10 Wellness Activities at the Four Seasons Westlake Village

Author: Jill Weinlein
Date of Trip: March 2015

Considered one of the wealthiest communities in the Greater Los Angeles Area, near the Ventura County, David H. Murdock bought a ranch out in Hidden Valley in the 90s. Later, he opened his Dole Company world headquarters building in May 1999.

Later, he founded the California Health and Longevity Institute inside the Four Seasons Westlake Village next to the Dole Headquarters. The hotel and Institute offer a holistic approach to healthy living. Renowned experts in Medicine, Nutrition, Fitness, Life Balance and Spa guide individuals and corporate clients to improve their quality of life and longevity.

Westlake Village is a vacation destination that offers 10 activities that will leave visitors relaxed, rejuvenated and rebalanced.

1. Stay at the Four Seasons Westlake Village

The formal and elegant hotel offers comfortable large rooms, an indoor and luxury outdoor adult pool. There are multiple dining options, full-service spa and access into the California Health and Longevity Institute.

2. Pool Time

Enjoy the adult only Serenity Pool for a swim or relax with a book under a shaded lounge chair. For an additional fee, rent one of the 10 poolside cabanas furnished with lounge chairs, a flat-screen television and a private bar. Amenities include games, personal music players, reading materials, fruit-infused water and mixed nuts. Cabanas are available for rental in half-day and full-day increments.

3. Take a Cooking Class

Join Paulette Lambert and her team for a hands-on & theater-style cooking class. Fresh farm-to-fork dishes that are local, healthy and sustainable are on the menu. A cooking demo will be followed by a communal dining experience filled with flavorful food and fun conversation.

4. Spa Time

Enjoy a lavish full-body massage to enhances the benefits of relaxation, reduce stress, improve circulation and stimulate the nervous system. Through California Health & Longevity Institute, Internationally renowned dermatologist Ronald Moy, MD, and his staff provide professional Dermatology Services are available offering Botox, microdermabrasion and more. Stop in for a treatment and then go back to your room to recover in the comfort and privacy.

5. Fine Dining

Executive Chef Jesse Hansen and his team serve healthy California field-to-table cuisine and host Chef Table multi course dinners paired with wine. There is a Japanese Restaurant serving dishes at ONYX embracing a variety of cuisine. Weekends feature an elaborate Sunday brunch in Hampton’s restaurant. Sip a specialty cocktail at the Bar.

6. Play Golf

While staying at the Hotel, enjoy exclusive access to Sherwood Lake Course, often known as “Bear’s Best.” The course features three sets of tees, tiered greens and a dramatic 65-yard hole with an island green. Nestled in scenic canyons,

There is also the public Westlake Golf Course built in 1967 by famed architect Ted Robinson. Located within a five minute drive, the course is tree lined and has lakes to challenge golfers. Westlake Golf Course allows a wide range of players. Westlake Golf Course is an easy course to walk for exercise or take carts for a day of leisure. It also has a driving range and small putting and chipping green area.

7. Stroll and boat around the lake

Westlake Village has a man-made 125 acre lake with 8 miles of shoreline. The public gather at The Landing to dine next to the lake and take short stroll to admire the million dollar homes, ducks and sailboats. Zin American Bistro offers boat rentals for private parties of two, four, six, or eight people. Dine on the boat and take it out for the rest of the evening around the lake.

Zin’s team will serve dinner from their dock so you can enjoy a meal on the water. They need at least 48 hours notice to prepare your arrival. Price varies based party size and meal choices.

8. Walk or Ride Your Bike Around the Lake

You can start at the Four Seasons Westlake Village and can get details at the concierge counter.

9. Stroll Through Gardens of the World

Ed and Lynn Hogan, founders of Pleasant Holidays, built a striking monument to commemorate the various cultures of the world. Living on the lake in Westlake Village, they wanted to give something back to the community where they conduct their highly successful business. The gardens shares with others their travel experiences and the beauty they have seen during their travels around the world.

The Japanese Garden: The delicate balance and harmony of Asian culture has been beautifully captured in this peaceful setting surrounding an authentic Japanese Pagoda. Set in the midst of a Koi pond, encircled by bamboo and bridges, the Japanese Pagoda is a wonderful place to pause and savor a tranquil moment. There is a French Garden & Water Feature, Mission Courtyard with colorful hand painted murals and a Spanish fountain grace the courtyard, surrounded by olive and citrus trees. The English Perennial & Rose Garden is an explosion of color with rose varieties of contrasting shapes and sizes burst into bloom seasonally. There is an Italian Garden and the Bandstand provides a stage for concerts and grassy amphitheater beyond. It’s a ten minute drive from the Four Seasons Westlake Village.

10. Shop

The nearby Westlake Promenade is a great place to shop, hang out, have dinner and see a movie. There are several restaurants including Paul Martin’s, Marmalade, Macaroni Grill, Farfalla, Pick-up Sticks, The Grill, Lemonade. There’s also a Barnes and Noble, Bristol Farms, Sports Authority, and many boutique stores.

After visiting Westlake Village, you may fall in love with the community and want to move there. The crime rate is low, the schools are excellent and the quality of life is high.