YOUR BUCKET LIST DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THIS EXISTED
The match had been played on a clay court overlooking the savanna. The only spectators, a herd of elephants. And that was just day one.
At Kensington, every dream is achievable. Our fully customized itineraries and expert private guides ensure that your trip is once in a lifetime, every time.
Start planning at KensingtonTours.com or contact your Travel Advisor.
In 2026, our tradition of excellence takes to the seas with the launch of Four Seasons Yachts. Our inaugural yacht, Four Seasons I, embodies distinction, where intentional design, craftsmanship, and connection to the sea come together.
Every voyage in the Caribbean and Mediterranean reflects our enduring vision in renowned hospitality, blending artistry and innovation in ways that reimagine effortless travel. Expansive residential-style suites, culinary experiences led by Michelin-starred chefs, and spaces that foster intimate moments create a world inspired by the freedom of yachting.
Before founding Four Seasons nearly 65 years ago, I was a builder. It was this experience that inspired me to create what would become the first Four Seasons hotel. Without compromising on the architecture, design, or amenities that would be the backdrop against which our properties come to life, I knew that service would set us apart from the very beginning.
Over the years, this principle has enabled Four Seasons to introduce many innovations within luxury hospitality that have since become the industry standard. From redefining the sleep, in-room dining, and housekeeping experiences at our hotels, to creating resort-like respites in the heart of cities around the world, our pursuit of excellence endures. Together with talented artists, artisans, and architects, Four Seasons has maintained this commitment, ensuring that our guests’ needs are always met with the highest levels of care and quality across all the places in which we proudly operate.
As always, if there is anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable, please let me know.
ISADORE SHARP Founder and Chairman
For almost 65 years, Four Seasons has moved from strength to strength, pursuing excellence at every stage of our story. We are honoured to have been recognized with countless awards and accolades in recognition of these achievements, but our perennial pursuit is always fueled by our guests and our desire to deliver meaningful experiences that will last a lifetime.
Distinction happens at every level of the guest experience. Whether it is the inspired design behind our upcoming yacht, the introduction of a new destination, or an expert culinary recommendation, every
ALEJANDRO REYNAL President and Chief Executive Officer
Seasons
Cozy up for après-ski with these stylish winter pieces, from hats and bags to shearling boots.
From covetable creations to exceptional escapes, these defining trends are shaping the next era of luxury.
Journeying through Taormina, Italy, and Tunis, Tunisia, reveals how the Mediterranean’s shared past endures.
A
Once underestimated, southern China’s cuisine has taken its rightful place in the global spotlight.
of
Art meets the tides on the coast of Florida … Madrid’s Plaza Mayor becomes an epic runway … Saudi Arabia’s historic At-Turaif District is aglow … Fra Angelico inspires KAWS in Florence.
New Four Seasons resorts … Nonalcoholic drinks with real flavour … Everyday fun with caviar … Jewelry boxes and cases to treasure … Destinations that bring school study to life.
Showcasing 40 spectacular years of Four Seasons Private Residences, from San Francisco and Bahrain to upcoming addresses in Lake Austin, the Swiss Alps, and Saudi Arabia.
72page
AUTHOR AND COOK
“I particularly enjoyed interviewing chef Vicky Cheng, of Wing [restaurant] in Hong Kong, about his ‘boundaryless’ cooking,” says Dunlop, the James Beard Award–winning food writer and cook who penned “The Cantonese Connection” for this issue. The newest of her seven books is Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food
LIFESTYLE AND TRAVEL WRITER
“From caviar bumps to velvet-lined jewelry boxes, I learned that luxury can be playful,” says Saviss of the subjects she covered for this issue’s Four Front section. “It’s the mix of tradition and creativity that makes something feel truly special.” Based in Los Angeles, she is the former editor in chief of Los Angeles Confidential.
118 page 136 page
WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER
Wallace—author of Twentieth-Century Man: The Wild Life of Peter Beard—wrote and photographed this issue’s “Echoes Across the Sea,” exploring Sicily and Tunisia with his mid-1990s Nikon F100 camera. His travel spot of the moment? “Generally, it is wherever I am and wherever I am going next—so, Luxor, and southern Spain—but Rwanda recently blew my mind.”
68 page 91page
CORRESPONDENT AND WRITER
Based in Las Vegas, Sheckells covers entertainment, lifestyle, travel, and dining. Her Four Front story “Zero Proof, Full Flavour” looks at how bars, restaurants, and hotels are meeting the demand for nonalcoholic beverages.
“From juicing to fermentation, these are not just mocktails,” she says. “They are works of culinary art.”
JOURNALIST
Vora, a New York–based lifestyle writer, is no stranger to Palm Beach, Florida, but many of the places that she learned about through her conversation with landscape designer Fernando Wong were new discoveries. “There’s plenty to explore on the next trip,” she says, “from a historic walking tour of Worth Avenue to Pan’s Garden, and dinner at Café Via Flora.”
DISTINCTION IS ONE OF THE HALLMARKS
of Four Seasons. Across hotels, resorts, and private residences in more than 45 countries on six continents, there is a continual commitment to stand out from the crowd—pursued not in the name of recognition but in the service of making guests feel comfortable, seen, heard, and valued. It all comes together in those moments when a traveller reflects and thinks, This experience, this time with family and friends, could have only happened in this one special place
It's that pursuit of excellence that inspires this edition of Four Seasons magazine—The Distinction Issue—a celebration of the very best across a range of fields and interests.
In our feature story “The Distinction List” (page 106), we curated 25 trends defining the direction of luxury today. The compendium shines a light on extraordinary Four Seasons properties in Madrid, London, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Tokyo, as well as some of our favourite luxury finds. Discover a stunning, limited-edition Louis Vuitton cabinet, a sleek hypercar developed with AI, and a covetable, expertly crafted record console, each a testament to design innovation and imagination.
For “The Cantonese Connection” (page 118), acclaimed author and cook Fuchsia Dunlop traced the long, circuitous journey of southern China’s regional cuisine toward global recognition. For her piece, she spoke with pioneering chefs including Chan Yan Tak, of Lung King Heen restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, the first Chinese chef to garner three Michelin stars.
And in “Echoes Across the Sea” (page 136), writer and photographer Chris Wallace checked into exceptional Four Seasons hotels in Taormina, Sicily, and Tunis, Tunisia, delving into the threads of history that connect these two places across the Mediterranean. His journey is a meditation on place—how cultures, flavours, and histories intertwine to create unforgettable experiences.
We hope that the stories in this issue inspire you to seek out moments of distinction—the ones that could only happen in those special, meantto-be places.
DEGEN PENER
Executive Editor
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Degen Pener CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rina Stone PUBLISHER Christian Poppert
MANAGING EDITOR
Lori Bryan DIRECTOR, Partner Marketing Tatiana Imamura
DIGITAL EDITOR
Fan Winston
PHOTO EDITOR
T. Brittain Stone
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Susan B. Barnes, Laurie Brookins, Tanvi Chheda, Nicola Chilton, Tres Dean, Fuchsia Dunlop, Mark Ellwood, Victoria Gomelsky, Jeff Gordinier, Adam H. Graham, Beau Hayhoe, Mary Holland, Brad Japhe, Paul Jebara, Laurie Kahle, Sophie Mendel, Julie Pham, Pavia Rosati, Elycia Rubin, Ramona Saviss, Melinda Sheckells, Vincent Vichit-Vadakan, Shivani Vora, Chris Wallace
PUBLISHED BY
PRESIDENT, Lifestyle Media & Partnerships Jay Meyer
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Content Bruce Wallin
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT General Manager Pamela Abbott
PARTNERSHIPS
David Van Sicklen, Travis Haley, Matt Squire, Jon Edwards, Mark Cooper, Tori DeClaris, Margot Giblin, Lauren Edwards, James McNulty, JD Hess, Lisa Rosenberg, Paolo Cassano, Debbie Topp, Elaine Rizos
MARKETING
Morgan Barbay, Julia Biedenbender, Emily Poppert, Jen Scherr, Adam Szafranski, Joanna Thomas
DIRECTOR, Creative Services
Shannon Corrigan-Baumann
ART DIRECTOR
Matthew Halnan
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
Jimmy Stafford
VICE PRESIDENT, Global Travel Partnerships
Santiago Abreu
CONTENT DIRECTOR, Custom Media
Nikki Prange
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mandee Klenk
VICE PRESIDENT, Human Resources
Eilis Murphy
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John Pietrolungo
FOUNDERS
Matt Carroll, Nick Van Sicklen
Advertising Inquiries: christian@northandwarren.com
NORTH & WARREN
7324 Gaston Ave., Ste. 124–451; Dallas, Texas 75214
©2025 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The articles appearing within this publication reflect the opinion of their respective authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. The contents of advertisements and advertorials are entirely the responsibility of advertisers. No
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A recent fashion-forward photo shoot at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid produced the cover image for this issue of Four Seasons magazine. “Everywhere you turn there is beauty,” says Tessa Lund, brand creative director at Four Seasons, who points to the property’s historic architecture, impeccable service, extensive art collection, and open-air dining at Dani Brasserie. “We approached the Madrid shoot,” she adds, “through a lens of falling in love.”
Number of Cantonese restaurants at Four Seasons properties worldwide, including Saai Yue Heen (left: king crab, steamed with pork patty) on the 39th floor at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel Dalian, in Dalian, China. Several Four Seasons restaurants located in southern China—the region that originated the cuisine—are highlighted in this issue’s feature story, “The Cantonese Connection” (page 118).
For the winter accessories piece
“Chalet Chic” (page 126), set designer Jill Nicholls and photographer Vanessa Granda re-created the vibe of an Alpine cabin inside a Brooklyn, New York, studio, with well-chosen props, including hardware-store wood chips, a prop-house table, marble tiles, and a vintage walking stick. Nicholls prefers to source materials in person rather than online, because “it’s all about things being tactile,” she says. “If you are looking at it on a two-dimensional screen, it’s not going to do as much.”
In our West Coast studio, more than twenty artisans bring every TACORI piece to life, shaping platinum, gold, and natural diamonds into sculptural designs that define modern luxury. Effortless, distinctive, and hand-finished to perfection — each ring a one-of-a-kind work of art.
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At Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World ® Resort, Florian Park, enchantment is always just around the corner.
There’s a new address where the legendary service of Four Seasons meets Disney magic: Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, Florian Park.
Approximately four miles from Magic Kingdom® Park, this intimate collection of just 40 residences offers resortstyle living with the personalized care that defines Four Seasons—all nestled inside Orlando’s exclusive gated neighbourhood, Golden Oak at Walt Disney World Resort.
Opened in 2011, Golden Oak is renowned for its proximity to Walt Disney World, with residents enjoying exclusive Disney-designed experiences.
Now its story welcomes a new chapter: Florian Park, the latest jewel in the community’s enchanting portfolio of homes.
FLORIAN
Neighbouring Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, these gracious residences form their own distinctive enclave. Set amid a lush landscape that makes the most of Central Florida’s subtropical climate—think swaying palm trees and vibrant flowers blooming year-round—Florian Park includes nine proposed attached two-level homes and a single, elevated address with 31 three- and four-bedroom Luxe Residences. The collection is crowned by five expansive two-level penthouses.
Each of the signature Luxe Residences features a gourmet kitchen and a spacious primary suite, while the additional bedrooms are also en suite. The Penthouse Residences offer four distinct floor plans ranging from approximately 6,590 to 7,002 square feet across two levels. The penthouses boast impressive primary suites on the first level and three en suite bedrooms upstairs, along with kitchens complete with wine storage, elevators, and private balconies.
At the heart of Florian Park lies a vibrant outdoor living space designed for connection, relaxation, and family enjoyment. The lakeside residents-only retreat features a heated pool with private cabanas, a children’s water play area, fire pits for cozy gatherings, and an events lawn.
For Page Pierce, Vice President of Real Estate Development for Emerging Business at The Walt Disney Company, Florian Park represents the epitome of Golden Oak’s enchanted story—an exciting opportunity to purchase a new home within the exclusive, golf-cartfriendly community.
Homes within Florian Park are complemented by graciously appointed interiors and meticulously groomed landscape design.
Park features proposed two-level homes (above), an outdoor living space with heated pool (top right), and a single, elevated address including an elegant lobby (inset below) and expansive Penthouse Residences.
The vision for the neighbourhood, explains Mike Lentz, Vice President with project developer Host Hotels & Resorts, was to create a unique residenceinspired experience that reflects both the surrounding Golden Oak community and the grandeur of the Mediterranean and Spanish Revival architecture of Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort next door.
“Golden Oak has been an extraordinary success story, bringing families together to experience the Disney lifestyle in a way that is timeless and inspiring,” says Pierce. “With Florian Park, we are proud to offer this unique opportunity to call the community of Golden Oak home. It integrates seamlessly with the character and charm of Golden Oak, making this a fitting addition to the community’s remarkable journey.” Homes within Florian Park are complemented by graciously appointed interiors by Parker-Torres Design and meticulously groomed landscape design.
“The exterior architecture of the Luxe Residences was designed to pay homage to the classical architecture of the Four Seasons hotel, with a contemporary and residential feel,” says Lentz. “This also allowed us to create a new neighbourhood of Boutique Homes inspired by the layout and scale of the Golden Oak cottages with an elevated FrenchModerne style.”
