Four Seasons

Four Seasons Provence Offers Experiences for All

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

By: McLean Robbins

The Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche sits in a unique location – it's not on the French Riviera's famed coast, nor is it located in the chic towns of Nice, Cannes or St. Tropez. The resort instead sits between the three towns, nestled at the base of the hillside village of Fayence and near the towns of Mons, Tourettes and Grasse.

Still, the resort offers a variety of private experience for guests seeking a retreat with a variety of customized experiences. A-listers flock to this hotel during peak times like the Cannes Film Festival, and stars like Angelina Jolie have holed up at the hotel for a few weeks of privacy. This writer had the pleasure of spending a few days at the resort earlier this month.

Tags: four seasons, four seasons provence, luxury hotels, travel

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Four Seasons Houston Awarded AAA Five Diamond Status

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

On the heels of a three-year, $25 million renovation project that introduced re-styled guest rooms, a new resort-style swimming pool area and a fresh, modern lobby, the Four Seasons Houston has been named the the city's only AAA Five Diamond Hotel. The travel authority's highest and most exclusive rating was awarded to the hotel for an unparalleled experience of luxury and sophistication in an artfully designed setting, complemented by service that goes above and beyond. A destination in its own right, the new $4 million pool (above) at the Four Seasons Houston is downtown's only outdoor, resort-style pool.

The pool, which glows with artful lighting at night, meshes dramatic cityscape views with exotic materials such as Turkish travertine tile, environmentally-friendly Ipe wood decking, and lush tropical plants. The pool renovation included the creation of cabana-style patios, a trellis-covered event space, soothing water wall, hot tub, fire pit and poolside bar. Acclaimed San Francisco-based design firm BAMO also created custom-designed furniture and one-of-a-kind abstract artwork designed for the hotel's luxe new guest rooms.

Gallery: The Four Seasons Houston

Tags: AAA, AAA Five Diamond, awards, Four Seasons, Four Seasons Houston, hotels, Houston, luxury hotels, swimming pool, Texas

Four Seasons Marrakech Set to Open This Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Four Seasons Marrakech Set to Open This Summer
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is set to open its newest property this summer, the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech. The luxe hotel situated in a 40-acre walled oasis will feature 140 rooms and suites, five restaurants, two pools, an extensive spa, and acres of sunlit gardens. Offering a modern take on traditional Moorish architecture, rose-hued pavilions with hand-carved details are surrounded by a lush landscape of swimming and reflecting pools, gardens, pathways and fountains. Buildings are low-rise so as not to obstruct stunning views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and Menara Gardens beyond the Hotel's towering palms.

Two Spa pavilions sit among gardens filled with birds and exotic flora. The main pavilion offers 15 treatment rooms for massages, facials and body treatments, plus a salon and whirlpool. Surrounding the Hotel's posh public spaces, pavilions of guest rooms and suites form a village connected by arcades, walkways and courtyards evoking a contemporary medina filled with riads. Each of the 140 guest rooms and suites, which are among the largest in the city, has its own spacious balcony or terrace with mountain and garden views.

Gallery: Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech

Tags: architecture, Four Seasons, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, hotels, luxury hotels, Marrakech, marrakesh, Morocco, resorts, spa

Relax and Restyle With The Four Seasons Palm Beach and Tory Burch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Florida recently finalized a two-year, multi-million dollar renovation which included a complete room redesign, added a luxurious salon and spa and upgraded the pool terrace. To celebrate, the resort is offering guests a chance to indulge in a little personal restyling of their own by partnering with Tory Burch to offer a gift of up to $500.

Canadian interior designer Brian Gluckstein is responsible for a total makeover of the rooms at Four Seasons Palm Beach. Gluckstein, who designed the new spa in 2009, used a similar palette of muted sea-glass colors and custom furniture to give the new rooms a modern comfortable beach house feel that perfectly frames the hotel's stunning ocean views. The area surrounding the resort's swimming pool has been re-tiled with Egyptian Sunny Gold limestone and new lounges upholstered in lime green and accented by brown pillows were added.

