Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

13 of the Best Rooftop Bars in the World

Posted on by Nikki Ridgway

When the weather is warm, rooftop bars and restaurants become playgrounds for city dwellers. Nights are hot, sunsets are radiant and drinks always taste better when sipped in the sky. But to make our list of the best rooftop bars in the world, these 13 hot spots had to offer more than dreamy views.

Paris: Les Ombres


Les Ombres Restaurant Paris

Photography courtesy Restaurant Les Ombres

Recommended by the Concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, this rooftop restaurant occupies the top floor of the Jean Nouvel–designed Musée du quai Branly in the 7th district, and is an easy jaunt from the Hotel. Take a tour of the museum’s exhibitions, or skip the culture and proceed directly to the celebrated menu of French classics. A restaurant for travellers and locals alike, Les Ombres boasts unmatched views of the Eiffel Tower from the terrace. Plan your experience around sunset to watch the Tower’s lights begin to glitter as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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Singapore: 1-Altitude Gallery and Bar


1 Altitude Gallery and Bar Rooftop - Singapore

Photography courtesy 1-Altitude

1-Altitude Gallery and Bar is the grande dame of rooftop bars – the world’s highest al fresco bar sits atop the triangular One Raffles Place building almost 1,000 feet (304 metres) above Singapore’s business district. The 360-degree views look out onto the Singapore River, Marina Bay and twinkling cityscape, but with a sunken dance floor, small-plates bar menu and creative cocktail list, 1-Altitude is far more than just a viewing platform. DJs The Funkman and Leonard T man the decks most nights, so plan for drinks plus dancing.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

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Dubai: Mercury Lounge


On the rooftop of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Mercury Lounge offers more than its head-turning views of the Arabian Gulf, city skyline and Burj Khalifa. In-house attractions include a Champagne bar, shisha lounge, resident DJ and traditional majlis seating areas for the city’s glitterati. Happy hour kicks things off early, and the small-plates menu – with caviar, oysters and truffle duck parfait, naturally – sustains the crowds until the wee hours. The dress code is smart casual, but in Dubai that means your highest heels or sharpest button-downs.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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New York City: The Skylark


New York City The Skylark

Photography courtesy The Skylark

Concierge David Harney at Four Seasons Hotel New York says The Skylark is an after-work favourite for a ritzy Midtown crew. Views are of movie-set New York, from the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building and out to the Hudson River. Lauded New York mixologist Johnny Swet is behind signature cocktails like the spicy Jalapeto and the Skylark, an other-era concoction with gin, Saint- Germain and brandied cherry. This sky-high spot is only open to the public only during the week, so don’t wait until the weekend to visit.

Four Seasons Hotel New York

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Hong Kong: SEVVA


Hong Kong Sevva Rooftop Bar

Photography courtesy Sevva

In a city with a thriving rooftop bar scene, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong recommends SEVVA, a crowd-pleaser with 360-degree city views atop the Prince’s Building in Central. Pronounced “savour,” the bar caters to imbibers both at night and during the day. Daytime patrons can enjoy afternoon tea and sweets, while night owls can expect a lively DJ and the occasional saxophonist.

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Miami: Juvia


Hanging out on top of a parking garage might not sound like the most glamorous of nights, but this Miami rooftop hot spot does things differently. Recommended by the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Juvia is the creation of acclaimed architects Herzog & de Meuron. In the kitchen, alums of Nobu, Boulud and Ducasse dish up Peruvian, French and Japanese favourites with a 305 twist. The Miami Beach views make the perfect backdrop to an evening of libations.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami

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Mumbai: AER


AER at Four Seasons Mumbai

The jewel in the sparkling crown of Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, AER towers 34 storeys above the bustling Worli district and is one of few rooftop bars to be open year round. The sleek, modern décor takes its cues from the city’s superfuture skyline, on full display thanks to the knockout 360-degree views. Visit at sunset for one of the best views in Mumbai – and to secure your seat – or come during the late-night hours to gaze at the stars.

