans of whiskey cocktails

This season, Ascent Lounge at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole is celebrating the area’s iconic slopes and elevating the après-ski experience with a festive twist. Gather around the bar’s wood-burning fireplace or on the heated patio and raise a glass to your time exploring the back country – and to a local favourite: Wyoming Whiskey, produced in small batches in nearby Kirby, Wyoming, and aged in one of the distillery’s six rickhouses. The whiskey’s unique private barrel spices take centre stage in the Back Country Old Fashioned, balanced by house-infused brown sugar syrup with spices and orange.

For a unique après setting, head to the pool deck for complimentary s’mores by the fire and Fahrenheit Forty-Seven, the Hotel’s pop-up igloo champagne bar. Get cozy as you sip bubbly in the heated custom dome structure with wood flooring, golden accents, fur furnishings and awe-inspiring 180-degree views of the slopes.

Experience après-ski in Jackson Hole

For a sweet take on mezcal cocktails

If you prefer a drink that tastes more like dessert, you’re in for a treat with this one. The Mezcal Sipping Caramel can be found on the dessert menu at Cinder House, the downtown St. Louis restaurant helmed by James Beard Foundation Award–winning chef Gerard Craft on the eighth floor of Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis.

“Mezcal is a staple in Mexican bar culture, so it was a natural choice when we were creating this liquid dessert, given the Latin American–influenced menu of Cinder House,” says Tiffany Gilmore, Assistant Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons.

“The smokiness of the mezcal cuts through the sweetness of the components and enhances the deeper flavours of the caramel,” she says. “We paired it with alfajores, traditional South American shortbread cookies sandwiched with dulce de leche.” If you can’t get your hands on alfajores at home, your favourite holiday cookies will pair just as nicely.

Make dessert even sweeter in St. Louis

For elevating your champagne cocktails

Celebration is embedded in the heart of Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, Surfside, the iconic private beach club turned chic seaside haven that originally opened its doors on New Year’s Eve, 1930. The feeling of vintage glamour can still be felt throughout the Hotel, especially at the palm-fringed Champagne Bar, where plenty of festivities are taking place this year.

No need to get up to order your holiday cocktails here, however. At The Champagne Bar, the cocktails come to you via a delightfully retro bar cart, complete with an expert bartender to mix up your beverage of choice tableside. “One of my favourite drinks from The Champagne Bar cocktail cart is the Fancy Champagne cocktail,” says Beverage Manager Ashish Sharma. It’s a kind of bubbly bourbon Negroni, notes Sharma, a unique spin for your champagne toast.

Elevate your champagne toast in Miami

For those wanting non-alcoholic cocktails

Bar Antoine – the jovial epicentre of the recently opened Pavyllon London at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane – is the place to meet up with friends on a chilly London night. It’s casual yet elegant – and perfect for catching up over a cool-weather, spirit-free cocktail like the White Forest.

Michelin-distinguished chef Yannick Alléno is well-known for his innovative approach to both food and drink, and the cocktail list at Bar Antoine reflects it. A collaboration between the culinary team and Head Mixologist Michele Lombardi, you’ll find reinvented classics as well as original creations, including Chef Yannick’s signature Allenotics (tonic mixers) and his spirit-free extractions.

The White Forest, one of Lombardi’s latest creations, blends sweet hints of apple and maple syrup with the enticing combo of saffron, orange blossom and Madagascar vanilla in the non-alcoholic Everleaf Forest aperitif. At Bar Antoine, the spirit is fat-washed in coconut oil to bring out a smooth finish and enhanced flavour, a technique that burgeoning home bartenders looking to impress holiday guests can try for themselves. Essentially, fat-washing infuses a spirit by mixing it with the fat of choice – in this case, melted coconut oil – and freezing it overnight, then straining the liquid in the morning.

Sip spirit-free cocktails in London

For the perfect mulled wine recipe

Looking for something to warm you up from the inside out? “Mulled wine is the ultimate winter elixir, where spices and red wine blend in perfect harmony to warm both body and soul,” says Philip Bischoff, Beverage Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River.

Bischoff has perfected this classic festive beverage, and with this recipe there’s plenty to go around. Invite your favourite people over to share it with you, or gather with friends old and new at BKK Social Club, where you can sip an expertly prepared cup of mulled wine or any of the seasonal bespoke cocktails crafted by Bischoff and his talented team. Tucked away within the riverside Hotel, BKK Social Club has been recognized as the #1 Best Bar in Thailand and the #3 Best Bar in Asia by the famed Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2023. Whether or not you’re in Bangkok, take heed of Bischoff’s advice when planning any holiday get-together: “You need the right place and need the right people to create a great party.”

And with these recipes, you can serve the perfect holiday cocktails, too.

Toast your time together in Bangkok

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Where will you enjoy your next festive cocktail?

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