2 Dole Dr

Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

"Why book? Set against a backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains just 20 minutes outside of Malibu, the hotel is an oasis of tranquility with manicured gardens, cascading waterfalls, a dedicated wellness center, and the largest spa in the Four Seasons collection.Set the scene The proximity to downtown Los Angeles makes this the staycation of choice for stylish, stressed out Angelenos who come for a serious dose of pampering at the spa and to lounge by the pool in their Anemos swimwear and Outerknown board shorts. The vast amount of meeting space combined with the on-site Center for Health & Wellbeing has made the hotel the preferred retreat for some of the country’s most successful businesses. Execs hop from boardroom conferences to VO2 max tests, nutrition consultations, and lectures on work-life balance and mindfulness. The backstory David Murdock, the billionaire chairman of Dole Food Company, opened the hotel in 2006 alongside his wellness project, the California Health and Longevity Institute. As of 2022, the Institute exists as the Four Seasons Center for Health & Wellbeing and is the cornerstone of the hotel’s cutting-edge wellness programming. The hotel’s extensive meeting space includes a production studio where Oprah once filmed her shows.The rooms The 230 rooms and 39 suites were renovated in 2021 in a palette of coastal Cali blues and sandy neutrals with nature-inspired touches like botanical patterned headboards and subtle nods to Hollywood glamor, including brass-and-lacquered furnishings. All of the rooms feature Four Seasons’ legendary Simmons mattresses. Suites include temperature controlled mugs from local company, Ember. Request a room with views of the property’s cascading waterfalls.Food and drink Buzzy brasserie Coin & Candor has become a neighborhood hangout thanks to its sexy bar and killer menu featuring house-milled bread (the pretzel bread is addictive), wood-fire grilled steaks, and seasonal veggie dishes like heirloom beets with labneh and figs. Most ingredients are sourced from within a 20-mile radius and many are grown in the hotel’s on-site gardens. Onyx serves some of the area’s best sushi and sashimi and speakeasy-inspired Prosperous Penny is the local late-night watering hole with a menu of creative and classic cocktails. If you’re an early riser rushing out to hit the surf or trails, Stir coffee bar has you covered with Stumptown coffee, fresh-pressed juices, and grab-and-go baked goods made by a French Laundry pastry alum. This spring, the hotel will debut a new poolside restaurant.The spa The wellness retreat capital of America has a new star. Home to more than 80,000 square feet of wellness space, including a newly renovated, 40,000 square foot spa, interactive test kitchen, indoor lap pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center, the Four Seasons Westlake Village embodies the future of wellness tourism. The largest spa in the Four Seasons collection, it boasts 28 treatment rooms, all with private terraces, including two cabana suites, and four spa suites with private patios and plunge pools, day beds, and whirlpool tubs. Treatments feature the most exclusive products, such as Parisian cold-pressed skincare line Biologique Recherche. It’s no surprise, many locals become members simply to camp out at the spa all weekend. A state-of-the-art gym is outfitted with Peloton bikes, Woodway treadmills, and Hoist and Keiser strength equipment, plus features a spin studio and classes ranging from functional fitness to yoga. And yes, those probably are pro athletes training in the corner.In 2022, the hotel debuted the Center for Health & Wellbeing, which provides both guests and non-guests access to the latest technologies and diagnostics as well as an impressive team of nearly 100 industry-leading experts including registered dietitians, clinical psychologists, brain scientists, exercise physiologists, energy healers, and mindfulness coaches. Day passes, bespoke experiences, and monthly retreats themed around performance, beauty, and sustainable weight loss tap into the Center’s expertise and the spa’s fabulous amenities and treatments. A four-day wellness retreat, for example, might include a sound bathing experience, alfresco yoga classes, an analysis of your VO2 Max and body composition, a personal training session, healthy cooking classes, off-site hikes, and a meeting with a life coach and nutritionist. The Center’s goal is to provide participants a road map to a healthier lifestyle back home rather than offer a quick fix with results that disappear within a week. The neighborhood/area Straddling the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Westlake Village was planned in the 1960s as a community that combined the best of urban and suburban living. Close to two major airports—Los Angeles International and Hollywood Burbank—it’s a convenient base for those who want to be close to L.A. (downtown is just an hour away) but sheltered from the city’s frenetic pace. And the proximity to the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains and surf of Malibu’s famed beaches make it easy to experience the Los Angeles region’s natural beauty.The service There’s a relaxed SoCal vibe to the service, but don’t think for a second that the staff aren’t taking note of your every preference. They remember the little details like how you take your coffee and whether you like lemon with your water. The concierge can provide insider access to the area’s best attractions, arranging everything from surf lessons to naturalist-guided hikes that end with a picnic lunch on the beach. They can also coordinate food and celebrity tours of L.A. and visits to some of Malibu’s top wineries. For families The hotel caters to kids of all ages with an activity room for little ones and a teen lounge equipped with foosball and pool tables. Families can bond over games of putt-putt, croquet, and corn hole on the outdoor activity lawn.Eco effort All food waste from the hotel is composted and kitchen oil is collected and donated to be converted into biodiesel and animal feed. The property’s 12 acres is irrigated with reclaimed water. Low-flow shower heads reduce water consumption and eco-engineered washing machines reduce water consumption from hotel linen by more than 75 percent. The hotel has replaced plastic water bottles with aluminum cans and has water dispensers located throughout the property. Anything left to mention? The sprawling grounds feel like your own private park, complete with cascading waterfalls, and meditation garden. For the ultimate nature bathing experience, book a massage in the property’s greenhouse. Don’t miss the mezzanine-level art gallery. A collaboration with Zany Studios the space showcases some of the region’s top contemporary pop artists including Mesplé, Freehand Profit, and RISK." - Jen Murphy