10 Reasons Not to Sleep In

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5:30 AM, JACKSON HOLE

“There is nothing like an early morning bike ride in Jackson. It’s akin to a  mini wildlife safari, with bald eagle, coyote, elk and moose sightings. But my favourite is seeing the hot-air balloons getting ready for a sunrise flight with our guests. The sun bouncing off the Tetons is nothing short of magical – and I take great joy in knowing I can help shape and share that magic.”

—Michael Nichols, Concierge (Member Les Clefs d’Or USA), Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole 

 

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Vegas

6:00 AM, LAS VEGAS

 “I often send guests south of the Hotel for a morning run past the iconic Las Vegas sign, continuing on to the trails at Sunrise Park. On their return leg, they are rewarded with views of the Strip illuminated by rays of sun, contrasted with the neon of the night prior.”

Gamini Sugathadasa, Bellman, Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas 

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6:15 AM, MALDIVES PRIVATE ISLAND AT VOAVAH, BAA ATOLL

“I can’t think of a better way to start the day than with a dawn dive in the pristine waters off Voavah. Just you and the reef residents coming out of their nighttime hiding places as the sun’s ray start to light the reef. It’s pure magic.”

— Ismail Naeem, Katheeb (Island Chief),  Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll

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Sydney 01

6:40 AM, SYDNEY

 “Every corner you turn in Sydney, there is beauty to be found.  However, my favourite iconic Sydney moment is watching the sun rise from behind the sails of the Sydney Opera House from one of our Four Seasons Full Harbour Rooms. Simply breathtaking.”

Charlotte Trickey, Lounge 32 Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney 

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Borabora

6:45 AM, BORA BORA

“One of the unique things guests can do here, just seconds after waking, is jump into the warm turquoise lagoon from their overwater bungalow suite. There is truly no better way to start the day than in the healing waters of our paradise.” 

Eric Desbordes, Executive Chef, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora 

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Mexico City

7:00 AM, MEXICO CITY

 “There’s nothing quite like rising early in a city of 22 million people. Soon enough, the streets will start bustling and local markets will reward visitors with fresh tamales, tortillas and tlayudas

David Valencia, Guest Relations Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City 

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Campgoldentriangle

7:15 AM, GOLDEN TRIANGLE, THAILAND

“I love that moment when guests look up from their breakfast table at Nong Yao just as the sun is rising and spot our herd of elephants sauntering in for their morning snack.”

Tobias Emmer, Camp Manager, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle  

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7:30 AM, HAWAII, HUALALAI

 “As the sun is rising, pedal the 17 miles of paved road on Mauna Loa with friends, and then throw a rucksack over your shoulders and head up to the crater.”

Colin Clark, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai 

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Africa

8:00 AM, SERENGETI

“Of all the wildlife sightings in the Serengeti, spotting a rhino is incredibly precious. The population of this creature has suffered tremendously over the past few decades, but now there are great efforts in place to support the future of these animals. If you are lucky enough to see one of the remaining rhinos in person, you truly understand why these efforts are so important.”

Ahmed
Attas, Discovery Centre Manager, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti 

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Mauritius Quote

9:00 AM, MAURITIUS

 “The eight-handed massage is the perfect way to wake up the body with synergies comparable to a dancer’s choreography: fluid and soothing.”

—Joelle Jennepy, Senior Spa Director, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita 

Secrets of a Seychelles Digital Detox

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island sits alone on a remote coral atoll in the Indian Ocean, 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) off the coast of Africa. This is a place where you can truly unplug. Leave technology behind and stake out your spot along nearly 14 kilometres of pure white sand, wander the wilderness paths in search of giant tortoises or let lapping waves lull you into repose during an oceanside spa treatment.

Patrick Moreau of Muse Storytelling spent seven days on the atoll with his filmmaking crew and was astounded by its power to pull one into the here and now. Here, in his own words, are his suggestions for disconnecting from devices in order to reconnect with yourself and your surroundings.

