Destinations: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

A Photographer’s Journey Through Hawaii

Posted on by Stephanie Jones
The Big Island on Hawaii map

THE BIG ISLAND

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is set on Hawaii Island’s Kona Coast, renowned for its wild beauty. “I was captivated by the black lava rock formations, active volcanoes, rugged coastline fringed with palms and the waves that continuously roll in and out,” says photographer and creative director of CEREAL Magazine, Rich Stapleton. The Resort captures the island’s unique elements, from architectural details including a pool carved from lava rock to cooking classes featuring indigenous ingredients. Visitors will also discover a welcoming staff including local treasure “Uncle” Earl Kamakaonaona Regidor, Manager of the Ka’upulehu Cultural Center. “When we met, he was teaching a little girl to play ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ on the ukulele,” Stapleton says.


Hualalai ocean waves


Hualalai one palm tree, black coral comparison


Hualalai teal and grey palm tree reflection


hualalai ukelele, small green lizard comparison

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Lanai on Hawaii map

LANAI

“Lanai has a relaxed charm to it,” says Stapleton. “It also has incredibly diverse scenery despite being one of the smallest Hawaiian islands. There’s the lush greenery around the coast and then, as you move inland, rugged, rocky areas like Keahiakawelo that feel otherworldly.” Four Seasons Resort Lanai sits on the island’s unspoiled southeastern shore, incorporating its natural surroundings into both its design and unique adventure activities: snorkeling in Hulopoe Bay, scuba diving to the Cathedrals – two underwater caves formed by lava flows and teeming with sea life – or exploring the island by UTV, via helicopter or on horseback. “Our guide on the horseback ride led us to a plateau from where we could look out across the entire island. It was awe inspiring.”


lanai white outdoor chair, palm frond comparison


lanai palm fronds, seashell and starfish comparison


Coastal golf course in Lanai


wall with seashells and starfish


Lanai balcony with glass rail, aloe plant comparison


Man on the beach in Lanai


Lanai saddle detail, horse comparison


Lanai pine tree, stable roof and window comparison


white Jeep on dirt road in desert

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

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Maui on Hawaii map

MAUI

“To me Maui is classic, postcard Hawaii,” says Stapleton. “Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has gorgeous pools that look out over the water, airy cabanas perfect for lazing the day away in, pink sunsets, and the golden sand on Wailea Beach. As a photographer, it’s particularly fun to shoot as there are palm trees everywhere that frame shots and filter the light in pretty ways, and gorgeous mountains rising up in the background. And the light changes constantly, so you’ll see colors moving through the clouds that make them glowing and majestic.” Visitors can also take in the Maui scenery from the vantage point of the Pacific, with ocean activities like whale watching, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, and private outrigger canoe tours.


Maui architecture comparison with shadows


Maui single flower detail, balcony comparison


Maui large clouds over island and ocean


Maui palm trees over cabana, plant shadow comparison


Maui white chair, potted plants in window comparison


Maui beach bar stools, pool surface comparison


Sunset palm tree blowing in wind on Maui coast


Maui sunset palm tree, palm frond detail comparison


Maui gold sunset clouds

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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Oahu on Hawaii map

OAHU

“Oahu is home to the state’s capital city and is by far the most urbanized island,” Stapleton says. “The contemporary architecture of Four Seasons Resort O’ahu at Ko Olina captures the modern vibe of Oahu while also highlighting its distinct natural elements – the blue and gold colors found throughout the décor reflect the the sea and sand surrounding the Resort. I particularly love the infinity pool, designed with drop offs around the edge that really accentuate the light and a view of the ocean, where the sunsets seem to last forever because you can see out so far into the horizon.”


Oahu ocean, palm trees sunrise


Oahu architecture, palm tree comparison


Oahu beach, architecture comparison


Oahu hotel balconies


Oahu lounge, pillow detail


Triangular skylight window Oahu


Oahu pool deck and lounge chairs, deck detail


Oahu bird, leaf comparison


Oahu koi fish, white gondola comparison


Oahu light fixture, ocean surface comparison


Oahu infinity pool, palm trees evening comparison


Oahu pale sunrise over ocean

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Our People Share Their Passions

Posted on by Karen Rhodes

The allure of craftsmanship is timeless – but why? Mass production may have benefits such as consistency and reduced expenses, but there’s immeasurable value in a handmade product, a bespoke service, or the kind of knowledge that can come only from years of hands-on experience. That value holds true across time and across borders. UNESCO’s Living Human Treasures program, for example, honours exemplary bearers of living heritage, from oral traditions to social practices to traditional craftsmanship – heritage that “provides communities, groups and individuals with a sense of identity and continuity.”