The interiors, adds Lentz, are designed “to provide generous living areas and flex rooms and an understated elegance with materials that reflect the natural surroundings.”
The exemplary service for which Four Seasons is known is found throughout Florian Park and handled by a team that anticipates residents’ needs.
“A primary attraction of living at Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando is the dedicated team who help provide a worry-free lifestyle,” says Helen Barry, Director of Residences with Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort. “The Resident Services team is on hand to assist with an incredible array of services, such as in-residence dining, delivered to one’s doorstep, or a fully catered private party, which can be enjoyed in one of Florian Park’s private event spaces or on the beautiful lakeside pool deck.”
“With a team of experts readily available, including stylists from the resort’s boutiques who can customize one’s closet and personal trainers who can assist with fitness goals, residents experience a high-level of personalized care,” adds Barry.
The fun of Walt Disney World Resort’s
All Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, Florian Park, residents join the private Golden Oak Club, a required membership that offers access to a dedicated Club Member Services team, ready to assist with membership benefits and select concierge services.
Membership in Golden Oak Club includes invitations to exclusive events held throughout the year and access to Summerhouse, Golden Oak’s private clubhouse with two restaurants, a coffee bar, 24-hour fitness centre, zero-entry pool area with cabanas and towel service, and the Family Room hangout space, where kids and teens can play games and watch movies.
Florian Park residents can take advantage of the private recreational paths and footbridges that meander through Golden Oak’s gardens and parks, like Ferndell Park in the Kingswell neighbourhood.
Just steps from home, residents also have special privileges at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, where they can access the five-acre water park complete with two pools, water slides, a splash zone, and a lazy river; the expansive spa and salon; a state-of-the-art fitness centre; tennis and pickleball courts; and the Tom Fazio–designed Tranquilo Golf Course. This year, the hotel’s Capa steakhouse received Michelin-star status for the fourth year in a row. Additional amenities include seamless account charging and valet parking at the resort.
And the fun of Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks and two water parks—with all of their newest attractions—is just a quick ride away.
“Enjoying the magic of the nearby Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and the signature service provided by Four Seasons, residents truly live the dream,” says Barry. It’s a community where wonder is always within reach, and relaxation is built into every day.
An Elevated Escape in the Heart of Magic Inspired by French-Moderne architecture, Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando features five two-level penthouses and 26 three- and four-bedroom residences— located in one elevated address—and nine proposed two-level homes.
Signature Amenities
• Dedicated transportation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks and two water parks is provided by both Four Seasons and Golden Oak Club. (Park admission is not included.)
• Warm, personalized service by a dedicated Four Seasons team, which can arrange for housekeeping, chauffeured transportation, personal training, fashion styling, grocery shopping, dog walking, event planning, and in-residence or poolside dining.
• On-site private event room and conference room, and bellman and doorman services.
• Resident-only pool with cabanas, a children’s water play area, towel service, and fire pits.
• Access to Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort and its five-acre water park, Tranquilo Golf Course, spa and salon, fitness centre, and tennis and pickleball courts, plus account charging services and valet parking.
• Membership in Golden Oak Club and access to the Summerhouse clubhouse, which features two restaurants, a pool, and a Family Room hangout space.
These materials do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy to residents of any jurisdiction where prior qualification is required unless such qualifications are met or exemptions are available. Images are artist’s conceptual renderings. The boutique homes and related improvements are not yet built, are proposed only, are subject to change or cancellation without notice, and Developer makes no guarantees or representations with respect thereto. Not all improvements or property depicted are part of, or proposed as part of, the residences project or developed by Developer, and Developer makes no representations regarding same. Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort, Florian Park is intended as a condominium legally known as Florian Park Condominium. Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando are not owned, developed or sold by Four Seasons Hotels Limited or its affiliates (Four Seasons). The Developer uses the Four Seasons trademarks and tradenames under license from Four Seasons Hotels Limited. The marks “FOUR SEASONS,” “FOUR SEASONS HOTELS AND RESORTS,” any combination thereof and the Tree Design are registered trademarks of Four Seasons Hotels Limited in Canada and U.S.A. and of Four Seasons (Netherlands) Ltd. elsewhere. Developer makes no representations as to the Condominium’s or Resort’s continued affiliation with Four Seasons. In addition to the purchase price and association assessments, purchasers of Four Seasons Private Residences will pay fees for access to and use of certain services and amenities of Four Seasons Resort Orlando and must maintain membership in, and pay fees and charges in connection with, the Golden Oak Club. Services and amenities may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice or liability, and some may be subject to availability, rules and requirements. The Developer of Four Seasons Private Residences Orlando, Florida Park does not own or operate, nor is the developer or seller of, the Golden Oak community or the Golden Oak Club, and makes no representations with respect thereto or as to the Resort. Theme Park admission is not a part of the home purchase and is sold separately. See OrlandoPrivateResidences. com for full detail and additional disclosures. NEW YORK RESIDENTS: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS ARE IN A CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFEROR. FILE NO. CP24-0068. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS: THIS CONDOMINIUM HAS BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESPERSONS F-1297-01-0.1 Equal Housing Opportunity. ©Disney
“I’m blurring the line between what is man-made and what is made by nature,” says James Perkins (pictured at right). The New York–based artist’s practice involves burying silkcovered wood frames and letting the pieces absorb the effects of sun, surf, rain, and earth. Earlier this year, he buried some of his latest works in Naples, Florida, home of the new Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort (see “Naturally Elegant Naples,” page 64).
Perkins is also the subject of his first museum show, Burying Painting, which runs through February 15, 2026, at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
photograph by LEILA BREWSTER
In September, Madrid’s Plaza Mayor—presided over by a bronze statue of King Philip III—became the majestic backdrop for Carolina Herrera’s exuberant Spring 2026 fashion show, marking the first time that the luxury brand had shown its main collection outside the United States. The Spanish capital’s Four Seasons Hotel Madrid (see “The Distinction List,” page 112) was recently recognized with a spot on the World’s 50 Best Hotels extended list. photograph by CARLOS ALVAREZ
29° 99' N, 31 ° 11' E
Ahead of the highly anticipated opening of Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the third annual Cairo Food Week threw a sumptuous gala in September called “The King’s Feast: Between Two Banks.” Set within the museum’s soaring Glass Court, the event was highlighted by a 65-foot-long table designed to represent the Nile River and the ancient scents of frankincense and myrrh. A few weeks later, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza orchestrated the culinary offerings for GEM’s grand opening—a momentous occasion that celebrated more than 100,000 artifacts brought together under one monumental roof.
photograph by LAILA HEIB
24 ° 74' N, 46 ° 53' E
Thousands of lights (installed in 2024) now cast a golden glow across Diriyah’s At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 15th century. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre can arrange private tours in Diriyah, which was the Saudi kingdom’s first capital from 1727 to 1818. The city will be the site of the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, due to open in 2028.
43 ° 77' N, 11 ° 24' E
Known for his bold, pop-inflected sculptures, the artist KAWS crafted his massive new installation, The Message, in warmly burnished wood. The artwork—featuring two nearly 20-foot-tall figures, each of which holds a wooden smartphone—is a modern interpretation of a famous 15th-century fresco, The Annunciation, by Fra Angelico. Works by the Italian Renaissance painter, along with KAWS’s sculpture, are on view through January 25, 2026, at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, Italy, which is home to Four Seasons Hotel Firenze. n photograph by ELA
BIALKOWSKA
Gabriel & Co.’s alluring new collection is crafted not only to catch the eye, but also to move the heart.
Precision, passion, and poetry shape every curve of Gabriel & Co.’s radiant creations.
Handcrafted by master artisans across the globe in luminous yellow, white, and rose gold, the newest pieces in The Bujukan® Collection are heirlooms in the making. The iconic fine-jewelry line draws inspiration from bujukan, a Balinese word that signifies the art of seduction, persuasion, and enticement, translated here into sculptural forms that captivate with quiet power.
Every sphere and diamond is meticulously placed to capture the emotion of the moment it marks, transforming a fleeting holiday into a permanent, wearable milestone. Inspired by the sphere’s symbol of infinity, these designs become the foundation of a meaningful stack that grows richer, more intimate, and more personal with every passing year.
Created for collectors, these sculptural pieces are wearable works of art. Fluid, kinetic silhouettes reflect the movement of the wearer. The collection’s signature piece, a showstopping bangle, takes the spotlight. A delicate yet enduring statement that embodies the strength of the bonds it celebrates. Designed for personal expression, the pieces are made to be stacked, layered, and reimagined as one’s story evolves.
Founded by brothers Jack and Dominick Gabriel nearly three decades ago, Gabriel & Co. remains guided by their Artisans of Love® philosophy, with a commitment to crafting emotionally resonant jewelry that honours life’s most meaningful milestones. Designed in New York, every piece is intended to be cherished for generations. Each bears a unique identifying number, like a painter’s signature, ensuring its authenticity, artistry, and lasting legacy.
Explore The Bujukan Collection from Gabriel & Co. at gabrielny.com.
An exclusive collection of residences where world-class design meets legendary Four Seasons service.
At Four Seasons Private Residences, the home you’ve always imagined awaits. Choose from luxury properties situated around the globe— in foremost locations from Colorado to the Caribbean and the Middle East. Residents enjoy exclusive amenities right outside their doors, such as ski-in, ski-out access, championshipstandard golf courses, world-class spas, and more. Exceptional personalized care and precise attention to detail are the standards you can look forward to when you step into your perfect home.
Designed by the acclaimed firm Olson Kundig and set right next to the gondola, this refined modernist retreat is nestled in one of America’s premier outdoor playgrounds. Set amid epic landscapes that boast more than 300 inches of snow and 300 days of sunshine each year, 43 hotel residences and 26 private residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of 14,000-foot peaks.
AMENITY SPOTLIGHT
Ski-in, ski-out access; ski valet and private ski lounge; indoor lap pool
Where to find us
NORTH AMERICA
Anguilla
Austin
Bahamas, The Ocean Club* Baltimore Boston
Boston at One Dalton
A two-mile crescent of golden sand is the serene setting for these exclusive beachfront residences. Located inside a 483-acre gated nature reserve, and just a short drive from the lush rainforest of El Yunque National Forest, 30 oceanfront condominiums and private estate homes offer residents a luxury lifestyle with purpose through a partnership with the Alma de Bahiá Foundation, a nature conservation nonprofit. Farm-to-table dining showcases ingredients grown at the property’s sustainable farm.
AMENITY SPOTLIGHT
Robert Trent Jones Jr.–designed championship golf course; spa; tennis courts
High above Bangkok’s bustling streets, your residence pairs unmatched Four Seasons service with a one-of-a-kind address beside the Chao Phraya River. Gaze out over the waterway or the cityscape as you swim in the infinity-edge pool, relax at the Residents Club or soak up the natural light from your home’s floorto-ceiling windows.
Located on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island, these residences redefine privacy and luxe modern living. Designed by the Pritzker Prize–winning architecture firm Foster + Partners, these sumptuous homes feature private pools and refined natural finishes inspired by the Red Sea’s beauty. The interior design palettes by Goddard Littlefair reflect the tones of the region’s dunes and crystal-clear waters.
AMENITY SPOTLIGHT
Residents-only clubhouse featuring a restaurant, fitness centre, terrace, and pool; 18-hole championship-standard golf course
Vail Whistler
CENTRAL / SOUTH
Belize*
Cartagena*
Costa Rica
EUROPE / MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Abu Dhabi
AMAALA at Triple Bay*
Bahrain Bay*
Dubai at DIFC*
Dubai at Jumeirah
Istanbul*
Jeddah at the Corniche*
Slow down and savour each moment with family and friends in one of the Caribbean’s most tranquil hideaways. Tucked into the island s lush landscape overlooking the sea, your residence offers expansive indoor–outdoor living spaces, along with the ultimate privacy and personalized service.
Four dramatic arched towers will surround a lush, terraced garden with reflecting pools at this spectacular property, set to open in 2026 in the heart of Jeddah’s vibrant Corniche waterfront. Designed by the world-famous interior design firms Richmond International and Rive Gauche London, the 76 private homes—some occupying an entire floor—will blend influences both ancient and modern and showcase boundless views of the Red Sea.
