Lying just north of Los Angeles, Westlake Village is considered by many to be an upscale retreat just outside of the hubbub of the city. In fact quite a few celebrities have chosen to live here over the years, including Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson and Wayne Gretzky, to name a few. Calabasas, home to the Kardashians, is just a few exits down the 405 freeway. Close to all the action, but removed from the chaos, the area is perfectly situated a short drive from the beach in Malibu, about 30 minutes from Hollywood and only an hour south of Santa Barbara’s rolling hills and wineries.
Until the Four Seasons Westlake opened about ten years ago, there was little in the way of luxury accommodations. Since then, the property has solidified itself as the go-to destination in the area for weddings, getaways, large-scale events and more, which is why we made it a point on a recent visit to northern LA to visit the property.
Décor in the majority of the hotel is what one might consider classily opulent; the general areas are grand, and interesting pieces of antique furniture are sprinkled throughout. Accommodations are along the same vein, featuring dark wood finishes, periwinkle blues and poppy yellows, with bright brass hardware. While the room offered an HD television, I was surprised to find most of the channels were in fuzzy-looking standard definition. Outlets in the room (always an important tech feature these days) included a dual USB wall plug on side of the bed and an iPhone dock on the other. Rounding out the modern features, rooms are also equipped with one-touch “do not disturb” and “make up my room” buttons, always a nice upgrade from the now-outdated door sign.
Arguably the most important room elements, the bed was lavishly comfortable and the bathroom was beautiful and well-appointed with marble, granite, a flat panel television, L’Occitane products and a deep soaking tub. You also couldn’t beat the view from the rear-facing fifth floor room, as it overlooked the pristinely manicured garden, lawn and water feature; a landscape that seemingly melts away the busy freeway the resort is (rather conveniently) located close to.
Surprisingly, the mini bar was weighted—one of my personal pet peeves for a five star hotel—and offered a fairly bland selection. In-room offerings included the usual Pringles, sparkling water, soda and spirits. Peerless-branded coffee and a standard small coffee maker round out the options.
The highlight of the Four Seasons Westlake is by far the level of service offered by every single staff member. We were greeted with Champagne and truffles at check-in, and later crisp iced tea and green apples were on offer in the lobby. Everywhere a guest could look, there was a smiling face asking what they might need. This extends to the housekeeping staff as well who did a wonderful job of maintaining our room, despite the disarray it was left in.
One thing that could have been a stark inconvenience at this particular property (at least for AT&T customers) was the marked lack of cell signal, a fact that was quickly and pleasantly negated by complimentary Wi-Fi—something we just do not see often enough on luxury properties. Another fabulous amenity offered gratis is the spa. It is completely open to hotel guests, including the saunas, steam rooms, retreat areas and of course the adults-only Serenity Pool. The second of two pools on the property, the other being an indoor and kid-friendly respite, the Serenity Pool is where the real action happens. Guests can happily spend the day here sipping on fabulously refreshing smoothies, cocktails and a variety of snacks. Plus, you might even be treated to a complimentary foot massage or smoothie shot as the day wanes on. Even if you are not a guest at the hotel, I have to recommend spending at least one day here. Get a treatment or inquire about a day pass, you won't regret it.
There are several options for dining on-property, including ONYX, a modern Japanese restaurant offering a menu created by Chef Masa Shimakawa and a lively Jazz and Champagne brunch on Sunday mornings. For wine aficionados there is The Tasting Room where guests will find a wide selection of wines, including some from nearby Malibu Family Winery. If you happen to enjoy the varietals on offer at the hotel, the actual winery is just about 20 minutes away, nestled in the Malibu Canyon. Nearly finished, the latest addition to the resort will be Stir, a coffee bar and “grab-and-go” dining venue that will feature Portland-based Stumptown Coffee. The new bistro-esque space will also include indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a retail outlet. Of course the hotel also offers dining throughout the day in the Lobby Lounge and you can spend warm summer evenings at The Lookout, adjacent to the garden and peaceful waterfalls.
Between the spa, on-property dining choices and lovely grounds, if you are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway, you could probably be pretty content never leaving the Four Seasons Westlake. But this is Southern California after all, and if there is ever a place to get out into nature, this is it. While tinsel town and the Pacific Ocean are certainly must-dos, you’ll also find a wealth of nearby activities including hiking trails, wine tasting, bicycling, world-class golf and outdoor festivals happening all year long. Take surfing lessons, visit the Reagan Library or go whale-watching. And when you are all tuckered out, just head back to the Serenity Pool and score yourself a nice foot massage while sipping on a piña colada.
