Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis

How do you envision your holiday season unfolding? Are you browsing through bustling markets along cobblestone streets in Europe? Are you gazing upon towering trees that twinkle in elegant hotel lobbies or in Gothic town squares? Or sipping gourmet hot cocoa on a balcony overlooking the Teton Range or at a private cabin in the middle of a city? Wherever you choose to spend the holidays, Four Seasons offers luxurious accommodations, incomparable service and unforgettable experiences. Here are six of our favourite destinations for luxury Christmas getaways that are sure to deliver your best holiday memories yet.

It’s not just a cliché: Everything is bigger in Texas – especially over the holidays. At Four Seasons Hotel Austin, marvel at the 30-foot (9-metre) Christmas tree on the back lawn and the 120-foot (36.5-metre) tunnel of stars. The Hotel also embraces Texas cowboy culture with an outdoor Ice Rodeo, open from November 22 through January 5. Live out your own holiday movie fantasy with starlit turns around the ice, arm in arm with your soulmate. Upgrade your experience with a private rink-side cabin that’s close enough to be convenient but still feels tucked away. Each cabin accommodates up to six people and offers luxe amenities, a dedicated server, and a selection of food and beverage add-ons to enhance your outing.

If you’d rather be an observer, The Deck Pop-Up Lounge gives you an aerial view of the festivities from the balcony of the Hotel’s Live Oak bar. Enjoy a specialty menu of martinis, oysters and more in a chic and cosy space with enchanting views of Austin’s wintry landscape.

There’s more holiday magic indoors with a larger-than-life gingerbread display. An annual tradition, the display features a different theme each year. This year, the team has curated a taste of the world, paying homage to Four Seasons properties around the world with numerous edible replicas of iconic hotels and resorts. Take the opportunity to add your name to the display by sponsoring a replica, with proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center.

The dramatic snow-covered peaks of the Teton Range create a breathtaking holiday backdrop for guests at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. Experience a unique blend of luxury and rugged Western charm, with an array of festive activities for the entire family. Grab your skis and enjoy on-property slope-side access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. The newly opened First Chair Grab & Go mountainside market makes refueling effortlessly convenient so you can maximize your time on the slopes. Warm up after your day out with complimentary s’mores poolside or at the gourmet hot chocolate cart in the lobby.

You’ll also find plenty of complimentary fun for the whole family throughout the Resort, including cookie decorating, gingerbread house construction, yoga and fitness classes, whiskey tastings, and mocktail and cocktail classes.

In Jackson Hole, Santa arrives on Christmas Eve by tram, not sleigh. You can also skate with him around the rink at Teton Village, which is aglow with twinkling lights and festive décor, just steps from Four Seasons. At Jackson Town Square, enjoy performances from dance and choral groups, visits from Santa, and cookies and hot chocolate. While you’re there, be sure to snap a photo under the famous antler arches. The Concierge can help you put together an itinerary of festive local traditions to make your own.

As 2024 comes to a close, ring in the new year in the way that suits you best. Sip craft cocktails and nibble light bites in Ascent Lounge, or gather the family and head to the mountain for the Torchlight Parade, followed by fireworks. And if the dance floor beckons, groove the night away back at the Resort to the sounds of a live DJ at The Handle Bar.

Step into the holiday spirit inside a private Nordic cabin in the middle of Minneapolis. For the third year, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will kick off its winter season with the opening of its Nordic Village, which includes even more private dining cabins for an extended five-month season.

“Our team at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis believes in winter, and we believe in our community. Inviting guests to participate in these seasonal events and outdoor adventures is another way we can bring people together and shine a light on our beautiful home state and all it has to offer,” says General Manager Florian Riedel. “When you stay with us, you’ll get the best of both worlds: adventure by day and city by night.”