London at Tower Bridge
London at Twenty Grosvenor Square
Madrid
Marrakech
Marrakech at M Avenue
Mauritius
New Cairo Capital at Madinaty*
AMENITY SPOTLIGHT
Qatar, The Pearl
Seychelles
Seychelles at Desroches Island
Sharm El Sheikh
ASIA / PACIFIC
Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Beijing
Bengaluru
Hangzhou at West Lake
Hoi An, Vietnam
Jakarta
Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol
Coconut Grove* Deer Valley* Denver Dominican Republic at Tropicalia*
Hole
Austin*
Vegas*
Angeles Los Cabos at Costa Palmas
Miami Beaches, Surfside
Valley Naples Beach Club*
Nashville
Nevis
New Orleans
New York Downtown
One Dalton Street, Boston
Orlando
Orlando, Florian Park*
Puerto Rico*
Punta Mita
San Francisco
San Francisco at 706 Mission
Seattle
Seaway at The Surf Club*
Tamarindo*
Telluride*
Toronto
Vail
Washington, DC*
Whistler
Men’s and women’s fitness centres and spas; private residence club with an entertaining kitchen Where
CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICA
Belize*
Cartagena*
Costa Rica
EUROPE / MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah
Abu Dhabi at Saadiyat Beach*
AMAALA at Triple Bay*
Bahrain Bay
Dubai at DIFC*
Dubai at Jumeirah
Gstaad, The Park*
Istanbul
Jeddah at the Corniche*
London at Tower Bridge
London at Twenty Grosvenor Square
Madrid
Marrakech
Marrakech at M Avenue
Mauritius
Muscat*
New Cairo Capital at Madinaty*
Qatar, The Pearl Red Sea at Shura Island*
Seychelles
Seychelles at Desroches Island
Sharm El Sheikh
ASIA / PACIFIC
Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Beijing
Bengaluru
Hangzhou at West Lake
Hoi An, Vietnam
Jakarta
Koh Samui
Kuala Lumpur
Kyoto
Mumbai
Okinawa*
*UPCOMING
Unveil the statement piece of the season: Dolce&Gabbana’s jeweled Marlene Handbag. This limited edition of the Brand’s iconic silhouette reimagines timeless Italian design in vibrant fuchsia calfskin, finished with a structured top handle and a detachable gold chain for versatile styling. Each bag is a celebration of Dolce&Gabbana’s fatto a mano artistry—playful in spirit yet refined in execution. With only 30 pieces available, the Marlene is more than an accessory; it’s a collector’s treasure designed to move seamlessly from day to evening. Claim your limited-edition Marlene Handbag, $5,795.
ORDER YOURS NOW
Call Dolce&Gabbana at (310) 888-8701 or email DG.BEVERLYHILLS@DOLCEGABBANA.IT to acquire a limited edition Marlene Handbag today.
Available to purchase in the Dolce&Gabbana boutique located at 248 N Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 or visit online for more details: www.dolcegabbana.com/en-us/marlene-limited-edition/ Taxes and
NEW at FOUR SEASONS
THE NEWEST FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE JET JOURNEY SHOWCASES THE WORLD AT ITS MOST EXTRAORDINARY.
For 2027, Four Seasons Private Jet Experience unveils its latest New World Icons journey, a thrilling new itinerary designed for travellers seeking the world’s most distinctive places. The seven-destination trip includes five new spots never before featured by Four Seasons: Jaipur, India (for a gala event complete with a camel polo demonstration); Iceland (with snowmobiling and a swim in the Blue Lagoon); and Anguilla (to ply the crystal-clear Caribbean in a glass-bottomed kayak), plus new properties in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Italy, where Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel, Venice (pictured), opens in 2026. —Julie Pham
NEW at FOUR SEASONS
INSIDE THE LUXE VILLAS AT THE NEW FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES PUERTO RICO.
Situated along two miles of golden sand near El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. forest system), the new Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico is a modern sanctuary on the island. For the utmost in seclusion, stay in one of the property’s airy and contemporary Villa & Residence Rentals. The collection includes the five-bedroom villa Casa Estancias, which features its own driveway, a saltwater pool, and an oceanfront lawn. Villa guests have access to the services of a dedicated host, who can coordinate in-villa spa treatments, meals by a private chef, and prearrival kitchen stocking, plus a personal golf cart for exploring the resort, which is set within a 483-acre nature reserve. —J.P.
SOPHISTICATED YET
LAID-BACK, THE GULF COAST CITY WELCOMES A CHIC NEW RESORT.
While Miami dazzles with nightlife and Orlando thrills with theme parks, Naples, Florida, offers a different rhythm with its inviting blend of coastal serenity and cultural appeal. The city boasts more than 100 art galleries, has more golf courses per capita than any other U.S. city, and affords a host of water activities, from kayaking to e-foiling.
The elegant Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort, adds to the destination’s allure. Set on 125 acres along a stretch of powder-soft sand, the new property features rooms and suites with coastal-inspired décor, such as sea glass chandeliers, and furnished terraces. Onsite dining includes the Merchant Room, the signature ocean-view restaurant from the James Beard Award–winning chef Gavin Kaysen, and Sunset Bar, the perfect place to toast the end of another day in paradise. The property also affords a distinctive portfolio of Four Seasons Private Residences, with interiors by the acclaimed firm Champalimaud Design, and will soon welcome the Sanctuary Spa, and the Gardens, a new Tom Fazio–designed golf course. —Susan B. Barnes
THE DESIGN REVELATION FOUR SEASONS I REIMAGINES OCEAN TRAVEL.
Some ships simply float; Four Seasons I reinvents what a yacht can be. Launching in March with Mediterranean voyages, the flagship vessel of Four Seasons Yachts delivers luxury at sea through structural intent, beginning with an interior steel frame that pulls load-bearing elements away from the perimeter to let glass wrap the exterior. The effect for guests is immediate: every suite, salon, and stairwell is oriented to the water.
Midship embodies the boldest idea. Built by Fincantieri in Italy, Four Seasons I carries the Marina (pictured) through the vessel’s centre rather than tucking it at the stern, so doors can open port, starboard, or both at once. Pop-out, sea-level decks create inviting spaces where guests can lounge and relax, take a dip in a contained ocean pool, and enjoy a full suite of water-sports gear.
All 95 suites feature eight-foot ceilings, water-facing beds, and private terraces edged in glass. Guests can head ashore via custom Grand Touring vessels, including a salon-like, 33-foot Limo Tender and an intrepid Beachlander.
Shaped from the inside out to keep the horizon front and centre, Four Seasons I turns ocean travel into what it should be: unbroken views, easy water access, and the journey in focus. —Paul Jebara
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The lifestyle brand Cabana—founded by Martina Mondadori, whose family established the famed Italian publishing company Gruppo Mondadori—has launched its first signature scents, offering captivating candles and hand soaps in tuberose, fig, amber, and gardenia.
For their debut lighting collection, New York designers Christie Ward and Staver Gray, of Ward + Gray, drew inspiration from Venice’s Lido. Each hand-blown glass piece—including the Capanna table lamp, named after the island’s cabanas—is crafted by a family-run Venetian atelier.
Marc Ange, the Paris- and Los Angeles–based designer, has reimagined the billiards table as sculpture in a collaboration with the game-table maker 11 Ravens. The limited-edition Colosso features Italian leather pockets and can be customized with wood finishes, Kvadrat textiles, marble, and stone.
The Balmain Anthem (the name of the new handbag line draws on the many music artists the famed French house has dressed over the years) is in tune with nighttime as a playful clutch adorned with ostrich feathers and crystals. —Degen Pener
Whether driven by wellness culture, conscious living, or sheer sober curiosity, the nonalcoholic movement is having a global moment—and top chefs and mixologists are shaking, stirring, and fermenting to meet the demand. What was once an afterthought has developed into an art form, where spirit-free cocktails rival their boozy counterparts in complexity, craft, and storytelling.
Even celebrity tastemakers are getting involved. Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton’s Almave nonalcoholic spirits brand recently released Almave Humo, a distilled “mezcal” that delivers the depth and complexity of the real thing.
At New York City’s Clemente Bar, located above Eleven Madison Park, nonalcoholic drinks complement such savoury, plant-based small bites as agedashi tofu paired with a fizzy concoction of yaupon tea, yuzu, and cucumber soda.
In Wyoming, at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, Jhett Brown brings mountain sophistication to the zeroproof scene. Inside the 80 Proof speakeasy and the newly opened Steadfire Chophouse, the bartender’s modern mixology
creations avoid added sugar while highlighting flavour-forward local ingredients like pine and wild berries.
Leo—one of Latin America’s most acclaimed restaurants, in Bogotá, Colombia—pairs its tasting menu with “botanical infusions” derived from the country’s ecosystems: guava fermentations, cassava starch elixirs, and floral macerations that taste like a journey through the jungle.
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre recently doubled down on nonalcoholic wine. The hotel has opened both Tonic Bar, Saudi Arabia’s first nonalcoholic bar, and Café Boulud Cheese Library, which offers an enticing selection of fromage and beverages like the Italian zero-alcohol sparkler Bella.
And at Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, México, head mixologist Arturo Barroso celebrates Mexico’s heritage and traditions through fermentation. He reimagines tepache and tejuino—time-honoured beverages made from local fruits, herbs, and corn—as elegant, alcohol-free expressions. Halting fermentation at just the right moment, Barroso preserves flavour and texture. —Melinda Sheckells
ACROSS THE GLOBE, INSPIRED TASTES—NOT ALCOHOL—ARE DRIVING A REIMAGINING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO DRINK WELL.
The Naughty Amaretti—with Amaretti-infused white sesame, tangerine, apricot, and saffron—at
CLAIRE CHOISNE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF BOUCHERON, GIVES SHAPE TO THE EPHEMERAL, BLENDING INNOVATION WITH THE JEWELRY HOUSE’S STORIED HERITAGE.
High jewelry represents the ne plus ultra of rare diamonds and gemstones showcased in inventive form—and few designers are approaching their collections with as much clarity of vision as Boucheron’s Claire Choisne. Her lines are changing the rules in high jewelry with forward-thinking designs that employ innovative materials and invite versatility. “What fascinates me most,” she says, “is the dream behind the jewel, not just its physical beauty, but the emotion it awakens, the silent contemplation it inspires.”
Boucheron’s creative director since 2011, Choisne typically presents two high-jewelry collections annually: Histoire de Style, inspired by the 167-yearold maison’s archives, and Carte Blanche, rooted in freedom of theme and craft. The latest in Carte Blanche is Impermanence, a monochrome collection inspired by ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. A cyclamen-flower design— composed of roughly 700 rose-cut diamonds set on white-gold petals edged in black lacquer—can be worn either as a bracelet or as a brooch, while a magnolia branch crafted of snow-set diamonds on lightweight aluminum can be donned as a collar necklace or a head jewel. The pieces, explains Choisne, are “designed to be detached, transformed, worn—picked, in a way, like one would pick a flower in a field.”
That invitation to self-styling echoes the house’s founder, Frédéric Boucheron, who in 1879 created the first clasp-free necklace, the iconic Question Mark, which could be slipped around the neck, no assistance required.
Choisne’s most recent Histoire de Style collection, Untamed Nature, pays tribute to the founder’s passion for portraying flora and fauna as alive yet imperfect. A wetland reed is realized in white gold and diamonds and designed to be worn in the hair, while beetles and bumblebees are crafted in onyx, rock crystal, and diamonds as rings that can be worn across multiple fingers. “The collection,” Choisne says, “is conceived as an homage to nature as it is, not an idealized version of it: complex, unpredictable, and profoundly real.” —Laurie Brookins
At Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club, Surfside, Florida, sommelier Christian Zaffarano loves pairing caviar from N25 Caviar with Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle No. 26 Champagne. “The acidity and minerality keep your palate fresh after every salty, briny bite,” he says.
ROE GETS A LAID-BACK REMIX, TOPPING EVERYTHING FROM FRIED CHICKEN TO FAMILIAR DESSERTS.
ONCE A DELICACY OF THE EAST—first harvested by ancient Persians and later popularized by Russians—caviar has evolved into a global culinary obsession. No longer limited to blini and crème fraîche, fish roe now tops everything from amuse-bouches to desserts. “It’s become less fussy than it used to be,” says Sarah Meyer, the former Hollywood producer who founded Los Angeles–based Roe Caviar. “It’s really fun to serve it with potato chips or on a lobster roll. There are so many ways to eat it.”
While it’s still a signifier of luxury on Michelinstarred menus, caviar now dresses up such quotidian treats as the famed grilled cheese at Caviar Kaspia in Paris and New York; tater tots at the private New York Yacht Club; chicken nuggets at the KoreanAmerican-influenced COQODAQ in New York City; and karaage-style fried chicken at Cayao by Richard Sandoval at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol. Caviar is mixing it up with globally inspired dishes and ingredients, too. At San Francisco’s Z & Y Peking Duck, the traditional Beijing Peking duck is paired with Regiis Ova Caviar (co-founded by chef Thomas Keller and caviar expert Shaoching Bishop), a 12-year-old roe with buttery and nutty flavours, cured for anywhere from three to 12 months. Mediterranean flavours are added to the mix at Evelyn’s restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, where the caviar service presents Regiis Ova roe with labneh in place of crème fraîche.
Dessert menus are sweet on caviar, too. Los Angeles’s Verse restaurant puts caviar on cheesecake, while Uoichiba, also in L.A., offers a dollop of Astrea caviar atop its Monaca ice cream sandwich featuring salted yuzu sorbet and cheesecake.
Caviar could be paired with almost anything. However, there is actually a wrong way to serve it.
“The general rule is to avoid using silver; it can leave a faint metallic taste,” says Hermes Gehnen, founder of N25 Caviar.
Want to keep things old-school and classic? At Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, guests at the speakeasy-style Veil & Velvet lounge use a playful “Press for Caviar” button to summon tableside service of The Only Caviar (actor Aaron Paul’s caviar brand). The purest way to consume the delicate fish roe is with little “bumps” served straight from the tin to the back of the hand, allowing the caviar to warm slightly before it’s enjoyed. —Ramona Saviss
VANITY-WORTHY JEWELRY BOXES AND CASES PROVIDE STRIKING HOMES FOR SPECIAL PIECES.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Sophie Bille Brahe box in green velvet; Morici painted-wood mosaic inlay box made in Italian mahogany, available at Abask; Trunks Company jewelry and watch box, handcrafted in Jaipur, India; Jessica McCormack solid walnut Signature Botanical jewelry box, embroidered with fauna and flora motifs; Globe-Trotter Centenary jewelry case with detachable mirror. Market Editor: Ramona Saviss
HI-FI GETS HIGH-END DESIGN TREATMENTS IN TWO NEW DEVICES.