Tags: four seasons, palm beach, palm beach hotels, tory burch

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Five Luxe Car Brands Cited By J.D. Power as Service "Champions."

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Five luxury automobile brands were in the top 40 brands ranked by J.D. Power and Associates in its annual Customer Service Champions report.

Jaguar, Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln all made the list. They were joined by two other luxury brands: hoteliers Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.

Non luxe brands included in the top 40 were Zappos.com, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and retailer Cabelas.

Brands that receive the J.D. Power Customer Service Champions designation are among the top 5 percent of more than 800 evaluated brands, based on their performance in five key areas identified as the J.D. Power 5 Ps: People, Presentation, Price, Product and Process.

Tags: cadillac, four seasons, j.d. power, jaguar, lincoln, mercedes-benz, ritz-carlton, zappos

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Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Architecture & Design

Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane
41 years ago this month Four Seasons opened the Inn on the Park in London's Mayfair, its first European property and one that would come to help define the brand as it expanded around the world. Now after a more than two-year hiatus during which time an entire new hotel was constructed on the existing site, the storied property has just been reborn as the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The stylish new hotel, designed by Eric Parry, features larger rooms, more suites, a new restaurant / lounge concept, and meeting spaces. The hotel, which now has 192 rooms, including 45 one, two and three bedroom suites – the most lavish of which, the Presidential Suite, costs about $14,000 per night – is designed to feature every luxury amenity whilst retaining the intimate feel of a private residence.

The restaurant / lounge, Amaranto, is a series of three flow-through spaces wherein guests can choose when and where they want to dine, without restriction on seating times or particular menus. With its own entrance in Hamilton Place as well as direct lobby access, Amaranto offers an airy conservatory space and private garden for outdoor seating, a more clubby lounge area including an innovative peek-through wine wall that allows guests to follow sommeliers in action, and a soaring atrium highlighted by a hand-moulded sculpture wall with motifs inspired by nearby Hyde Park. In the next phase of the project the hotel plans to open a spa, fitness and lounge area on the top floor, with sweeping views across London.

Gallery: Four Seasons London at Park Lane

Tags: Four Seasons, hotel, Hyde Park, London, luxury hotel, Mayfair, spa, suites, UK

Four Season Los Angeles Offers December Shopping Events

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events

The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills makes shopping more attractive this December with a series of Tuesday Fashion Night Events in the Windows Lounge with Robertson Boulevard's stylish boutiques. The events offer a chance to check out stylish fashions from the hotel's neighbors on fashionable Robertson Boulevard, along with live music, prizes, food and cocktails.

Each event takes place on a Tuesday, from 7:00 to 11:00 pm in Windows Lounge. Participating stores include Rock & Republic on November 30, Intermix on December 7, and Ted Baker on December 14. Each evening will feature specialty cocktails for just $10.00 each to celebrate each designer, such as "Ted-Tinis" for Ted Baker and "Four Rocks" for Rock & Republic, in addition to live musical appearances by bands such as Mark Castrillon Duo. You might want to dress up for this one. Each week a man and a woman will be chosen to win "best-dressed" prizes from the boutiques (Rock & Republic is offering $150 gift certificates) and attendees are entitled to a drawing for two gift certificates for the elaborate Sunday Brunch for two in Culina, Modern Italian.

Tags: fashion, four seasons, robertson blvd, shopping events

Four Seasons Plans Twitter Wine Tasting

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine, Events

The Four Seasons is getting in on the Twitter wine tasting trend, hosting its first virtual event and you don't even have to head to a Four Seasons to participate (although really, why wouldn't you?). The event takes place on November 17 and focuses on perfect pairings for the upcoming holidays and will highlight wine knowledge from three sommeliers with more than 25 years of combined experience.

