Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

An Unexpected Season: Truffles in August

Posted on by Finn-Olaf Jones

“I always choose the liveliest dog in the pound,” says truffle-dog trainer Simon French as Mandy, a cross-breed border collie, eagerly zigzags through English oak trees planted over the past 15 years. Every time Mandy paws the ground, French throws down a washer with coloured ribbon. Although only a few trees have washers at their bases, one particularly dwarfish tree has almost a dozen.

“That’s what I like to see,” says Marcus Jessup, the farm manager, while browsing the grove at Tamar Valley Truffles. He bends down and sniffs the ground.

“This one seems ready,” he says. Jessup gingerly digs around the washer with a knife, uncovering a black bulb the size of a golf ball. He removes it with the care and precision of a heart surgeon.

Tamar Valley Truffles sits on approximately 8 hectares and has nearly 3,000 oak trees. Farm manager Marcus Jessup (second from left) and farmer and marketing manager John Baily (far right) stroll through the groves with family and trained truffle-hunting dogs.

Photography courtesy Philip Kuruvita

It’s a Périgord truffle worthy of a Michelin-starred chef – here in the Tasmanian bush. In the U.S., truffles like the one sniffed out by French’s dog, known as “black diamonds,” easily fetch $700 a pound. Truffle fans have long flocked to restaurants and shops blessed with French and Italian truffles during those countries’ short-lived harvest season, which runs October through January. But Australian farmers have been rapidly developing their own truffle industry, one that has grown so ripe it has added a second season, from June to August.

Introducing the Australian Périgord truffle


Australian truffles in bowl

Around 9 tons of truffles were harvested in Australia in 2014, a yield double that of just three years prior.

Photography courtesy Ulrike Schmid/StockFood

“We learned about this opportunity nine years ago and thought we’d make a go of it,” says John Baily, a rancher and farmer in the Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania. That meant replanting 8 hectares (20 acres) of poppy fields – Australia is a big producer of pharmaceutical opium – with 3,000 oak trees. To nurture black diamonds, their roots were dipped in truffle sludge to produce spores.

In true Aussie fashion, a make-it-happen attitude is infusing the ancient brotherhood of truffières with improvisation. At harvest, Baily cleans mud from the truffles and moves them into a toolshed. There, seasonal workers place them in a spotless sink-size bin and dry them using small plastic fans from the local hardware store.

Were consultants brought in from France or Italy to put together this operation? “Nah,” Baily says. “We just figured it out as we went along.”

The making of a divine breakfast

 

There are two types of people who eat truffles,” the French writer Jean-Louis Vaudoyer noted. “Those who think truffles are good because they are dear, and those who know they are dear because they are good.”

Georgie Patterson, who lives in the Victorian countryside, fits both descriptions.

“I had six spaniels, and my husband, Marty, said he’d like them to pay for themselves,” Patterson says. “I thought it would be fun to train them to be truffle dogs.”

Now she rises at 5:00 am during harvest months to go to nearby farms to find truffles, or dig her own from the 1,100 oaks she planted next to the house.

“Marty has gotten a taste for truffles and now likes to shave them over his eggs for breakfast. I reckon he’s eaten several times the cost of the dogs,” she says with a smile. “But I’m getting more busy than ever. This has grown so quickly it stopped being a hobby.”

More than a hobby, indeed. Australian truffle producers are aggressively catching up with the Europeans. In 2014, an estimated 9 tons of truffles were harvested here, doubling in three years the yield of black diamonds from Down Under. French truffières dig up 20 to 30 tons of black truffles annually, but they’ve been at it for at least five centuries.

“Last year, I brought out my dogs to a new farmer to harvest her first season of truffles,” Patterson recalls. “I brought a fork and spoon to dig them out, but when I saw her with a big shovel, I said, ‘You’re confident!’”

Where to eat Australian truffles

In Sydney: If you’re close to the source, the team at Four Seasons Hotel Sydney recommends a visit to the Harbour City from June through August to try the truffles at their peak. A must-visit is Madame Truffles, which is only open during the peak season.

 

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

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In Hong Kong: Three restaurants at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong plan to feature Australian truffles this year, each with a unique take on the gourmet ingredient. Sample Executive Chinese Chef Chan Yan Tak’s wild mushroom tasting menu in July and August at Lung King Heen. Executive Chef Andrea Accordi at The Lounge will have a special Australian winter black truffle menu, and Chef de Cuisine Fabrice Vulin will prepare two Australian winter truffle dishes at Caprice.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

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In California: “When they were first introduced to me a few years ago, I was a little sceptical,” recalls Josiah Citrin, who runs the Michelin-starred Mélisse restaurant in Santa Monica, California, in driving distance from Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. “But they’re great, and now I have a reliable source for summer. If anything, I’d say we have way more consistency in the truffles coming from Australia.”

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Australian truffles in LA

The summer Aussie truffle menu at Mélisse has included truffle eggs, truffle risotto, wild mushroom agnolotti with paper-thin truffle slivers – “anything that can bring up the flavour and the aroma of the truffle,” Citrin says.

Photography courtesy Mélisse

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Travelling with Toddlers: A Guide

Posted on by Amanda Blakley

As a seasoned traveller, my wanderlust runs deep. Whether for backpacking or business travel, I have circled the globe numerous times. Now, as a mother of two, I am passionate about cultivating a love of travel in my children and placing importance on collecting experiences over things.

My husband and I have travelled extensively with our two sons, Atticus and Archer, and some of our most treasured memories have been made while on the road as a family. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing though, and along the way we’ve learned from experience what works and what doesn’t when travelling with toddlers. I hope that by sharing some of our family’s rules for the road, we can inspire your next getaway and arm you with the tools you need to make it a success.

Flying with toddlers 

Toddler travelling on airplane watching iPad

Flying with a toddler is easier when you have toys, electronics, snacks and entertainment on hand to distract from the monotony of the journey. Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Our rule of thumb for a day of travel is the “no rules” rule. The ultimate goal is to arrive at your destination alive and sane. With that in mind, our philosophy of “anything goes” works well. Normal rules about screen time, junk food and schedules go out the window when we travel. Whatever it takes—until we arrive at our final destination. Then it’s back to business.