Audiophiles who expect their equipment to look amazing too, take note: The Germany-based hi-fi manufacturer Luphonic crafted its minimalist Model H2 turntable, pictured at right, with vibrationdampening foam sandwiched in its sleek, highly polished white base, and McIntosh Laboratory created the striking McIntosh x Virgil Abloh MA8950 integrated amplifier shown below. The amp— conceived by designer Virgil Abloh before his death in 2021 and revealed in September at a Paris show in his honour—is finished in Abloh’s signature orange. —Laurie Brookins
HAUS NOWHERE IN SEOUL REIMAGINES WHAT RETAIL CAN BE.
Rising above Seoul’s Seongsu-dong neighbourhood, Haus Nowhere has quickly become a cultural pilgrimage site for shoppers seeking the next chapter in retail. Opened in September in a 14-story brutalist building, the store is the fourth experimental retail project from IICombined, the parent company of the luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster. Yes, it sells products, including sunglasses; caps and beanies from Gentle Monster sister brand Atiissu; fragrances by Tamburins; and tableware from Nuflaat. More than anything, though, it’s an unforgettable sensory experience, complete with a colour-saturated teahouse and a rotating roster of art installations, like two painted humanoid giants sitting in meditation (left) and a gargantuan dachshund napping on the floor. It’s a concept store gone supersized. —Julie Pham
Near or far, family travel is a chance to connect, explore, and turn curiosity into discovery. Certain destinations can even extend school study, bringing ancient civilizations and different cultures up close. Here’s our select global guide to places where textbook lessons come to life. —Tanvi Chheda
Best for older grade-schoolers
What’s New Ask AI-supported holographic figures about their experiences during the American Revolution as part of the Museum of African American History’s ongoing exhibit Black Voices of the Revolution, which spotlights the roles of enslaved and free Black men and women in America’s struggle for independence.
Extra Credit Both Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston, and Four Seasons Hotel Boston offer private
walking tours of the Freedom Trail, where historic sites include the Paul Revere House, the Old North Church, and more.
Best for middle school students
What’s New Coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, Washington, D.C., is poised for two
Best for middle school students
What’s New Kyoto’s famous Kiyomizu-dera and Toji temples are known for their illuminated night displays. Pair a visit to one of them with an immersive experience at the new teamLab museum Biovortex, where multisensory digital art exhibits include Forest of Resonating Lamps: One Stroke, whose illumination changes in response to human presence.
Extra Credit Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto offers a host of special tours, which can include visits to the feudal-era Nijō Castle and the Yasaka Pagoda or an after-hours tour of the imperial gardens at Sennyū-ji Temple.
major openings: the undercroft of the Lincoln Memorial, a behemoth subterranean space including a theatre presentation and interactive exhibits, and the expansive National Geographic Museum of Exploration.
Extra Credit Marvel at the monuments and memorials lit up at night on a private driving tour—with stops for photos— organized by Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C.
Best for middle school students
What’s New When it opens in 2026, the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus, near Athens, will highlight Greece’s maritime history with more than 2,500 artifacts, including a replica of a trireme.
Extra Credit Let the team at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens take you and your crew on a guided visit to the Temple of Poseidon, at Cape Sounion. It’s sure to be a big hit with Percy Jackson fans.
Best for high school students
What’s New The Bayeux Tapestry—a depiction of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, including the critical Battle of Hastings—goes on view at the British Museum in the fall of 2026, on loan from France.
Extra Credit Explore the Tower of London on a private guided tour arranged by Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, seeing the Crown Jewels and learning about imprisonments, executions, and a recent excavation of 14th-century burials that may be tied to the Black Death.
Best for high school students
MEXICO CITY
Best for older grade-schoolers
What’s New The recently opened Museo Casa Kahlo focuses on iconic artist Frida Kahlo’s early family life, highlighting never-before-seen letters, childhood photos, and clothing, as well as a recently discovered mural. It’s a few blocks from the famed cobalt blue Museo Frida Kahlo, which showcases Kahlo’s artwork and marriage to Diego Rivera.
Extra Credit Have the team at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City arrange a private hot-air balloon ride over the spectacular Teotihuacán pyramids, where a major pre-Columbian city once flourished.
What’s New Archaeologists continue to make discoveries in the ancient city of Petra; a 2024 dig revealed a 2,000-year-old tomb with 12 skeletons, one of which was holding a ceramic cup, an example of Nabataean pottery.
Extra Credit Along with guided visits to Petra, Four Seasons Hotel Amman offers such unique experiences as painting at the Roman ruins of Pella.
REMAINS A SANCTUARY FOR THE STATE’S RAREST FLORA AND FAUNA.
I’LL SHOW YOU A SECRET CACHE of wild orchids, but you have to turn off the location services on your phone,” says Lisa Andrews, outreach and education coordinator at Big Cypress National Preserve. Located mostly in southwest Florida’s Collier County, in a corner of the state often called the western Everglades, the preserve is roughly 30 miles from Naples.
As Andrews and I walk through a cypress swamp—a cool and shady sanctuary from the hot Florida sun—she shares that this is a biodiversity hot spot teeming with orchids, strap ferns, and bromeliads abloom with a rainbow of hues. We see lubber grasshoppers, owls, warblers, and woodpeckers. After ducking under tree branches and tiptoeing past water holes where gators and invasive pythons dwell, we discover a collection of fragrant cowhorn orchids, their beautiful yellow and rust-mottled flowers bursting from cypress stumps and emitting a spicy cinnamon and jasmine fragrance. I’ve never seen so many orchids in one place. There are more than 30 species of orchids at Big Cypress, not to mention more than 100 native species throughout Florida.
So, why is Andrews so cautious with the GPS data? Those familiar with Susan Orlean’s nonfiction book The Orchid Thief or the Spike Jonze–directed movie Adaptation know that orchid poaching is a serious problem here. More than half of Florida’s native orchid species are considered endangered, and the 720,000 acres of cypress swamp in the preserve are open to all and protected by few. “We learned the hard way that the GPS location shows up in the metadata of photos, so it’s an unfortunate sidestep, but critical that we protect the orchid’s locations at all costs,” says Andrews.
In the 1970s, before the state’s development boom, my family moved to Florida. At that time, tree canopies touched over many of the roads, creating leafy tunnels used by wildlife. Spotting tortoises, sharks, gators, and manatees was part of everyday life.
That old, wild Florida still exists in pockets, nowhere more than in southwest Florida. In May, a 300-pound black bear was seen frolicking in the surf on a beach in Naples. A few years ago, a Florida panther was photographed bolting past a stunned visitor on the boardwalk of the National Audubon Society’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, a 13,000-acre preserve that harbours oldgrowth bald cypress forest and wild orchids like the Delicate Ionopsis, known for its pale blossoms streaked with rose veining.
During my recent tour of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Sally Stein, director of public programs, points out not just a wealth of orchids, but also bird inhabitants, from brilliant painted buntings to wood storks and pink spoonbills.
Thanks to stewards like Stein and Andrews, there are still places where Florida remembers what it once was.
—Adam H. Graham
AZZEDINE ALAÏA’S PERSONAL ARCHIVE OF VINTAGE PIECES IS ON VIEW IN PARIS AT TWO EXHIBITIONS.
When he was a young man, in 1956, Azzedine Alaïa spent just four days as an intern at the legendary House of Dior—a fleeting experience that would leave a lasting impression. In time, he would establish his own maison, becoming known as a master of sculptural tailoring. Behind the scenes, Alaïa (who died in 2017) was also a devoted collector of vintage Dior, amassing some 600 pieces. Now his extraordinary personal collection takes center stage in not one but two exhibitions in Paris: a show at La Galerie Dior spotlighting more than 100 of these rare pieces, and one at the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, where Dior and Alaïa designs are shown in concert, tracing threads of influence, admiration, and creative kinship. Both exhibitions run through May 3, 2026. For those who won’t be in Paris, Rizzoli and Damiani are publishing catalogues of the exhibits. —Degen Pener
AN UNEXPECTED COLLABORATION GIVES THESE BOOTS JUST THE RIGHT KICK.
Amid the Yellowstone-fueled craze for cowboy boots, a new standout has our attention. The King Cowboy boot (right) from Los Angeles’s King Kennedy Rugs reimagines Western wear with a twist. Each pair is handcrafted from patterned fragments of antique rugs that ensure no two pairs are ever alike. Created in partnership with the Texas brand Allens Boots, the custom footwear carries a six-month wait time. Says King Kennedy Rugs owner Mikael Kennedy, “The whole point of this is that it’s one of a kind and unique.” —D.P.
LOUIS VUITTON AND PAT MCGRATH’S LA BEAUTÉ IS THE BRAND’S FIRST COSMETICS COLLECTION.
In August, Louis Vuitton introduced La Beauté, a debut collection created in collaboration with the legendary British makeup artist Pat McGrath (left), who joined the house as creative director of cosmetics. Inspired by the maison’s storied heritage, the line embodies artistry and innovation: its refillable packaging speaks to a modern, sustainable vision, while the design pays homage to the brand’s indelible 1850s trunks and elegant 1920s vanity boxes. The first release features 55 hydrating lipsticks (in matte and satin finishes), 10 lip balms, and eight silky-soft palettes presented in sculptural cases that feel like objets d’art. For the lipsticks, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, master perfumer for Louis Vuitton, developed a fragrance redolent of rose, jasmine, and mimosa flowers. —Ramona Saviss n
Discover an exclusive collection of beachfront residences along the shores of Puerto Rico's most sought-after coastline, where Four Seasons legendary service elevates every moment.
(787) 533 • 9191 | oceandrivepuertorico.com
Four Seasons debuts its first Private Residences in Puerto Rico—a contemporary beachfront enclave of residences and estate homes framed by ocean breezes and rainforest peaks.
Mother Nature sets a verdant stage at the just-debuted Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico. Located on a former coconut farm, along a gorgeous two-mile stretch of crescent beach on the island’s northeastern coast, the luxury resort is surrounded by a 483-acre nature reserve with glorious vistas of the emerald green mountains of El Yunque National Forest.
Now, the new Four Seasons Private Residences Puerto Rico offers owners a unique opportunity to make that magnificent landscape their everyday canvas. In harmony with the natural setting, the property features beachfront residences and estate homes enhanced by a host of resort amenities and world-class Four Seasons service.
Four Seasons Private Residences Puerto Rico is nestled within the exclusive Bahía
Beach community, located a quick, 25-minute drive from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The Caribbean’s largest airport, it has more than 120 direct flights to major cities throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. For U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico offers the ease of domestic travel with the allure of island life, with no passport required, English and Spanish as the official languages, and the U.S. dollar as the currency. The U.S. territory also welcomes new residents with a suite of attractive tax incentives. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico is also a short distance from the vibrant capital of San Juan, with its colourful Old San Juan district. The city offers a captivating blend of culture, history, and world-class dining, where cobblestone streets and lively cafés invite you to linger and savour the island’s unmistakable spirit.
NORTH AMERICA
Anguilla
Austin
Bahamas, The Ocean Club*
Baltimore
Exceptional architecture by Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo maximizes residents views of the city, the Red Rock Mountains and the Las Vegas Strip. Your spacious wraparound terrace is the perfect place to unwind in your jacuzzi or host a barbecue dinner for friends—your Four Seasons team will take care of every detail.
Private Residences, elevate the everyday for Across our collection of estate in some of the world’s locations, we look after your our own. With design that that anticipates your every access to exclusive you to come home to with Four Seasons. fourseasons.com/residences
A property managed by Four Seasons comes with peace of mind—and legendary attention to detail. Whether preparing a personalized menu, stocking your pantry just so, or arranging for babysitting, housekeeping, or personal shopping, a dedicated team elevates every moment of daily life. Private Residence owners also have privileged access to everything the resort has to offer, all easily accessible by private golf cart.
• Two-mile crescent beach.
• Ten restaurants and bars serving fresh seafood and local specialties made with farm-to-table ingredients sourced from the resort’s on-site sustainable farm.
• Tennis, pickleball, and paddle tennis at the Racket Centre.
• Eighteen holes on the championship Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course.
• Fitness centre with top-of-the-line equipment, classes, and private trainers.
• Kayaking, paddle boarding, and an inflatable water park at the Boathouse on the lake.
• Two pools at the Beach Club, for adults and families.
• Treatments, steam rooms, saunas, and hot and cold plunge pools at the spa.
AMERICA
Belize*
Cartagena*
Costa Rica
EUROPE / MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Abu Dhabi
AMAALA at Triple Bay*
Bahrain Bay*
Dubai at DIFC*
Dubai at Jumeirah
Istanbul*
Jeddah at the Corniche*
Four Seasons Private Residences Puerto Rico presents two living options, both defined by clean, architectural lines, open-concept layouts, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
London at Tower Bridge
London at Twenty Grosvenor Square
Madrid
Marrakech
Marrakech at M Avenue
Mauritius
At the waterfront are 30 Ocean Drive Beachfront Residences, each offering three or four en suite bedrooms with living areas ranging in size from 3,380 square feet to 5,818 square feet. All have generous private terraces with outdoor kitchens and bars, while the garden-level and penthouse residences have their own private pools.