James Tidwell, Co-Founder and Current Head of the Texas Sommelier Association; Mark Sayre, one of Wine & Spirits magazine's "7 Best New Sommeliers of 2010"; and Dana Farner, recognized as "one of the best around" by Bon Appétit magazine, will lead participants in a virtual guided tasting of three wines: Loosen Bros. Dr. L Riesling, Paraiso Vineyards Syrah, and the Chappellet Mountain Cuvee.

The discussion will address the unique flavor profiles of each wine and how to pair them with seasonal dishes or use them in a Thanksgiving holiday menu. The event will end with a Q & A session. To join in log-on to Twitter at 6:00pm CT / 7:00pm ET on November 17, 2010 and search for the hashtag #FSWine. You can also join a dedicated Tweetup at the nearest participating Four Seasons hotel or resort. Tweetups will be held at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta; Four Seasons Hotel Austin; Four Seasons Hotel Boston; Four Seasons Hotel Chicago; The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel; Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas; Four Seasons Hotel Houston; Four Seasons Hotel Miami; Four Seasons Hotel New York; Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach; Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia; Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and Four Seasons Hotel Toronto.

Tags: four seasons, holiday wines, tweetup, twitter, wine

Four Seasons Nevis to Reopen in December

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Ocean Pool at the Four Seasons Nevis; the resort will re-open in December 2010.

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis will re-open on December 15, 2010. "It will be the same resort that guests have always loved," says Tara MacIntyre, spokeswoman for the resort. "We will have a chic new look and feel to the property, but the same friendly Nevisian smiles to greet you."

Long considered one of the best hotels in the entire Caribbean, the Four Seasons Nevis was damaged by Hurricane Omar in October 2008 which passed through the islands of St. Kitts & Nevis. Closed ever since, the resort is in the process of completing renovations throughout the property.

"We look forward to welcoming guests back to Four Seasons Resort Nevis and the tranquil and beautiful island of Nevis," says Andrew Humphries, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Nevis.

The resort features 196 spacious, luxurious guest rooms and suites in 12 two-story guest buildings just steps from the beach and exclusive two- to six- bedroom residence villas. It is an intimate retreat in a low-key destination known for its romantic settings, unspoiled environment and rich history and culture. The resort offers several swimming pools, a top-rated spa, tennis and kids' facilities as well as abundant water sports and nature excursions.

Gallery: Four Seasons Nevis

A view of the swimming pool at the Four Seasons Nevis

Tags: awards-main, caribbean, caribbean destinations, CaribbeanBeaches, CaribbeanTravel, Four Seasons, Four Seasons Nevis, luxist-awards, Nevis, St. Kitts

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Franck Muller Mystery Double Four Seasons Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I am quite jealous not to be attending the 2010 Word Presentation of Haute Horlogerie & Jewelery (WPHH) in Monaco this year. I mean really, what isn't there to be jealous of. A nice watches, nice jewelery, and a part in Monaco. Perhaps next year. The event is actually put on by the Franck Muller group, and will include its various brands. These include, but aren't limited to; Franck Muller Pierre Kunz, Martin Braun (no longer actually with Martin Braun), Backes & Strauss, and a few others.

The star of this year's show will be this new women's watch from Franck Muller called the "Mystery Double Four Seasons" While the name of the watch might be a bad English translation, the beauty of the watch transcends all languages. Its multi-colored precious stones (on the bezel) tell the story of an entire year. Starting with a green spring, moving to the hot yellow colors of the summer, then on to reds of the fall, and finally to the cold blues of the winter. The stones flow on to the lugs, and baguette style stones of all different colors make up the hour markers and with trillion cut stones as the hour and minute hands. The rest of the watch is totally covered in diamonds. The "Mystery Double" (ahem, 'double mystery') part of the name comes from the two discs that moves the hour and minute indicator hands, rather than the watch having traditional hands. The watch case is likely to be in white gold, and it has a purple toned alligator strap. Not sure about price, movement, or size, but it is the star of a show on high-end luxury watches and jewelery in Monaco - and this is both of those things - so that should tell you something.