Check into discounted fares for children under 2 on most airlines, and indicate special needs you may have for your young passenger, such as a specific meal or a front-row seat with space for your child’s bags. On many airlines, you can check a stroller at the gate, so moving around inside the airport before your flight is a breeze.

Build a toddler travel survival kit

Amanda Blakley always keeps art supplies in her toddler travel survival kit: Kids Coloring at Kids For All Seasons at Four Seasons Bahrain Bay

To make travelling with a young child easier, build a travel survival kit that includes art supplies, new toys and snacks—all designed to keep your kid content and entertained whether you’re on the plane, at a restaurant or in line at the children’s museum.

Every parent knows that there is no way to travel light when travelling with the young. These are some of the items we never leave home without when travelling with our tots.

A lint roller comes in handy for picking up crumbs left in your airline seat or at restaurants, and also takes care of glitter, Cheerios and any other droppings a toddler leaves in his or her wake. I fill a toddler-size backpack with special snacks (packets of dried seeds, dried fruit, cereal), a water bottle (flimsy airline cups are forever being knocked over), toys they haven’t seen in a while, simple crafts or colouring projects and a few new toys. When they get to the brink of a breakdown or just need a new distraction, we pull something else out of the bag.

For 21st-century parents, an iPad is a traveller’s lifesaver. Our son is allowed to use the iPad and watch movies on it when we travel. And since we restrict the use of screens in our household under normal circumstances, he savours every second of this time. On a recent flight to Los Angeles, Atticus watched Frozen for the first time (twice). He did not make a peep for the entire flight—except when he spilled my husband’s hot coffee in his lap when we got up to use the restroom. Note to self: Bring screw-top bottles for the adults as well.

Keep your itinerary light and loose

Boston Children’s Museum

You don’t have to be a hotel hermit just because you have toddlers with you on vacation. Instead, get out and enjoy family-friendly sites like the Boston Children’s Museum, parks, gardens and zoos. Photography courtesy Robert Benson courtesy Boston Children’s Museum

The fewer expectations you have for yourself and your travel companions, the more flexible you can be. Toddlers require routine as a general rule, so we try to keep things like naps, mealtime and bedtime similar to the way they’d be on an ordinary day at home. When we’re on the road, we usually plan only one activity per day; this might be an excursion, an activity or a museum visit. When fatigue sets in, breakdowns are inevitable—and this we like to avoid at all costs!

We recently spent a weekend in Boston. Pre-kids, we would have made reservations at multiple restaurants for each day, had lists of boutiques to check out and exhibits to visit. But because children (in general) are ticking time bombs, we consider their needs while planning our days (pat on back for proactive parenting). The first day we did a bit of walking and exploring after a large breakfast and then went back to the hotel for a nap. That afternoon we took the boys to the Boston Children’s Museum, which was a hit.

A stone’s throw from the museum is Sportello, a family-friendly Italian eatery whose approach to fresh fare will please even the pickiest eater. For dinner, we grabbed some bar seats along the large and winding counter (“Sportello” is Italian for counter service), and all four indulged in Chef Barbara Lynch’s menu of classics (I recommend the bolognese), which are crafted from only the most local and seasonal ingredients.

After that eventful day, we still had them bathed and in bed by 8:00 pm! It’s all about being realistic, which is sometimes a tough pill to swallow while on holiday.

Choose your destinations wisely

Kids for All Seasons at Four Seasons Dubai

Available at most Four Seasons hotels and resorts, the Kids for All Seasons programme offers entertainment, cultural activities and day camps for kids, allowing parents time for romantic and adventurous excursions.

Determine what type of holiday you want to have—beach, city, mountain, adventure or relaxation—and then find a property that offers fitting amenities and landscapes. We like to book a Four Seasons property that offers either a Kids for All Seasons programme or babysitting services—that way everyone in the family can enjoy the holiday. Resort holidays, with their self-contained environments and partitioned children’s areas, make for perfect vacations with toddlers. At most resorts you’ll find large, open, grassy areas where toddlers can practice crawling, walking or tumbling, and the pools feature a shallow area perfect for introducing your kids to water, like the kids’ pool at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

On a recent visit to Mexico, the Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, México, arranged a babysitter (for a fee) so that my husband and I could slip out for a quick workout, followed by dinner and drinks in an up-and-coming neighbourhood. These little escapes—no matter how  brief—can make the difference after a long day spent entertaining the kids at the beach or poolside.

Finding toddler-friendly foods while travelling

Four Seasons Children’s Menu

For days when there is no negotiating with your little one to try something new, many restaurants at Four Seasons hotels and resorts offer children’s menus stocked with kid favourites like macaroni and cheese, as well as simplified local dishes like vegetables and steamed rice in Hong Kong or a cheese quesadilla in Punta Mita. Photography courtesy Brandon Barre

Eating on the road can pose interesting challenges. To coax our kids to try new things, the finger-food trick generally succeeds. From dumplings to duck, cutting it into small pieces and adding familiar dipping sauces (ketchup is a sure bet) can work wonders.

We also have a likeness tactic that can convince our kids to try something that may not appeal at first glance. A quesadilla in Punta Mita becomes a “Mexican pizza,” a ramen bowl in Tokyo becomes “Japanese spaghetti.” And in our estimation, it’s always worthwhile to choose restaurants that cater to the little ones as well as adults. In Hong Kong, for instance, The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong offers a full children’s menu for those days when only chicken fingers will do.

Because dinner out with kids can sometimes be challenging, we love to have a nice family meal at lunchtime when our boys are in better spirits. Afterwards, we can easily wander back to the room for naptime, and if we’re lucky, my husband and I may even get an hour to ourselves for reading on the patio.

Discovering necessities while on holiday

Children’s Amenities at Four Seasons Hangzhou

Four Seasons destinations strive to offer superior services for parents and their little entourage. Snacks, diapers, baby-proofing and cribs are available to make your stay more comfortable.