That’s what makes a craft special: There’s a person behind it who cares deeply about what they’re creating and about sharing its significance with others. Artisanship is a window into another person’s joy, and often leads to interactions that add richness to our lives. The chefs, artists, mixologists, scientists and cultural experts of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts know this, and warmly welcome guests to savour the sights, sounds, tastes and textures that they’ve spent years mastering. Their passions offer insights into their communities, enhancing guests’ travel experiences and creating impressions that will long outlast any standard souvenir.


Mica Rousseau

Mica Rousseau

Fifty Mils Head Mixologist

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

How and when were you first inspired by mixology?
It was destiny. I used to play with syrups at my grandma’s house in France, mixing flavours into water.

What has been one of your more memorable creations?
When the parents of a frequent client visited from Venezuela, I created a cocktail inspired by the mother: ancho chile liqueur for her strength, rum for her sweetness, and cinnamon and saffron syrup for grandmotherly warmth. After I delivered it to her she cried, hugged me and said it was the most valuable gift and she could taste that it came from the heart.

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City

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Kinama Marite

Kinama Marite

Discovery Centre Guide

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

What do you love to share with visitors about local traditions and nature?
Being a Masai and growing up in a traditional village, or boma, I have always lived in harmony within the rich ecosystem here. My culture teaches the beauty of nature: that the trees, mountains, rivers, lakes and wildlife rejuvenate the body and improve one’s mood and creativity.

What other cultural education projects have you worked on?
I’ve assisted researchers with archaeological digs at Olduvai Gorge, and recently contributed to an episode on the Masai for BBC’s History of Africa.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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Anne Sophie

Courtesy of Anne-Sophie Pic

Anne-Sophie Pic

Chef at La Dame de Pic London

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

Is there anything about your approach to food that surprises guests?
The intensity of some of the flavours I use can be surprising. I often focus on a specific ingredient, like coffee, for the bitterness it brings to a dish, and guests may not expect that.

How do guests influence your cooking?
A famous French philosopher told me there was a dish in my restaurant he didn’t understand—he thought it was missing something. Although I was upset to hear it, I agreed with him. I spent hours reworking the dish, and now it’s a guest favourite.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge

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Playing an Ukulele

“Uncle” Earl Kamakaonaona Regidor

Ka‘upulehu Cultural Centre Manager

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

When were you first inspired to share your knowledge?
When I was in the military, I met a lot of people from different places who wanted to learn about Hawaii in depth. It started there, and I wanted to continue sharing the culture.

What do you personally love about Hawaiian culture?
The aloha says it all: a is for akahai, kindness expressed with tenderness; l is for lokahi, unity expressed by harmony; o, ‘olu‘olu, agreeableness expressed by pleasantness; h, ha‘aha‘a, humility expressed through modesty; and a, ahonui, patience expressed by perseverance. That’s aloha.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Woodmaker

Ketut Puja

Master Woodcarver

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

What do you love about the art of carving?
Carving is part of Bali’s culture. Most of our inspiration comes from our folk stories, and no two pieces are the same because they come from the imagination of the artist. The beauty lies in the intricate details of each piece.

What is the most important idea you want guests to take away from their lesson in woodcarving?
Be courageous. Woodcarving is not rocket science, yet most people are afraid to try. There is no wrong or right, and a mistake can always be fixed. Just like other things in life, we simply have to take a risk.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

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Setting a Turtle Free

Sophie Doell

Marine Biologist

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

What drives you to share your passion with guests?
By teaching visitors more about the ocean and the diversity of its marine life – from its microscopic plankton to its largest residents, such as the whale shark – I want to create a lasting bond between our guests and our marine environment.

What is the key thing you want guests to experience?
I’d like them to see the natural beauty of the underwater world, and I’d like to wake people’s interest in and their awareness of the importance of the ocean, its coral reefs and its inhabitants – and inspire them to help us preserve it.