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

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Istanbul: A’YA Rooftop Lounge


A'YA Rooftop Lounge at Four Seasons Istanbul

At A’YA Rooftop Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the city’s signature sights are on display. Admire the Hagia Sophia’s giant buttress, the Blue Mosque’s distinctive six minarets and the brilliant blue Bosphorus over a bottle of local wine. Ask the staff to treat you to a raki balik experience, a favourite way for locals to imbibe a bottle of their national drink (an aniseed liqueur) paired with seafood. A calm oasis in the middle of a hectic tourist area, this is not the spot to party until dawn. Go for a low-key evening spent appreciating Istanbul’s grandest treasures and the sounds of Old Town below.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

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Los Angeles: Perch


Los Angeles Perch Bar

Photography courtesy Perch

To be in with LA’s hip and handsome crowd, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Concierge Barbara Reyes recommends Perch. Located in Downtown LA, the 16th-floor rooftop bar has unmatched panoramic views of the buzzing neighbourhood plus classic Parisian cocktails, live jazz nights, ornate fireplaces and an oyster-shucking cart. On a hot day, try the Spicy Concombre, a combination of Greenalls Gin, St-Germain, lime juice, cucumber and jalapeño – refreshing with a touch of heat.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Beirut: The Roof


The Roof at Four Seasons Beirut

A 26th-floor gem atop Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, The Roof is the highest open-air lounge in the city and packs a punch with seasonal outdoor seating for 200, nightly live DJ sets and an Asian-inspired tapas menu. Not to mention that the bar offers pick-a-vista views of Beirut’s downtown, surrounding mountains, a nearby marina and the Mediterranean Sea. Expect to share a banquette with the city’s brightest, who know to book in advance for a seat at the window, dress way up and dance until the lights go on at 2:00 am.

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut

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Bangkok: ZENSE

With a heart-of-the-action location atop the CentralWorld shopping mall, ZENSE is a prime perch for admiring the neon lights of downtown Bangkok. The look is artfully futuristic, with high-design canopies over tables, vertical gardens and mood lighting across the mezzanine bar and outdoor dining areas. Better for sundowners than for a late-night party, the cocktail menu serves all the classics, plus fruity seasonal cocktails.

London: Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof


Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof, London

Photography courtesy Forest on the Roof

Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof is a seasonal pop-up on the top floor of Selfridge’s, one of London’s best-loved department stores. The rooftop restaurant is transformed each year, and the current urban forest features branches and fairy lights. Décor echoes the forager-focused menu, and there’s a secret garden with two “sheds” for cosy drinks or a group celebration. Book in advance to score a table during the popular afternoon tea service, and order a round of Rhubinis – a quintessentially English concoction with homemade rhubarb and sparkling local wine.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Doha: Nobu Doha


In a tri-level, 26,000-square-foot (2,415-square-metre) space resembling an oyster shell, Nobu at Four Seasons Hotel Doha is the world’s largest Nobu restaurant. Perched in the middle of the bay, the rooftop terrace has just 38 highly coveted seats. Claim your spot when the bar’s doors open at 6:00 pm, and settle in with an order of the 28 Punch – a decadent mocktail with fresh ginger and acai black. Sip on your drink and admire views of the Arabian Gulf and the yachts docked at the Four Seasons Marina next door. For a sweet treat to round out the night, try the raved-about caramelised vanilla cake.

Four Seasons Hotel Doha

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Around the World With Tory Burch

Posted on by Natalie Bogan Morgan

It’s hard not to be bitten by the travel bug when you grow up hearing stories of your parents’ journeys around the world. As a child, Tory Burch was enthralled with the adventures of her parents, Buddy and Reva Robinson, who for six weeks every summer set off by steamer ship for Morocco, Italy, France, Greece and beyond.

They instilled in Burch a desire to travel, explore and learn.

My parents raised me with the knowledge that the world is a wonderful place. The more you learn, the more you want to know. – Tory Burch

The designer hopes she has passed that same curiosity on to her three boys – twins Henry and Nicholas, and Sawyer.

While the demands of her growing global company have her travelling mostly for work, she carves out time as often as she can to go off the beaten path. This is often where she and her team find inspiration for the collection, known for its bold and modern use of colour and print. Read on to see how Turkish Iznik tilework, Paris café culture and Indian mirrors have influenced Burch.

Made in Marrakech

Burch’s love affair with Morocco stems from her childhood. The designer grew up listening to her parents recount fond memories of exploring Marrakech. The pair honeymooned in the ancient city and then returned year after year, bringing art and antiques found in the souks back to the family’s Pennsylvania farmhouse.