Cabin options can seat up to four or eight guests and are part of the Nordic Village, which spans Riva Terrace and Riva Plaza. Step inside the insulated and heated cabins, inhale the aroma of pine cones and cedar, and prepare for a warm and cosy escape from the winter chill. Cabin interiors, designed by MartinPatrick3, an internationally recognized boutique dedicated to one-of-a-kind experiences, feature skylights, personalized Spotify accounts, and TVs for your favourite sporting events or holiday classics. The four-course menu includes onion soup, cheese fondue and Minnesota-shaped s’mores. Caviar and truffles are also available à la carte to allow for even more elevated dishes. Pair your meal with craft cocktails or mocktails, or choose from a selection of wines and local beers.

Need to get some holiday shopping done? The Nordic Village weekend market provides seasonal shopping experiences from November through January (with the exception of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve). The market features local artists, makers and creators offering a rotating selection of toys, clothing, home décor, spices, pet food and more.

Celebrate the holidays in Europe, where multiple Christmas markets are open daily throughout the season – even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Prague’s Old Town Square bustles with holiday cheer as locals and tourists browse for gifts and sample delectable treats along cobblestone streets.

Once you’ve had your fill of mulled wine and holiday shopping, unwind in style in the elegant Dior-designed lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Prague, located just a quick stroll from Old Town Square and steps from Charles Bridge. As the only Forbes Five-Star Hotel in Prague and the Czech Republic, Four Seasons is an idyllic Christmas hotel offering stunning views of the Vltava River and the tallest spires of Prague Castle. Sophisticated decorations from the legendary fashion house lend the perfect backdrop to a Dior-themed afternoon tea. Here on the banks of the Vltava, luxury and fine taste merge, providing a stately respite from the buzz of the season.

Santa is giving his reindeer a break when he lands in Mexico this year. Word has it that he plans to arrive at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México via paratrike, making an unforgettable landing on the beach.

Those inspired by his statement-making arrival can book their own paratrike adventure. The 15-minute flight includes breathtaking aerial views, with the opportunity to spot wildlife in the distance. Tamarindo’s expansive nature reserve spans 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) and features 6 miles (10 kilometres) of coastline. Just 2% of the reserve is developed, leaving a vast natural sanctuary sure to inspire anyone who appreciates plants, animals and ecosystems.

Within this ecological oasis, lies Rancho Lola, a low-impact sustainable farm just a short golf cart ride from the Resort. This holiday season, you’re invited to reconnect with the origins of ingredients native to the region while developing an understanding of and appreciation for the distinct flavours of Mexico. In this unique setting, you can experience and savour the finest regional and locally grown produce.

If the ocean is calling your name, charter a boat and observe sea life in the serene, tucked-away bays of Tamarindo. Or join a whale-watching tour to spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat during the peak of whale season in Mexico.

End the day with an evening under the stars via exclusive access to a private section of the Resort’s Spa. Enjoy a 90-minute full body couple’s massage followed by champagne, light snacks and two hours of private spa access, including the steam rooms, the outdoor showers and the relaxation pools.

From elevated private dining options to weekly posadas and open-air movie nights next to the beach, it’s easy to see why Four Seasons is one of the best resorts for a Christmas vacation.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly tropical resort for the holidays, discover an unspoiled world of eco-luxury at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica. Gather the family for a party on the beach with Santa along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. The annual holiday bash offers vibrant tunes and performances, face painting, cookie decorating and lots of photo ops with Santa.

Before the main event, you can get some holiday shopping done at the Papagayo Street Fair, where you can peruse handmade crafts and sample cuisine from local vendors. Live music, entertainment and games make it a lively affair for the entire family.

On the night before Christmas, embark upon a festive journey through Latin America during Noche Buena at Bahia. Discover new dishes and traditions accompanied by live music and performances throughout the evening.

And to finish off the festivities, the New Year’s Eve bash at Virador Beach is non-stop beachfront fun. You can dance the night away barefoot in the sand or ride out the evening on a lounge chair beneath the palm trees. Then ease into the new year the next morning with a tropical brunch at Bahia featuring Bloody Mary and mimosa stations. We can’t think of a better way to say hello to 2025.