Nod to Business Montres for the image.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: double mystery, four seasons, franck muller, watch, watches

The Five Best Restaurants in the U.S.

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Luxist readers nominated the restaurants that they believe to be the best and most luxurious restaurants in the country. From Napa Valley and Las Vegas to Chicago and New York, here are their top five favorite places (in alphabetical order):

Charlie Trotter's (Chicago)
While most top chefs boast degrees from the traditional powerhouses of the culinary world, Charlie Trotter is an exception. The chef of the Chicago restaurant that bears his name never had a former education in the world of food---but that hasn't stopped him from turning his eatery into a Luxist nominee in the best domestic fine dining category.

Charlie Trotter became a foodie in college after learning a few cooking tips from his roommate. Fascinated by the culinary arts, he took a year off from earning his degree in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin's Madison campus to read every book he could, including a ton of tomes on cooking. After graduation, he went into the catering business, eventually deciding that he wanted to run his own restaurant.

Tags: awards-main, best restaurants, best restaurants in the u.s., Charlie Trotters, four seasons, luxist-awards, Masa, Restaurant Guy Savoy, The French Laundry

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The Classicist: Movie Star Style at the Beverly Wilshire's New $25,000-Per-Night Penthouse

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Following a recently completed $40 million facelift, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel has just unveiled its newly renovated Penthouse and Presidential Suite for the ultimate in movie star style. The Penthouse, beginning at $25,000 per night, is the largest hotel suite in Los Angeles and now one of the world's most expensive as well. L.A.-based architectural firm Barry Design Associates transformed the historic suites into modern, sophisticated spaces. They even throw in a Porsche. The Beverly Wilshire is a true piece of Hollywood history; the Italian Renaissance-style stone and marble building was completed in 1928 when the city had fewer than 18,000 residents, and its grand suites have played host to many of movieland's most famous faces over the decades.

The three-bedroom Penthouse offers guests 5,000 square feet of space. Positioned on the private top floor of the hotel's Beverly Wing it features floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and a wrap around balcony with sweeping views of downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills. An entry way welcomes guests with marble mosaic flooring and Swarovski crystal chandeliers, while a dining room offers seating for 12 people adjacent to a state-of-the-art designer kitchen with Michelangelo marble countertops and Miele appliances. The elegant master bedroom is highlighted by an antique mirror and silver leaf detailed bed frame along with huge walk-in closet finished in stained oak. The master bath is fitted with glass tiles, exotic stones, a marble soaking tub, dual steam and rain shower contains a light and music system. There's also a media room for private screenings of your latest blockbuster.

Gallery: Beverly Wilshire Reborn

The two-bedroom Presidential Suite offers 4,000 square feet of space, entered through a spectacular grand foyer (above) with Corinthian columns and intricate crown molding designed when the Hotel first opened over 80 years ago. Located on the eighth floor of the hotel's original Wilshire Wing, it features sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills and has been graced by numerous celebrities, legends and dignitaries over the years. The suite comes complete with its own living room and library as well, while the master bath is fitted with a soaking tub, steam shower for two and integrated televisions in the mirrors above the black lacquer vanity counters. [continued]

Tags: Beverly Wilshire, California, celebrity, Four Seasons, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, hotel suites, hotels, library, Los Angeles, luxury hotel, marble, movie stars, penthouse, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, presidential suite, Swarovski, worlds most expensive

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Riviera Nayarit - Mexico's New Riviera Destination

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

You've doubtlessly heard of -- and perhaps been to -- Puerto Vallarta. Well, just north of there, along central Mexico's Pacific coast, is the state of Nayarit. The coast runs from the tony all-inclusive resorts of Nuevo Vallarta (very near to Puerto Vallarta in the southern part of the state), through the elite and fabulously expensive Punta Mita and up through a series of seaside enclaves catering to all classes of tourists, ending in the sleepy town of San Blas. This coastal region has recently been designated "Riviera Nayarit" and has all the makings of an up-and-coming luxury destination -- and if you're in the market for a vacation home, this area could be your best investment. Let me take you through a couple of the highlights, from the famous polo field in the hipster community to the exclusive resort where the governor likes to stay (no really, he was there when I was, and it wasn't his first time).

