Discovering China’s Finest: An Exclusive Four Seasons Journey Through Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing
With Gratitude: Four Seasons Asia Pacific Fam Trip, 1–8 September 2026
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ms. Shalon Lee of the Four Seasons Corporate Office – Asia Pacific for hosting us on an exclusive familiarisation trip from 1 to 8 September 2026. The journey gave us the rare opportunity to experience Hangzhou, Suzhou and Beijing as local insiders.
At every stop, we were warmly welcomed by the General Managers and senior leadership teams of the four properties we visited. Our heartfelt thanks go to Ms. Daphne Ng, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre; Mr. Nicolas Senes, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake; Mr. Michael Branham, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou; and Ms. Lili Wong, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Beijing. Beyond the site inspections, the programme offered a wealth of on-site experiences and exquisite dining, with menus personally presented by the Executive Chef of each property.
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at Hangzhou Centre
Opened in September 2024, Four Seasons’ newest Hangzhou address is the city’s sophisticated urban retreat. It rises above Wulin Square in the landmark Hangzhou Centre, with the historic Grand Canal flowing alongside. Its 214 rooms and suites, designed by Avalon Collective, feature floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of the skyline, the Grand Canal and West Lake, two of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights include a Michelin-starred restaurant devoted to Ningbo cuisine and its fresh coastal seafood, a celestial-inspired rooftop bar, and an 18th-floor indoor pool with panoramic city views. Direct access to the Hangzhou Centre shopping mall and the Wulin Square metro station makes it an ideal base for guests who want both luxury and convenience.
Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake
In gentle contrast, the West Lake property is an intimate garden sanctuary set within the UNESCO-listed West Lake Scenic Area. Designed by landscape architect Bill Bensley and inspired by Song Dynasty aesthetics, its 81 rooms, suites and villas unfold among reflecting ponds, stone bridges, pavilions and willow-lined lagoons, so West Lake feels like part of daily life rather than just a view. The culinary centrepiece is the Michelin-starred Jin Sha, led by Senior Executive Chinese Chef Wang Yong, which serves refined Hangzhounese, Shanghainese and Cantonese cuisine from seasonal local ingredients. Signature experiences include a sunrise breakfast cruise on a traditional wooden boat, a palace-inspired spa, and easy access to tea plantations, temples and Lingyin Temple nearby.
Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou
Four Seasons Hotel Suzhou is a true urban resort set on its own private 22-acre island on Jinji Lake. A dedicated bridge connects it to the city, yet it feels a world away. Inspired by Suzhou’s celebrated classical gardens, winding lakeside paths lead through landscaped courtyards to 119 rooms and suites and 11 independent villas with private courtyards. Dining is anchored by the Michelin-selected Jin Jing Ge, where Executive Chinese Chef Charles Zhang presents contemporary Su Bang cuisine, known for its delicacy, seasonality and natural sweetness. Guests can also enjoy Italian cuisine at Dolce Vita beside the infinity pool, lake-view afternoon tea at The Lounge and Bar, and island experiences such as sailing and horseback riding along the lake.
Four Seasons Hotel Beijing
Our journey concluded in the capital at Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, an elegant retreat in the Liangmaqiao district of Chaoyang, close to the embassy area and Sanlitun. The hotel is a true dining destination. Cai Yi Xuan holds a Michelin star for its refined Cantonese cuisine, while the Michelin-selected Italian restaurant Mio impresses with two open kitchens and an inviting atmosphere. The serene Tea Garden, inspired by a traditional Beijing courtyard and adorned with 384 stainless-steel butterflies, offers a peaceful escape. A full-service spa and indoor pool complete the stay, with the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and Beijing’s cultural treasures within easy reach.
These experiences have deepened our understanding of the exceptional standards, cultural richness and heartfelt hospitality that define Four Seasons. We look forward to sharing these insights with our discerning clients and creating unforgettable, bespoke journeys together.