Pack a little less by ensuring you have toddler necessities at your destination upon arrival. Many cities have a rental and delivery service for things like high chairs, strollers, toys and even diapers. Baby’s Away services 27 U.S. states, Baby Vallarta is best for the Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita area of Mexico, and Renting for Rascals is our go-to for the U.K.

Or call ahead to your Four Seasons hotel or resort to inquire what kid-friendly amenities they might offer. We were surprised to discover that our room at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach had been childproofed (padded furniture corners and all) prior to our check-in. It was equipped not only with a crib, but also with extra diapers and wipes, bath toys, a miniature robe and even a Diaper Genie. All of these little details meant we could get to the task at hand (relaxation) sooner!

Night-time with toddlers on vacation

Four Seasons Guest - Young Girl, Bedtime

Bedtime is a breeze when children are comfortable and calm. Keep your toddler’s normal bedtime routine, coupled with the children’s amenities at the hotel, and you’ll wake up to one happy toddler in the morning.

Like most new parents, we obsessed over the bedtime routine with our firstborn. We were militant about the timing of a nightly bath, books and bed. As a result of this—or, perhaps, luck—we could put our toddlers to bed anywhere. Now we always bring our favourite books from home, and a special car or truck often makes its way into the bed as well. Consistency is key.

Of course it never hurts to tucker them out in the sand at places like Four Seasons Resort Nevis or on the slopes at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler during the day so they can barely muster an excuse when the time comes to head off to dreamland.

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The Best Golf Courses in Asia: From Singapore to Shenzhen

Posted on by Larry Olmsted

Golfers travelling throughout the West often take it for granted that luxury resorts offer access to quality golf courses, an amenity as common in some regions as spas or swimming pools. But this has not been the case in many parts of the world—until now.

Golf is booming in areas relatively new to the sport, especially across Asia. According to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, an organization known globally as the keepers of the game, there are more courses currently under development and construction in Asia than in any other continent—207 of them, in fact. China and South Korea are seeing the fastest growth, with the latter especially notable for the rapid proliferation of cutting-edge indoor golf simulators in addition to conventional courses.

With the golf boom in full swing (pun intended), we’ve found the best golf courses in Asia for lovers of the game from beginner to pro.

Seaside perfection in Hong Kong: The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club 

It was originally envisioned in the mid-1960s, but it took architects over a decade to transform a rocky, hilly site into the Clearwater Bay Country Club.

Originally envisioned in the mid-1960s, it took architects over a decade to transform a rocky, hilly site in Hong Kong into the Clearwater Bay Country Club. Photography courtesy The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club

There are several good golf clubs in Hong Kong, but The Clearwater Bay Club is the most dramatic. Sometimes called “Hong Kong’s Pebble Beach,” thanks to its unrivalled seaside location on a fishhook-shaped peninsula jutting into Clearwater Bay, it’s worth a visit for the views alone.

Most of the highest-ranked courses in Asia are located along this coast, and for good reason. The setting led Asian Golf Monthly to name The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club the best course in Hong Kong, while Golf Digest picked two of the holes—the third and 14th—for its list of the 38 best in all of China. The club has more than 3,000 international members from all over the globe, and though the course was built in 1982, it just underwent a renovation of all the greens and is in better shape than ever. It lies roughly a half hour from Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, and the Concierge would be happy to assist in arranging a tee time.

With rocks and water guarding the right side of the course, the third hole at Clearwater Bay is one of the most picturesque and demanding in Asia.

With rocks and water guarding the right side of the course, the third hole at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club in Hong Kong is one of the most picturesque and demanding in Asia. Photography courtesy Tomo Bystedt

The most scenic course in Malaysia: The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi 

One of the most stunning courses in the world, the 6,750-yard course at The Els Club Teluk Datai meanders through centuries-old rain forest down to turquoise waters.

One of the most stunning courses in the world, the 6,750-yard course at The Els Club Teluk Datai meanders through centuries-old rain forest down to turquoise waters. Photography courtesy Els Club Malaysia

Four-time major winner Ernie Els has quietly carved out a niche as one of the world’s best players-turned-designers, with courses around the globe. He recently launched a line of even higher-end golf facilities, the Els Clubs, which reflect his personal taste in everything from clubhouse style to menu. (There are three so far.)

Set within an 8,000-acre (3,200-hectare) nature preserve, The Els Club Teluk Datai was named by the World Golf Awards as Malaysia’s most scenic course immediately upon opening. It runs through ancient rain forest and down to the very edge of the Andaman Sea, where the penultimate hole is the course signature, a par-3 across a rocky ocean inlet.

The course features an abundance of tropical flora, teems with monkeys and is managed by Troon Golf, a worldwide leader in luxury golf service and course maintenance. Carts are included in green fees, and caddies are available as an option. The Concierge at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is happy to arrange tee times.

The best golf course in Indonesia: Nirwana Bali Golf Club

Flanked by the rolling surf of the Indian Ocean, the 13th hole at Nirwana Bali Golf Club is deceptively difficult.

Flanked by the rolling surf of the Indian Ocean, the 13th hole at Nirwana Bali Golf Club is deceptively difficult. Photography courtesy Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort

To give the top-ranked course in Indonesia a real sense of place, star designer and golf legend Greg Norman used rice paddies for the rough and set three holes on a clifftop overlooking the Indian Ocean. The signature seventh does not merely play across crashing surf, but is also uniquely framed by one of the most important temples on the island, Tanah Lot, rising from a hillside behind the green.

Besides rice paddies, the course includes streams, jungle and ravines, running down to the beach and up to the cliffs. It is one of just 10 courses in all of Asia ranked in the world’s Top 100 by Golf Digest. Caddies help first-time visitors navigate the gorgeous layout, and many players immediately book a second round upon finishing. Located an hour south of Four Season Resort Bali at Sayan, this course is well worth the drive.