Take It In

As you’re coming in on the chartered plane from Mahé, the main island of Seychelles, Desroches Island comes into view; you can see out your window that the Resort is the only thing on this lush, 6-kilometre-long stretch of paradise. The runway is essentially the porte cochère – the plane lands, and staff members are there to greet you. You step off the plane and drop into the lap of nature. Endless ocean to your right, forest to your left and this exquisite Resort directly in front of you – in the middle of nowhere.

 

 

Be Present

There is no cell service on the island, and the Wi-Fi only works when you’re in the Resort itself. So you become more intentional about using the connection – and gradually you use it less and less. Instead of waking up and looking first at your phone, you go outside to witness the sunrise. Instead of sitting at the bar scrolling through apps, you get to know the person making the cocktails. You just keep making decisions like this, and soon you’re not missing your phone at all; you don’t even want to pick it up.

Knowing that everyone around you is experiencing the moment fully as it’s happening makes it that much more poignant.

It’s a collective experience among guests. Where else can you go into a restaurant and not see a single person holding a phone? The sun is setting, and you’re looking out at the ocean across an infinity pool, and the food is world-class, and everyone is present. Knowing that everyone around you is experiencing the moment fully as it’s happening makes it that much more poignant.

Pet a Giant Tortoise

Giant Aldabra tortoises are indigenous to Seychelles and roam freely around the island. At 120 years old, one in particular, named George, is thought to be Desroches’ oldest inhabitant. When you see this massive shell that you thought was a rock get up and start walking, it’s just unbelievable. They can be 1.2 metres (4 feet) long and weigh 250 kilograms (550 pounds) – you can’t prepare yourself for that kind of size and scale. You can reach out and pet George, and even feed him an apple. The whole thing brings a sense of childlike awe.

 

 

Follow the Sun

My crew and I very quickly became attuned to what the sun was doing. Without even trying, we would wake up with the sunrise. Every room is a stand-alone villa and each has its own private plunge pool, so every night I’d have a swim underneath the stars. It became this relaxing ritual, and I later discovered that everyone on the team was doing the same thing. It’s so spectacular that you’re just compelled to take it in.

 

 

Ride a Bike

Each villa comes with two gorgeously designed single-speed bikes. You can go anywhere on the island – it takes about 25 minutes to ride from one end to the other – and there are no cars in sight. You can stake out your own spot in the sand and not see a single person all day. Or if you want a picnic at a certain place and time, the staff will arrange that. You simply arrive at the designated location, and a basket and umbrella are waiting for you.

You can stake out your own spot in the sand and not see a single person all day.

In day-to-day life we’re always on to the next thing before finishing the first, and exploring the island is the complete opposite. You stop when you want to stop, and you never know what you’ll discover. I saw a turtle swim up to the beach, dig a hole, lay its eggs and then swim back to the ocean. There is so much unadulterated nature, it’s incredible. It makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger.

Heed the Healing Waters

During the Sound of the Waves massage, the therapist rolls an ostrich egg filled with hot baobab seeds over your body. Not only is it a truly relaxing sensation, but it also mimics the sound of the ocean. This all happens in a small private villa on the beach that’s tranquil, bright and beautiful. Massage is known to be relaxing, but elements like these, coupled with the lapping ocean waves, create an experience far more transcendent.

Take Home a Story

When you’re in a place this incredible there’s an urge to capture everything you see with a photo, to preserve the moment and share it with the world. But every time I did that, I noticed this huge disparity between the photo I took and what I was seeing. A photo simply cannot capture what’s unfolding in front of you. My experience was so much richer once I put down my phone and surrendered to the magic of the island. If you focus on the moment, cultivating memories and stories instead of images, you’ll return home with something so meaningful it stays with you for years to come.

 

 

Your Journey Begins Here

Reconnect with what matters.

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Peace and Quiet in Las Vegas:
How to Unplug in Sin City

A closer look at Las Vegas, city of bright lights and infinite indulgence, reveals its softer side. We asked local Four Seasons experts where to unwind. Here, eight relaxing experiences to round out your next trip.

Cabana Fever

“Our Hotel in itself is an oasis,” says Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas’ Chef Concierge Patrick Ritschard. “We share a building with Mandalay Bay, so the casino experience is right there, but you can easily return to the sanctuary of the Hotel at any time.” The well-appointed poolside cabanas, complete with ceiling fans, sofas, chilled towels and dedicated servers, are a favourite hideaway for guests. “We don’t have loud music at the pool, so it’s a haven of quiet,” Ritschard says. “Lots of people spend the day there.”

