Celebrating 10 Years of Sustainability at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul: Green Key Recognition, “Flavor For Good” Lunch, and a Week of Green Innovation

Since opening in 2015, corporate social responsibility has been woven into daily operations at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. From electric transport to recycling programs, the hotel’s care and commitment were recognised on July 7, 2025 with a coveted Green Key certification—the leading standard for eco excellence within the hospitality industry. On Sunday, August 31, 2025, the five-star Gwanghwamun retreat will commemorate its 10th anniversary with a “Flavor For Good” charity lunch at OUL, while September sees onsite initiatives to mark Sustainability Week.

Green Key criteria are designed to evaluate a hotel’s overall environmental responsibility and sustainability. The consistently high standards at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul met key evaluation areas, including energy conservation, waste reduction, water efficiency, communication with guests, and staff education. Currently awarded to more than 4,400 hotels and tourism establishments in more than 65 countries, Green Key is an annually renewable certification, requiring ongoing operational improvements to maintain status.

Lunch for a Cause

The Hotel’s Flavor For Good six-course lunch event on August 31, 2025 not only celebrates a decade of ESG-driven innovation but reaffirms the hotel’s ongoing commitment to people and planet. Part of a regular charitable initiative between non-profit Korea Legacy Committee (KLC) and professional chefs, the lunch will raise money to support older people living alone in Korea.

Executive Sous Chef Jaeho Jeon will showcase his superlative skills across an inspired menu of modern seasonal Korean dishes, featuring refined plating and traditional liquor pairings. Famed for its cutting-edge mixology and gastronomy, the hotel’s hip hotspot OUL offers a chic backdrop to a lavish lunch experience. An exclusive 30 tickets, priced at KRW 200,000 per person—with all proceeds donated to support the elderly—will be available from the Korea Legacy Committee (KLC) website in August.

Sustainability Week

Following hot on the heels of the charity event, Sustainability Week from September 15 to 28, 2025 pioneers with further future-forward projects. These include a new sustainable snack menu and a zero-waste collaboration between kitchen and bar. Leftover Jeju apple mango peels from Maru’s ever-popular bingsu will become part of Shampagne – the signature cocktail at the hotel’s brand new H. Bar.

Alongside these events, Green Key-recognised initiatives from the past ten years at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul include:

Electric Vehicle House Car - Since June 2025, guests staying at the hotel can enjoy sustainability alongside luxury sightseeing with the hotel upgrading its house car to a fully electric BMW i7 e-Drive M60. EV charging stations are also available on-site for guest use.

Refillable Amenities and Single-Use Plastic Reduction - The hotel has replaced all single-use bathroom amenities with refillable and tamper-proof dispensers. In compliance with Korea’s Resource Recycling Act, single-use toiletry items are no longer provided in guest rooms.

Waste Reduction and Energy Efficiency - From removing plastic minibar items to implementing biodegradable take-out packaging, Four Seasons Seoul is committed to reducing waste. The hotel has also replaced plastic water bottles with locally-produced tetra packs and plastic key cards with wooden ones. Unused soap and amenities are donated to the Jongno-gu Welfare Center. An innovative ice storage system that cools rooms, motion sensor technology, and onsite rainwater harvesting add further layers of energy efficiency. A Lumitics machine tracks and reduces food waste in the hotel’s kitchens, an initiative that has led to lower food costs and a 17 percent reduction in food-related CO₂ emissions since 2023.

Sustainable Dining Options - The hotel highlights seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce in its menus, while offering a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options that are better for planet and people.

Staff Volunteer Club - Employees participate in volunteer activities in partnership with nonprofit organizations, including blood donation drives, and preparing and serving food in homeless shelters.

Local Outreach Events - Each year, the hotel invites children from a Jongno-gu orphanage for a special outreach event. A meal at The Market Kitchen is complemented by hands-on hotelier activities such as pastry-making and beverage crafting.

Pink Run 2025 - Every year, employees of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul join more than 5,000 participants at Peace Plaza in Sangam World Cup Park, running either 5 or 10 kilometres to help raise awareness of breast cancer. To encourage participation, the hotel sponsors the registration fees for all participating employees. Taking place on October 12, 2025, the Pink Run is organized by the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation.

All these initiatives are part of a wider vision across Four Seasons hotels and resorts worldwide. The brand’s Four Seasons for Good program is centred around two pillars: Planet (environmental impact) and People (social impact). Each pillar is supported by specific activities and objectives that focus on the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To be part of the tenth birthday charity lunch or try the Sustainability Week cocktail at H. Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, visit the Korea Legacy Committee website and the official website of Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.

For inquiries and reservations, contact +82-2-6388-5000.