Designed by pros in Shenzhen: Mission Hills Shenzhen Golf Club

Mission Hills Shenzhen Golf Club Clubhouse

The 300,00-square-foot Mission Hills Shenzhen Golf Club Clubhouse is the nerve centre of the Mission Hills complex, featuring a pro golf apparel shop, dining facilities, lounges, a foot reflexology centre and a spa. Photography courtesy Mission Hills Golf Club

Bigger is not always better, but at one of the world’s largest golf resorts, Mission Hills in Shenzhen, it is. There are seven world-class courses by top architects and champions here, all within easy reach of Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen, or as an overnight trip from Hong Kong. Designers include Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Vijay Singh, Jumbo Ozaki, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and the first Chinese golfer ever to compete at the Masters, Zhang Lianwei.

The Nicklaus-designed World Cup Course, a daunting near–7,300 yards, was the first in China to be accredited by the US PGA Tour to hold major international professional competitions. Tiger Woods to Greg Norman have competed here, and the course hosted the 1995 41st World Cup of Golf.

Among recreational golfers, the Faldo course has proved the most popular at the complex, thanks to its signature island green hole and a secluded location apart from the others. Caddies are available on all Mission Hills courses, and all 2,500 of them happen to be women. Book a tee time through the Concierge at the Hotel, the ideal hub for exploring golf in southern China. 

History and prestige in Japan: Tokyo Golf Club

Tokyo Golf Club Aerial - Course & Bunkers - Hole #17

Alison-designed courses such as the Tokyo Golf Club are noted for their vast, irregularly shaped bunkers dug well below the surface of small, elevated greens. Photography courtesy Tokyo Golf Club

Japan has more courses than any country in Asia, but this is the capital’s oldest and most prestigious club, dating back over a century. With a classic parkland design, its immaculate fairways are flanked by towering red oaks and feature deep, intimidating bunkers. Though it’s not long, there is more than enough challenge here, and the course regularly hosts the Japan Open and Japanese Amateur.

It was originally designed by Scottish Golden Age legend Charles Alison, but his routing was torn up during World War II, and the course was rebuilt differently, with the daunting “Alison bunkers” included to honour the creator’s original layout and style. Located in Sayama, just over an hour from Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, it’s among the most convenient of all the Tokyo area courses.

Highest ranked course in Singapore: Sentosa Golf Club

Sentosa Golf Club

With its trademark mounds, undulating terrain, and two mammoth lakes, the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore is a truly unique golfing experience. Photography courtesy Sentosa Golf Club

The highest-ranked course in the nation and site of the annual Barclays Singapore Open, Sentosa’s Serapong Course is that rare bird, a beautiful oceanfront golf course that is also very easy to reach from the city centre, just 20 minutes from Four Seasons Hotel Singapore.

Renovations for the tournament have stretched it into a 7,300-yard monster from the back, so it is very important to choose the right tees, especially since there are also plenty of water hazards, deep bunkers and undulating fairways. But players who can remain humble when choosing where to play from are rewarded with a fantastic course that plays right to the water’s edge, with dramatic views across to the city’s modern skyline. There are lagoons and inlets throughout, and visitors are constantly reminded they are playing golf on an island. They are also pampered, with a full-service clubhouse, optional caddies and a member-for-a-day experience at Singapore’s premier golf club.

Rain or shine tee time in South Korea: Golf Experience

TrackMan Radar Range

The easy-to-use TrackMan Radar Range is a self-service gaming and practice bay for both indoor and outdoor facilities, and available at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. Photography courtesy Chris McEniry courtesy TrackMan Golf

South Korea has become the world leader in the use of high-tech indoor golf simulators, and the newest one is the Golf Experience at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, which brings the world’s greatest courses to life in the beating heart of the vibrant city.

The facility includes five state-of-the-art 3-D hitting screens, each of which combines high-definition footage of iconic courses with the ultra-precise accuracy of the TrackMan, a radar launch monitor derived from military missile tracking technology that is widely considered best in class. The TrackMan reads the spin rate, angle and velocity of the ball coming off the club to compute exactly how far and with what path it would travel in the real world, and moves the player down the virtual fairways accordingly. This is real golf, with full swings and real balls, taken inside, on the 10th floor of the new Hotel. The technology is fun, but it can also be used very effectively for lessons, equipment fitting, posture and alignment, or to test clubs with instant and accurate data feedback.

Designed by golf royalty: Lotus Hill Golf Resort, Guangzhou

Bernhard Langer, Designer of the Course at Lotus Hill Golf Resort in Guangzhou

In 1986 Bernhard Langer, who designed the Lotus Hill Golf Resort in Guangzhou, became the sport’s first player to be officially ranked No. 1. Photography courtesy Keith Allison

This course was designed by Bernhard Langer, the first player ever to be ranked No. 1 in the world, a two-time Masters champion and five-time senior major winner. He does relatively few golf course designs and is known for being very hands-on, and this is one of his best—a parkland routing situated in the Pearl River Delta that manages to include water, in the form of lakes, ponds and creeks, on all but one of its 18 holes.

It features an exciting and memorable three-hole finish, including the signature island green par-3 17th, unlike all others in golf thanks to a massive cliff-like rock formation that towers over the putting surface. With a full-service clubhouse and caddies, Lotus Hill offers a first-rate outing that is only an hour’s drive from Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou.

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9 Family Vacations Recommended by Moms

Posted on by FourSeasonsMagazine.com

If the idea of taking your kids on vacation sounds daunting, consider that you have only a handful of holidays before your little ones become adults and start planning their own grand getaways. Make the most of family vacations by visiting destinations that will rejuvenate your love of travel, provide your family time to relax together and help you unplug from routine as you introduce your tiny travellers to the wider world.

We asked six savvy mothers to nominate destinations for the best family vacations based on real-world experiences with their kids. Here, these sojourning matriarchs offer insider tips and top picks for family-friendly holidays from Orlando to Hong Kong and kid-approved resorts from Hualalai to Sharm El Sheikh.

