Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

Will this be the year you focus on wellness? Maybe you’re wanting to finally go on that epic adventure or make sure you experience all those big pop culture moments first hand. Whatever your travel style is, exploring trends can be a fun way to find inspiration for your next great vacation. From immersive wellness experiences to set-jetting to event- and adventure-based travel, we’re taking a look at some of the biggest trends for the year ahead and how Four Seasons can help you channel them all.

What kind of traveller will you be in 2024? We can’t wait to find out.

From destination spas to yoga programs to meditation retreats, wellness tourism continues to be a global trend that’s here to stay. In fact, 94% of travellers are incorporating wellness and self-care into their trips, according to luxury travel advisor network Virtuoso. But beyond just a relaxing massage, more and more people are seeking immersive experiences – think forest bathing, thermal baths, guided meditation sessions in scenic destinations and fitness bootcamps that take you outside the gym – to help them focus on their health, reconnect with themselves and dive deep into the benefits of nature.

With just 15 luxury tents set on 48 acres, the adults-only Naviva®, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, México, was designed as a refuge that blurs the line between nature and resort. Relax in your stand-alone tent tucked discreetly into the forest and take a dip in your private plunge pool accompanied by the sounds of birds singing and the distant rumble of the Pacific Ocean. Along with the serenity that nature brings, this intimate, all-inclusive resort offers unique opportunities for self-discovery. Embark on a shamanic sound healing journey, forest bathe beneath the stars, visit the home of a local artist for inspiration or spend your day in the Spa. For those looking for a truly transformative experience, challenge yourself in the House of Heat – a traditional temazcal (sweat lodge) designed specifically for Naviva. Guided by a dedicated curandero (healer), your ceremony will explore an area of focus that resonates with you, such as gratitude, devotion or rebirth.

On the lush, rolling uplands of Hawaii’s Lanai island, the dedication to wellness can be felt in every corner of Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. Restore the body and mind with a plethora of classes and treatments including Vinyasa yoga, TRX suspension, private wellness consultations and island activities such as horseback riding and archery. Opt for a curated experience or a personalized, more structured program; or work with the team of experts to create your own à la carte itinerary. Whatever you choose, you’ll be following the Sensei Way – a philosophy developed by co-founder Dr David Agus along with scientists and physicians from around the world that focuses on three paths: movement, nourishment and rest.

For even more expert guidance, head to the Center for Health & Wellbeing at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. Set in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains just minutes from the Malibu beaches, the Center is where you can delve deeper into specifics such as metabolism, body composition and nutrition with a robust and highly skilled team of experts. Book a personalized four-day health retreat, plan a relaxing wellness stay, or simply check in for a weekend getaway and enjoy the complimentary classes led by expert instructors, the healthy food options and the tranquil setting. Try new things like equine-guided meditation with horses, meant to help focus and awareness.

According to a 2023 survey from American Express Travel, 70% of Gen Z and Millennial travellers have been inspired to visit a destination after seeing it in a television series or film. And Four Seasons is perfectly primed to bring your favourite on-screen locations to life. Just a few of our Four Seasons celebrity properties are The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas, where the 2006 James Bond movie, Casino Royale, was filmed; the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, where sparks flew between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the all-time classic Pretty Woman; and Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, in last season’s Emily in Paris.

Of course, at the top of everyone’s destination wish list are Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and the gorgeous San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel – the real stars of HBO’s popular series The White Lotus.

Synonymous with paradise, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is a dream setting for a Hawaiian vacation. Maybe it’s the palm-tree-lined, powdery beach; the incredible aloha spirit of the staff; or the tailored treatments and locally inspired experiences found at the Spa, but this is a property that stays with you long after you leave. While the resort in The White Lotus is fictional, you can still walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters from Season One while in Maui. Snorkel in the clear blue waters, explore the Pacific aboard a private yacht, unwind by the pool and be sure to pay a visit to the Resort Spa.

Built on the site of a 14th-century convent, San Domenico Palace served as the scene-stealing backdrop for Season Two of The White Lotus. The Hotel, set along Sicily’s coast within the charming town of Taormina, makes the most of its dramatic setting with rooms overlooking the Ionian Sea, sprawling gardens and a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Chef Massimo Mantarro. Have the Hotel arrange for a picture-perfect Vespa ride through the historic streets or a luxury yacht cruise, just like Tanya did.

Experiential travel shows no signs of slowing down in 2024. Increasingly, travellers are planning vacations around a concert, sporting event or seasonal festival. Whether you’re organizing your girls’ trip to Singapore to coincide with a Taylor Swift concert, booking a stay in Miami to relax on the beaches and see Lionel Messi play, heading to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, or perfectly timing a Paris vacation with the 2024 Summer Games, maximizing travel has never been so fun.

Now that Argentine soccer star Messi has joined Inter Miami CF, it’s the perfect excuse for soccer fans to book a South Florida trip. Rest your head at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, which scores major points for its sprawling, timeless rooms and residences; poolside cabanas; and the legendary, greenery-filled Champagne Bar. Located along 9 pristine acres in Surfside, you’ll have easy access to downtown Miami and shopping in Bal Harbour, with DRV PNK Stadium just a 45-minute drive away. Another excellent option? Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.

Up north, Four Seasons Hotel Montreal sits in the heart of the city, just a short distance from the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the racing track that’s the site of the 2024 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada, happening in early June. After a day cheering in the stands, return to the Hotel for dinner and drinks at MARCUS Restaurant + Terrace, created by visionary chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Want to learn to free dive? Go river rafting? Ski in the Grand Tetons? Stepping out of your personal comfort zone and feeling the thrill of the great outdoors is also top of mind for many travellers going into 2024. Four Seasons has an impressive roster of global properties in sought-after adventure locales, but the one-of-a-kind insider access to unique, personalized experiences is something you won’t find anywhere else.

At Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica – which recently underwent a $35 million renovation – the idyllic seaside-meets-the-forest setting comes with a healthy dose of adventure. Fill your days with adrenaline-pumping activities such as cruising above the water on an eFoil surfboard, ziplining through the jungle and white-water rafting on the Upper Tenorio River. If you’re not sure where to start, the Resort’s in-house adventure providers, Papagayo Explorers, can guide you every step of the way.

Are you an ocean lover who’s ready to try something new? Head to Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol – opening in early 2024 – and learn to free-dive right off the Resort beach. Led by the on-site Adventure Team, the Resort’s special free-diving academy lets you build your skills and confidence in order to experience the underwater world in a deeply personal way. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a curious beginner, you’ll gain self-awareness and get a first-hand view into the same waters that celebrated oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once called “the world’s aquarium.”

If your adventure aspirations lean more towards the mountains than the beach, the chalet-style, ski-in/ski-out Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole offers myriad ways to get out and explore the wilderness. Glide down the celebrated ski runs at nearby Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in the winter, trek the area’s rugged peaks in the summer and come face to face with a variety of wildlife in Grand Teton National Park in any season. With plenty of year-round activities to choose from, there’s something for every type of adventurer in Jackson Hole.