Ohm, What?

For a good stretch with a lofty view, try yoga in the High Roller Observation Wheel. This futuristic Ferris wheel sends you soaring 550 feet (168 metres) above ground in a glass-walled pod with room for a small group to follow the peaceful poses of a local instructor. “We recommend doing it right before dusk,” Ritschard says. “Las Vegas has some amazing sunsets.”

Refresher Course

What better way to wind down the day and recharge for the evening than with a proper tea? Afternoon tea at the Hotel’s poolside Veranda restaurant is an hour-long escape from hubbub, with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries prepared by French chef Jean-Luc Daul and his team. Every weekday in December, guests clad in holiday sweaters can sip a complimentary glass of Champagne paired with seasonal sweets like eggnog crème brûlée.


Red Rock Canyon

Stretch your legs at Red Rock Canyon, just west of the city.

Desert Aces

Vast canyons, vermilion sandstone peaks and spiny desert flora fill the Mojave Desert surrounding Las Vegas. Two spots to stretch your legs and breathe in some fresh air: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, a 15-minute drive west of the city, and Valley of Fire State Park, an hour to the east. At Red Rock, take in the scenery on horseback, a bicycle or your own two feet – or with the top down on a 13-mile scenic roadway. Ancient trees, petroglyphs and otherworldly arches are among the treasures at Valley of Fire. Enhance either trip with a picnic lunch courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.


Seven Magic Mountains

Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains is set among desert scrubland in a clearing off Las Vegas’ Interstate 15.

Fine Art

“You can really get lost in the beautiful art experiences in Las Vegas,” Ritschard says. “James Turrell’s experiential exhibit, Akhob, inside the Louis Vuitton store, is all about light and space, and it’s by reservation only so it’s never overly crowded.” Another compelling installation: Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains, a series of three-storey towers composed of vibrantly painted boulders, set among desert scrubland in a clearing just 10 miles (16 kilometres) south of the Strip.

Schuss It Out

“A lot of people don’t realize there’s a ski resort here,” Ritschard says. In fact, Lee Canyon, 50 miles (80 km) from Vegas, offers 24 downhill skiing trails, plus a snow-tubing course and snowshoeing trails. “There are some beautiful hikes you can do there, year-round. And mountain-biking trails, too.”

Photos courtesy Lee Canyon

Nurture by Nature

Set smack in the middle of Las Vegas, the non-profit Springs Preserve nature centre traces the city’s history while serving up sustainable ideas for its future – all via interactive exhibits fit for all ages. Stroll through the serene butterfly garden as the sprightly creatures fly freely around you, or wander the meandering botanical garden trail alongside hundreds of varieties of native plants.

Your Journey Begins Here

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How to Upgrade Your Sunset Experience

From a rooftop retreat high above Dubai to a cocktail bar with prime-time views of Scottsdale’s sweeping desert sky, these hotels and resorts pair sunset scenes with unmatched amenities and exclusive experiences.


Group at the beach in Bali

At a Beachfront Bar in Bali

Built like a Balinese village along a sandy, crescent-shaped beach, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay takes advantage of its superior setting to present three distinctive ways to behold the brilliant evening sky: Find your centre with a sunset hatha yoga class by the ocean; sip Champagne on a sunset cruise in the bay; or settle yourself on a cushy daybed with a cocktail and live music at Sundara, the Resort’s restaurant and beach club.

Prefer to pair sundown with solitude? There’s a fourth way: Stay in one of the two-bedroom Premier Ocean Villas. You’ll have your own infinity pool and bale (Balinese pergola) with broad, unobstructed views of the ocean and the fiery sky.


Four Seasons Seattle Pool

From an Otherworldly Pool in Seattle

In the heated waters of the city’s only outdoor infinity pool, look out over Puget Sound from Four Seasons Hotel Seattle. Thanks to clear-glass balustrades, there’s not a bad seat on this sought-after pool deck, which also lays claim to a hot tub, a firepit and comfy chaise lounges. As the sun sets over Elliott Bay and the Seattle Great Wheel, the sky-high Olympic Mountains turn into towering dark shadows in the distance.


Congress Avenue Bats in Austin

Just Add Bats in Austin

On the deck of the new Live Oak bar at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, you’ll have a front-row seat for more than the sinking sun. The Hotel’s position overlooking the bridge, and Lady Bird Lake below, qualifies it for prime bat-watching.

From early spring until the first chill of fall, more than a million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home beneath downtown’s Congress Avenue Bridge. In a frenzied exodus that occurs every evening just before sunset, they leave the roost to embark on their nocturnal hunt. You can see two natural wonders at once from either the Live Oak or a spot on the expansive terrace of the new Ciclo restaurant – part of a multimillion-dollar renovation to be completed in fall 2018.


Sunset at Four Seasons Costa Rica

Via Catamaran Cruise in Costa Rica

Set on a hillside surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo offers up all manner of ways to admire the fiery sky. Take a guided kayak tour around the peninsula, stopping to watch the colours change behind Monkey Head, an iconic rock formation that spires from the sea, or board the 47-foot Goombay catamaran for a sunset cruise that includes a snorkelling stop. There are guided sunset hikes, private beach dinners and sunset yoga on the beach. Better yet, stay a week and rise to the challenge of experiencing them all.


Sunset in Dubai

With the Best of Both Worlds in Dubai

On one side of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf beckon. On the other, glittery Dubai unfolds.

At this sumptuous Mediterranean-style manse, you don’t have to choose between city and sea; have both. Watch from the open-air Mercury Lounge, six storeys high, as twilight turns the city into sparkle. Back at sea level, the sunset over Jumeirah Beach awaits – and so does the debonair Sea Fu restaurant.


Sunset on the beach in Mauritius

With Local Rhythms in Mauritius

Rising from the ocean about 1,200 miles (1930 kilometres) off the coast of Africa, marked by mountains, lagoons, beaches and reefs, Mauritius is the kind of island you want to be marooned on. Its wild beauty only grows more striking at sunset, with Bambou Mountain awash in golden light.

Once a week, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita honours the occasion by inviting dancers to perform the sega, a celebratory local dance. Join in the magnetic rhythm for your own bodily salute to the setting sun.


Sunset in Scottsdale

On a Handsome Patio in Scottsdale

Desert sunsets and the allure of the American West are practically inseparable. See in person what so many artists and photographers have tried to capture with a stay at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.

A valley rife with soaring saguaros and spindly cholla acts as a kind of court for the famed Pinnacle Peak. Watch the falling sun paint the sky with warm shades of purple, pink, yellow and orange from a seat on Onyx Bar’s handsome patio.

Your Journey Begins Here

Where will you park yourself come sunset?

The Water Sports to Conquer on Your Next Trip



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Deep Impact in Maldives

In this private submarine experience, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru gives you and a guest a first-class ticket to the bustling underworld of Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Piloted excursions in DeepFlight’s first three-person submarine – the Super Falcon 3S – allow you to explore the reefs in the comfort of a pressurized, climate-controlled cabin with individual viewing domes affording 360-degree views.

You’ll cruise past coral and through kaleidoscopic schools of fish – and maybe even alongside sharks, turtles, stingrays or dolphins – while your knowledgeable pilot dispenses facts about the plants and animals that call this fascinating ecosystem home.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger in Hualalai

Triathlon training is tough. So why not do it in one of the most beautiful places on earth, under the tutelage of a six-time Ironman World Champion? Four times a year, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai offers the rare opportunity to train with Ironman Hall of Famer and master coach Dave Scott. Each five-day clinic includes intensive training in swimming, cycling, running, nutrition, strength and flexibility, plus video analysis and a personal consultation.

The 28,000-square-foot Hualalai Spa is at the ready with massage, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms and cold plunges. But the greatest perk is your training ground. “Kona is such a beautiful place, and it makes training here all the more memorable,” Scott says. “We bike on roads that run between the green mountains and the sparkling blue ocean, run next to black lava rock fields and swim in the crystal-clear ocean alongside Hawaiian sea life. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is unique in that it has some of the most beautiful open-water swimming areas in the world, as well as an amazing 25-metre lap pool, so I can diversify my coaching in the two swimming environments.”


Paddleboarding in San Diego

Balancing Act in San Diego

Freshwater mingles with saltwater at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, an aquatic sanctuary teeming with wildlife just 15 minutes from Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara. These brackish waters are an irresistible environment for some 70 species of fish and 192 species of birds, from red-tailed hawks to hummingbirds. Experience this robust nature preserve via the Residence Club’s paddleboard adventure. You’ll take a Beau Lake paddleboard – a gel-coated mahogany masterpiece, essentially the Mercedes S-Class of paddleboards – that’s as comfortable for a beginner as it is for the accomplished rider.

“The adventure begins on the shore, where we get an orientation of the lagoon and a quick paddleboarding lesson,” says Resort Assistant Manager Joanna George. “We start early in the morning, when the water is the smoothest. It’s a calm and soothing ride. We often see fish jumping out of the water.” 


Bora Bora snorkelling

Coral-Friendly Snorkelling in Bora Bora

At Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, it’s easy to find a lagoon teeming with tropical sea life – there’s one within the confines of the Resort. Sign up for a guided snorkel, or help biologists at the on-site research centre as they work to build and restore the ecosystem in and around the property. “Our main duty is to take care of the coral colonies, so we start by explaining to guests the importance of coral to the ecosystem,” says marine biologist Sylvain Lenoir. “We also tell them about the technology we use to help the coral grow, then we go snorkelling with them to show them the different techniques.

“Guests can adopt a GPS-enabled coral nubbin and track it as it grows on our artificial reef,” Lenoir says. “They can also be part of a worldwide study by documenting levels of coral bleaching as they explore the waters around the Resort.”


Kayaking in Costa Rica

Bay Watch in Costa Rica

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo fronts the Bay of Culebra in Costa Rica’s northwestern corner, and its calm, cerulean waters are ripe for exploring. The best way to get up close with local sea life? A guided kayak ride with the Resort’s on-site adventure staff. In your self-propelled vessel, you can paddle out to gain the best vantage of the island and its volcanic Guanacaste mountain range and tropical rainforest beyond. Humpback whales arrive to deliver their babies between August and December.

“We normally take guests to Nacascolo Beach, and on the way we sometimes have the humpback whales swimming beside us,” says Recreation Supervisor Alonso Rodríguez. “You might also see dolphins, spotted eagle rays, sting rays, devil rays and lots of fish. When we get to the beach we show you some of the animals we see in that area, like howler monkeys. Kayaking is very relaxing, and it allows people to disconnect.”


Swimming with sharks

Swim Meet in O‘ahu

If anyone has the right name for a career in marine biology, it’s Ocean Ramsey. A certified scuba instructor and professional free diver, the Hawaii native has made it her life’s work to foster understanding and appreciation of the ocean as a whole, but especially sharks. In Ramsey’s day job – running her own marine research and conservation company, One Ocean Research and Diving – she studies shark behaviour by swimming alongside them, and promotes their intelligence and important role in shaping ecosystems. (Photographs of her freediving with great whites are eye candy for her half-million Instagram followers.)

Guests of Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina can join Ocean, or one of her crew, in a research trip to swim with sandbar or Galápagos sharks. You’ll get the low-down on shark biology, physiology and behaviour, then don a snorkel and climb down the swim ladder. “I find that no matter how much I talk to people about sharks, they don’t truly believe me until they see for themselves,” Ramsey says. “After experiencing the program, participants have a much more realistic perspective on how sharks behave and how we can adapt our behavior to peacefully coexist – both in the water and in the global community through conservation.”


Jetblades in Langkawi

Up and Away in Langkawi

You may have heard of jetpacks – high-tech backpacks that send you skyward with a hose full of rapidly moving water. Now behold Jetblades, small-scale wakeboards of sorts that use the same technology but allow you to spin, swoop, flip and swirl through the sky with more control. Four Seasons Resort Langkawi is the first resort in Malaysia to offer this thrilling experience. Strap into your boots and prepare for a wild ride over the Andaman Sea.