Moroccan tiles

Today when travelling, Burch and her design team fill their phones with images like this one – a splash of Moroccan tile they were drawn to because of its vibrant colours and dancing patterns. Photography courtesy Noa Griffel

Later, as Burch studied art history and started working in fashion, her expectations for the city grew. “It’s said that Alfred Hitchcock [was inspired to create] The Birds after staying at La Mamounia and hearing the crows every morning,” she says. “Matisse was inspired by so many of the country’s vibrant colours, which all filtered into his own work.” And, of course, the country’s mark on fashion is eternal, having been a sanctuary for Yves Saint Laurent.

Happily, Burch was not disappointed. “On my first, and every trip since, the city lived up to my imagination,” she says.

“Everywhere you go, there’s a hotel, store or street with a story about how the city, the people and the culture have inspired someone to create something unforgettable.”

Morocco’s brilliant Majorelle blue, especially when set against crisp white, has influenced colour combinations in the designer’s own collections. “And in one resort collection a few years ago,” notes Burch, “we translated a straw hat I found in a Marrakech souk into a conversation print we used on tunics, dresses and swimsuits.”

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech

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En vogue à Paris

It’s fair to say that Burch owes a bit of her success to the City of Lights. After all, it was in a Paris flea market that she discovered the green floral tunic that inspired the Tory Tunic, a staple that’s been in every collection since Burch’s first season. More than a decade later, she continues to visit the iconic city to explore new places, while stopping by her long-time favourites including the Deyrolle, a 185-year-old curiosities shop, and Café Marly, which overlooks the Louvre.

“Paris never ceases to inspire me.”

“Just walking through the streets or sitting at a café, you notice the incredible Parisian sense of style,” says Burch. “It’s in the city’s DNA.” Burch’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection is evidence of her love for the city, having taken a cue from the café scene in Éric Rohmer’s 1972 film L’amour l’après-midi, where stylish women passed by the restaurant, each flaunting a unique look.

Tory Burch Fall Winter 2016 Runway Look

The Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2016 collection took inspiration from Éric Rohmer’s 1972 French film L’amour l’après-midi, which translated into a celebration of classic seventies sportswear on a New York runway. Photography courtesy Tory Burch

“On the runway, that meant that every look was different, whether through print, length or silhouette,” she explains. “But they all had the same subtle nod to great, classic ’70s sportswear.”

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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All eyes on Istanbul

“Istanbul is one of those cities where you can stand in one place, whether inside or outside and take in an extraordinary, 360-degree view,” Burch says. The designer opened her first boutique in the Turkish city in 2013, having visited once before.

“It’s magical – from the sultans and pashas to the mix of old and modern architecture, it has such an incredible history and culture,” she says. The self-admitted history and art aficionado appreciates Istanbul’s past, preserved in the city’s streets and buildings, as it blends with the area’s new, vibrant art scene.

“You don’t have to know anything about architecture to appreciate [it],” she says. “If I could go back in time and learn from the Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman artisans . . .”

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

“My design team and I have spent hours in the Blue Mosque, studying patterns and colour combinations,” says Burch. Photography courtesy Noa Griffel

Through the years, as Burch and her team spent time at the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace, the colours and graphics in Turkish tile work, textiles and architecture found their way into the collections. The designer is especially drawn to the “colourful florals of Iznik tiles, layered textures of Azerbaijani rugs, hammered copper accessories and tassels” found in the historic spaces.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

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Colour collision in India

“When I’m in India, I’m a tourist in the best sense of the word,” Burch says. “I want to soak up every second.” During her time in south Asia, the designer often fills her days exploring area temples, museums and shops, forgoing sleep in favour of immersion in the local culture.

Tory Burch in India

Inspiration abounds in India, where Burch appreciates the melding of culture and history. Throughout the years, her collections have been inspired by classic Indian patterns, embellishments and techniques she finds throughout the country. Photography courtesy Tory Burch

On one such whirlwind vacation to Rajasthan in 2009, Burch took an elephant ride to the grand Amber Fort, where she and her fellow travellers got more than they bargained for. “At the top, there were several young men who we thought were selling beautiful woven baskets,” she says. “Turns out, they were snake charmers.”

“When I’m in India, I’m a tourist in the best sense of the word. I want to soak up every second.”

Burch’s love for the country is clear in her clothing designs, though it’s hard to pinpoint what she finds most inspiring – the pace of life, the landscape of mountains and jungle, or the artisan details tucked into India’s historic architecture. “Every trip to India offers something new,” she says.