A hassle-free escape in Hualalai
Nominated by Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino


Hawaii Helicopter Tour

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Hawaii during a helicopter tour of the Big Island. Children will love watching an active volcano spill lava into the ocean, or weaving through jungle-filled valleys.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

For a carefree vacation, I love Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu, where kids and parents alike can have the holiday of their dreams. Because the Resort is only 15 minutes from the airport, as soon as you arrive, you’re there—it’s logistic nirvana—and the programming at the Resort is so extensive you don’t have to ever leave the grounds. If you do venture out, try the full-island Hualalai helicopter tour—our son loved watching bubbling lava flow into the ocean. Hupuna State Park is nearby, with long sandy beaches and water that’s ideal for body-boarding.

At the end of the day, we found ourselves happily lingering on the grounds of the Resort. Our son enjoyed watching turtles nest along the beach, and playing near the shops as the sun set. He learned to snorkel without leaving the property and spent Kid’s Night Out watching movies on the lawn while my husband and I enjoyed date night. We learned hula and lei-making as a family at the Kaupulehu Cultural Center—the perfect way to expose our child to a new culture and spend quality time together.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Activities galore in Hong Kong
Nominated by Katie Dillon of La Jolla Mom


Four Seasons Hong Kong Pool

A family vacation in thriving Hong Kong combines thrilling visits to theme parks for the kids with cultural learning experiences, plus time to relax at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and take in the iconic skyline from the outdoor pool.

Photography courtesy Katie Dillon

Hong Kong is a surprisingly easy family travel destination. Public transportation is efficient, the airport is easy to navigate, and everything a family needs can be purchased within steps of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. While much of Hong Kong is a bustling city, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, enjoy the beach or spend time on the sea, so you can choose a pleasant mix of urban and outdoor activities for an active family. Two of the most popular family destinations are Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, where kids can be kids and parents can score major cool points. If you prefer to skip the packed parks, head up to Big Buddha on a glass-bottom cable car, or take a ride on the new waterfront observation wheel at twilight to watch the city sparkle.

While many parents worry about the food options in Hong Kong, this shouldn’t dissuade those with even the pickiest of eaters. Kids love the petite dim sum, and if all else fails, pizza and burgers are available all over the city. We used many of the Hotel’s family amenities, including the outdoor pool deck, where complimentary popsicles and treats are passed around periodically. If the siren call of the watering holes at Lan Kwai Fong beckons, book a nanny through the Concierge. Otherwise, stay back in your Harbour View Room and watch the Symphony of Lights laser show over the water. Word to those still strollering: The city’s uneven pavement and unavoidable stairs make pushing your tiny tots a tiny hassle.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

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A resort hideaway in Sharm El Sheikh
Nominated by: Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama


Beaches of Sharm El Sheikh

Egypt’s most underrated attraction might be the stunning white-sand beaches of Sharm El Sheikh, which disappear into the turquoise waters of the Red Sea.

Photography courtesy the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

You don’t often hear the words “Egypt” and “children” spoken together in the travel sphere. Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh is an exception. From the moment we arrived at the Resort, we all felt at home. We spent most of our time at the property, which is large but well contained. Rooms feel like mini-cottages (with plunge pools in some!), and it only took a few hours for all of us to get to know the lay of the land.

Whether at the pool or on the beach, we enjoyed great views and attentive service, and the restaurants excelled at offering something for every palate. Mealtimes included options our children were familiar with as well as the chance to try new things, like the delicious Merguez sausage and hummus.

And the Resort’s Kids for All Seasons Club is small, but it makes up for its size with fun cultural activities, like learning to write your own name in hieroglyphics. The kids had to be pried away each day, and the talent show at the end of our stay had us all laughing. An unexpected perk of being at a Resort where there are many international travellers was that we made lasting friendships with other families.

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

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Food and fun in Austin
Nominated by: Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama


Barbeque taco from Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ food truck in Austin, Texas

Make a trip to South Congress to try Austin’s amazing food trucks, so everyone in the family can try something they want—from freshly made doughnuts to Tex-Mex tacos.

Photography courtesy Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ

Nominated by: Lori Lange of Recipe Girl

Austin is a terrific destination for active families. By far, the highlight of our trip was kayaking on Lady Bird Lake behind Four Seasons Hotel Austin. We loved cruising along together, and it was really cool to go under the bridge and hear the bats squeaking. If your children are a bit older, the Segway tour of Texas’ state capital is a great way to enjoy the city while keeping your child occupied and interested. (Be sure to check age restrictions.) And because the Hotel has so many amenities and fun things for the kids to do—they took part in the treasure hunt, played in the pool and watched bats at dusk—we were able to relax and soak in the sun.

Austin can be explored by your taste buds as well. One of the best ways to do this with kids is to try the food trucks of nearby South Congress. Children have fun running between options and trying unfamiliar cuisine, and you might even get them to fall in love with something new. The city also offers delicious tacos: Try the breakfast tacos at El Primo, or chow down at lunchtime on a Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ taco (both are food trucks), followed by one of Austin’s famous doughnuts. A personal favourite is Gourdough’s Donuts, where you can make a whole meal with variations on the tasty treats.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Interactive exploration in Lisbon


Algarve, Portugal

Renting a car is a great way to get out of Lisbon’s crowds and explore the Algarve, one of Portugal’s stunning natural wonders and a fun place for the kids to run along the sandy beaches or swim in the gentle surf.

Photography courtesy Chris Ford

Upon arrival, we did a motorcycle and sidecar tour of Lisbon, which offered a fun, interactive way to see the city and to get a sense of the history and soul of the place. Next, we explored on foot. Keep in mind the amount of walking you’ll do in the city: There are plenty of hills to climb and cobblestone walks to hike down, but if you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Lisbon a massage at the luxurious Spa will quickly loosen tired muscles after a long day on your feet.