Slow down and savour each moment with family and friends in one of the Caribbean s most tranquil hideaways. Tucked into the island’s lush landscape overlooking the sea, your residence offers expansive indoor–outdoor living spaces, along with the ultimate privacy and personalized service.
New Cairo Capital at Madinaty*
Qatar, The Pearl
Seychelles
Seychelles at Desroches Island
Sharm El Sheikh
ASIA / PACIFIC
Bangkok at Chao Phraya River
Beijing
Bengaluru
Hangzhou at West Lake
Hoi An, Vietnam
Jakarta
Koh Samui
Atlantic Drive Estate is an exquisite collection of two-story luxury homes on one-acre plots. All the properties have at least 121 feet of beach frontage, each with a beach-facing infinity pool from which to enjoy the ocean views. With 12,400 square feet of living area, every home includes a double-height great room, five en suite bedrooms, indoor and outdoor kitchens, a home office, and a media room.
Kuala Lumpur
Kyoto Mumbai
*UPCOMING PROPERTY
Designed by the internationally renowned architecture firm 10SB, with modern, minimalist interiors conceived by Hirsch Bedner Associates, every residence will be delivered fully furnished. Owners can elect to enter their homes into the rental program managed by the resort.
To learn more about luxury ownership at Four Seasons Private Residences Puerto Rico, visit oceandrivepuertorico.com or contact us at 787-533-9191.
THE CELEBRATED LANDSCAPE DESIGNER OFFERS HIS PERSONAL GUIDE TO THE SUN-SOAKED COASTAL ENCLAVE.
WHEN FERNANDO WONG arrived in Miami in 2000 from his native Panama, he had just $400 to his name and a dream of becoming a famous designer. Today, Wong stands among the most acclaimed landscape designers in the industry, with a client list that includes actor Matt Damon and golfer Greg Norman. The designer and his husband, Tim Johnson (CEO of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design), make their home in South Florida’s Palm Beach, a place Wong calls “one of the most beautiful places on the planet—with white powdery sand beaches and a culture worthy of a city 10 times the size.” Wong is also the designer of all the outdoor spaces at three Four Seasons properties, including Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, which he describes as “a lush oasis of calm and beauty.” We asked him about his favourite places to dine, shop, and unwind in town. —Shivani Vora
CAFÉ FLORA “It’s tucked into one of the prettiest courtyards off Worth Avenue. The bougainvillea arches overhead, and you feel like you’ve been transported to Italy. I order the spaghetti pomodoro and a glass of cold white wine—it’s simple but perfectly done.”
HIVE BAKERY & CAFÉ “This is where I meet friends for lunch when I want something fresh but casual. Their tuna burger is my favourite, and the key lime pie is the best in town. I love that the café is surrounded by beautiful fabrics and furniture; it’s like eating inside a design studio.”
SEAWAY AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT PALM BEACH “I always start with a mojito—it just feels right by the ocean. At sunset, the Atlantic glows pink, and it’s the perfect place to sit and feel the breeze.”
MEG BRAFF DESIGNS “Meg’s shop is pure joy—lacquered bamboo chairs in bright orange, tropical wallpapers, rattan everything. When I walk in, I immediately start reimagining a room. It’s playful but smart design.”
STUBBS & WOOTTON “My first pair of Stubbs & Wootton [footwear] was French blue and white espadrilles. I wore them everywhere, from dinners at Ta-boo to cocktail parties. Now I have several pairs, and I love giving them as gifts. It’s a Palm Beach rite of passage.”
MAUS & HOFFMAN “[This] is where I go when I need a crisp linen shirt or a new blazer. There’s a sense of tradition when you step inside—polished wood shelves, staff who know your name. They’ve been dressing Palm Beach for decades, and I like being part of that continuity.”
SURFSIDE DINER “The definition of unfussy. The waitresses call you ‘honey,’ the pancakes are bigger than the plate, and locals read the Palm Beach Daily News at the counter every morning. It’s one of those rare places where billionaires and beachgoers sit side by side.”
SANT AMBROEUS “[It] gleams with marble counters and polished wood. I like to sit at the banquette with a cappuccino and watch the morning crowd drift in—socialites in tennis whites, art dealers, even the occasional celebrity.”
WORTH AVENUE HISTORIC WALKING TOURS “I lived on Worth Avenue when I first moved to Palm Beach, so I have a soft spot for it. The tours show you little secrets, like the courtyards Addison Mizner designed with tiled fountains and wrought iron balconies. My favourite detail is that Mizner once kept monkeys in his tower. That mix of glamour and eccentricity sums up Palm Beach perfectly.” n
THE ACCLAIMED SINNERS AND LOKI ACTRESS LETS US IN ON THE LOCAL PLACES SHE LOVES MOST.
BRITISH NIGERIAN ACTRESS WUNMI MOSAKU has captivated audiences with her luminous portrayal of spiritual guide Annie in Ryan Coogler’s 2025 vampire thriller Sinners, set in Jim Crow–era Mississippi. Though she is now based in Los Angeles, she is deeply rooted in the United Kingdom, having emigrated from Nigeria to Manchester, England, as a child; she later spent a decade in the UK capital. “When I first moved to London, I loved how free I felt to be myself. You could be as bold or as quiet as you wanted,” says Mosaku, who won a Best Supporting Actress award in 2017 from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for her role in the BBC’s Damilola, Our Loved Boy. She has also starred in such series as Lovecraft Country and Loki, and her upcoming projects include Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning. Here, she shares her favourite spots across the historic metropolis that is home to Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge, and Twenty Grosvenor Square, A Four Seasons Residence. —Degen Pener
PECKHAM “I love Peckham, aka Little Lagos. It’s changed a lot, but the spirit is still there! It has a great array of restaurants and cafés, rooftop bars, and I get my hair done there.”
ZERET KITCHEN “My favourite Ethiopian restaurant of all the Ethiopian restaurants I’ve tried; it’s consistently delicious.”
ENISH “It serves great Nigerian food that’s almost as good as mum’s.”
FATT PUNDIT “Amazing Asian fusion—everything is scrumptious!”
TRAILER HAPPINESS “A specialist rum bar on Portobello Road with delicious Caribbean-Japanese fusion food, incredible cocktails, and beats.”
LIBERTY LONDON “I do love a peruse around Liberty. Fabric is my love language. And I can’t wait to try the new hair salon that’s opening there, Goodifferent—that’s going to be my new spot, for sure!”
KEW GARDENS “I love to go, especially to see the Halloween light show.”
TATE MODERN “It’s really fun for the kids and has lots of space for them to run around, and while they’re knocked out in their pram, the adults can go see the exhibitions.” n
THE FASHION DESIGNER THREADS TOGETHER HER FAVOURITE STOPS ACROSS THE CAPITAL CITY.
MEXICO CITY–BASED Carla Fernández has been fascinated by traditional dress since she was a child. Travelling throughout southern Mexico with her father, she witnessed early on the textile traditions of the Indigenous peoples. Years later, with her business partner Cristina Rangel, Fernández founded her eponymous brand, which spotlights historic techniques practised by artisans across the country. “The superpower of Mexicans is creativity,” she says. The designer has become known for her bold, boxy shapes using traditional weaving, embroidery, and pleating, and also for her commitment to empowering artisans through training programs.
In Mexico City, there are many artisan-led brands and shops she adores, such as Lago (with three locations in the metropolis) and Onora (in the Polanco neighbourhood). “They work together with artisans to create new designs. I love their selection of pieces from all over Mexico,” Fernández says. Here, she shares more of her favourite spots in the capital. —Mary Holland
MUSEO ANAHUACALLI “An amazing museum, which now has a contemporary art program that is held by a brilliant curator, Karla Niño de Rivera Torres. It’s really progressive. They have a lot of workshops and music festivals, so it’s definitely worth seeing what’s going on.”
MASALA Y MAÍZ “They just received their first Michelin star. I saw them [grow] from the very beginning; we used to be neighbours, but [now] they’ve moved downtown. Their food is just stunning. I love the shrimp, and they have this fried tortilla that has birria [stewed meat] inside—it’s so delicious.”
THE LAMB “I don’t eat a lot of British food, but I love this tiny little restaurant in Roma. They have really good oysters, as well as fish and chips and a delicious pea salad. I also usually order a glass of natural wine or cider.”
LA MANO “Everything is about Mexico [here]! It’s super relaxed with a beautiful garden. I like to go and have a hot chocolate and sweet bread, but they [also] cook the tortillas by hand and have really good tacos. There’s a beautiful store where you can buy good mezcal.”
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MEXICO CITY “I like to go for hot chocolate or tea and pain au chocolat and sit in the garden for breakfast. During the Day of the Dead, don’t miss the Pan de Muerto [sweet briochestyle bread]. The hotel is where Fashion Week [events] happen, so I [also] go there to see the shows! The staff are so sweet and gentle.”
SALÓN PALOMILLA “It’s a really great bar. I’ll get the delicious organic orange wine, which they get from winemakers in Valle de Guadalupe. They have good music from DJs—it’s live, so you have to check the calendar. It’s a great option for Sunday nights.”
COYOACÁN MARKET “If you want Mexican street food, I truly recommend going. They have these tostadas that have shrimp and chicken, which I love. You can find everything there—grasshoppers and cheese from Oaxaca. I also love to shop for flowers. On Sundays, they have tlacoyos, these tortillas with beans, fava, or cheese inside.” n
THE INNOVATIVE MIXOLOGY SPECIALIST AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR REVEALS HIS GO-TO SPOTS IN MALAYSIA’S CAPITAL.
FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS, the Art Deco–style Bar Trigona at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur has earned recognition as one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars. Under the creative direction of head bartender Rohan Matmary, who also serves as the hotel’s beverage manager, the bar distinguishes itself not only for its unforgettable cocktails, but also for a deep commitment to local ingredients and sustainability. Through its Tree-Volution initiative, the property supports tree planting in Malaysia, including at Trigona Farm, which grows produce exclusively for Bar Trigona.
Originally from Mumbai, India, Matmary brings both innovation and heart to his work, along with a love of Malaysia’s capital city. “Kuala Lumpur has a sense of community,” he says. “There is a unique joy and unity in the way people of different origins come together to celebrate the country’s rich heritage.” —Degen Pener
PENROSE “Among my favourite [bars] is Penrose, where the hospitality is consistently warm and the cocktails are crafted to an international standard.” (Matmary notes that he also enjoys Three x Co and Cabinet 8, “both of which bring a refined touch to mixology,” and “for a distinctly Malaysian perspective,” he says, “I often turn to Coley and Reka.”)
Clockwise from opposite page: Bar Trigona at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur; the 140-foot-tall Murugan statue at Batu Caves; Matmary at Bar Trigona; a signature snack (with chayote paste and wild mango) inspired by Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing, the national butterfly of Malaysia, at Dewakan.
BAR TRIGONA “One of the initiatives I am most proud of is Bar Trigona’s Single Origin section on the cocktail menu. Each drink in this series celebrates a single ingredient harvested at Trigona Farm, using every part of the plant. A recent standout is Banana, built entirely around the Pisang Mas tree. We vacuum cook the fruit with Tuak, a traditional Malaysian rice wine, to create a light yet complex serve that has quickly become a symbol of Bar Trigona’s new identity: cocktails that are conscious, creative, and deeply connected.”
NEIGHBOUR CLUB BY JWC “This is one of my favourite coffee spots. What sets them apart is the way they approach coffee with the kind of precision you would expect in a cocktail bar, yet they make it accessible to everyone. I also admire that they highlight locally sourced Malaysian coffee, which is still relatively rare to find in cafés across the city.”
RUMA “I find inspiration in Ruma, a Malaysian brand that draws on Scandinavian minimalism. Their designs are simple yet sophisticated.”
BATU CAVES “I enjoy starting my mornings here. Arriving early, when the air is cool and filled with the aroma of morning dew and temple rituals,
creates a serene atmosphere. The 272-step climb feels both invigorating and rewarding, offering a perspective of the city that is hard to match.”
CHINATOWN “One of my favourite experiences [offered by Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur] is Evenings in Chinatown, which brings together the energy of a hip neighbourhood with the rich food-and-beverage culture that makes Kuala Lumpur so unique.”
DEWAKAN “This is [among] my most recommended dining experiences in Kuala Lumpur. The tasting menus celebrate local harvests with creativity and finesse, using indigenous ingredients in thoughtful, seasonal expressions. The setting on the 48th floor, with sweeping city views, makes it an experience that feels both rooted in Malaysia and elevated to a global stage.”
NADODI “The restaurant resonates with me on a cultural level, as it reimagines the flavours of South India in an avant-garde style. It delivers refined, region-inspired curations that feel both personal and innovative. Overlooking the [Petronas] Twin Towers, it creates an intimate setting that beautifully balances heritage with modernity.” n
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From covetable creations to exceptional stays and refined dining, Four Seasons magazine curates the defining trends shaping the next era of luxury.