A Tory Burch Design Inspired by India Icon

Burch snapped the photo at left during a trip to India, capturing an intricately carved sculpture dressed in flowers. The icon inspired the design at right, a red floral appliquéd tulle dress. Photography courtesy Tory Burch

Faithful followers of Burch’s designs will recognise the classic Indian patterns, embellishments and techniques appearing on the company’s tunics and totes throughout the years. For example, she says, “The mirror-work details in one season reflected the ornamented rooms in the Sheesh Mahal.”

Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai

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Celebrating the past in Ginza

Though she spent a whirlwind week in Japan when opening the first Tory Burch boutique in Ginza, the designer admits that her stay wasn’t nearly long enough. “We packed a lot into a short amount of time, but we barely scratched the surface,” she says.

During her 2010 excursion, the designer explored Tokyo-area markets and temples, including the Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple where smoke from incense burners is said to bring good luck. “It’s a popular and spiritual place for young couples to get married,” she says. “I remember vividly seeing one young bride in a stunning traditional kimono.”

A few seasons ago, Burch found inspiration in a blue woven samurai suit she saw during this trip to Japan, which made its way into a collection of armour-tinged knits and patterns.

Japanese Samurai Suit

“It reminded me of the suits of armour my father and grandparents collected on their travels,” explains Burch, who captured the intricate detail in this samurai suit during a trip to Tokyo. Photography courtesy Tory Burch

On her next visit, Burch hopes to day-trip around Japan’s countryside, learning more about local culture and enjoying the cuisine.

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo

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Created in partnership with Tory Burch

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floral art installation at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

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Historic Hotels: Rooms With a View to History

Posted on by Adam H. Graham

To celebrate European Heritage Days, take a grand tour of European Heritage by way of historic Four Seasons properties.

Want to sit in the historic ballroom where the League of Nations first assembled? Visit the estate where Henry VIII first set eyes on Catherine of Aragon? Or swim in a Côte d’Azur pool designed by an Italian spy? If you’re a lover of history and a guest of Four Seasons, there’s no need to leave these Four Seasons landmark properties to do so.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel


Four Seasons Cap Ferrat Club Dauphin Pool

Taking a dip in the Cap-Ferrat Dauphin Pool is like dipping your toe into history. The pool was built by an Italian spy, and it stands today as a monument to World War II and the perseverance of architecture.

Photography courtesy Martin Morrell

The magnificent Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat was built in 1908 at the tip of the isolated Cap Ferrat peninsula in southeastern France. At the time, it was seen as incomplete by many, so it was immediately given additional amenities like a dining loggia and a large central rotunda designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel, who spent his winters in neighbouring Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

In the years leading up to World War II, the property was frequented by European princes, lords and baronets; prominent financiers; artists and writers like Jean Cocteau and Somerset Maugham; Hollywood stars; industry leaders; and heads of state. But none of them provided the property its most interesting story.

Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel

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That came from a simple Italian bricklayer, who surprised hotel management in 1939 by engineering and building the Hotel’s structurally complex waterfront pool in one day. Years later, during Italian occupation of the Côte d’Azur, the bricklayer again showed up at the Hotel, this time in a dashing military uniform and said to the manager, “Nice to see the pool held up.” Turns out he was as an Italian spy who used the Hotel’s prominent clients as a source of intelligence. The Club Dauphin pool is still a gem among the Hotel’s many amenities and is accessed via a private glass funicular.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze


Four Seasons Florence Royal Suite Della Gherardesca

The Royal Suite Della Gherardesca at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is the perfect place to relax in this convent-turned-hotel.

Convents turned hotels are a dime a dozen these days, but few can boast as rich and textured a history as Florence’s timeless Palazzo Scala Della Gherardesca. It was built during the golden age of Florence at the dawn of the Renaissance, and converted to a Four Seasons hotel in 2008. The estate, later the Suor Maria Riparatrice convent, was commissioned in 1473 by the humanitarian scribe Bartolomeo Scala, who also happened to be the chancellor to Florence’s legendary Lorenzo the Magnificent, the head of the influential Medici family long known for their patronage of the arts.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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The leafy palazzo was later home to Cardinal Alessandro de’ Medici, who reigned as Pope Leo XI for a mere month in 1605 before he died suddenly, earning him the nickname Papa Lampo (“The Lightning Pope”). The frescos that adorn the property’s walls are by the Renaissance painters Giovanni Stradano and Baldassarre Franceschini.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire


Four Seasons Hampshire Gate to the Gardens

The charming gardens at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire were the meeting place of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, who would forever change the Tudor line and legacy.

