72 Hours in Iconic Cities

Whether you’re looking for some respite from the everyday hustle or are heading off for a special weekend away, figuring out how to maximize a quick stay in any city requires both planning and a healthy dose of spontaneity. Though every destination and traveller are different, Four Seasons Concierges are masters at helping you fill your itinerary with as many (or as few) experiences as you’d like.

Travelling for an event? Why not stay an extra day and explore the city or take the opportunity to tend to your self-care needs with some rest and relaxation. In advance of your trip, it’s always a good idea to reach out to the hotel team to learn about what’s available on-property during your stay. It’s also a good time to fill the Concierge in on your interests so they can arrange for after-hours tours, tickets to the latest theater show or concert, and even book you those hard-to-get restaurant reservations.

Sometimes, the quickest trips can be the most fun, especially with Four Seasons in your corner. Read on for some ideas on how to make the most of a 72-hour stay.

One of the best ways to discover the most interesting things a city has to offer is by talking to locals. Luckily, the Concierge teams at Four Seasons are comprised of local insiders whose passion it is to uncover the best of their city and share it with their guests. Tip: Choose one specific thing to do each day and leave the rest of your schedule open – you never know what opportunity might present itself.

A master of reinvention, New York is always a good idea for a weekend getaway. Base yourself at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, where the sprawling and serene suites offer gorgeous views of Tribeca and downtown Manhattan. When you’re ready to venture out, apertivo bars, art galleries, jazz clubs and some of the hottest restaurants in the city are at your feet. Drop in at Bar Pisellino for the delicious Pistachio cocktail made with gin, cardamom, pistachio and lime, followed by dinner at Dante, a New York institution for Italian food and drinks since 1915, or Ito, a modern 16-seat omakase restaurant close to the Hotel. Tomorrow, borrow bikes and explore nearby neighborhoods, including SoHo, Chinatown and Dumbo across the East River. Or have the Concierge arrange a private sailing through New York Harbour, past Lady Liberty, and see the city that never sleeps from the water.

Lovers of art, shopping and soccer can easily fill a three-day stay in Madrid. The stunning Four Seasons Hotel Madrid – situated between the Puerta del Sol public square and Barrio del las Letras neighbourhood – puts you in the center of it all. The three-year-old property boasts a 1,500-piece art collection with paintings, sculptures and photographs by emerging Spanish artists such as Eduardo Pérez-Cabrero, Jose Cháfer and Sandra Val. For some retail therapy, the Hotel offers direct access to Galería Canalejas, a high-end shopping haven (think Valentino, Aquazzara and Jimmy Choo) worth stepping into just to see the Art Deco architecture alone. The Hotel and shopping complex sit within a collection of seven historic buildings dating back to 1887. Choose a new outfit before heading out for your own private flamenco lesson, arranged by the Concierge. Several must-visit cultural institutions sit within walking distance, too, including the Real Academia del Bellas Artes de San Fernando (located just across the street and home to a room dedicated to Goya paintings) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museo Nacional, along with the Prado Museum and Reina Sofia galleries. If soccer is more your thing, have the Concierge reserve you tickets or a private box to watch a Real Madrid game.

A room with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Oui. But that’s just the start at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. Fitness buffs will enjoy the complimentary early morning jogging tour of Paris’ sights with a running guide leading the way. The five-mile route takes in the Eiffel Tower, Seine riverbank, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Tuileries Gardens before returning to the Hotel. After the morning workout, you’ll be more than ready to take a private lunchtime culinary masterclass led by Chef Christian Le Squer at the property’s three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq restaurant. For something really special, the Concierge team can arrange a daytrip to Maison Belle Époque, the former house of the founders of Perrier-Jouët in Épernay, Champagne – just two hours from Paris. This country manor houses the largest private collection of French art nouveau in Europe, including etched glassware and works by Rodin and Toulouse Lautrec. Tour the home, enjoy lunch in the gardens and finish with a visit to a Champagne vineyard. Have some extra time? Ask the Concierge about a one-night stay at the Maison.

If your idea of a weekend well spent involves putting in as little effort as possible, we don’t blame you. In fact, we highly recommend taking at least one day – if not three – to fully embrace the joy of doing nothing. At Four Seasons, though, doing nothing can still be glamorous, given the depth of on-property amenities you’ll find at your disposal.

From spa treatments and fitness classes to lounging in a private beach cabana, wellness takes many forms at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. Head to The Pearl Spa for a rejuvenating day and let the experts help you organize a personal spa journey including massages, facials and signature experiences such as sound healing and workshops combining meditation and art. The Meditation in Colour experience begins with a guided meditation in the Hotel’s lush gardens followed by a painting session through local partner We Love Art. While Dubai is known for its dazzling luxury and modern skyscrapers, the Resort’s private stretch of beachfront along the Arabian Gulf offers a different side of the city. Spend the day relaxing on the gold-sand beach or cooling off with a dip in the freeform outdoor pool. Just the two of you? Have the Concierge arrange for a private meal on the moonlit beach, retreat to the comfort of your room or suite and wake up the next morning to a delicious breakfast in bed.

Much of Tokyo’s appeal is its frenetic energy and fast pace, but when you walk through the doors of Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, it’s a welcome sanctuary amid the urban delights. Located in the central Chiyoda district, the 190-room Hotel overlooks the Imperial Palace and offers idyllic views of Mount Fuji. The culinary highlights on property alone are enough to fill a long weekend, including the Michelin-starred est, which deftly highlights Japan’s bounty with French cooking techniques. The Hotel’s 39th floor rooftop bar VIRTÙ, helmed by renowned bartender Keith Motsi, is also not to be missed. Motsi recommends trying the Yuzu Nagi, made with Japanese gin, cognac, yuzu juice, yuzu liqueur, yuzu bitters and sugar or the Takara, made with Japanese whisky, vermouth rouge, Chartreuse Jaune, Denki Bran and orange bitters. For a drink of a different kind, have the Concierge arrange a private visit to tea master Shinya Sakurai’s tea shop, Sakurai Tea Experience, for a modern take on the traditional tea ceremony service.