THE SUMMIT OF EXCLUSIVITY
Limited-edition lines, such as Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades home and furniture collection, represent an increasing focus for high-end brands. With worldwide distribution more available than ever for a maison’s main lines, it’s no longer enough for price to confer exclusivity. Luxury houses dream up extra offerings characterized more by scarcity and whimsy than by simple cost. A standout from the 2025 Objets Nomades roster is the Kaleidoscope Cabinet (shown on the previous page), produced with Brazil-based Estúdio Campana. More than two years of development went into the creation of this exquisite limited edition (there are only eight)—with time spent on everything from the gold-plated brass hinges to the curved bottom drawer. (The drawer was so difficult to achieve, it almost stymied the entire concept.) —Mark Ellwood
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FASHION RESET A changing of the guard electrified the runways for the Spring 2026 season. In Milan, Dario Vitale’s first solo outing for Versace mixed bold colours with slim cuts evocative of Gianni’s 1990s heyday, while at Gucci, Demna’s tribute to the label’s iconic motifs included maximalist interpretations of the horse bit and the GG monogram. From Paris, highlights included Jonathan Anderson’s modern take on the New Look at Dior;
Pierpaolo Piccioli’s sculptural designs in a “neo gazar” fabric at Balenciaga; Michael Rider’s blend of French minimalism and preppy chic at Celine; and technicolour-bright pieces, inspired by an Ellsworth Kelly painting, from Loewe designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (the founders of Proenza Schouler).
But few designers stirred more anticipation than did Matthieu Blazy, formerly of Bottega Veneta, with his debut collection for Chanel (opposite page). On a runway themed to Coco Chanel’s love of astronomy, Blazy offered his interpretations of the house’s iconic codes, from menswear influences to textural tweeds and colourful feathers. The overriding idea? Said Blazy, “I just wanted to have fun.” —Laurie Brookins
SENSE OF PLACE Since its 2023 debut on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list at number 37, Sézanne at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi has continued its rise. In 2025, it rocketed to the list’s numberseven spot; it also holds three Michelin stars. Under chef Daniel Calvert’s direction, Sézanne is celebrated for its 12-course tasting menu highlighting seasonal Japanese ingredients. (The dish shown above right is morel mushrooms with white asparagus and roasted chicken sauce.) Calvert credits the restaurant’s success to an unwavering pursuit of excellence: “That’s what you strive to do—a little better every day.” —Degen Pener
Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor were photographed in the 1970s wearing Alhambra—the famed collection that Van Cleef & Arpels debuted in 1968—but today, as men increasingly embrace luxury jewelry, it might be NBA legend LeBron James, Olympic fencer Cheung Ka Long, or the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas sporting the striking four-leaf-clover designs (tiger’s-eye style shown above). The newest Alhambra examples showcase clovers of blue agate, while others include onyx, historically a talisman against negative energy. —L.B.
Shown amid staging inspired by the
inside
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PERFECTLY POISED IN LONDON
Understated. Discreet. Refined. Four Seasons Hotel
London at Park Lane (left) exemplifies this era’s embrace of quiet luxury. The original Four Seasons in Europe, the London hotel celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2025 by earning three Michelin keys for the second year in a row, while its Yannick Alléno–helmed restaurant Pavyllon London retained its Michelinstar honour. A collection of 18 recently renovated suites (some with terraces overlooking Hyde Park) feels like a sanctuary in the city, as does the spa, which offers treatments and wellness therapies ranging from a jet-lag massage and body brushing ritual to a holistic facial based on Chinese medicine techniques. The property shares its threeMichelin-keys distinction with its Four Seasons sister hotels in Megève, France; Athens (Astir Palace); Tokyo (Otemachi); and Paris (George V). —Pavia Rosati
AI HYPERCAR In a sign of how artificial intelligence is entering the luxury auto world, the start-up Vittori unveiled its first hypercar, the Turbio (above), in October. Designed with the famed Italian firm Pininfarina, the vehicle features a sleek and sculptural silhouette derived from hundreds of AI-generated concept renders, and AI-powered 3D printing methods influenced the shape of the carbon-fiber and titanium chassis. Only 50 models will be made, produced in collaboration with Pininfarina. —D.P.
BRITISH WINE WINS The bubble’s popped: French sparkling wine no longer retains its stranglehold after a series of upstart wineries bested Champagne’s finest at several contests— and those triumphant vintages are from England, where the terroir mirrors that of Épernay but the climate retains the crispness essential to superb fizz. Specifically, it was Nyetimber’s 2016 Blanc de Blancs Magnum that pipped four shortlisted candidates for the crown at the International Wine Challenge awards in September, the first time a wine from outside of Champagne has taken the title. Order a bottle or two of Nyetimber at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi. —M.E.
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EAR CANDY In a sea of on-the-go audio options, Bang & Olufsen’s Beo Grace wireless earbuds (right) stand apart for their chic refinement and world-class sound quality. The striking earbuds with polished aluminum stems are remarkably lightweight—enough that each earpiece can rest on a flower petal. Even the pearl-blasted aluminum charging case is elegant and can stylishly sit on a valet tray when not in use. —Beau Hayhoe
VINYL RENAISSANCE Vinyl has serious staying power, as seen in the number of listening bars opening worldwide. To get that hi-fi, high-design experience at home, look to Wrensilva’s meticulously engineered record consoles, available in a variety of wood finishes, each one a statement piece. The San Diego–based company’s latest offering is the Wrensilva Larrabee Creator Edition M1 console (below), a limited-edition collaboration with the Grammy-winning mix engineer and Larrabee Studios owner Manny Marroquin. Built to integrate with Sonos audio systems, the console is a study in both striking good looks and remarkable sound quality. —B.H.
Nothing says “quiet luxury” quite like chic knitwear, be it cashmere or a fine merino wool. And few names in the space do knitwear better than N. Peal, established as a men’s haberdashery in London in 1936. In 2025, the brand teamed up with actor and travel-show host Stanley Tucci for a capsule collection of irresistible pieces, from cashmere quarter-zips and superfine silk-blend polos to cashmereand-silk bird’s-eye jacquard ties (left). —Tres Dean
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HANDPICKED FOR HOME If, like most style obsessives, you’re still mourning the demise of MatchesFashion.com, fret not: co-founder Tom Chapman, with his signature edgy, eclectic eye, is now running Abask, an online outlet specializing in home and design. The site epitomizes the search for exclusivity that remains a core driver for luxury. It features 2,000 or more handpicked treats, both antique and contemporary, as well as its own reissues of design classics from the likes of NasonMoretti, the Murano-based glassworks. This season’s particular focus: Japanese makers. Take your pick between Kyoto-based Seikado, renowned for exquisite pewter for almost 200 years; Kagawa-based Mori Glass, including the studio’s striped tumblers (above); and the Tokyo-based contemporary home line Thursday Furniture, among others. M.E.
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EFFERVESCENT AND LOW ALCOHOL Move over Aperol. There’s another spritz in town. And in 2025, it took over the world. The Hugo Spritz is an invigorating form of floral refreshment born of the Italian Alps—an assemblage of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, fresh mint, lime, and soda. Though it was initially conceived 20 years ago, the Hugo is surging in popularity now, thanks in part to today’s no- and low-alcohol movement (see “Zero Proof, Full Flavour,” page 68). The ginger-tinted drink retains body and flavour while having half the alcohol content of a typical martini. —Brad Japhe
13 SUNNY DIAMONDS The ubiquity of lab-grown diamonds has had a ripple effect on the fine-jewelry industry: Retailers are seeing rising interest in natural coloured
In 2025, Four Seasons garnered the most property rankings on the latest World’s 50 Best Hotels list, which also named the company the “most admired hotel group” in the world. A remarkable seven Four Seasons properties were lauded across the full list (with extended rankings 51 to 100), including Four Seasons Hotel Madrid (opposite page). Opened in 2020 as part of the Centro Canalejas Madrid complex, the hotel stands in the heart of Madrid’s historic city centre—now revitalized with galleries, boutiques, and cafés—and serves as a beacon of the neighbourhood’s transformation. On the seventh-floor roof terrace sits Dani Brasserie, where Michelin-starred dishes by chef Dani García mix Spanish and Andalusian flavours, and visitors and Madrileños alike take in the panoramic views, appreciating the city’s past and present. —Julie Pham
SPLENDOUR IN SPAIN
The historic rotunda and clock tower at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.
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Through his five-year-old lifestyle brand Flamingo Estate, former advertising executive Richard Christiansen has somehow made regenerative agriculture downright glamourous. In 2025, he took it to new heights. Think collaborations with chefs such as Alice Waters and Evan Funke to guest-curate Flamingo Estate’s coveted produce boxes; limited-edition jars of pickles dreamed up with Pamela Anderson; and a steady stream of swoon-worthy skincare, soaps, and standout candles like the decadent Prinsesstårta (opposite page), inspired by San Ambroeus’ iconic Principessa cake. Nestled in the hills of Los Angeles, Flamingo Estate crafts everything using organic ingredients grown at more than 140 regenerative farms—proving that sustainability can, in fact, smell amazing. —D.P.
THE ARTISANAL DIFFERENCE In 2018, Johann Rupert, the chairman of Richemont, co-founded the nonprofit Michelangelo Foundation with an express mission: to champion craftsmanship of all kinds. Makers were to be celebrated, and their skills propagated. So, the foundation launched Homo Faber—a popup exhibition, held regularly in cities like Venice and Seville, that showcases artisan works. Now, it’s offering an always-on option: a series of handy craftsmanship-oriented guides to different cities on the Homo Faber website. The 11-stop itinerary for Florence, for example, features everything from the perfumer Aquaflor to the workshop of Daniele and Letizia Traversari, fourth-generation mosaic makers with a particular aptitude for portraiture. —M.E.
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MECHANICAL LEAP Ahead of 2025’s Watches and Wonders fair in Geneva, speculation about Rolex’s upcoming debut buzzed across social media. When the company officially revealed the Rolex Land-Dweller—its first entirely new model since 2012— the excitement proved justified. The watch features a slim, vintage-inspired case paired with an integrated flat-link bracelet, marking a fresh aesthetic direction. More important, the timepiece holds Rolex’s groundbreaking Dynapulse escapement, a new mechanism that governs the transfer of energy from the mainspring to the hands. Watch insiders have praised the robust and efficient movement as a game-changer precisely because it reaffirms that mechanical innovation can be pushed to new heights. “An accomplishment like this happens every couple hundred years,” says Paul Boutros, the head of watches for the Americas at the auctioneer Phillips. “It’s revolutionary.” —V.G.
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ULTRA PERSONALIZED No other fashion company in the world is quite like NB44. Founded by Nicolas Bijan Pakzad, the invite-only, membership-based brand takes the personalization of luxury to the next level: Each quarter, it sends a custom-built trunk of its stylish menswear to its clients (who include Wicked director Jon Chu) with each delivery tailored to the wearer’s lifestyle. Clients can purchase what they like and request any changes they desire, such as remaking a burgundy zip-neck sweater in navy with a shawl collar. —B.H.
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PICKED AT THE PEAK Amid all the tweezer-y ornamentation and pageantry of fine dining, there is ultimately nothing more luxurious than a piece of perfectly ripe fruit. Consider Tomat, a Los Angeles farm-to-table restaurant near LAX, where the most succulent thing on chef Harry Posner’s menu might be a pastel green slice of arava melon, harvested at Weiser Family Farms, that he caps with a few pieces of white strawberry kimchi and droplets of sesame oil. At Ki, in L.A.’s Little Tokyo neighbourhood, chef Ki Kim occasionally winds down his Michelin-starred Korean tasting menu by slicing up a ripe and justright summer peach and dusting it with lime zest. “When the fruit itself tastes that good,” Kim says, “there’s no need for much else.” —Jeff Gordinier
Fashion is offering an alternative to the quotidian canvas tote, something a little more luxurious: the leather tote as an everyday carryall. The bag of the moment? Superstar designer Willy Chavarria’s signature, genderless W Tote (above) bearing a bold “W” topstitched across its front and back panels. —T.D.
Gold, if you haven’t noticed, is on a tear. In October, the precious metal’s price topped $4,000 an ounce for the first time. While the rising cost of the material has rattled the finejewelry industry, consumers appear undeterred and are leaning even harder into gold despite—or perhaps because of—its soaring value. Pieces of the moment include David Yurman’s 18-karat gold Sculpted Cable bangle bracelet (below). —V.G.
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ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL Perhaps Goldilocks was wrong when she settled for that just-right-sized bed. Across design culture today, a rule-breaking focus on playing with proportion is afoot, from the goofily gigantic to the endearingly Lilliputian. In the latter camp, several British makers offer custom miniatures of iconic architecture, from Mulvany & Rogers to Chisel & Mouse, which recently released a mini Thomas Jefferson Memorial to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. In September, zeitgeist-surfer Marc Jacobs partnered with white-hot artist Anna Weyant for a pop-up installation during New York Fashion Week, where the pair created a life-size, dollhouse-like landscape (opposite page). Visitors could meander through, enjoying such outré details as an oversize two-headed teddy bear. —M.E.
