San Ysidro Ranch | Santa Barbara, CA

Nestled into the lush Montecito foothills near Santa Barbara, California, San Ysidro Ranch has provided a tranquil retreat for discriminating travelers for over a century. Legacy and myth linger in the fragrant gardens where Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Oliver exchanged vows and where John and Jackie Kennedy spent their first moments together as newlyweds. Leading the master planning and design efforts, Jim Hyatt was careful to incorporate historically accurate landscape elements and select plants that connect with the coastal sage plant community. Other plantings around the gathering areas, paths, and guest buildings were chosen to compliment the architecture and create delightful outdoor rooms.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills | Beverly Hills, CA

With one of Southern California’s most desirable addresses, the Peninsula Beverly Hills looks and feels like an exclusive private residence built in classic Renaissance style. The hotel is built around an inner garden courtyard which provides privacy for each of the garden suites, as well as being an internal focal point for the hotel. James Hyatt Studio has been involved with the design of the landscape and site work for The Peninsula Beverly Hills since its original construction. Aside from creating memorable landscapes and outdoor rooms, completing this 5-Star luxury hotel was a technical challenge, as all outdoor areas are on-structure. Even with this constraint, lush gardens surround the bungalow-style villa suites. Private patios and a roof garden terrace with swimming pool and cabanas offer spectacular views.

Umstead Hotel and Spa | Cary, NC

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is an award-winning luxury hotel in Cary, North Carolina that is surrounded by 12 acres of lush gardens, and woodlands, Amenities include a full-service spa with treatment rooms, men’s and women’s lounges, and a separate spa suite for up to six guests, making this a premier destination for weddings and executive retreats. As the lead designer, James Hyatt Studio defined the landscape with a series of outdoor rooms along the main terrace that overlooks the pool area and event lawn below. The lake’s impact is reinforced by a network of encompassing paths that lead the guests around the lake and across the wood bridge, offering views of the multiple fountains along the way.

Four Seasons Hualalai | Kailua-Kona, HI

The Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai is one of Hawaii’s most successful resorts and second home communities. The 42 residences include a mix of multi-family and single family homes, all with views to the ocean and the Tom Weiskopf designed golf course. The creation of a sense of privacy with a tropical garden atmosphere was essential to the design of the landscape around each building, while large landscape gestures were employed to fit the overall landscape into the relatively spartan lava landscape common to the property. A traditional Hawaiian approach blended with a Balinese style defined both the architecture and the landscape. A second phase was developed in 1999 that required detailed landscape architectural design for the project entry, primary roads, courtyards, clubhouse, beach house and golf course. Most recently, James Hyatt Studio completed work on the outdoor spa treatment hale and garden addition, the Beach Tree Restaurant renovation, and Four Seasons tsunami renovation in 2011.

Four Seasons Maui at Wailea | Maui, HI

James Hyatt Studio designed the Serenity Pool at the Four Seasons Maui to serve as a quiet alternative to the main pool area and the beach at the resort. The designated site for this pool was a long narrow hillside that offered a spectacular ocean view.  The final design took full advantage of the borrowed views by orienting the end of a long rectangular pool toward the ocean with a sweeping infinity edge.  One side of the rectangular pool offers water lounging alcoves between lush tropical plantings. The other side of the pool is lined with oversized cabanas with luxuriously detailed teak interiors.  A swim-up pool bar with underwater seating allows users to enjoy cocktails in the pool while taking in the view.

Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore | Santa Barbara, CA

The renovation of the Four Seasons Biltmore was commissioned under the exacting standard of the resort’s exemplary reputation. With its lush gardens, ocean overlooks, and recreational opportunities, the Biltmore was in need of a landscape that re-established its stature as one of the premier destinations on the West Coast. Jim Hyatt was engaged to produce a distinctive landscape master plan that would include a pool courtyard and a rose garden, enhancing the Biltmore’s open spaces in congruity with the resorts’ relaxed opulence. Some of the materials were already on site; several Kentia palms were moved to the pool courtyard, and embellished with locally-grown tree ferns. The Rose Garden palette was inspired by Impressionist paintings, with perennials such as French Lavender, Osmanthus, lemon-scented Geraniums, Wisteria, and Jasmine commingling with various rose species. Wall fountains and custom-designed benches are reminiscent of the historic Montecito estates in the area.

Four Seasons Troon North | Scottsdale, AZ

Located at the base of a rocky desert mountain, the Four Seasons Resort at Troon North steps down a gradual slope among Saguaro cacti and other indigenous plants, focusing on dramatic views of Pinnacle Peak and the Phoenix Valley beyond. The 38-acre complex offers both resort and timeshare units, along with a wide array of recreational amenities. The site plan and design for the new resort focuses on sensitive development within the rugged desert landscape, including protection and preservation of the unique plant material. All native and transplanted species were moved and preserved during construction and then moved back into the natural plant groupings found and documented on the site prior to development. An ambitious resort development program was balanced with strict requirements for preserved open space, resulting in a final master plan that features enhance siting of the residential casitas with a strong open space connection.

Avadina Hills | Phuket, Thailand

Nestled on the secluded western shore of Phuket and overlooking the dazzling Andaman, Avadina Hills by Anantara offers the most luxurious villas in Phuket for sale amidst the beauty of Thailand.

Situated in a prestigious neighborhood, 16 modern villas dot 40 acres of lush, forested hillsides above Layan Beach. Each boasts 180-degree ocean views from every vantage point. Clean lines and natural materials create a tranquil environment in harmony with the surroundings. Enter your sanctuary of unrivaled exclusivity.

The Four Seasons Grenada | Grenadine Islands

The Four Seasons Grenada will be one of the largest resorts of its kind in the world. James Hyatt Studio has been involved in the visioning, master plan refinement, architectural character development, and site design from the outset, including the Arrival Village, hotel core, hotel residences, spa, golf course, beach club, marina, and exclusive private residences on neighboring Hog Island. The master plan and placement of site elements takes advantage of the site’s topography, spectacular views, and the varied native landscape and protects ecologically sensitive areas. The master plan identifies a large area to be preserved as dove sanctuary for a rare and endangered species found only in the Grenadine Islands.