The Hotel offers a great breakfast buffet, the perfect, hassle-free way to start each morning before exploring the city anew. Mix it up with trolley or taxi rides when the kids get tired, or rent a car. We explored coastal Algarve by car, taking in the deep turquoise waters with twisted rocks jutting out peacefully towards Africa, as well as exploring the nearby towns at Europe’s end. Car rentals offer the opportunity to get out of Lisbon and into the history and culture of Portugal’s more rural areas. And if all else fails, our kids loved to play in the warm sand or run laughing through the gentle surf on one of Portugal’s beautiful beaches.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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A museum haven in Washington, DC
Nominated by: Liz Borod of Travelogged


Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC

A full day of exploration in Washington, DC—from introducing your child to the wonders of the world at a Smithsonian museum to taking in historical monuments—is best ended by relaxing in the comfort of your room at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.

Washington, DC, is like an educational version of Disney World because there are so many great attractions and things to see and do with kids. Visiting the Smithsonian Museums is a must: Our 3-year-old enjoyed the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum, and it was fun for us as parents to revisit those old favourites, too.

But the real highlight was the impressive Newseum, which looks at recent history through the lens of the media. Of course, after all of that museum-hopping, a trip or two around on the carousel at the National Mall is a perfect reward for good behaviour. After a busy day of sight-seeing, we were happy to go back and relax in our room at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC, which is located in my favourite neighbourhood—Georgetown. Full of well-preserved Federalist architecture, Georgetown also has the best shopping and dining in the city. We managed to find time to stroll around the cobblestone streets, but my son had more fun back in the Hotel, enjoying the kid-friendly amenities.

Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC

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A cultural introduction in Florence
Nominated by Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino


Four Seasons Hotel Firenze Park

Home to the largest private garden in Florence, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze offers an oasis in an otherwise crowded city: Admire architecture in the morning, and then spend the afternoon watching your children play outdoors back at the Hotel.

Florence is a busy metropolis, and the crowds and noise can be overwhelming. Luckily, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze has the largest private garden in the city—one of our favourite secluded hideaways, especially in summer. The oasis offers a pool; the vast garden itself, where the kids run; and a slice of calm and quiet without compromising proximity to Florence’s top sites.

From the Hotel, everything is walkable. My son loved climbing to the top of the Duomo and counting the 463 steps of the dark, ancient stairwell. The summit offers stunning panoramic views of Florence that are worth the climb, and gave our family one of our all-time favourite travel memories.

Although Florence is a city of Renaissance art and architecture, visiting with children offers the opportunity to see more of the parks, eat more delicious gelato and chow down on pizzas while experiencing the city’s attractions in an active, fun way. My son loved playing in the Santa Croce Piazza while we enjoyed superb people-watching in the shadow of the magnificent façade.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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Endless excitement in Orlando
Nominated by: Colleen Padilla of Classy Mommy


Fun in Orlando

Orlando is not exactly a stranger to family fun. Earn a stream of smiles from your little ones at a theme park, or soak up the sun at the Resort pool, designed to be fun for both the young and the young at heart.

Orlando is a place worth visiting over and over again so that you can experience the many attractions while still allowing time to relax poolside at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort. Easy transfers from the airport to the Resort make travelling to this destination logistical bliss with children.

My best advice for experiencing Orlando and Walt Disney World® Resort is not to try to do it all in one visit. You’ll exhaust yourself and the kids will be cranky. Instead, prioritise a few activities each day so that you feel accomplished rather than overwhelmed. And because the Resort has a private luxury bus to take your group to and from the Disney Theme Parks, you can schedule half-day visits to ensure there’s time left over to enjoy the Resort pool.

If you’re tired of lines, take your tots to the Resort’s Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals, where you can get pictures with all the characters they love as well as score a nutritious meal. Once you’ve experienced everything there is to see and do at Walt Disney World®—Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, to name only a few of the must-see attractions—retreat back to Four Seasons and enjoy Explorer Island, a 5-acre (2-hectare) family playground. Complete with fountain-equipped splash zone, lakefront family pool, meandering lazy river for tubing, gaming arena, and courts for beach volleyball and basketball, Explorer Island has something for everyone.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

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Something for everyone in Los Angeles
Nominated by: Katie Dillon of La Jolla Mom


Natural History Museum of Los Angles

Encourage your child’s love of learning with a visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, where the Dinosaur Hall’s massive fossils will impress children of all ages.

Photography courtesy the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

LA has ample attractions to make for a lively family vacation: With Disneyland only an hour away, the La Brea Tar Pits not far afield, and some of the world’s prettiest beaches and Santa Monica Pier nearby, there is no shortage of ways to entertain children of all ages. For an all-out family vacation, hit the Los Angeles Zoo, Universal Studios and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, where your kids can learn as well as play. For more of a local perspective, try the American Girl Place at The Grove for lunch in the café before doing a bit of shopping on Rodeo and Robertson. The LACMA children’s gallery offers interactive art and a fun way to get creative with your children.

LA has the widest range of cultural activities in Southern California, and I’m always a fan of widening my daughter’s scope of interest and knowledge by exposing her to new things. Food in LA is easy for the young, who never seem to tire of the city’s creative kid’s menus. Or dine in at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills: The menu at Culina presents a vast number of choices, but if your child can’t find anything appealing, the Hotel can make something to suit his or her palate.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Celebrate at Home With the Help of
Four Seasons Experts

Posted on by Jennifer Sanchez

Gathering with loved ones is the best part of the holiday season. If you’re thinking about hosting a holiday party for the first time or if you’re seeking new inspiration for your annual fête, the experts at Four Seasons are here to help. From inventive holiday cocktails and party-planning advice to the recipe for a Michelin-starred dish and the perfect playlist, we’ve compiled a holiday party planning checklist with everything you need for an unforgettable celebration.

No matter where you celebrate, creating a warm, welcoming environment is key.

Left: Place setting with purple flower, large green leaf and a bundle of sweets in a bag; Right: Person with long blond hair wearing a red shirt smiles in front of the water

JoAnn Freberg, Director of Catering and Conference Services at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina suggests fostering a sense of belonging, which can be done through group activities and personalized place settings.

Three people sit on chairs set on the sand in front of a row of palm trees, and each person holds a glass of champagne and smiles

The most important part of a holiday party is to celebrate being together.