Dogmersfield Park is the name of the estate on which this 18th-century Georgian Manor sits, but its origins date back to 1086 and the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by King William the Conqueror. The book describes “Doccemere feld, by the lake where the water lilies grow,” as a placid and peaceful place.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

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400 years after this description was penned, the bucolic field would play a pivotal role in the tumultuous Tudor history as the place where Catherine of Aragon met two of her future husbands—first Arthur, Prince of Wales, then, after Arthur died of “sweating disease,” his younger brother Henry the VIII, who was five years her junior.

Henry VIII, of course, went on to marry five other wives, throwing the Tudor dynasty into a tailspin that would eventually undo it. Guests who want to imagine the royal liaisons in more detail can still explore the 23 acres (9.3 hectares) of English Heritage gardens and more than 500 acres (200 hectares) of tamed parkland to help reconstruct the past.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet


Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet Gardener in Courtyard

Once an infamous prison, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet has become a luxury hotel now hosting voluntary guests.

The celebrity guests at this century-old, neoclassical property have included artists and political figures like communist leader Mihri Belli, novelist Orhan Kemal, and dissident poet Nâzım Hikmet. And they all have one thing in common: They never checked in. At least not willingly.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

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The charming property in the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district was once the infamous Turkish prison Sultanahmet Cezaevi; the courtyard is the prison’s old exercise yard. Today, the accommodations are much more grand, but guests can still visit the corridors upstairs to see a few of the prison’s original support columns, which are marked by graffiti and the etchings of former inmates.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva


Four Seasons Geneva Salle des Nations Ballroom

The magnificent neoclassical Hotel des Bergues, built in 1834 and now a historic Swiss landmark, occupies a prominent position in the heart of Geneva on the shores of Lac Léman. The Hotel’s Salle des Nations ballroom boasts soaring ceilings and is festooned with crystal chandeliers and gigantic gilt mirrors; it remains a popular event space with visiting dignitaries today.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

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But in 1920 it was the site of the first assembly of the League of Nations, predecessor to the United Nations. The Hotel became the unofficial headquarters of the French delegation chaired by Prime Minister Aristide Briand; the son of innkeepers was rumoured to have been impressed by the meticulous 1917 renovations of the Hotel. Historians claim that Briand’s many meetings at the Salle des Nations had a greater influence on international relations than the formal sessions held in the Palais des Nations. Briand would receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1926, and the property became a Four Seasons hotel in 2005.

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Four Seasons Hotel Bergues Geneva, Switzerland

The Best Places to Visit in Europe for Art, Music and Culture

Posted on by Lauren Johnson

During a 16-day Backstage With the Arts journey on the Four Seasons Jet, guests experienced the art, music, culture and history of Europe, complete with backstage access, special performances and private entries. Whether you have one day or 20 for a European holiday, let their adventures in Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Istanbul and Prague inspire your own itinerary. Read on to discover the cultural highlights of each destination and flip through photos from the Four Seasons Jet trip to see the landmarks, museums, theatres and local experiences you shouldn’t miss on your own journey.

The Four Seasons Jet

The newly redesigned Four Seasons Jet flew travellers on the Backstage With the Arts journey to destinations including Paris, Lisbon, Milan, Istanbul and Prague.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Flight Crew Four Seasons Private Jet

The Four Seasons Jet sets a new standard for excellent service in the skies.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Four Seasons Jet Interior

On the Jet, guests relaxed in individually handcrafted leather flatbed seats and dined on innovative cuisine—served on bone china.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Art and culinary prowess in Paris

Paris has long been the homeland of the artist. It is a city to which creative spirits make pilgrimage, while appreciative spirits love to bask in the atmosphere. There’s no better way to kick off your stay than by enjoying the Michelin-starred cuisine of Le Cinq, renowned restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. From there, tour the newly opened Louis Vuitton Foundation, a striking building designed by Frank Gehry, which has as its mission the fostering and promotion of artistic creation on national and international levels. It also has a magnificent collection of fine art that must not be missed. Survey more of Paris on a private cruise along the Seine, and bid the city farewell over dinner in the Eiffel Tower.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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Four Seasons Paris Le Cinq Courtyard Details

