This article
originally appeared in the May issue of AGENTatHOME magazine. Subscribe
here to receive your free copy each month.
Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts is known for providing a high level of luxury
with outstanding service and amenities. So, it may surprise clients to find
that the brand is equally focused on families.
And while Four
Seasons resorts in destinations such as Hawaii and Orlando, Florida, may be
obvious choices for families traveling with kids, the brand’s hotels in locales
like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia can elevate a city
vacation, as well.
"Four Seasons
understands that family travel isn’t about lowering standards — it’s about
raising the bar for everyone," said Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury
travel planner Black Tomato. "They’ve proven you don’t have to sacrifice
sophistication to be family-friendly. That’s why we recommend them to clients
who thought luxury travel ended when they had children. It hasn’t — it has just
evolved."
Four Seasons
Resorts
The Four Seasons
Hawaii collection includes Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina and Four
Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, which provide plenty of upscale experiences for
families.
"What truly
sets Four Seasons Oahu apart is our philosophy of creating meaningful moments
for the entire family," explained Jason de Vries, the resort’s general
manager.
That means, rather
than "kid-only" experiences, the resort also offers cultural
activities and ocean adventures that everyone can enjoy together, from
outrigger canoeing and snorkeling to lei-making and hula lessons, all designed
with multigenerational travelers in mind.
Similarly, Four
Seasons Resort Maui is an elevated island escape for adults while still
catering to smaller travelers, such as providing portable cribs that magically
appear poolside the instant toddlers start looking drowsy.
"Advisors are
often surprised by how naturally luxury and family travel blend here,"
said Konrad Gstrein, regional vice president and general manager for Four
Seasons Resort Maui. "When grandparents, parents and kids all feel equally
at home, that’s when the magic happens. That’s not something you can
manufacture — it’s aloha, and it’s what keeps families coming back generation
after generation."
But perhaps the
family-friendliest of all is Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World
Resort. After all, it’s located at "The Most Magical Place on Earth."
For clients who need a break from all the Disney, the resort’s 5-acre Explorer
Island features a family pool, a lazy river, two waterslides, a splash pad and
The Hideout game room.
Kids can discover sea life within Wailea’s tide pools on Maui with Kids For All Seasons counselors. (Photo Credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
Four Seasons City
Hotels
America’s iconic
cities are always popular destinations, and a Four Seasons hotel provides a
luxurious home base while also offering unique experiences that turn an
ordinary family vacation into an extraordinary one.
"Families
shouldn’t have to choose between exceptional luxury and meaningful time
together," said Sebastian Hinsch, general manager of Four Seasons Hotel
Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.
"Our approach
is delivering the elevated amenities our travelers expect with thoughtful,
intuitive programming that makes family travel feel seamless."
And the signature
Four Seasons service and attention to detail don’t stop at the hotel door.
According to
Xavier Bon, commercial director for Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at
Embarcadero, the Bay Area property works with families to build personalized
itineraries that blend education and adventure, from hands-on science museum
visits and scenic bay cruises to walks through Chinatown followed by a dim sum
lunch.
The same is true
in Philadelphia, which will undoubtedly be a top choice for families during the
nation’s 250th anniversary celebration this year.
"Tailored
experiences allow guests to connect meaningfully with the city—from guided
explorations of historic neighborhoods to immersive food-focused outings, such
as our exclusive tours of Reading Terminal Market," said Lisa Tareila,
director of public relations and marketing for Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
at Comcast Center.
In addition to
curating exceptional age-appropriate city itineraries, many Four Seasons hotels
also host creative on-site experiences, Black Tomato’s Marchant adds — such as
in-room camping tents in New Orleans and the "mystery closet" in
Boston that’s full of toys and trinkets.
Four Seasons Tamarindo offers the unique experience of exploring a private nature reserve with a biologist. (Photo Credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts)
Kids for All
Seasons
Many hotels offer
activities for children, but what sets Four Seasons apart is that its Kids for
All Seasons (KFAS) program is complimentary. But KFAS is not simply
babysitting; it’s also engaging programming that connects young travelers to a
destination, such as exploring the private nature reserve with a biologist at
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, Mexico, or learning how to hula at Four Seasons Resort
Maui.
"We’ve woven
Maui into every family experience," said Gstrein of Four Seasons Resort Maui.
"Kids might spend mornings with KFAS counselors discovering sea life in
the tide pools, then join their families for a ukulele lesson."
Similarly,
families visiting the Tamarindo property are introduced to nearby coastal
communities, local artisans and cultural heritage, allowing guests of all ages
to connect with the destination rather than simply observing it.
"Four Seasons
has cracked the code on something that many luxury brands still struggle
with," Marchant said. "They don’t ask parents to choose between
indulgence and practicality. The magic is in how they’ve woven family-friendly
elements into the fabric of their offering without diluting either."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
