Four Seasons Hotel Austin is the Place to BEE This Spring

Four Seasons Hotel Austin has announced the arrival of 150,000 new guests who will reside in an elaborate custom apiary located on the Hotel’s back lawn. The three colonies of European Honeybees further support the Hotel’s sustainability initiatives and will provide un-bee-lievable opportunities and offerings for visitors to enjoy this spring.

Environment and Community

Four Seasons is committed to building upon a strong history of supporting communities and the environment through its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, Four Seasons For Good. One in every three bites of food depends on bees, and the bee population is rapidly declining due to natural and human factors. As such, the hives will play part in both providing a safe and stable home for the bees in addition to bringing awareness to the mighty creature and their importance in the food cycle.

The Hotel has partnered with Free Range Beehives and local beekeeper Two Hives Honey to maintain the hives and provide educational opportunities and experiences for guests.

Viva Abejas - Long Live the Bees

Viva Abejas Menu

Restaurant Ciclo will celebrate its partnership with Richard Sandoval Hospitality during the annual bee-centric “Viva Abejas” campaign that showcases the vital role of bees in our food cycle, available from March 25 through Earth Day on April 22, 2025. During this month-long offering guests can expect dishes such as duck tacos (drizzled in agave honey) and honey vanilla cheesecake that incorporate local bee pollen, honey, and other bee-dependent ingredients. Guests can get a direct taste of the story as oranges pollinated in a Yucatan grove by Chef Richard Sandoval’s bees are used in each of the featured Alma Finca Orange Liqueur cocktails.

Interactive Chef’s Dinner and Hive Tour

Guests and locals are invited to experience a communal Chef’s Dinner with Chef Richard Sandoval, featuring a honey-infused menu on March 26, 2025. The evening begins with a hive tour, followed by a tableside cooking demonstration and multi-course meal - where each dish highlights the rich flavours of Ciclo and its dedication to sustainability. Limited tickets are available via the restaurant’s OpenTable page.

Education and Philanthropy

In addition to a portion of proceeds benefiting The World Bee Project, the campaign aims to educate the next generation on how they can “bee the change” for a more sustainable future. To kick off the collaboration, the Hotel will welcome back local elementary students to get a first-hand look at sustainability (and bees) in action. They will tour the Hotel and kitchen with Four Seasons Hotel Austin Executive Chef Elmar Prambs, participate in a read-aloud of Chef Richard Sandoval’s first children’s book Viva Abejas, and enjoy a cooking class and bee education on the Hotel lawn. The Hotel has also partnered with the elementary school to provide a classroom set of books and continued sustainability curriculum complete with buzzing activities.

Guest Experiences

Private Hive Tour

Hotel guests will be able to view and enjoy the bees at work daily from multiple viewing sites on property.  For a closer look, guests can book a private hive tour where they will suit up with a local beekeeper for a hands-on experience complete with education on bee behaviour and biology, plus a tasting straight from the hive.

Honey-Infused Eats and Drinks

As the Hotel’s three colonies begin to produce honey, patrons can expect a sweet treat across various food and beverage menus in Ciclo and Live Oak. Afternoon sippers can raise a glass (and a pinky) to delicacies such as honey cream cheese tea sandwiches and whipped honey butter bites during the Hotel’s daily afternoon tea service, A-Tea-X. Additionally, guests can have an array of honey Margaritas delivered straight to their guest room with a push of a button via the On-Demand Margarita Cart.

Honey Aromatherapy Massage

The soothing power of nature takes shape with a gentle, yet deeply relaxing 80-minute honey rose–infused massage featuring a local honey butter to nourish the skin and promote relaxation, available daily in the Hotel’s spa through May 25, 2025. For those looking to take a bit of the buzz home, local honey and bee products such as candles, books, body scrubs, stuffed animals and more are available for purchase.

To learn more about the Hotel’s bee offerings and ongoing sustainability practices, visit the website.