Gallery: Riviera Nayarit - Mexico's Latest Luxury Destination

Tags: Four Seasons, golf, Jack Nicklaus, Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit, San Blas, San Pancho, Sayulita, St. Regis, travel

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A New Four Seasons in Hangzhou

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

With a new high-speed train scheduled for an October debut, you will be able to travel in great comfort from Shanghai to Hangzhou in a snap 38 minutes. As Shanghai now makes even Hong Kong seem Third World, a visit willowy West Lake, the star attraction of Hangzhou, is a great way to recover from a supercharged Chinese itinerary. The place to stay is the Four Seasons hotel Hangzhou at West Lake. Its design and architecture fit into the landscape of terraced tea plantations and mists rising from the lake as if it was always there. Unlike the starkly modern hotels of Beijing and beyond, this little gem is entirely traditional with pagoda roof pavilions linked by flower-rimmed paths through landscaped water gardens.

The hotel is impressive in that it has a subdued, understated quality although the spa is a standout with treatments you won't find elsewhere. Not-to-be-missed is the three-hour dragon-well tea and jade spring ritual ---a soothing soak, an invigorating body exfoliation, followed by massage. Check out the full menu of spa services here.

Tags: Beggars Chicken, china, China Academy of Art, china travel, four seasons, Hangzhou

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Nominees for Best in Entertainment

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

Best Wine Bars

The first nominee offers an authentic Tuscan experience in the heart of Manhattan while the second nominee is an inviting and chic wine bar that is a favorite of San Francisco residents. The third nominee is sure to please every oenophile with its vast selection of wines from around the world while the fourth nominee offers a stunning selection and intimate ambiance with a European feel. The final nominee is a cozy, yet sophisticated establishment that attracts wine country royalty.

Accademia di Vino

Bar Bambino

The Local Vine
Mercy Wine Bar

Underwood Bar & Bistro

Best Cocktail Lounges
The first nominee is a monumental place with a magical atmosphere while the second features handcrafted liqueurs and innovative imbibables. The third nominee takes a culinary approach to the art of cocktail making while the fourth has been mixing masterpieces for Parisians and international celebrities since 1911. The final nominee is housed in a two-story barn that dates back to the 16th century England.

Best Coffeehouses
The first nominee is known for discovering unknown and exotic coffees from around the world while the second is focused on its craft of making the best coffee. The third nominee is the largest chain of coffeehouses in the world while the fourth nominee knows coffee the way oenologists know wine. The final nominee features artisan-roasted beans and single-origin coffees and teas from around the world.

Zoka

Best Hotel Bars

The first nominee offers the royal treatment and is located within one of the world's most glamorous hotels. The second nominee blends grand heritage with modern panache while the third offers spectacular service and stupendous views. The fourth nominee is a decadent, elegant and decidedly dressy bar while the final nominee is a New York landmark and iconic meeting place.

Best Brew Pubs

The first nominee is in Vemont and the only way to sample its beer is to go there yourself. The second nominee has won countless awards while the third nominee features hand-crafted beer. The fourth nominee brews its award-winning beer on the premises while many consider the beers made by the final nominee among the best in the world.

The Alchemist Pub and Brewery

Four Peaks Brewing Co.

Lost Coast Brewery

Silver City Brewery

Spuyten Duyvil

Tags: awards-main, beer, best brew pub, best cocktail lounge, best hotel bar, best wine bar, claridges, Cocktail Lounge, four seasons, Four Seasons George V, hotel, luxist-awards, Plaza Hotel, Starbucks, starbucks coffee, wine, wine bar, winners-entertainment