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LUMINOUS INNOVATION Sweet Chemistry and Knesko are redefining skincare with distinct, science-backed approaches. Sweet Chemistry face products feature the brand’s proprietary Matrikynes complex, a mix of bioactive peptides found in upcycled bovine bones, to boost skin density and hydration and reduce fine lines. Meanwhile,
GemClinical Technology infuses gemstone particles into Knesko’s decadent treatments to stabilize active ingredients like CoQ10 and vitamin C and to help activate the body’s chakras, or energy centers. The Knesko collection includes the Diamond Radiance Collagen Face Mask, which is used in the signature facial at the Beverly Hills Spa at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel. —Elycia Rubin
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EPICUREAN EXCELLENCE The same year that French haute cuisine was crowned the best in the world at the biennial Bocuse D’Or chef competition (in 2025), two redoubts of haute gastronomie retained their three-Michelin-star rankings: Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, and Caprice at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. At Caprice—a temple of opulence with dazzling Czech crystal chandeliers, a glass catwalk, and stunning views of Victoria Harbour—the central open kitchen is where the culinary magic happens, with chef Guillaume Galliot and team leaning into luxurious ingredients; think blue lobster from Brittany, Alaskan king crab, and Japanese Saga beef. (Below is haddock panna cotta with cold potato, daikon, and pike caviar from Petrossian.) The wine list is extensive, as is the selection of cheeses at Caprice Bar. —Nicola Chilton
In 2025, three establishments at Four Seasons were honoured by the World’s Best 50 Bars list: Virtù at Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi (renowned for the use of Japanese produce with French spirits); Argo at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong (noted for its innovative ingredients); and BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, which excels not just because the drinks are outstanding but also thanks to storytelling. BKK Social Club’s latest narrative-driven menu takes inspiration from all things Mexico, with creations like the Frida Kahlo (with Michter’s Bourbon, lavender-infused maple syrup, and coconut) and the Lucha Libre (a Michelada-style highball). “Each drink tells a part of Mexico’s story,” says Philip Bischoff, beverage manager at the Bangkok hotel (which the 2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels list named the second best on the planet). —Vincent Vichit-Vadakan n
ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL
the dollhouse-themed installation
Acclaimed food writer and cook Fuchsia Dunlop explores how southern China’s once underestimated cuisine has taken its rightful place in the global spotlight.
It was the first day of our Cantonese food adventures, and my Hong Kong Chinese friends had arranged a lunch in the Nan Yuan (“South Garden” in English), one of the grand old restaurants of Guangzhou, China.
At Lung King Heen in Hong Kong, sea bass (sustainably sourced in France) is prepared to order, marinated with house-made soy sauce, and served with seasonal vegetables and crisp fried ginger.
“The result highlights the precision of Cantonese technique, presented with a touch of modern Western plating.”
—CHEF CHAN YAN TAK
We wandered through the colonnaded gardens and halls resplendent in stained glass of many colours to our private dining room, where the feast began beneath a glittering chandelier.
The menu was like a roll call of classic Cantonese cooking. We began with a warming soup brewed from pork stomach and kudzu root (an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine) that was satiny on the tongue, before the waiter brought in a whole roast goose that had been chopped and then reassembled on the plate, its tender flesh crowned with dark amber skin that was meltingly crisp. Soon, there was sticky, wobbly fish maw, one of the dried seafood delicacies so adored in this region; a whole steamed grouper with glistening flesh; chicken and abalone stewed in a clay pot; stir-fried greens; and, to finish, sticky rice balls stuffed with bird’s nest (a delicacy made from the saliva of swiftlets) in a red bean soup that just murmured of sweetness.
Cantonese is one of the world’s most familiar cuisines, yet
also one of its least understood. It was the Chinese food first encountered by foreigners in modern times, in the trading enclaves of Macau and Canton (now Guangzhou). It was here, in Guangzhou, that chefs are said to have invented—to suit the tastes of visiting foreigners—the boneless sweet-andsour pork dish that would become a staple of international Chinese menus. Later, emigrants from the Cantonesespeaking south of China would voyage to America to work the mines and build the railroads, carrying with them the flavours of their homeland.
Cantonese immigrants opened restaurants across America and in many other countries and invented what much of the world would come to know as Chinese food. It was a formula rooted in Cantonese tradition but heavily adapted to Western palates: tasty, inexpensive, and devoid of awkward bones and wobbly textures. Instead of steamed fish, vibrant vegetables, and gentle soups, there were fried noodles and
Wing restaurant’s
“I knew I would combine French technique with local ingredients.”
—CHEF VICKY CHENG
boneless meats. This hybrid cuisine was to become wildly popular but also the victim of its own success. Outside of China, Chinese cooking, so diverse and complex, was rarely considered to be sophisticated. Instead, it was branded as cheap, lowbrow, and unhealthy.
It’s one of the great ironies of history that China’s great gastronomic culture, along with one of its most esteemed regional traditions, should be so underestimated. Within China, Cantonese is regarded as one of the country’s Four Great Cuisines, along with those of Sichuan, Shandong, and the Jiangnan region around Shanghai. Although you wouldn’t guess it from the deep-fried tidbits and sweet-sour flavours that characterize Chinese food abroad, Cantonese cooks are renowned for their insistence on fresh ingredients, their light touch with seasonings, and their precise command of heat and timing.
“Cantonese food is all about the essential tastes of ingredients,” says chef Yongsheng Li of the Michelin-starred Yu Yue Heen restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou. “With a fine steamed fish, we might season it with nothing but oil and salt because we don’t want to cover up its natural flavour. And we insist on eating foods in their proper seasons: lamb in winter, for example, toon shoots [from the Chinese mahogany tree] and other sprouting vegetables in spring.” Soups, made with ingredients designed to maintain health in every season, have a particularly important role in local meals.
One of the most representative local dishes, says Li, is white cut chicken. “The key to this dish is to choose the right breed and age of chicken and cook it within hours of slaughter,” he says. Like many Cantonese dishes, it appears plain but is technically complex: the bird must be poached at a carefully controlled temperature, like an artisanal sous vide, resulting in taut skin and flesh that is brisk but juicy, with a little pinkness in the bones.
The flavours of Cantonese cuisine are more discreet than, say, the fire and spice of Sichuan. Ginger, spring onions, and aged tangerine peel are favoured seasonings, along with soy sauce and black fermented soybeans. Certain cooking methods and culinary creations are regarded as quintessentially Cantonese: the delicate steaming of seafood; fastidious roasting techniques that give pork and poultry tempting aromas and crisp textures; translucent shrimp dumplings and a whole gamut of delicate dim sum. There are flash stir-fries imbued with wok hei (“the breath of the wok”); nourishing desserts that often take the form of soups; and hearty claypot dishes. Cantonese eaters take particular delight in the textures of their foods, which is why they enjoy so many ingredients that can perplex foreigners, like slippery-crunchy jellyfish.
Any local gourmet can tell you that Cantonese isn’t even a single cuisine. It encompasses not just the rich gastronomic traditions of Guangzhou, the provincial capital, but also the distinctive foods of Shunde, known for its unusual dairy foods made from buffalo milk, and of the Chiu Chow region in the east, with its extravagant seafood, hearty peasant stews, and desserts such as sweet, lardy taro porridge. Another element is the rustic tradition of the Hakka people, whose classic dishes include stuffed tofu and pork belly steamed with salty vegetable preserves. And in Hong Kong, with its wealth and cosmopolitanism, Cantonese food mixes with the flavours of the world.
For many years, Chinese food of any kind was neglected by the international arbiters of taste. Until the end of the 20th century, China itself was largely off the international travel map, and most Chinese restaurants abroad were of the cheap-and-cheerful variety.
“Foreigners misunderstand Cantonese cuisine because they only encounter the basic stuff and never have the chance to taste more elevated versions,” says veteran Hong Kong food writer and restaurateur Lau Kin-wai. “Most Chinese restaurants abroad just serve Chinese food as it exists in foreigners’ imaginations.”
Cantonese food itself is diverse and wide-ranging. In Guangzhou, you could spend days exploring dim sum alone, popping into a tiny café that serves fresh cheung fun (noodle rolls made with steamed sheets of rice pasta) or brunching on dozens of dumplings in the gorgeous Tao Tao Ju restaurant in the heart of the old town. You might lap up some turtle broth from a blueand-white china pot at Dayang, a hole-in-the-wall conspicuous for its towers of steamers, each layer filled with pots of a different kind of soup. At the other end of the social scale, you could spend a fortune on abalone and other prized delicacies. (And if you’d like a taste of the origins of Westernized Chinese food, you could go to the Guangzhou Restaurant for what they call their “nostalgic” sweet-and-sour pork with chunks of pineapple.)
At the Cantonese restaurant Zhuo Yue Xuan at Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen, abalone is prepared with goose feet and shiitake mushrooms, served with premium oyster sauce.
Over the last couple of decades, the outside world has begun to wake up to the possibilities of Chinese food. Increased travel and emigration by people from many parts of China (not just from the Cantonese south) have spurred the development of a more authentic Chinese dining scene in Western cities. Sichuan cuisine has exploded in global popularity, shattering the idea of Chinese as a monolithic food culture, while the flavours of northern Xi’an, spicy Hunan, and the Shanghai region have also begun to attract attention. And China’s rise in wealth and power on the international stage is inevitably starting to raise the status of Chinese food and culture more generally.
In 2009, Michelin for the first time awarded three stars to a Chinese restaurant, Lung King Heen at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, which was then, as now, under the stewardship of veteran chef Chan Yan Tak. It was a belated acknowledgment that Chinese food could be both fine and expensive, and a seismic moment for a restaurant specializing in classic Cantonese cuisine. “I was taken aback, but also honoured by the recognition,” says Tak. The restaurant’s specialities include Superior Pottage, a rich, nutritious soup that distills the flavour essences of lean pork, Yunnan ham, and fine local chickens. This local delicacy is light-years away from the kind of food served in American Chinese diners.
The same year, 2009, another Cantonese restaurant, the Chairman, opened in a quiet backstreet in Hong Kong and began to make waves. While living in Australia, its owner, Danny Yip, had been infuriated with the lowly reputation of Chinese food. After returning to his native Hong Kong,
he decided to take a fresh look at traditional Cantonese food and produce “a fine version of home cooking.” He and his team applied themselves to reinventing humble dishes, like congee and claypot rice, using premium ingredients and spending months developing individual recipes, such as their now-classic steamed flowery crab with Shaoxing wine. In 2021, the Chairman was the first Chinese restaurant to top the annual list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
The spotlight brought by these international accolades has opened the door to greater global recognition of Chinese cuisine. It has also helped to give other Cantonese chefs the confidence to take a fresh look at their traditions. After all, Cantonese food is in many ways perfectly suited to contemporary tastes and trends, with its emphasis on lightness and balance and its attention to fine, seasonal ingredients.
One chef who is helping to reshape perceptions of Chinese food is Vicky Cheng. Although Hong Kong born, he grew up in Canada, where his ambition was to become a famous French-trained chef because, he says, “I always believed French cuisine was the epitome of fine dining.” After years spent working in French kitchens, he realized, he says, that there was an essential contradiction in his life, because “I was craving Asian food every day.” So, he returned to Hong Kong for exposure to Asian flavours. His first restaurant, VEA, presented a fusion of his French and Chinese influences, and then in
The
“Fresh live crab’s sweet, delicate meat shines through simple Cantonese steaming.”
—CHEF DANNY YIP
2021, he opened Wing, a new kind of Chinese restaurant.
“In the beginning, I knew nothing about Cantonese food because all my training had been French,” he says. He applied himself to studying the local culinary arts through a process of trial and error: in particular, he wanted to master dried seafood delicacies, such as sea cucumber and fish maw. “I knew I would combine French technique with local ingredients and felt that if I was going to tackle a fine dining approach, I needed to conquer these important delicacies, the Chinese equivalents of French caviar and truffles.” Now, he says, he cooks in a “boundaryless” way, without the baggage of traditional rules.
Affluent Hong Kong Cantonese may be the world’s most discerning diners, well versed in both Chinese and international cuisines, and Cheng’s novel approach faced a certain amount of initial skepticism. A few years in, he has converted many of his critics, while his eclectic cooking seems perfectly suited to a culinary region that has long been China’s window onto the world. In 2025, Wing is in third position on the Asia’s 50 Best list.
“We are just so happy that we are now on the international map, bringing the attention of the international crowd to Chinese food,” says Cheng. “And I hope this recognition on the world stage is just the beginning, not just for myself but for Chinese cuisine.” n
Michelin-starred Zi Yat Heen at Four Seasons Hotel Macao offers an appetizer plate featuring fresh abalone with Hangzhou chili, a chilled foie gras cube, and barbecued suckling pig.
“We imagine Cantonese classics with finesse, accenting them with global luxuries.”
—CHEF ANTHONY HO
FOUR SEASONS
The town of Taormina in Sicily, at the base of Monte Tauro
A JOURNEY THROUGH TAORMINA, ITALY, AND TUNIS, TUNISIA, REVEALS HOW THE MEDITERRANEAN’S LAYERED HISTORIES CONTINUE TO SPEAK TODAY.
written and photographed by CHRIS
WALLACE
An ancient column in the ruins of the agora in Carthage, near Tunis
ON A CRYSTAL-CLEAR DAY in September, Mohammed— my guide to the ancient ruins of Carthage—took me up to a plateau in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. This spot in the North African country overlooks harbours that were first built by the Phoenicians nearly 3,000 years ago. Behind me, a Catholic church built by the French in the late 1800s was just reopening after a refurbishment. There were ancient columns beside me as well. Mohammed explained that they are remnants of the town forum, built by the Romans in the first century B.C. and themselves standing on the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage. The striations of human history appeared piled up in one tableau, all of it glittering in Mediterranean sunshine, overlooking the brilliant blue sea.