Two children wearing chef hats and decorating cookies.

Don’t forget the kids, notes Freberg, who recommends incorporating holiday crafts or storytelling to keep young guests engaged.

Setting the scene: planning a holiday party

“Holiday parties are a time to come together and reconnect with friends and family, near and from afar,” says JoAnn Freberg, Director of Catering and Conference Services at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina. “We share meaningful traditions and family recipes; we celebrate togetherness; and we make memories across generations.”

While in the planning stage, Freberg recommends keeping three words in mind: comfortable, entertained, engaged. This is how you want your guests to feel throughout the event. Plan a menu that includes a variety of traditional favourites, perhaps using family recipes for a personal touch. Small-plate grazing stations are a fun way to share fresh vegetables and fruits, cheeses and charcuterie, or bite-size pastries and treats. Freberg also suggests planning an activity that fosters a sense of belonging and unity, especially if you have new friends or family members joining this year. “And don’t forget the kids,” notes Freberg. Incorporate holiday crafting, storytelling or singing of songs to keep young guests – and their parents – happy and engaged.

Since this is a busy time of year, Freberg highly recommends sending out invitations as soon as you know the date that works for you. The general guideline is to send invitations anywhere from four to eight weeks before the event, but you know your friends and family best, so plan accordingly to increase your chances of better attendance. And if you decide to host your party at a venue as opposed to your home, Freberg has one tried-and-true piece of advice: Book as early as you can.

Ultimately, the goal of a holiday party is to celebrate being together, so no matter where you host, keep formalities to a minimum, greet your guests warmly, cue up the music and let the festive atmosphere you’ve created do the rest.

Bartender wearing a white collared shirt, no tie and a dark suit jacket pours a liquid from up high into a cocktail glass

Michele Lombardi, Head Mixologist at Bar Antoine at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, enjoys putting a festive twist on traditional cocktails.

Left: Large central bar area with glowing lights; Right: Bartender wearing a dark shirt under a dark grey suit jacket fixes a cocktail behind the bar

Federico Balzarini, Beverage Manager at ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, recommends serving the gin-and-champagne-based French 75 for your holiday party.

Bar counter of restaurant with five stools and a teal and white colour palette

Bar Antoine is known for serving innovative, handcrafted cocktails, including a selection of spirit-free creations.

Setting the mood: the perfect holiday drinks

The perfect drink menu can set the tone for your event. Should you go fun and festive? Or elegant and traditional? For Michele Lombardi, Head Mixologist at Bar Antoine at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, it’s a little of both. “I really like taking a classic cocktail recipe, such as a traditional Negroni cocktail, and heating things up with a festive twist,” he says. For a crowd-pleasing holiday party beverage, Lombardi recommends a twist on traditional mulled wine, adding gin, vermouth and Campari for a little extra kick. “It’s toasty and spiced with a red wine base, cinnamon and all the usual ingredients. This is best made in a batch – enough for a crowd or a couple of rounds.” (See Lombardi’s mulled wine recipe in the image gallery above.)

For Federico Balzarini, Beverage Manager at ARGO at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, the name of the game is champagne. “The French 75 is a delightful combination of citrus, gin and champagne. It’s perfect as a pre-dinner drink as well as a palate cleanser,” he says. To make it, mix your favourite gin, fresh lemon juice and some sugar, and then top it off with your favourite champagne. “What’s not to like about it?” (See Balzarini’s French 75 recipe above.)

Come New Year’s Eve, Balzarini loves to celebrate with a glass of Dom Pérignon at ARGO. “There’s something special about the bubbly elegance that captures the festive spirit,” he says. “[I like to open] a bottle to toast to new beginnings!” And he’s right – few drinks immediately say “celebration” quite like a bottle of champagne.

But the best drink menus don’t just include alcohol. “One of the best drinks for the festive season is our White Forest cocktail that we serve at Bar Antoine,” says Lombardi. “It’s a non-alcoholic concoction made of Everleaf Forest non-alcoholic bittersweet aperitif, fresh apple juice, maple syrup, coconut powder and microplaned clementine peel. Served cold or hot, the flavours are bold and give the feeling of enjoying a real cocktail.” (See Lombardi’s White Forest recipe above.)

Khao soi gai dish with noodles, two chicken drumsticks and a wreath of crispy noodles served in an organic-edged bowl

Khao soi, a curry noodle dish popular in northern Thailand, is often made with chicken (as pictured above), shrimp or tofu.

Chef wearing glasses and a black short-sleeve chef's shirt picks produce from a garden

Khao soi is the go-to holiday dish for Chef Suwattana Boonyarattananusorn, Thai Chef Instructor at Rim Tai Kitchen cooking academy at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai.

Left: Formal restaurant dining room with tall white flowers as decor; Right: Chef wearing a white chef's jacket stands over a plate of food while putting finishing touches on it

Chef Christian Le Squer draws inspiration from his upbringing in Brittany, France, for many of his dishes, including his signature sea bass with buttermilk and caviar dish served at three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris.

Setting the menu: the perfect holiday dishes

Food has a special way of creating memories, especially when you share it with others. One of Freberg’s top holiday party planning tips includes incorporating traditional dishes with family recipes into your menu. While no two families are exactly alike, the love we pour into the dishes we serve feels universal. This is where your party can really shine, whether it’s through a curated selection of dishes or a hero dish that everyone will remember for years to come.

For Chef Suwattana Boonyarattananusorn, Thai Chef Instructor and the key figure behind the success of Rim Tai Kitchen cooking academy at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, that dish is khao soi.

“Khao soi holds a special place in my heart, not just as a dish, but as a symbol of family gatherings and cherished memories,” says Boonyarattananusorn, affectionately known as Chef Tor. This northern Thai classic, with its rich, aromatic curry and crispy egg noodles, has always been a favourite at his family table.

