When it comes to lavish luxury and immersive experiences, there’s no shortage of hotel groups that are trying to turn the humble art of “staying” into something far more epic. But if any brand has caught our eye this year, it’s The White Lotus (sorry, we couldn’t resist) Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, which are artfully blending already experiential check-ins with more immersive, one-of-a-kind adventures – all to meet the demands of the ever-discerning traveller. The Experientialist® takes a closer look at what’s new at Four Seasons.
Since 1961, Four Seasons has been steadily perfecting the luxury travel experience, expanding with an eye for innovation and maintaining the highest standards of hospitality, not to mention cementing its space in the annals of pop culture thanks to a certain hit TV series (you know the one…).
But with style must come substance. And that’s no easy feat when you’re operating 128 hotels and resorts worldwide, plus 53 residential properties in major city centres and resort destinations across 47 countries – with more than 50 additional hotels and resorts in the pipeline. All this, at a time when it has become more important than ever to strike a delicate balance between consistency and standing out in a fiercely competitive luxury landscape. No pressure.
Needless to say, Four Seasons remains a firm favourite among OutThere travellers, largely thanks to its uncanny ability to make their stays unforgettable, wherever in the world they may be.
Yes, we know (perhaps better than anyone) that ‘experiential travel’ might be an overused phrase in the tourism playbook – but even the most seasoned globetrotters will have to admit that there’s still plenty of room for inspiration and innovation – that sweet spark that turns a holiday into something rather more extraordinary. Because why settle for ordinary, right? In an age when we’re all craving a bit more joy, why not transform a stay into an adventure of the senses?
So, what’s new at Four Seasons? Let’s begin with a few properties that OutThere has had the good fortune to visit recently.
The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and its sister properties in Koh Samui are still basking in their White Lotus fame, with corresponding Afternoon Tea and Bar experiences inspired by the show’s third season. But new across Four Seasons Thailand (which includes Chiang Mai and its tented camp property in the Golden Triangle) is a collaboration with Thai-famous silk artisans Jim Thompson, who have helped create an exclusive ‘Thai Explorer’s Collection’ featuring prints inspired by each property. Let’s just hope Valentin and his band of thieves don’t pinch them from the hotel shop (oh, come on, you must’ve watched Series 3 by now?).
Nearby, at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the spectacular bee-homage Bar Trigona — about which we waxed (no pun intended) lyrical — embarks on a new sensory journey with Colour Me Curious 2.0. A vibrant cocktail experience featuring sustainable, locally inspired ingredients like Trigona honey and Kulim bitters, it’s on-brand for the hotel’s ever-creative mixology.
Over in Boston, USA, Four Seasons Hotel Boston has unveiled a new driving experience in partnership with Lucid Group, maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles. This initiative, part of a larger partnership between Four Seasons and Lucid, offers guests a sustainable way of exploring New England in the comfort of a state-of-the-art, award-winning electric Lucid Air sedan. The brand’s other property in Boston (yes, there are two), Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, is offering a deeper immersion into wellness. Their award-winning Five-Star Wellness Floor – an entire level dedicated to well-being – delivers lashings of holistic health and mindful indulgence. We particularly loved their partnership with a spa brand that nods to the city’s Irish immigrant heritage. Ground Wellbeing is a consciously crafted collection rooted in Irish wellness rituals and natural aromatherapy.
Wellness has, of course, long been a core part of the Four Seasons philosophy. So, it’s no surprise that the Four Seasons Hotel Megève, France, is now open year-round, offering personalised retreats for guests to recharge and detox in the serene Alpine environment. They call it Alpinotherapy — and it’s not just the mountain air doing the heavy lifting. From sound baths to guided meditations, CBD-infused treatments to encourage restorative sleep and nutritionist-curated menus, they offer much more zing for your zen.
If like us, tranquillity with a touch of quirky is your thing, imagine our delight at the ‘Seahorse Whisperer’ programme at Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita. Their ‘Snorkelling with Seahorses’ experience is a calming immersion into nature’s quiet magic. Drifting through the lagoon alongside these delicate, otherworldly creatures invites a sense of wonder and presence — a gentle, underwater form of mindfulness. As part of the resort’s wellness philosophy, this salty little adventure promotes relaxation, connection and a deep appreciation for the slow, beautiful rhythms of the natural world. The resort is also undergoing a renovation to elevate its already extraordinary offering, so stay tuned for a revitalised blend of modern elegance and authentic Mauritian charm.
And speaking of remote locations, Four Seasons has shown great savvy here. Gone are the days when luxury hotels were confined to bustling city centres. Now, you’re more likely to find yourself reclining in a Caribbean cabana at sunset or in the mountain ranges of the Western United States.
For those with equestrian leanings of the on-land kind, new at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, USA, is an experience that invites guests to embrace their inner cowboy, cowgirl, or cow-person. Think horseback riding at Diamond Cross Ranch, crafting your own custom hat at Kemo Sabe and toasting the day at the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, all set on the fringes of Yellowstone National Park. It’s rugged meets refined, and we’re here for it.
At Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, things take a breezier turn, quite literally, with the exhilarating sport of kite surfing. Available from July to October, it makes the most of the island’s ideal wind conditions and postcard-perfect coastline. Novices and seasoned surfers alike are welcome to be swept away – ideally in the poetic sense, though a firm grip on the board is still recommended.
Meanwhile, the spirit of celebration runs strong at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, which is curating a Summer of Culture that celebrates the island’s rich traditions. From the rhythmic beats of the St. Kitts Music Festival in June to the culinary delights of the Nevis Mango Festival in July, each event offers guests a vibrant glimpse into local heritage. Guests can also participate in the resort’s Sea Turtle Week, supporting vital conservation efforts, or revel in the colourful festivities of Nevis Culturama in August.
Closer to home, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane is marking a milestone this year: 55 glorious years of service. To celebrate, the hotel has partnered with the V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum) to offer exclusive access to sold-out exhibitions, private events and curator-led tours. Most notably, the partnership will feature the highly anticipated (and already booked-out) Cartier exhibition. As if that weren’t enough, the hotel is also hosting the Counter Culture Series at Pavyllon London, a culinary collaboration led by Chef Yannick Alléno, kicking off with Chef Raymond Blanc OBE for pop-up, one-night-only gastronomic events.
Not to be outdone, Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire is hosting a leg of The Road to The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic in June as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. The tournament will feature Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanišević mentoring participants in a doubles invitational set against the backdrop of the hotel’s 18th-century manor and rolling countryside. The winning team will advance to the semi-finals at London’s Hurlingham Club during the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, a jewel in both the sporting and social calendar.
This is just a taste of what’s new at Four Seasons this year, as the brand continues to capitalise on a wider cultural trend: our collective thirst for experiences over the merely material. As we’ve observed in OutThere’s trend research, modern hotel guests no longer want to be passive tourists or even just travellers, they want to be protagonists in their own extraordinary holidays. There’s a growing demand to immerse oneself in something unique, something that becomes a story worth telling – or better yet, posting. Because, let’s be honest, it’s not just about the memories anymore – it’s also about the Instagram caption. That carefully curated mix of humility and just a hint of boast: “Just riding a legendary Bentley Blower JNR with Hedley Studios, new at Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge. It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it”.
Is it tough? Absolutely not. It’s a life Four Seasons has curated – and rather masterfully, we might add – turning the art of luxury into a daringly grandiose performance. One where your every whim is indulged, your every sense is delighted, and your time is entirely your own. And really, who can argue with that?
Photography courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts and Diamond Cross Ranch, Jackson Hole