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Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Paradise Found: Hawaii’s 8 Most Instagrammed Spots

Posted on by Naomi Spicer

Seekers of photogenic locations and experiences find some of the world’s finest on the Hawaiian Islands. Here are moments captured by our guests that show the best Maui, Lanai, Oahu and Hualalai have to offer – no filter necessary.


Serenity Pool Mauii

Scroll through guests’ vacation photos from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea and you’ll notice a trend: No one can pass up the Serenity Pool.

It’s easy to see why. The pool’s edge fades into an unobstructed view of the Pacific, Mauna Kahalawai (the Mountain of Many Waters) and the island of Lanai. With nothing between you and a boundless ocean, you’ll feel as if you’re on the edge of the world. In essence, that’s what Maui’s all about.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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“Sitting at the edge of the Serenity Pool or floating on the infinity edge, you’re able to see all the beauty that the island of Maui has to offer,” says Maile Cano, an attendant at the Serenity Pool.

If you visit in the winter season, you may also see a whale breach the ocean surface – just a few yards away – in its own kind of sun salutation. You won’t be able to resist snapping a photo.


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Polynesian Fire Dance

At Four Seasons Maui, you can admire a nightly sunset ceremony complete with hula dancing, conch blowing and the lighting of tiki torches. If you’re looking to add even more energy to your Hawaii photo album, consider arranging a private event that features a performance by a fire dancer. The experience is decidedly Polynesian, and there’s nothing quite like watching this breathtaking ancient practice on a tropical night.

Fire dancers add an element of excitement and truly ignite their audience. – Paola Fernandez, Director of Special Events

Where that happens is up to you. Enjoy a private, full-scale luau on the Resort’s Oceanfront Lawn – overlooking Wailea Beach – with up to 300 guests. Or make a quiet impression on the object of your affection: Reserve the Serenity Pool from dusk till dawn for an After Hours experience that can include fire dancers, a multi-course dinner and a couple’s massage.


Sweetheart Rock Lanai

The best way to start the day at Four Seasons Resort Lanai is to wake before sunrise and make the 20-minute hike to the Pu‘upehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock.

“Just follow the local surfers down,” says photographer Dana Neibert, who captured one of the above photos of the landmark during a recent visit with his son. “It’s a whole different world on that beach, with giant chunks of coral and miniature caves.”

In addition to its natural beauty, the Resort’s Lanai Ambassador Annalyn Alcantara calls Sweetheart Rock “the setting of one of Hawaii’s most enduring legends.” Here you’ll find a shrine to a pair of legendary lovers, a Hawaiian princess and her young warrior husband.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

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Because the rock is a heritage landmark, no official events or activities take place there. Many marriage proposals, however, unfold at the location of the lovers’ tomb, and as a signature (and photogenic) landmark, Sweetheart Rock appears in countless guest snapshots.

The best time to capture your own snapshot of Sweetheart Rock? Although sunsets across the islands of Hawaii are among the best in the world, Neibert recommends visiting Sweetheart Rock right at daybreak. “Sunset is nice, but the morning light is much more dramatic,” he says. “It’s awe-inspiring.”


Fslanai Instagram

Take Flight

For a different perspective on Lanai and Sweetheart Rock, take to the sky. In partnership with the Maui Flight Academy, guests of Four Seasons Lanai can learn how to fly a Cirrus SR22. After 12 to 15 private lessons (best enjoyed during a five-night stay), you’ll take off from Mauna Kea with your flight instructor, cruise over an active volcano vent and eventually land in Hana.

Shorter aerial adventures – where a pilot handles the journey so you can focus on snapping photos – are also available. The Lanai Circle Island Experience is a simple yet stunning 20-minute helicopter tour that takes you above Hulopoe Bay, Keahiakawelo and Polihua Beach.


Oahu: The Golden Hour

In Hawaiian tradition, the best way to end a day on the island is to sing the sun to sleep after its daily voyage, acknowledging its life-giving essence. Ko Olina is a byword for great sunsets, and when dusk falls on Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina you’ll feel as though swaths of vivid colour had been brushed on a sky-wide canvas for your private viewing.

The sunsets [here] are reliably stunning, verging on mystical. – Yvonne Hunter, Director of Public Relations, Four Seasons Oahu

At the 123-foot (37.5-metre) infinity pool, the expanse of the Pacific makes the horizon seem wider than anywhere else. “The best way to capture the essence of the sunset,” urges Ha’a Keaulana, “is being present and in the moment.” So after you take your signature sunset snap, put your camera down, sit back and take a moment to appreciate the natural splendour.


Jetsetjen1 Instagram

Outrigger Canoe

Paddling out into the ocean in an outrigger canoe, or wa‘a, can bring you closer to sunset on Oahu. But that’s not all that Dalton Ho‘omanawanui Harrington, the Resort’s Activities Lead, appreciates about this family- and group-friendly adventure. “Everyone in the wa‘a is working in sync for one purpose: to move forward,” he says. “That inspires me.”

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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Harrington recalls taking his girlfriend out for a peaceful sunset paddle before their anniversary dinner. “I kept it as a secret and surprised her,” he says. “The sun was setting. It was very romantic.” If your group is more in the mood for an adventure, don’t despair: The island’s swells are always changing. Just remember, no matter the thrill level of your ride, to snap a team photo once you reach dry land.


Cocktail at the beach on Hualalai

The veritable rainbow of foods at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – sourced mainly from local earth and water – make for mouth-watering food photos from our guests. “We get an average of 75% of our ingredients from Hawaii Island,” says Alessandro Cartumini, the Resort’s Director of Food and Beverage. “This lends to colourful, bright and vibrant dishes … which in turn create better photos.”

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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The one meal you shouldn’t miss? “Breakfast at ULU,” Cartumini says. Start your day at the daily buffet with made-to-order juice, freshly baked breads, local fruits and an omelette station. You’ll even find kombucha on tap. And for a really hearty breakfast, dig into the spicy Shellfish Moco. Later, at Beach Tree Restaurant, you can net more seafood standouts, such as the mahi tacos with mango relish.

With the beautiful weather in Hualalai, there is never a bad day for a food photo. – Alessandro Cartumini, Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Hualalai

Whether you and your fellow foodies simply document the best bites during your stay or make a culinary pilgrimage for the annual Chef Fest, you will have come to the right place for flavourful pictures.


Mitchelloates Instagram

Meet the Locals

As residents of the ocean around Hualalai, pods of wild dolphins will invite you into their undersea home. Don’t miss an opportunity to scuba-dive or snorkel around the island, where they’ll show you just how smart and swift they can be.

Videographer Mitchell Oates took the plunge and experienced the thrill of a lifetime last year at Four Seasons Hualalai: With a GoPro in hand, he recorded 50 wild dolphins. In a video posted to Instagram, he describes the moment as “one to cherish forever.”

As sociable creatures, dolphins will fairly often swim up to visitors. But it’s important to note the National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration recommendation that people stay at least 50 yards (45 metres) away from dolphins, whales and seals.

An encounter from afar – at the Resort’s golf course, for example – can be exciting too. “One of the many great things about playing golf here at Hualalai is that it’s suited for everyone,” says Brendan Moynahan, Director of Golf. “Add in some whales and dolphins just off your tee shot, and it can be a day you’ll never forget.”

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Wide view of ocean

10 Food Festivals Worth Travelling to Find

Posted on by Alia Akkam

Of course you always seek out a seat at the best bars and restaurants when you travel. But for a deeper dive into the culinary scene of your chosen destination, align your trip with a food festival. From a multi-stage music fest showcasing the best of a city’s eats to gatherings focused on a particular regional dish, the stops on our smorgasbord tour abound with local cuisine and culture.


Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival

The Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival attracts culinary talent from around the globe.

Photography courtesy Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival

Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival

As if Florida isn’t seductive enough in winter, the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival adds yet another excuse to head South in December. This lauded culinary event attracts powerhouse chefs like Daniel Boulud, Mike Lata and the Sunshine State’s own Michelle Bernstein to a number of local venues, including festival home base
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach. Beyond the capstone Grand Tasting, buoyed by book signings and the sounds of a DJ, there are multi-course wine-paired dinners revolving around themes such as sustainable seafood and modern Southern cuisine.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

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Big Apple BBQ

Every June for the past 16 years, 16 top pitmasters from California to New York have taken over Madison Square Park for a two-day-long backyard barbecue right in the middle of Manhattan. Meat and smoke are the main ingredients for the Big Apple BBQ, which will be relocating elsewhere on the island in 2019 (no word yet). The venue may be changing, but greats such as Sam Jones, Rodney Scott and John Stage will no doubt still be prodding the fire. Move from tent to tent sampling Eastern Carolina pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis–style ribs, Texas brisket and jalapeño-tinged sausage. Serious foodies who want to talk shop with their BBQ heroes know to swing by Thursday night when the mouthwatering aroma of hot coals and slow-roasting swine starts to fill the air. Can’t muster the motivation to move after the feast? Both
Four Seasons Hotel New York and Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown are just a cab ride away.

Four Seasons Hotel New York

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Tokyo Ramen Show

For 11 days in October/early November, the many flavours and styles of Japan’s most buzzworthy noodle soup come together at the Tokyo Ramen Show in Komazawa Olympic Park. The steaming comfort food comes not just from Tokyo purveyors, but from ramen makers in Hokkaido, Kagoshima and everywhere in between. Make Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi your home base, and stay awhile: 18 vendors ladle soup for the first six days and an entirely new cast takes over for the final five. Ramen is known for its wildly varied flavours and ingredients, which differ from city to city, town to town. You can taste for yourself a kaleidoscope of regional variations like miso-based broth with horsehair crab and dashi with dried bonito flakes and sea kelp. And don’t miss the mash-ups – ramen shops collaborating with one another to create completely new dishes only available here.

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Outside Lands

Gone are the days of sad and soggy music festival fare. Melon salad, Malaysian lamb curry, samosas and stir-fried veggie glass noodles are among the menu choices when 70 or so of San Francisco’s best restaurants set up al fresco kitchens at the Outside Lands music festival in August. About a dozen food trucks are on hand, as well as, in true California fashion, a Cypress Grove pop-up slinging artisan cheese plates. Oh, and there’s music too: If you like your meals paired with the stylings of Florence & The Machine, The Weekend, Beck and Bon Iver, this fest’s for you. Rest and recover at the centrally located Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

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Chef Fest, Hawaii

If cosying up to an intimate group of all-star chefs in one of the most exquisite natural settings in North America is your idea of a memorable holiday, make your way to
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in October for Chef Fest. Interactive cooking classes with such experts as Hugh Acheson, Brooke Williamson and Andy Ricker at the Resort’s outdoor kitchen are the main draw, but beach cookouts, al fresco tastings with local farmers and pre-brunch paddleboarding excursions further enhance the tropical environs. Treat yourself to the cocktail showcase at the Resort’s Palm Grove Pool and toast to the most tasteful of beach getaways.

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Salon du Chocolat, Paris

Held each fall at the Porte de Versailles expo centre about 15 minutes from
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Salon du Chocolat is one of several such shows around the world – but this one’s in Paris, a city famous for its sophisticated confections. The truffles and ganache here are enough to exhilarate any chocophile, but the centrepiece is the Salon’s unusual fashion show: Designers and chocolatiers collaborate on haute-couture outfits embellished with or delicately spun from chocolate.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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Prague Food Festival

Chances are a visit to Prague will lead to its majestic castle, a ninth-century marvel that is home to St Vitus Cathedral and the Renaissance-era Royal Garden. Here, just across the Vltava River from Four Seasons Hotel Prague, the Prague Food Festival unfolds each May. Don’t pass up a chance to consume the best dishes from Czech chefs – steak tartare and lamb ragout with bread dumplings, or perhaps sushi or empanadas – with the added zest of a fairy-tale dining spot.

Four Seasons Hotel Prague

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Taste of Sydney

Taste of Sydney pairs delicious bites with an al fresco setting.

Photography courtesy Taste of Sydney

Taste of Sydney

For four days in early March the all-encompassing Taste of Sydney festival takes over Sydney’s verdant Centennial Parklands, minutes from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. Wine tastings and demos in butchery and baking add an interactive element, and an artisan marketplace of locally made ingredients and wares means you can savour the festival long after it’s over. More than 60 dishes from notable Sydney chefs like Mark Best and Nelly Robinson are the main attraction. Sample barbecued octopus, shrimp toast okonomiyaki and lamb skewers, then retreat to a glamping tent with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the Adelaide Hills.

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

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Desserts at Dubai Food Festival

A chef prepares miniature desserts at the Dubai Food Festival.

Photography courtesy Dubai Food Festival

Dubai Food Festival

The Dubai Food Festival in February and March reflects the city’s rich diversity, attracting chefs like Jun Tanaka, Nikita Gandhi and Tim Read. Throughout the celebration, at various locations near Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, local restaurants roll out limited-edition menus sure to evoke extreme Instagram envy. Sit down in one of their dramatic dining rooms, or head to a food truck or al fresco pop-up at the festival’s Etisalat Beach Canteen. Learn a little something at a chef master class, tour an urban farm and nosh at a street food bazaar – all part of this robust 17-day event.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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Ubud Food Festival

From tofu to turmeric, the Ubud Food Festival – sister event to the Ubud Writers & Readers and Bali Emerging Voices festivals – puts Indonesia’s vast culinary landscape front and centre each April. Start by reading the story of the woman who adopted Bali as her home and launched this annual festival, located minutes from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Then master macarons with Bali’s Prince of Pastry, Rafi Papazian; make the healing herbal drink jamu; cook with clay pots and wood-fired stoves in a traditional paon (Balinese kitchen); and breathe deeply at a fiery sambal cook-off. Beyond the kitchen, consider the intro course on Indonesian language and culture, led by an instructor from the Cinta Bahasa Indonesian Language School.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

How to Island-Hop Your Way Through Hawaii

Posted on by Rebecca Troyer

Adventure travellers Dan Moore and Mitch Oates spent two weeks chasing thrills while soaking up the distinctive beauty of four Hawaiian islands.

“Hawaii was much more diverse and adventure-filled than we had expected,” Moore says. “Every island has its own style, different from the next – including the landscapes. We don’t think you have truly experienced Hawaii until you have visited at least three islands to get fully immersed in what it has to offer.”

From home bases at Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Four Seasons Resort Lanai and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the pair paddled, swam, dived and hiked their way through paradise – taking time out to unwind and savour the delights of their temporary island homes.

In the slideshows below, each photo is labelled with one of three adventure ratings: “Easy does it” for low-key activities, “On the move” for moderate-energy experiences, and “Off the charts” for adventures boasting the highest adrenaline rush.

Paddling low, climbing high on Oahu

Moore and Oates’ first stop was Oahu, where they relieved jet lag with a little pool time. Refreshed and ready for island life, they dialled up the action with canoeing, hiking through secluded areas of Kualoa Ranch and pursuing the ultimate underwater ocean adventure.

Sunset over pool

Adventure rating: Easy does it
Relaxing by the pool at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina was the perfect way for adventure travellers Dan Moore and Mitch Oates to recover from jet lag.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Kualoa

Adventure rating: On the move
Moore and Oates enjoyed a private, guided hike – a hike “you can’t do without knowing the right people,” Oates says – through Kualoa Ranch on Oahu, made famous by the film “Jurassic Park.”

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Man in hammock

Adventure rating: Easy does it
“We hiked to the top of the valley – which very few people ever get to see – and looked down through the Kualoa,” Moore says. “It was mesmerizing; we watched the sunrise and a mist flow through the valley.”

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Canoe above and under the water

Adventure rating: On the move
Moore and Oates embarked on three canoe trips during their stay on Oahu, each with a unique mission. “One was a cultural and educational experience, one was surfing on a canoe in Waikiki, and the third was a more relaxing paddle,” Oates says. “We saw wild turtles, sea urchins and a variety of fish.”

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Two sharks swimming

Adventure rating: Off the charts
The most thrilling experience on Oahu for the adventurers was a private trip arranged by the Resort to swim alongside Galapagos sharks—without a cage. “It’s a bucket-list item, something we’ll never forget,” Moore says.

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina

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From poolside to countryside on Maui

When figuring out what to do in Maui for the 24 hours they had, Moore and Oates decided they wanted to experience as much of the island as possible. With a guide, they took a 12-hour photographic journey to some of Maui’s most scenic locations. “The drive through the island was just as picturesque as the waterfalls and taro farms we visited,” Oates says. “Simply breathtaking.”

Three men in a canoe

Adventure rating: On the move
Moore and Oates spent some time in the water before touring the island, paddling a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

A rice field

Adventure rating: On the move
They visited a taro field, which was next to one of the oldest churches on the island. Here the natives grow the starchy tubers used in making poi. “It was really eye-opening to see how the ancient Hawaiians farmed,” Moore says.

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Waterfall in forest

Adventure rating: On the move
During the tour, the pair marvelled at the many pools and waterfalls of Ohe‘o Gulch.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Pool at FS Maui

Adventure rating: Easy does it
After their whirlwind excursion on Maui, Moore and Oates spent several hours lounging at the Resort. “You know they actually play music underwater in the pool?” Oates says admiringly.

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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Exploring Lanai on foot, by horseback and with wheels

“Lanai is the adventure island, with anything you want to do,” Moore says. During their stay, the pair tackled horseback riding, freediving, hiking, and mud-running in an ATV and a jeep. “Even the golf course offers motorized skateboards that you can put your clubs on instead of a golf cart,” he says. “Everything about this island is amazing, from the brand-new, tech-savvy Four Seasons Resort Lanai to remote areas that almost look like you are in an episode of Survivor.”

Sweetheart Rock in Lanai

Adventure rating: Easy does it
“Sweetheart Rock is roughly a 20-minute stroll from your hotel room,” Oates says, “and watching the sun rise over the red landscape is definitely worth the early rise.”

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Horse therapy experience

Adventure rating: On the move
Moore and Oates enjoyed a horseback ride through the wooded valleys and trails of the hills surrounding Koele, once the center of ranching operations on the island.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

ATV

Adventure rating: Off the charts
During what they called the most epic road trip, Moore and Oates explored Lanai behind the wheels of an ATV and a Jeep. “There are four-wheel-drive paths, secluded beaches and a shipwreck – and you barely see another person,” Moore says.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

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To be so close to such beautiful creatures and have them interacting with us was definitely one of the highlights in our lives, that’s for sure. – Mitch Oates

Water sports and wildlife on Hualalai

On Hualalai, their last stop, Moore and Oates enjoyed a mix of thrills and relaxation. “We actually didn’t leave Four Seasons Resort Hualalai,” Oates says. “It literally has everything you could possibly think of, including turtles scattered along the beach and dolphins just off the beach.”

Aerial photograph of beach

Adventure rating: On the move
The beaches of Hualalai are the gateway to water sports (think underwater scooter snorkelling and stand-up paddle boarding) and wildlife. “The whole place has an epic vibe about it,” Moore says.

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Man sitting near turtle on beach

Adventure rating: Easy does it
When you come in from those epic adventures, you relax here, with friends.

Photography courtesy Mitch Oates

Palm trees over pool

Adventure rating: Easy does it
The two men say Four Seasons takes its pools very seriously. “The beach is a matter of metres in front of us, the air temperature is always warm enough to dry you out, and the views are stunning,” Oates says.

Photography courtesy MItch Oates

Dolphins

Adventure rating: Off the charts
“We were heading out to do some paddle-boarding and sea-scootering, and we actually came across a pod of 50 or so dolphins,” Moore says. “This was one of the most amazing experiences we’ve ever had.”

Photography courtesy Dan Moore

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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See more of Moore and Oates‘ adventures in Hawaii

An aerial view of the approach to Lanai.

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Aerial view of Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

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The view from the top of the valley looking down on Kualoa Ranch on Oahu was “one of the most beautiful locations we have ever seen,” Moore says.

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“I could have spent days relaxing by the pool, but there are so many experiences to have,” Oates says of their adventure on Oahu.

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Even the view from an upper floor inside Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is photo-worthy.

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“The shipwreck was amazing,” Oates says of the unusual sight on Lanai. “We walked as close as we could and even though we were a few hundred metres away, it was massive. It’s not every day you explore a shipwreck.”

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Relaxation and dessert at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea was a perfect ending to an active day.

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The wedding chapel at Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina.

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“Today was all about adventure, and it was an epic experience,” Moore says of the pair’s activities on Lanai.

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“I could call this home! Moore says of the sunset from Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina.

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Mists rise above the Kualoa Ranch valley on Oahu.

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One of the many vantage points along the beach at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

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The beach is just a few metres away from Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

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The rugged shore of Lanai greets adventurers.

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“The jeep ride was really fun,” Oates says of their Lanai adventure. “We went out with one mission, to cover it in mud.”

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The pair enjoyed lounging – and refreshments – at the pool at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.

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“Welcome to paradise – I’ve found my private slice of heaven!” Moore says.

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YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

mountain views at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina