Destinations: Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort

As the temperatures begin to rise, we find ourselves dreaming of summer: warm waters, bright sun, endless opportunities to make lifelong memories. So how do you decide where to go and what to do? That’s where Four Seasons comes in. Home to championship golf courses with one-of-a-kind greens, Michelin-starred restaurants brimming with fresh summer flavours and thrilling adventures designed to inspire, Four Seasons offers unique summer activities that can help bring your dream vacation to life.

We’ve rounded up some of the best summer vacation spots all over the world, including recommendations from local insiders who know their destination better than anyone. If you’re looking for things to do this summer, here’s our checklist for making this year’s vacation one you’ll never forget.

Summer is the ideal time to tee off at Four Seasons. With sprawling green spaces designed by some of the sport’s biggest names, first-class golf instructors and cutting-edge innovations like indoor golf simulators to help you perfect your swing, you might not score a hole-in-one, but you’ll still win big on these courses.

TEE OFF INTO THE OCEAN IN PUNTA MITA, MEXICO

It might be hard to concentrate on your putt at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico, a Forbes Five-Star resort that’s also home to two of the world’s most renowned Jack Nicklaus–designed courses. The warm weather and sunshine make summer the perfect time to tee off at the challenging Bahia Golf Course, which offers panoramic views of glittering blue waters and a hole on the beach just steps from the famed El Faro surf spot. (And summer is prime surf season, if you’re thinking about paddling out.)

But for a true bucket-list experience, you’ll have to plan ahead: The Pacifico Golf Course’s signature “Tail of the Whale” optional 19th hole is the world’s only natural island green – and it can only be played at low tide.

GET EXPERT GOLF INSTRUCTION IN ORLANDO

Looking to take your game to the next level? This summer, why not learn from the best? Let the PGA Director of Instruction at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort assess your technique during a two- or three-day golf retreat. Use innovative TrackMan swing analysis technology to perfect your full swing, refine your short game and work with the pros to improve your course management. Then put what you’ve learned to the test on the Resort’s Tom Fazio–designed Tranquilo Golf Course: The course’s varying elevations will challenge your newly improved skills as you soak up the sunshine and connect with nature in the picturesque Certified Audubon Sanctuary setting.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, refresh your spirit or focus on your well-being, Four Seasons offers reinvigorating spa treatments that make the most of the season.

ENJOY HEAD-TO-TOE RELAXATION IN MACAO

The warm glow of the sun and warm temperatures encourage us to slow down and savour each moment of summer, taking the time to refresh body and mind. For the ultimate sense of renewal, indulge in the Blissful Sensation ritual at Four Seasons Hotel Macao Cotai Strip. Each step of the experience is infused with Macao’s rich Portuguese heritage. Start with a foot and body scrub using a unique blend of salts mixed from the essence of port wine, then unwind with a full-body massage with body oil using fragrant Melissa herb (or lemon balm) from Portugal. Feel the tension melt away as you emerge reinvigorated and revitalized.

FIND HEALING DURING AN EQUINE WELLNESS RETREAT IN LANAI

Discover clarity and inspiration during a five-day, four-night equine program for women at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. From July 24 to July 28, 2024, join 12 women for the intimate and exclusive Unbridled Retreat, where you’ll discover the healing power of horses with help from world-renowned equine coach Devon Combs. The retreat “helps women heal from their pasts, get clear on where they’re headed, and find the courage to move forward,” Combs says. She’ll guide you through a spiritual journey of self-discovery, with hands-on interactions with the horses that are meant to break down inhibitions and stimulate creativity, changing the way you see the world – and yourself – and helping you take the reins of your own life.

CELEBRATE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE IN NEW YORK

Summer in the city brings a renewed sense of liveliness, coming to life after a long winter with activities that make the most of the season’s long days and warm nights – think street festivals, outdoor concerts and sunset cruises around Manhattan. Tap into that energy at the Forbes Five-Star Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown with The Collective, an innovative wellness program focused on mind, body and spirit. Renowned astrologer Rebecca Gordon will draw on the spiritual power of the summer solstice – a symbol of renewal and rebirth – to help guide you to a new understanding of life’s challenges so you can reach your highest potential. Or have the on-site experts help you create your very own tailored wellness retreat while in New York.

Balmy nights make it easy to linger over the dinner table as you gather with loved ones. Discover world-class experiences for every palate, highlighting summer’s freshest ingredients and seasoned with a taste of Four Seasons culinary magic – a meal to remember.

TREAT YOURSELF TO THE BEST FINE DINING IN HONG KONG

At Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, there are a few not-so-secret ingredients on the menu: talent, innovation and creativity. Artful cuisine isn’t hard to find at the Hotel, a foodie travel destination in its own right that boasts eight Michelin stars: three for the impeccable French dishes at Caprice, two each at Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen and Italian restaurant Noi, and one for Japanese at Sushi Saito.

This summer, treat your taste buds to An Epicurean Journey. This special package – available for select dates through August – includes a stay in a spacious suite, dining credit at Lung King Heen, one of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants in the world, as well as access to the exclusive Executive Club. After your meal, toast your time together with inspired cocktails at ARGO, named one of The World’s 50 Best Bars.

HARVEST THE SEASONAL BOUNTY IN PARIS

Discover the ingredients for a refreshing summer feast with the help of Chef Simone Zanoni of the Michelin-starred Le George restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, who will whisk you away to the Domaine de Madame Élisabeth in Versailles, a historic home that was a gift by King Louis XVI to his sister Élisabeth in 1793. Today, the park encompasses more than 7 hectares (17 acres) of orange groves, floral displays and contemporary sculptures – and Le George’s kitchen garden, providing an abundance of organic produce for the restaurant’s menus.

With Zanoni’s expert guidance, you’ll handpick fresh greens and harvest seasonal produce, then head to the garden’s open-air kitchen for an al fresco cooking class. Afterward, sit down to dinner under the stars as you savour the gentle summer evening and a taste of the freshest fine dining in Paris.

DINE LIKE A WAYFINDER IN MAUI

Set sail on a culinary and cultural voyage aboard a luxury catamaran. Depart from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea at sunset with distinguished Hawaiian navigator Kala Baybayan Tanaka as she follows the path of her Polynesian ancestors, who sailed the clear blue waters surrounding the island using only the stars, wind and swells to guide their wa’a kaulua (double hulled voyaging canoes). As you savour a tasting menu inspired by their journey and the canoe plants they carried with them, like ‘ulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro), and ‘uala (sweet potato), Tanaka will share the “magic of the stars” – part storytelling, part astronomy lesson.

“Indulging in a meal inspired by ancient Hawaiian ingredients and traditions is a fusion of cultural exploration and culinary delights,” says Director of Concierge and Guest Experiences Margaux Pfeiffer. “Adding Kala’s insights into traditional navigation techniques is a one-of-a-kind experience that showcases the rich heritage and natural bounty of the Hawaiian islands.”

Summer’s fresh flavours make for some surprising – and delicious – sips. Toast your time together with inventive seasonal cocktail menus, unique wine pairings and the chance to explore some of your favourite beverages with help from Four Seasons experts.

GO BEHIND THE BAR IN BANGKOK

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River isn’t just one of the best bars in Bangkok – it was named Thailand’s best bar on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for 2022 and 2023. This summer, you can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the secret of its success. “Take a seat at our bar with one of our talented bartenders, who will be your guide through a series of handcrafted cocktails that tell a story about the people, places and culture of Mexico,” says Beverage Manager Philip Bishoff. “This summer’s new cocktail menu and the Secrets of BKK Social Club experience are an exciting introduction to Mexico’s intricate flavours and ingredients, and it’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening.”

SIP THE BEST SAKE IN TOKYO

Sake has been brewed in Japan for centuries, and the fermented rice-based alcohol was used to “bring people and gods together.” Today, sake plays an important role in Japanese celebrations, symbolizing a fresh start and a prosperous future. Let Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi introduce you to the traditions and culture behind Japan’s national drink during a tour of local sake breweries, where you’ll have the chance to sample different styles and flavours – including namazake, an unpasteurized sake whose bright, fresh, fruity taste makes it the choice drink of summer.

SPEND SUMMER IN THE VINEYARD IN NAPA VALLEY

Discover your inner sommelier at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley, the only Forbes Five-Star Resort in Napa Valley with an on-site working winery. For a true grape-to-glass experience, the Resort’s Elevated Elusa offering is a celebration of summer’s flavours. This new immersive food and wine tasting begins with a tour of the vineyards at Elusa Winery and its production facility before you head to the exclusive Wine Library overlooking Elusa’s barrel cellar for a meal that’s been carefully crafted to complement the winery’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon. “The Elevated Elusa experience is more than just a tasting,” says Resort General Manager Robby Delaney. “It’s a journey into Napa Valley’s storied heritage and its vibrant palate of flavours and exceptional wines, set in California’s golden summer sunshine.”

Whether you crave an adrenaline rush or a slower-paced outing, Four Seasons offers exclusive access to unique experiences that will change your perspective on the world around you.

PADDLE TO ADVENTURE IN BALI

As the longest river in Bali, the Ayung River stretches 75 kilometres, from the northern mountains to the Badung Strait at Sanur. Along the way, it winds through the island’s lush jungle and majestic gorges, offering opportunities for thrilling adventure: some of the best Class II and Class III white-water rafting in the world. During Bali’s dry season (May to October), the water is lower, making it ideal for rafters of all ages – you’ll experience some rough water, some rocks and small drops.

Set out with a guide from Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay or Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan and catch a glimpse of Bali’s vibrant culture as you paddle past splashing waterfalls, rice-farming villages, and historic and holy sites. But it’s not all roaring waters: You’ll have the chance to hop out of your raft to float through a natural tunnel formed by the leafy tree limbs overhead.

WALK WITH THE MAASAI ON A SERENGETI SAFARI

Every year, more than 2 million animals – zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and more – make their 800-kilometre trek across Africa in search of greener pastures. At Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, you’re perfectly positioned to see the herds during the prime viewing months, May through August. Follow their path during a game drive safari or join the Safari Lodge’s resident naturalist and Maasai guides for a late-afternoon walking safari to learn about the animals’ natural habitat.

“These are led by our resident naturalist accompanied by a ranger and Maasai guides,” notes Trevor van de Ven, Senior Director of PR and Communications at the Lodge. “It allows guests to get close to the wilderness, while the Maasai guides impart their knowledge of the trees, birds, animals and animal tracks that guests encounter on their walks.” Conclude your time in the bush with sundowner cocktails and canapés, then return to camp and recharge with a reinvigorating kifa massage using Tanzanian baobab oil and a heated Rungu – a Maasai warrior’s wooden baton.

SEE THE SUMMER STARS IN THE SONORAN DESERT

The natural beauty of this oasis is breathtaking, with sunlit vistas of saguaro cacti, dramatic valleys and iconic Pinnacle Peak. But for some of the area’s most captivating sights, you’ll have to look to the night skies. Uncover the secrets and enormity of the cosmos with Mark Johnston, a NASA Solar System Ambassador and resident astronomer at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, during a guided tour of the stars using his high-powered telescope and viewing screen.

Summer’s clear, dry nights offer optimal viewing of planets, star clusters, double stars, galaxies and more. “Scottsdale’s low light pollution means the stargazing is stunning, especially in summer,” says Director of Rooms Toshihiko Yoshimura. “It’s a great activity for the entire family, and the perfect end to a summer day spent hiking or relaxing poolside.”