The delightfully chic Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris was the first stop for travellers on the Backstage With the Arts tour and served as an ideal home base for the adventures ahead.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Louis Vuitton Foundation

Guests visited the newly opened Louis Vuitton Foundation, a masterpiece of modern architecture that juts into the Paris skyline like a yacht on a grand voyage.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Louis Vuitton Foundation

Home to modern artistic marvels as well as traditional favourites, the Louis Vuitton Foundation draws an eclectic crowd of art enthusiasts, fashionistas and intellectuals.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Gagosian Gallery

Also spotted in Paris, a precarious work of art by Chris Burden balances at the Gagosian Gallery.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Eiffel Tower Art

At the Eiffel Tower, local performers dangle from the decorative arches making music and luring in passers-by.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Four Seasons George V, Paris Wine

Back at the Hotel, guests ventured into the restaurant Le Cinq wine cellar to sample bottles from celebrated wine regions around the globe.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Diverse architecture in Lisbon

Lisbon, home to a spectrum of architecture from classical to Manueline to Gothic, offers the opportunity to explore art and architecture to your heart’s content. Start with a guided tour of the Berardo Collection Museum and then tour the ornate, Manueline-style Jeronimos Monastery. An excellent hub for travellers, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon offers its own take on artistic décor. Allow at least three days to absorb the best of Lisbon: Be sure to visit the Museu Nacional do Azulejo, the Palais de Santos, and take a guided walk through Chiado Square and the surrounding area.

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

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Museum of Decorative Arts detail

In Lisbon, the Museum of Decorative Arts offered guests the opportunity to examine intricate artefacts and artistic creations treasured by the aristocracy of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Museum of Decorative Arts

The Museum of Decorative Arts also houses collections of furniture, textiles and paintings that reflect Portugal’s artistic heritage.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Ancient designs and fresh fashion in Milan

Milan is renowned for fashion, but the city is also a focal point of ancient architecture and art. From a home base at Four Seasons Hotel Milano, take in all the city has to offer with visits to Tod’s Boutique, the Duomo di Milano, the Leonardo Museum and the Ambrosiana Library, or experience the best of the city’s art and architecture on a Milanese design tour. Take a cue from guests of the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, who enjoyed backstage access to the Teatro alla Scala, Milan’s famed opera house, and book a show through the Concierge.

Four Seasons Hotel Milano

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A retro bicycle outside a café

The next stop for guests on the Backstage With the Arts journey was Milan, which balances a reverence for culture and history with a desire to be at the forefront of fashion. A retro bicycle outside a café in the city highlights this dichotomy.

Teatro alla Scala

The museum at Milan’s famed Teatro Alla Scala offers a look at the theatre’s rich history through artefacts, instruments, and portraits of its composers, patrons and prima donnas.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Duomo Milan

While in Milan guests also visited the intricate and awe-inspiring Duomo. One of the largest churches in the world, construction of this landmark spanned nearly 500 years.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

East-meets-West interior design in Istanbul

Situated between Asia and Europe, Istanbul is a city whose artistic and cultural influences draw from empires on both sides of the Bosphorus. Lodge at the beautifully decorated Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, which is perfectly situated near Istanbul’s top sites. For an inspired experience, book a private tour of the Hagia Sophia to get a close look at the building’s gold-domed ceilings and intricate reliefs, then visit the Basilica Cistern. Tours of the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace are also on the must-do list for Istanbul. Finally, bring home your own works of art after a shopping sojourn at the Grand Bazaar, with choices from handwoven carpets to fantastic lanterns.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

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Blue Mosque

The tour’s next stop was Istanbul, where guests visited the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or Blue Mosque, so called because of the thousands of blue tiles that line its grand interior.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Home to artwork, carpets clothing and fragrant spices, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is a one-stop shop for vibrant colour, contrast and culture—and a challenge for any budding photographer.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Musical culture alive in Prague

Contemporary artists flock to Prague the same way literary geniuses strive to follow the giants of the pen in Paris. Attend Mozart’s Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre, where the composer debuted the opera in 1787. For an exclusive experience, ask Four Seasons Hotel Prague to arrange a private viewing of the opera for you. The historic city’s impressive Old Town, full of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, is an excellent stomping ground for photographers. Before departing Prague, be sure to explore major landmarks, including the Municipal House, Strahov Monastery and beautiful Prague Castle.

Four Seasons Hotel Prague

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Vltava River, Prague

The final destination on the Four Seasons Jet’s European holiday, Prague’s beautiful bridges, well-preserved buildings and castles, and gorgeous landscape made for picturesque views at every turn.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

Strahov Monastery

Strahov Monastery, in Prague, houses more than 200,000 priceless manuscripts and thousands of books.

Photography courtesy Neale Haynes

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Four Seasons Gift Cards: Give the Gift of Their Dreams

Posted on by Alexandra Sheehan

This holiday season, think outside the traditional gift box when choosing presents for friends, family and colleagues. With a Four Seasons Gift Card, everyone on your list is destined for the extraordinary.

Whether it’s a round of golf in a dream destination, a unique fitness class or a gourmet dinner in paradise, an unforgettable experience is theirs to choose – whenever and wherever they wish.

We explored the possibilities and gathered up some of the season’s most memorable and unusual gift ideas. Browse our wish list, then choose your amount and let them discover the gift of their dreams.

Golf with friends

Set up your favourite golfer for a round in paradise. The golf course at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo is one of the best courses in Costa Rica and ranked among the “Top 100 Courses Outside the United States” by Golf Digest. Designed by Arnold Palmer, it begins atop one of Peninsula Papagayo’s highest plateaus, overlooking the waters of Bahía de Culebra.

At El Bajo, the signature par-4 sixth hole, golfers tee off from 200 feet (61 metres) above the green fairway below. A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the golf course lies amid botanical gardens, scenic cliffs and an abundance of wildlife. Lucky golfers have been known to encounter a monkey or two.

Buy a gift card for a round in Costa Rica >

Dinner with a view


Private Island Dinner Experience, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

The Private Island Dinner Experience available through Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is one of the most intimate and romantic ways for a couple to enjoy the tropical destination.

Whatever the reason for a romantic getaway to Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, couples can mark the occasion with an unforgettable Polynesian dinner. During the Private Island Dinner Experience, guests take a canoe ride to a small white-sand island – known locally as a motu – for the perfect sunset view and a feast to remember.

The couple will sip Champagne while tasting expertly prepared dishes and fresh seafood. And for dessert? Choose a chocolate Polynesian pirogue or coconut and passion fruit sorbets. Whatever their personal tastes, the executive chef will cater to every need, with the option of adding wine pairings, a private singer or a professional photographer to capture the memories for years to come.

Buy a gift card to give the gift of dinner in paradise >

Cooking classes with local flavour


Cooking school at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

For the aspiring chef in your life, a gift card can be used to attend a class at the open-air cooking facility at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, designed by award-winning Bensley Design Studios in Bangkok to unite architectural influences of northern Thailand with traditional design.

One of the best parts of travelling is the opportunity to taste food all over the world. At the Cooking School at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, gourmands can immerse themselves in the traditions of Thai cuisine through a variety of Lanna-style cooking classes, plus optional trips to the local market and even vegetable-carving lessons.

Novice and expert chefs can choose their class according to their tastes, whether they prefer to make kaow soi gai (Chiang Mai curry noodle soup with chicken) or tom yum goong (spicy soup with shrimp). After class, students will move to the open-air dining area of the pavilion to savour delectable dishes and spectacular views.

Buy a gift card to show friends and family the flavours of Thailand >

A meditative practice


Yoga at Four Seasons Residence Club San Diego Aviara

At Four Seasons Residence Club San Diego Aviara, active guests can choose from indoor or outdoor yoga classes, as well as other types of classes, at the two fitness centres: Meadows Fitness (open 24 hours) and Summits Fitness.

For the wellness enthusiast, a restorative yet challenging fitness activity often tops their wish list. At Four Seasons Residence Club San Diego Aviara, guests can partake in on-site yoga classes in an open-air pavilion that overlooks the pool. Waterproof cedar floors and adjustable wall screens allow for a safe and private practice.

There’s a class for every pace: vinyasa is typically centred on the flow and the breath, while hatha yoga is a more restorative practice and combining hatha and Pilates provides a strong core workout. Barre is another interesting workout, largely influenced by ballet, utilising a ballet bar for targeted strengthening exercises. Whatever the practice, there’s no better way to get energised for a day spent in the city or by the pool.

