Why The Four Seasons Is A Millennial's Dream Come True
For many, luxury can be intimidating and unattainable, but one luxury hotel brand is proof that investing in your temporary home away from home is well worth it. That hotel chain is The Four Seasons. Of course, a five-star rating, upper-level price point, and insane turndown service might not be for everyone—namely millennials—but as I experienced on my most recent stay at The Four Seasons Hong Kong, staying at The Four Seasons is a millennial’s dream come true, whether they know it already or not.
Yes, I’m here to say that The Four Seasons isn’t reserved exclusively for members of the 1%. They are, in fact, a perfect match for young creatives, rule breakers, industry disruptors, even influencers alike. From its stunning views of Victoria Harbor to the delicious food comas induced by its Michelin-starred restaurants, a stay at The Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong will make you want to kiss that just-booked boutique hotel goodbye in favor of a Four Seasons property—if not for the service itself, then perhaps for its parties.
Enter: The Four Seasons Pop Down
Described as a "global series of immersive events," the Pop Down acts as a one-of-a-kind event aimed to highlight the best each Four Seasons property has to offer: a motley crew of craftspeople comprised of chefs, mixologists, and hospitality. It's an experience that is unabashedly bold, sexy, and so much fucking fun. I was lucky enough to participate in the most recent Pop Down while in Hong Kong, the first held outside North America and during Art Basel Hong Kong, no less. The Four Seasons previously held Pop Downs at an abandoned schoolhouse in Philadelphia and even a $500-million yacht in Miami. Each invitation-only soiree is meant to showcase Four Seasons imagination that goes beyond the walls of a hotel. With unconventionality at its core, it was only natural for Hong Kong's to be held inside an empty retail space in the city's central district recreated to look like a pastel-hued Chinese bakery.
Upon arrival, guests were prompted to enter through a trompe l'oeil refrigerator door. Once inside, a fragrant flower wall made for the perfect photo backdrop before partygoers could indulge on international cuisines and experimental cocktails in between generous glasses of Dom Perignon.
Savory dishes like Chef Yan Tak’s baked fermented bean curd bun and Chef Marshall Allen Roth’s twice baked potato with beef tenderloin filled the space with an enticing, aromatic scent. Not to be outdone, Chris Ford ( the genius behind Kim Kardashian's viral and edible press boxes) was on site with a dessert titled "NUT-thing is as it seems," a gilded chocolate walnut we were instructed to crack in order to find another small dessert shaped like a chocolate mango-milk pudding truffle. As for drinks, Lorenzo Antinori (Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong) packed a tastebud punch with his Hong Kong Milk Fizz Vintage 2019—a blend of Diplomatico Planas rum, crystal lemon, spices, clarified milk, and champagne, while Keith Motsi's (Four Seasons Hotel Seoul) favored vodka as the main ingredient for his concoction, Pearl's Palate.
The most delicious portion of the evening, however, came thanks to the entertainment.
After days of being teased about a "surprise musical guest" out from the refrigerator door entrance, came none other than our Issue 4 Men's cover star Mark Ronson to play a riveting DJ set that electric dance waves throughout the crowd. The Grammy and Oscar winner played some of his greatest hits, like Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" and a dance remix of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's "Shallow" from A Star Is Born, before closing out with Dolly Parton's "Jolene," a request from someone in the audience. It was surreal, to say the least, in the best of ways. Perhaps that's where the allure of a Four Seasons Pop Down lies—in its ability to have guests feel like they are living in the moment, despite whipping out their phones at any given chance. Experiences like these are seminal in today's digital world.
While VIP guests reveled in exclusivity during the official Pop Down, the celebratory weekend marked an important step towards inclusivity thanks to a public activation that took place the next day. Chef Tak was on hand to debut two pastries (one sweet, the other savory) for onlookers to sample.
As I gathered myself to head back to the hotel for some late-night room service, I couldn’t help but remember all the smiles present on everyone’s faces in the room. As millennials, we've been taught to want the best of the best, but seldom get to actually experience it firsthand. Thankfully, there are entities like The Four Seasons that don't compromise. If only other hotels would do the same.
So where will The Four Seasons choose to host its next Pop Down? While the exact location has yet to be announced, rumors are swirling that a European city will host Four Seasons masters and its discerning clientele next. Location aside, there's a comfort in knowing that the event will be just as fabulous and awe-inspiring as its predecessors. Apologies in advance for the crazy FOMO.
See what you missed at the Hong Kong Pop down below.