“To me, making khao soi is a labor of love,” he explains. “The complexity of the dish requires time and dedication, from preparing the specific chilli paste to crafting homemade noodles and simmering the perfect soup. It’s a dish that brings the family together, not just at the table but in the kitchen as well. Cooking khao soi becomes an experience where everyone can bond, have fun and laugh, turning the preparation into a cherished family ritual.”

For Chef Tor, khao soi is more than just food; it’s a reminder of home. It’s a dish that sparks conversations and creates connections. Whether he’s sharing it with family or serving it to guests, khao soi is his go-to dish for bringing people closer, making it the perfect choice for any family gathering.

If you don’t have a go-to family dish, why not borrow one from Michelin-distinguished chef Christian Le Squer? His award-winning signature sea bass with buttermilk and caviar is one of the bestsellers at his three-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and will undoubtedly become the centrepiece of your festive dinner. Inspired by Le Squer’s childhood in Brittany, France, this dish is elegant and sophisticated, slightly acidic and salty, and will leave a lasting impression on your guests. (See Le Squer’s sea bass recipe in the image gallery above.)

Dining table filled with various soups in red and orange colours with a bouquet of light-orange blooms and red ilex berries

Your holiday table is the perfect place to show off your creativity. For a festive touch, mix ilex berry (pictured) with your favourite blooms.

Person with short dark hair and a short beard stands with arms akimbo wearing a button down shirt with black, grey and white vertical lines; Right: Small bouquet of red roses and green berries and leaves sits atop a white table

Corey Rader, Manager of Floral Operations at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, recommends styling the table with multiple groupings of smaller designs to create more breathing space.

Large atrium lined with holiday trees

Whether you go big with a statement display or keep it simple, the best way to find your perfect holiday party décor is to play with it and have fun.

Setting the table: the perfect holiday décor

You’ve selected the drinks and the food – now where will you put it all? “Your holiday table setting is where your décor theme takes a personal and more customized turn, allowing you the opportunity to really make your guests feel like they’re immersed in your style and hospitality,” says Corey Rader, Manager of Floral Operations at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center. “I always recommend having a signature bloom at every place setting, whether it is an orchid bloom, a cutting of tallow berry, a sprig of ilex berries or just a clipping of fresh cedar. This simple gesture personalizes the experience for your guests from the moment they take their seats.”

Rader’s go-to holiday bloom for making a big statement, whether on its own or in a grouping, is amaryllis. Amaryllis come in a wide variety of colours, from the traditional red, white, burgundy, and variegated red and white to more contemporary colours like orange, green, pink and salmon. Rader notes that there is an amaryllis out there to fit any holiday décor theme. “Most people are familiar with amaryllis in plant form, but their versatility in design as a cut bloom makes for a showstopper very reminiscent of a lily but without the overpowering scent,” he says.

Another favourite is ranunculus, for its versatility (it pairs well with winter greenery like cedar as well as with other blooms like roses and hydrangeas) and its tendency to look best during the cooler winter and spring months, making December a perfect time to incorporate it into your décor. Rader also says you can’t miss with cymbidium orchids, which can be found in both standard and miniature sizes. Honourable mentions: ilex berry, hypericum berry, antique hydrangea, anemone, peony and tulip.

“I also recommend styling the table with multiple groupings of smaller designs so that you allow for breathing space to accommodate the accumulation of plates and glasses during the meal,” says Rader. “This will also enable you to spread the colour and texture of the florals throughout the table, as opposed to one large design that only pulls focus to the centre.”

Another key to successful table design and overall décor is lighting. “Lighting will make the difference between a flat, one-dimensional table and an elevated experience,” notes Rader. Striking the right balance is key; too much light and everything is washed out. Not enough light, and all of your hard work is not afforded the opportunity to shine. Candles are a great way not only to show off your style but also to add another layer of lighting to the table, suggests Rader, and with so many candleholder options on the market, selecting the right one has never been easier. Whether you’re adding texture through different linens, combining a variety of blooms, or placing evergreens or magnolia leaves directly on the table, just play with it and see what feels right. This is where you can really have fun and showcase your creativity.

Person wearing light-grey mock neck shirt and a black blazer sits behind a DJ stand wearing headphones

Daniel Buckman, President of BELLOSOUND and Music Partner of Four Seasons Hotel Houston, knows that a playlist isn’t just background music – “it’s part of the vibe, setting the tone for every moment.”

Dimly lit bar with brown tufted leather couch in the centre

At the Hotel’s Bayou & Bottle, for example, every track is handpicked to match the mood, time of day and people in the room.

Setting the vibe: the perfect holiday playlist

The right playlist can elevate the mood of any party. “The secret to a great holiday playlist is all about timing and flow,” says Daniel Buckman, President of BELLOSOUND and Music Partner of Four Seasons Hotel Houston. “Experience tells me that it’s about mixing the familiar with the unexpected while keeping things cool – but not too cool.”

First, timing. Start with laid-back classics and then gradually build energy. It’s all about reading the room and knowing when to shift gears, says Buckman. Then comes balance; blend traditional holiday tracks with modern hits, world music, or sophisticated jazz and chill electronic music to keep things interesting. Then Buckman recommends including something familiar, but with a twist: “We know people love classics, but by introducing fresh remixes or rare gems, we keep the playlist engaging.” The best playlists cater to diverse tastes, so keep your audience in mind and blend old and new to create an inclusive, dynamic vibe. And finally, avoid overplayed hits. Buckman suggests steering clear of the obvious and focusing on fresh versions and under-the-radar gems to keep it exciting.

So what are some of his favourite holiday songs? “I’ve got a few,” he says. “I love the laid-back vibe of reggae Christmas, like ‘Happy Christmas’ by Toots and the Maytals. Marvin Gaye’s ‘Purple Snowflakes’ is a soulful classic, and Kaskade’s Christmas albums bring that modern, cool vibe. But for the perfect remix, it has to be ‘I’d Like You For Christmas’ by Julie London (Ursula 1000 remix) – smooth, nostalgic, but with a fresh twist. Perfect for setting the mood.”

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How will you spend your holidays?

floral art installation at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris