Let the Festivities Planning Begin

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa—some of the calendar’s biggest holidays anchor the tail end of the year, but it’s never too early to start planning for them. Whether you’re hoping to gather the entire extended family for a festive reunion or celebrate with just your nearest and dearest, Four Seasons will help you craft a holiday experience for the books. From seasonal events to special menus, these four properties go above and beyond to spread joy and mirth.  

Festive at Four Seasons Hotel Prague

Christmas Market Prague
The Christmas tree at the Old Town Square’s Christmas Market.

If a classic old-world holiday experience is what you’re after, Prague should be high on your list of destinations to consider for your end-of-year vacation. The Czech Republic’s capital city has charmed many a travel writer with its cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture; now imagine the city all decked out for the holidays. It’s a veritable winter wonderland straight out of a fairy tale.  

Bonus: No need to pack presents. Just a seven-minute walk from Four Seasons Hotel Prague is the Old Town Square, site of the city’s largest Christmas Market (and tallest Christmas tree). Sip on mulled wine, treat the kids to gingerbread, and shop for handmade souvenirs to bring home. This year, the market starts November 26 and ends January 6.  

Four Seasons Hotel Prague, Room
Four Seasons Hotel Prague, Room

After a day of exploring, retire to the hotel, itself decorated to the nines, and indulge in the Dior Afternoon Tea at the Gallery lounge (preferably by the fireplace), where you can warm up with a spot of tea and a selection of canapés, scones, and desserts.  

When you book a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Prague, you also have at your disposal its incredible curated experiences—including a private tour through the Old Town Square Christmas Market, an evening ride in an antique car to take in the city’s holiday lights and decorations, and cultural happenings like Advent concerts at the National Library of the Czech Republic in the Klementinum.  

Festive at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

Broadway in Nashville
Lower Broadway in Nashville. Photograph by mana5280 on Unsplash.

Nashville’s nickname is Music City—for good reason. It’s a mecca for country music buffs and live music aficionados. And come winter, the city adds carols and jingles to its musical repertoire.  

 This season, holiday-themed shows happening in Tennessee’s capital city will include Opry Country Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry House; screenings of Elf and Home Alone accompanied by live music at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center; A Drag Queen Christmas at Ryman Auditorium; and Nashville Ballet’s Nashville’s Nutcracker at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall.  

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville Mimo
Four Seasons Hotel Nashville Mimo

 At Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, the holidays are all about delighting guests with special treats and events. At the Festive Carolers Dinner, carolers spread cheer from table to table, singing Christmas classics. At the Christmas Day Brunch, Santa Claus drops in for a thrilling visit, and guests get to try their hand at gingerbread house decorating. And on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Mimo, the hotel’s Tuscan-inspired restaurant, hosts a special prix fixe, four-course dinner. At evening’s end, every guest receives a holiday gift to take home.  

Festive at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

Christmas in London, Photo by Arafat Khan on Unsplash
Christmas in London. Photograph by Arafat Khan on Unsplash.

Love Actually. A Christmas Carol. Bridget Jones’s Diary. The Holiday. Some of our favourite Christmas movies (and likely yours, too) take place in London, the city that popularized beloved Victorian-era traditions—decorated trees and storefronts, Christmas crackers, holiday cards—that continue to this day.  

In addition to Christmas markets, ample shopping, and holiday lights viewing, London also offers plenty of places to ice skate. These outdoor venues, often surrounded by historical beauty, include Somerset House, where in late November the imposing and vast neoclassical site’s outdoor courtyard is transformed into an ice rink. Another magical spot for skating: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, the biggest outdoor rink in the United Kingdom. Here, you can glide beneath 100,000 twinkling lights to a Christmas soundtrack.  

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Christmas
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Christmas

 Hyde Park is, conveniently, just a one-minute walk from Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. Located on a quiet corner in the heart of Mayfair, the hotel goes all out for the holidays with elegant decorations and special menus at the French-inspired, Michelin-starred Pavyllon London, helmed by chef Yannick Alléno. And should you need help arranging exclusive, unique experiences across the city, the hotel’s concierge team—the largest in London—is ready to assist.  

Festive at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre  

Christmas in Dubai
Dubai decorated for the holidays. Photograph by mahyar motebassem on Unsplash.

Travel to Dubai during the holidays, and you’ll encounter lit trees, holiday markets, even Santa and his elves—but you’ll experience these traditions in warm, parka-free weather. That said, should you want a taste of wintry weather, simply head over to Ski Dubai, a gargantuan indoor ski resort where you can ski, snowboard, sled, and even meet some penguins. It’s housed in the Mall of the Emirates, one of the largest malls in the world.  

 Speaking of malls, luxury shopping is practically a sport in Dubai, and with the winter months comes the annual Dubai Shopping Festival, five weeks in December and January when stores offer irresistible discounts. And because Christmas isn’t a national holiday there, stores stay open, and you won’t have to wait for Boxing Day to shop.  

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, Mina, Festive
Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, Mina, Festive

 Outdoor excursions also abound in Dubai: desert safaris, yacht adventures, hot-air balloon rides, and cultural sightseeing can all be arranged when you stay at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre. The boutique hotel is a quiet oasis in the middle of the financial district, close to downtown and just minutes from the beach. Though small, with just 106 tastefully appointed rooms and suites, the hotel offers a range of dining options, from afternoon tea at Penrose Lounge and French Mediterranean dishes at Michelin-recommended Mina Brasserie, to small bites at Luna Dubai and Middle Eastern meze poolside, both on the roof with skyline views.    

3 Luxury Real Estate Hot Spots to Keep on Your Radar

The way people think about their living spaces has changed tremendously over the last few years. The rise of remote work has enabled us to live our lives untethered from the office (at least physically), which has stirred up an idea that most people dream about only when on vacation: What if we lived here?

Because of this newfound flexibility, some of the most alluring vacation destinations have quickly become something else entirely – booming real estate markets. And luxury buyers are taking note. Coastal areas like Cabo San Lucas and Fort Lauderdale are high on everyone’s list, especially for retirees, but modern and amenity-rich cities such as Nashville and Dubai are also making plenty of waves during the Great Relocation.

Thinking of making the shift to full-time vacation mode? (Or at least living in a place that feels like it?) Here are three real estate hot spots to keep your eye on for when you’re ready to live the dream.

A relaxation haven in Los Cabos

With its unique and rugged coastal landscape and rich marine life, Mexico’s Baja peninsula is one of the country’s most visited vacation destinations. So, it makes sense that it’s also home to one of its hottest markets, particularly for buyers from the U.S. and Canada who are just a quick flight away. In Cabo San Lucas, the ocean is your inspiration and your playground. This booming resort town offers plenty to see and do on both land and sea, the ideal place for those looking for a dynamic yet easy-going atmosphere where you can really unwind.

Homeowners can embrace a quintessential Cabo lifestyle at Four Seasons Private Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol, where you can play golf barefoot on your terms, explore the Golden Corridor or spend your lunch break at the private Cove Club. Take your calls on your residence’s private pool deck or in your open-concept living room framed by ocean views; then head out to paddleboard, snorkel, or relax on the white-sand beaches once the work is done.

For even more seclusion, a place on the East Cape may be just what you need. With fewer tourists and more swimmable beaches thanks to its perch on the Sea of Cortez, this once off-the-grid location has become one of the area’s most up-and-coming communities. At the centre of this new development is Four Seasons Private Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palmas. Homes here are beachfront, marina-side or ocean view, with access to two miles of swimmable beach – a rare find in Cabo – as well as plenty of water sports and a front-row seat to what Jacques Cousteau dubbed the “aquarium of the world.” There’s “something for everyone or every family at Costa Palmas,” says Ricardo Medina, Senior Director of Marketing at Irongate, the real estate firm that owns Costa Palmas.

The (Southern) comforts of home

Florida has long welcomed international travelers and snowbirds from the north for temporary winter stays, but the pandemic has made the state an even more appealing work-from-home option for the long term.

If you’re curious about the Sunshine State, vibrant Miami is always an option worth considering. Resting along the Atlantic Ocean in nearby Surfside, The Surf Club residences provide privacy on the water along with panoramic ocean views from every home, ranging from one to six bedrooms in size. Owners here also have access to private beach cabanas and all the amenities at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, including three pools, lush gardens, the Spa and The Surf Club Restaurant helmed by renowned chef Thomas Keller. If Old Hollywood glamour is your style, this historic property could be just what you’re looking for.

A little farther up the coast, you can live the yacht life on shore at Four Seasons Private Residences Fort Lauderdale, with the same turquoise Atlantic Ocean view. Everything Fort Lauderdale has to offer is at your doorstep. The Intracoastal Waterway is to the west, the Atlantic to the east, Taylor Birch State Park to the north, and Las Olas Boulevard, with all of its shops and restaurants and entertainment, is just a quick drive south. If the sea constantly calls your name, the “Yachting Capital of the World” may be the perfect place to dock your boat.

Moving inland may mean sacrificing ocean views, but gaining exclusive access to lakes, rivers and vibrant city life is often well worth it. In Austin, Texas, you can easily enjoy the perks of a big city along with the open spaces and laid-back charm of country living. A residential paradise awaits on Lake Austin, with a marina and clubhouse, 145 acres of pristine nature and 3,070 feet of private waterfront. Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin is only 20 minutes away from downtown, letting you mix city life and country living with unbelievable ease. At the end of the workday, there are few greater luxuries than a massage, a dip in the thermal pools or taking the glass-walled funicular down the hill to your own private lakeside playground.

Another Southern U.S. city you may want to keep on your radar is Nashville, Tennessee. Dubbed a “supernova city” because of its astounding growth, Nashville’s cosmopolitan vibes include amazing music venues, cutting-edge restaurants, and world-class artisans, all in a very walkable city. With more and more millennial homebuyers looking to live in places where everything they want and need is within easy reach, living in a place like Nashville makes a lot of sense. Here you can wake up overlooking the skyline and go out for an authentic hot-chicken dinner at the end of the day. “[Our residents] love that they have Nashville at their doorstep and Four Seasons at their service,” says Marie-Laure Frere, Director of Sales for Four Seasons Private Residences Nashville, home to one of the most sought-after new addresses in the city, located in the upmarket SoBro neighbourhood.

A luxe lifestyle along the Arabian Gulf

Gleaming metropolises along the sea are trademarks of the Middle East’s Arabian Gulf. Business is certainly booming here, but places like Dubai and the up-and-coming island country of Bahrain are also catching the attention of cosmopolitan travelers all over the world, and for more than just a quick visit.

“Since the launch of our standalone residential offerings in 2019, we have been looking for strategic opportunities to expand the Four Seasons luxury lifestyle experience in markets where homeowners want and demand the very best in serviced living,” says Bart Carnahan, President of Global Business Development and Portfolio Management at Four Seasons. “We have achieved this and beyond with Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah.”

The demand is clear: “All 28 units have already sold, marking a first in the over 35-year history of Four Seasons residential offerings – the first time a project has sold out without going to public sales,” continues Carnahan. “As homeowners look for luxury residential experiences of the greatest quality, Four Seasons continues to be the address of choice for discerning buyers worldwide.”

The Four Seasons Middle East portfolio will soon expand even further with some additional highly anticipated real estate offerings. Slated to open in 2023, the waterfront Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay will feature an exclusive collection of 112 bespoke homes, with architecture by Gensler and interior design by celebrated London-based design firm Rive Gauche. In Doha, Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar is currently underway, with residences set on a private beach surrounded by landscaped gardens and pools, offering city and sea views. And over in Muscat, a relaxing mountain and seaside setting will await homeowners at the upcoming Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Muscat, Oman, located in the heart of an ancient city with a thriving culture.

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When you live with Four Seasons, it’s worry-free home ownership at its most intuitive. Each property has a dedicated residence team to tend to housekeeping, maintenance, concierge services, culinary requests, security and anything else you could possibly need. Your home – be it a second home or primary address – should be your sanctuary, wherever you decide to live. With vibrant metropolises, turquoise seas, private pools, luscious landscapes, culinary delights, and the epitome of service at their fingertips, homeowners can love where they live any time of year with Four Seasons Private Residences.

See what it’s like to live with Four Seasons