Along the shores of the Med, one doesn’t have to search too terribly far to find this sort of layering of story, influence, and civilizations. Any lover of history knows that Muslim rule extended for nearly 800 years in parts of the Iberian Peninsula, which left a lasting influence on Spanish architecture. Other connections are less widely known. During my recent visits both to Tunis and to Taormina, in northeastern Sicily, echoes of the region’s interconnected past were all around me. Sicily itself lived under Islamic rule for more than 200 years, starting with an invasion by the Aghlabid dynasty (which ruled what is now modern-day Tunisia) in 827 A.D. The conquest of the island was complete in 902 A.D. with the fall of Taormina. This ancient city winds up the slopes of Monte Tauro like something out of a fairy tale, with commanding cliffside views of the ocean that simply stop you in your tracks.
Checking into San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel, is like entering a walled garden in paradise. Once a hilltop redoubt for the Dominican order, the onetime monastery, which served as a hotel as early as 1896, has both Arabic and Italian architectural influences, highlighted by a central plaza. The real centrepiece of the property, though, is the garden, where the smell of hibiscus rises in the afternoons. According to the hotel’s art concierge and tour guide, Margaret Ranieri, this is where monks would have contemplated the bounty of nature while looking out over the Ionian Sea.
As we walked through Taormina’s old town—passing vignettes seen in Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1960 film L’Avventura—Ranieri led me through the city’s various histories. “The visitors arrived like the tides,” she said. And many of the famous travellers who came to Taormina—from Oscar Wilde and Greta Garbo to Gustav Klimt and D.H. Lawrence—were in search of refuge. The town has always been a tolerant place that can receive the tides, she noted.
In Sicily, you can find historical links to many parts of the Mediterranean. The church in the centre of Taormina, for example, has a catacomb with bodies mummified in the ancient Egyptian manner. Witness, too, around town the frequently used symbol of the elephant, employed in some cases to protect against Mount Etna’s “moods,” as Ranieri called them. It is even possible, Ranieri said, that the skulls of the long-extinct dwarf elephants that made their way to Sicily from Africa in ancient times, with their enormous central cavity, gave rise to the legend of the Cyclops that appears in Homer’s Odyssey
On our tour, when we reached the famed Ancient Theatre of Taormina— originally built by the Greeks in the third century B.C.—Ranieri invited me to think about catharsis. She was referring to the ancient Greek sense of the word, the way Aristotle used it to mean a kind of cleansing of the mind and spirit that comes from contemplation of nature, or, indeed, of the drama in a theatre. Looking down the mountain from this ancient temple built for a kind of exaltation, I thought I rather understood: my mind felt radically clear. From the theatre’s cafe, there is a clear view of ferries crossing the Strait of Messina toward the Italian mainland and heading to points elsewhere as well.
Coast views at Anciovi
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: POOLSIDE AT SAN DOMENICO PALACE, TAORMINA, A FOUR SEASONS RESORT; A BELL TOWER AT SAN DOMENICO PALACE; THE COAST, SEEN FROM THE ANCIENT THEATRE OF TAORMINA; A FOYER AT THE RESORT; POMEGRANATES IN TAORMINA; NEIGHBOURHOOD STREETS; SUNSET IN TOWN; THE POOL AT SAN DOMENICO PALACE; ANCIOVI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AT FOUR SEASONS.
...all of glitteringitin Mediterranean sunshine...
The grand staircase at Four Seasons Hotel Tunis
As the filmmaker and photographer Andew DeFusco tells me, ferry culture and the seaborne journey is still very romantic in the minds of Italians, here where the likes of the Argonauts and Odysseus once roamed.
DeFusco is developing a book about Sicilian ferries with his brother Giacomo, and he rides the boats from the mainland every year. “You board,” he says, of his preferred overnight ferries, “and night quickly falls. At that point, it’s as if you were nowhere anymore—the land has disappeared beyond the horizon. You are simply on the ship, on a moving island. Even the idea of time fades away.”
On a map, Sicily and Tunisia look like they could have touched at some distant point back in time. The Sicilian port of Marsala (the Saracen people reverentially called it Marsa Allah, or “Harbour of Allah”) on the western side of the island is, after all, only around 130 miles by sea from Tunis, and a 10-hour-plus ferry runs approximately two times a week from Palermo, Sicily, to the Tunisian capital.
The feeling of being betweensuspendedworlds...
I made my way to North Africa not nearly as directly, flying from Sicily to Rome and then on to Tunis. Immediately on arriving in Tunis, I was attuned to the linkages—in architecture, in design, in aspect—reverberating across the Strait of Sicily, from painted tiles reminiscent of the blue-and-white tiles in Taormina to, of course, Roman columns found in the ruins in the capital. In fact, a recent show at the Ahmed Bey Palace in the Tunisian coastal city of La Marsa explored the Italian influence in the architecture of Tunis from the 1600s through the 20th century.
Culture exchange is evident on menus everywhere in Tunis. There are caponata-style stews—maybe the most iconic of Sicilian dishes but made with ingredients and practices first brought to the Italian island by North Africans— and plenty of traditional Tunisian dishes with pasta, some blending the sour and sweet flavours most identified with Sicilian cuisine: agrodolce sauce. The town of La Goulette, not far from the city centre, expanded significantly in the 19th century due to a wave of emigrants from Sicily, and until recently was still referred to as Petite Sicile, or “Little Sicily.”
Near Tunis, on the coast about a 20-minute drive from the Medina, lies the town of Sidi Bou Said. Known for its blue-and-white houses and for looking a bit like the kasbah of Tangier, it hugs a hilltop with 270-degree views of the water. At Bleue!, a lo-fi, high-vibes café and deli, owners Katherine Li Johnson and Reem Al Hajjej offer locally sourced salads and sandwiches and sell great merch. It’s a buzzing community hub. As the Tunisian German fashion designer Lamia Lagha tells me, Bleue! is the place to go to meet everyone in the art and music and design scenes—and to find out where the best concerts and parties are.
A short drive north of Sidi Bou Said, past the grand old corniche of Marsa, the vibe shifts. Four Seasons Hotel Tunis is a sort of village unto itself, made up of modernist cubes hugging a scene-y pool and the Mediterranean-style Blu Seafood Kitchen & Bar, which leads to a private beach cove. There’s a feeling of refuge. Here, on the edge of the African continent, looking out on the sea as it goes from a shimmering aqua at midday to a dusty mauve after the sun sets, you can feel both way, way out there and in the very centre of the world, cloistered and connected, like the Sicilian monks on their clifftop perch.
The feeling of being suspended between worlds stayed with me. On the afternoon that Mohammed showed me the Roman forum, he also took me to the ancient amphitheatre of Carthage—still a busy cultural venue hosting concerts and festivals—which is almost a perfect mirror of the theatre in Taormina. As we walked up the steps, past the ruins of the neighbourhood where the Roman patricians had their villas, Mohammed and I admired the commanding view of the sea. It seemed yet another perfect place for catharsis, and an ideal vantage from which to contemplate the layers of time. n
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A SEA VIEW FROM FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TUNIS; ZITOUNA MOSQUE, IN THE MEDINA IN TUNIS; SAINT LOUIS CATHEDRAL; A VISTA FROM FOUR SEASONS HOTEL TUNIS; INSIDE DAR EL JELD RESTAURANT IN TUNIS; BLU SEAFOOD KITCHEN & BAR, OVERLOOKING THE POOL AT FOUR SEASONS; DAR EL JELD; THE ANCIENT CARTHAGE AMPHITHEATRE; THE GRAND STAIRCASE AT FOUR SEASONS.
Showcasing 40 years of Four Seasons Private Residences, from San Francisco and Bahrain to upcoming addresses in Lake Austin, the Swiss Alps, and Saudi Arabia.
PENTHOUSE LIVING IN ALPINE SPLENDOUR.
In Gstaad, Switzerland, it isn’t only the mountain air that’s rarefied. One of the most iconic ski enclaves in the world, Gstaad will soon welcome its first hotel-serviced residences—Four Seasons Private Residences The Park Gstaad—within The Park Gstaad, A Four Seasons Hotel. When it opened in 1910, The Park Gstaad was the hamlet’s first five-star hotel; when it reopens in winter 2026/2027 after a full refurbishment under the Four Seasons banner, the property (a short stroll from the town’s centre) will feature six private residences on the top floor. Designed by the acclaimed firm Joseph Dirand Architecture (whose projects range from Michelin-star restaurants to Parisian flagship stores), the penthouses are havens of Alpine sophistication, with brushed oak floors, elegant marble fireplaces, and bespoke Molteni furnishings.
A SUBLIME SETTING The property’s surroundings are fairy-tale perfect: cobblestone streets, pretty chalets, clear lakes, wildflower-filled meadows, lush forests, and snow-capped peaks.
AT THE READY Residents have access to a wealth of hotel offerings, including four year-round restaurants, a summer garden restaurant, two lounges/bars, indoor and outdoor pools, a private wine cellar, and a spa and fitness centre with a yoga studio and a hammam.
YEAR-ROUND ACTION Winter fun revolves around skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding. Summer is the season for hiking, golfing, cycling, and paragliding, as well as polo and tennis competitions and classical music concerts.
LAKESIDE LUXURY ON 145 PRISTINE ACRES.
A peaceful hill with stunning lake and city skyline views is the setting for Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin, opening in 2027 just 20 minutes from downtown Austin. Taking cues from modernist architecture, the 179 residences and nine freestanding villas—designed by Lissoni & Partners—will offer seamless indoor-outdoor living. At this standalone property (there is no hotel attached), maximizing service and comfort for residents will be the exclusive focus.
OPTIMAL WELLNESS The Orangerie spa sanctuary— set to be the largest private indoor wellness and fitness facility in Texas—will include an 82-foot indoor pool; yoga, movement, and meditation studios; two golf simulators; an indoor basketball court; courts for tennis, pickleball, and squash; and a children’s gym.
ON THE WATERFRONT An infinity pool 300 feet wide will overlook an especially beautiful bend in the lake. On the lakefront, residents will have access to the Lake Clubhouse, a private marina, and boat slips, as well as the property’s fully electric watercraft.
DINNER AND A SHOW The Private Residences will be home to Café Boulud Lake Austin, Michelinstarred chef Daniel Boulud’s first restaurant in Texas, while the on-site theatre will offer films, concerts, lectures, and private events.
HISTORIC STYLE MEETS MODERN SERVICE.
History and modernity converge at Four Seasons Private Residences at 706 Mission, San Francisco , which occupies two structures: the historic 10-story Aronson Building, built in 1903 and recently restored, and a sleek and modern new 510-foot tower. At this standalone property, panoramic city views complement luxury design details, from Amiata tubs to Poggenpohl cabinets.
COMMUNITY SPACE The Club is where residents can relax over billiards and shuffleboard, watch movies and sports on the big screen, and entertain friends in a private dining room.
CULTURE AT THE DOOR Surrounded by the museums, galleries, and performance spaces in the Yerba Buena area, the Private Residences are in the cultural heart of San Francisco. Residents enjoy curated experiences in art, wine, design, and wellness.
STAY WELL A fitness floor designed by celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak combines cutting-edge equipment and elite personal training.
COSMOPOLITAN
WATERFRONT LIVING AMID LUSH GREEN SPACES.
Set on an iconic and idyllic bay in the heart of Manama with city skyline views, the 112 apartments, duplexes, and penthouses at Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay boast floor-to-ceiling windows, glass walls, terraces, spa-like bathrooms, and open-concept layouts. The dedicated residential team can arrange everything from in-room massages to outdoor barbecues and cooking master classes.
POOL TIME With impressive vistas of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and other Kingdom landmarks, the residential pool deck is an ideal spot for a
refreshing dip in the lagoon-style pool or a yoga session on the lawn.
PASS THE POPCORN A cinema with the latest technology and red velvet loungers allows residents to entertain up to 15 guests in glam Hollywood style.
CONNECT A pedestrian-only bridge connects the Private Residences to the offerings at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, among them a white-sand beach, a waterpark for kids, a sanctuary spa, and Wolfgang Puck restaurants.
FINDING PEACE AMONG THE DUNES.
Blue lagoons. Ancient mangroves. Undulating sand. Four Seasons Private Residences Red Sea at Shura Island, located on Saudi Arabia’s western coast, is a stunning and soothing retreat designed by Foster + Partners. Here, seclusion, privacy, and harmony with nature are paramount. The property’s 75 three- to fivebedroom Dune and Waterside villas have private pools, spacious bedroom suites, marble floors, and an indooroutdoor design that inspires true barefoot luxury.
PAR EXCELLENCE The 18-hole championship Shura Links golf course blends into the natural environment, while the Clubhouse is the spot to unwind, whether at the pool, the gym, or the restaurant.
TO THE SEA Snorkel and scuba dive around the marine-rich coral reefs, or paddleboard, sail, and kayak on gentle waves.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Preserving natural habitats and minimizing emissions are important aims of Saudi Arabia’s development of this coastal region. For its use of solar energy, electric vehicles, and natural materials, Four Seasons Private Residences Red Sea at Shura Island has earned LEED Platinum certification, the highest honour in green building design. n
