Just north of busy Los Angeles, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village in Westlake Village, California, positions itself as a wellness sanctuary.
The 11-acre property offers fitness classes, health-conscious dining and a full-service spa. There are even mental health-focused options like guided meditations, art therapy and sound bath meditations (which use percussion instruments to create relaxing sounds). Beaches and hiking trails are also nearby.
It’s a long drive from Los Angeles tourist spots, but if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat, that might be part of the appeal.
I visited in late September when the Four Seasons invited travel writers to tour the property and stay overnight. The resort covered the cost of my stay and add-on experiences.
Rooms at the resort tend to cost between $500 and $600 per night, which is more than double most hotels in the area. But the property also offers far more amenities than most.
For me, the highlights were the classes and wellness experiences I’d rarely pursue in my everyday life. Before bed, I relaxed with an hour-long sound bath meditation (typically $285 for a private session). The next morning, I set aside my keyboard for a calligraphy class ($245 per person). For travelers seeking something out of the ordinary, such experiences may be worth it.
Located 45 minutes from downtown Los Angeles — without traffic — the hotel isn’t for travelers seeking quick access to city attractions. My drive from Los Angeles International Airport took about 90 minutes because I landed during rush hour.
The property is located in what resembles a business park. It’s near the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, across the road from a Residence Inn (which is one of Marriott’s more affordable brands) and a Costco.
But you won’t see those budget brands from your room. Instead, the hotel overlooks expansive grounds, which include fountains, gardens and waterfalls.
I took a work call while wandering past the on-site waterfall, a refreshing break from my usual walk around the block. With multiple restaurants, fitness spaces, and classrooms, I never felt confined, despite not leaving the property.
The remote, self-contained location is kind of the point of this wellness-oriented property. With so many amenities, you really don’t need to leave. Here’s what stands out:
The pools
The hotel has three separate pool areas: the Serenity Pool, the Cove and an indoor pool.
The Serenity Pool is for adults only (the others are kid-friendly). The Cove is a massive, two-acre outdoor pool deck with lounge chairs, daybeds, hammocks, corn hole, bocce ball and hot tubs.
The Cove, which cost about $20 million to build, exudes a modern, Vegas-inspired style. At night, it lights up with tiki torches and a 40-foot-long outdoor fireplace.
The indoor pool sits across from the gym, and many guests use it for lap swimming. Even this pool gets sun, as the glass ceiling lets in natural light.
The spa
The hotel’s 28-treatment-room spa offers services including traditional massages and facials and a $500 treatment called the Lavender Milk and Honey Cocoon, where you’re covered in a blend of honey and warm lavender milk. The cheapest massages start at $240. For what it’s worth, that’s mostly on a par with what you’ll find at similar resorts in the area.
The spa also includes Rhythm & Hair, a salon offering blowouts, barbershop services and beauty treatments.
The gym
At 16,000 square feet, the gym is one of the best hotel gyms you’ll find. It’s well-equipped with machines, free weights and a full squat rack.
Yoga and spin studios host classes that are included with your stay, though personal training comes with an extra fee.
Other perks
There’s a long list of other amenities, including an arcade and complimentary rentals of Bluejay electric bicycles.
Classes, workshops and personal health consultations
The hotel heavily markets its expert-led experiences. Some examples are Wellness Kitchen cooking classes and a body composition analysis, as measured by the scanning device called a “bod pod.”
In September 2024, the hotel launched a partnership with Wanda Wen, founder and owner of the paper design studio Soolip, to host a lineup of artistic workshops inside the greenhouse.
Soolip classes (in areas like calligraphy and card-making) are not cheap. The least expensive option, a gift wrapping course, starts at $245. Among the most expensive? A $565 workshop where you’ll make your own fairy house.
Dining at Four Seasons Westlake Village
The hotel’s signature restaurant, Coin & Candor, emphasizes California’s farm-to-table movement. Dishes include American fare with cheeseburgers, pasta, salads and sandwiches. The cheeseburger, which features a Wagyu blend double patty, costs $29.
For a quicker breakfast just down the hall, Stir offers coffee, juice and light meals.
Onyx Restaurant serves sushi and sake.
Prosperous Penny is a late-night speakeasy-style bar.
The resort also offers poolside dining and room service.
The spacious rooms have an opulent aesthetic with rich fabrics and gold accents.
Rooms have a good number of outlets and USB ports. And while the lobby supplies complimentary coffee in the morning, you can also make a Nespresso using pods in your room (also complimentary).
The Ember mugs, which are heated to keep your drinks warm, are a nice touch to the in-room coffee bar.
My room came with a large marble bathroom, which had separate spaces for the shower, toilet, tub and sink area. The bath products were from luxury skincare company Natura Bissé.
Booking the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
There are a few ways to pay for your stay, so compare prices before booking. Booking options include:
Direct through the Four Seasons: When you book directly on the Four Seasons website, you can take advantage of exclusive offers. These vary by time of year but often include deals like a complimentary third night or up to 25% off if you reserve with a non-refundable prepayment.
For free breakfast aficionados, the hotel often offers a deal on its website for a daily breakfast credit worth up to $75.
The hotel also usually appears on American Express Travel, where it’s part of Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR). Cardholders who pay with The Platinum Card® from American Express can get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid bookings through Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.) AmEx cardholders who book through Fine Hotels + Resorts® are also eligible for space-available room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, a $100 property credit and late checkout. Terms apply.
Is the Four Seasons Westlake Village worth it?
For those seeking a peaceful escape — and locals looking to recharge — Four Seasons Westlake Village offers an array of amenities that can make the journey worthwhile.
Locals can also take advantage of its top amenities without necessarily staying overnight by way of those paid activities and classes, which are open to non-hotel guests, too. Admission to those activities often includes complimentary access to other hotel amenities like the Cove pool for the whole day.