Buy a gift card to give the gift of rejuvenating wellness >

A delightful treat


Chocolate at Four Seasons Hotels Istanbul

Ghislain Gaille, the Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus creates artisan chocolates by adding modern twists to his Grandfather’s legendary recipes. Visit the Hotel’s Chocolate Shop to taste test a bar that combines passion fruit, olive oil, ginger, cinnamon and fig with spices from Istanbul’s Spice Market.

Rather than guessing what treat best suits your friend or family member’s palate, let them choose their own. In the Chocolate Shop and Chocolate Showroom at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus, travellers with a sweet tooth can taste and take home artisan chocolates and local specialties prepared by Chef Ghislain Gaille.

For a truly authentic dessert, recommend that they also taste a world-famous Turkish delight, a gelatin-like sweet treat that was first concocted in the 18th century, often flavoured with rosewater or citrus and covered with confectioner’s sugar. Today, the candies are available in many varieties, such as pistachio, coconut and cinnamon.

Buy a gift card for a taste of Istanbul’s sweet side >

Elegant nightcaps


Drinks at Four Seasons Hotel Casblanca, Bleu Bar

Have a friend visiting Morocco? Treat them to a drink at Bleu Bar at the new Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca. Here, guests can sit on the terrace amid ocean views or at the chic bar, where live entertainment can be enjoyed most weekends.

For the person on your list who enjoys a divine cocktail, the chic Bleu Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca is the perfect oceanside spot. Suggest that they use the gift card to order A Tale of Two Cities, a cocktail for two made of caramel Casablanca tea with demerara sugar and lemon, served with violet-infused Earl Grey tea. Cocktails pair perfectly with a plate of fresh, world-renowned Dakhla oysters, from an ecologically protected area where oyster farmers do their work by hand. The new bar, inspired by the sea, is decorated with nautical touches, including seashell designs and curves reminiscent of the waves.

If they prefer afternoon tea to nightly drinks, mention the Hotel’s Mint, a lounge where they can enjoy gourmet French pastries on comfortable sofas amid traditional Moroccan décor.

Buy a gift card to give the gift of a seaside cocktail >

A meet and greet with modern artists


Songzhuang Artist Village tour

Located in the eastern suburbs of Beijing, Songzhuang Artist Village is a home of more than 2,000 top artists and their studios. Send your most creative friends there to attend an artist-led tour.

Photography China Photos / Stringer / Getty Images

Give friends and family with a passion for contemporary art the chance to meet China’s most talented artists, as well as see their work. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing offers guests the opportunity to Go Inside Beijing’s Creative Scene with an intimate look at these inspiring creators. During the experience, guests join China’s leading artists for a tour of Songzhuang Artist Village. After the tour, guests can share a gourmet lunch with the artists at their home or studio, or in the surrounding orchard and gardens.

Buy a gift card for an intimate cultural experience >

Aquatic adventures


Water sports at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

After venturesome travellers get their feet wet snorkelling in the waters outside Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, they’ll want to try surfing or stand-up paddling. The Introduction to Surfing class is complimentary, but guests can use a gift card to purchase more lessons or rent boards to take on the waves on their own.

If you’re shopping for a venturesome traveller, a water-sports rental at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles will give them a fun way to get active on the water. Guests can choose between a smooth stand-up paddleboard ride and a thrilling surf experience on the Indian Ocean, each of which provides an exciting and effective workout. Expert Tropicsurf instructors are available to offer paddleboard tutorials and teach beginning surfers the fundamentals, while students can progress at their own pace.

Buy a gift card so loved ones can make a splash in the Seychelles >

A great night’s sleep at home


Four Seasons Bed – Oahu Suite, Hawaii

The signature Four Seasons Bed (available for purchase with a gift card) is the centrepiece to any sleep sanctuary. While its patented GelTouch foam centre absorbs heat to keep you cool at night, pocketed coil motion separation provides optimal support.

Give any Four Seasons fan or frequent traveller the ultimate gift: the opportunity to take home the brand’s world-renowned sleep experience. The signature Four Seasons Bed, developed over 50 years in partnership with experts and guests and available for purchase with a gift card, features a choice of unique mattress toppers to deliver the ultimate in customised comfort. Recommend that they add signature Four Seasons linens and pillows for unparalleled luxury.

Buy a gift card to give the gift of a sounder sleep >

Courtney Guadagno also contributed to this article.

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