This summer, Jumeirah invites families to create lifelong bonds across its global portfolio, with intimate experiences and opportunities to reconnect in spaces that cultivate unforgettable memories. Whether enjoying rooftop experiences below the Maldivian sky at Jumeirah Olhahali Island, reconnecting during family wellness programmes at Jumeirah Al Qasr, or creating cherished moments with Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah at Dubai Park’s and Resorts, Jumeirah is a gateway for families looking to cement lifelong bonds.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, just outside Los Angeles, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village isn’t just a luxurious getaway—it’s a haven for wellness enthusiasts like me. From the moment I arrived, I knew this retreat would be a transformative experience.
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village Health Retreat
Setting the Scene
The hotel, with views of the mountains and close to Malibu’s beaches, offers a perfect blend of tranquility and natural beauty. It’s a place where you can escape the city yet remain conveniently close to everything Southern California has to offer.
The Four Seasons brand is synonymous with luxury, comfort, and top-notch service, and my experience at Westlake Village certainly lived up to those expectations. Our retreat package included a spacious deluxe king room with a stunning waterfall view, setting the stage for a truly relaxing stay.
The hotel itself is a haven of amenities, featuring three pools, a 41,000-square-foot Asian-inspired spa—remarkably the largest in the Four Seasons collection—and a garden brimming with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Dining options are plentiful on-site, catering to a variety of tastes—whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or focused on healthy eating.
One of the retreat guests, who lives nearby, mentioned that she often visits just to grab a treat from Stir Coffee bar. After sampling their gluten-free blueberry muffins, I completely understand why.
At the heart of my stay was the Center for Health & Wellbeing, renowned for its comprehensive approach to wellness. From personalized nutrition consultations to fitness workshops, every aspect of the retreat was meticulously designed to rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit.
The Wellness Kitchen provided meals packed with fresh veggies and fruit—we even helped cook a feast our first night of the retreat. At first, I was skeptical about cooking at the retreat, but I do feel like this hands-on experience gave us the skills to maintain healthy eating habits long after we returned home.
The 4-day itinerary is tailored to each person’s specific goals. I chose the “Optimum Performance” focus, while the other choices were “Sustainable Weight Management” and “Spa & Beauty.”
Here’s an overview of some of the main electives (all of which were included in my package):
Nutrition Consultation: The center for Health and Wellbeing partners with Registered Dietitians who bring expertise and a passion for healthy eating. In addition to a group lesson the first day of our retreat, I also received a custom nutrition plan that addressed my specific medical concerns and lifestyle needs. I brought along copies of my recent blood work for the dietitian to review, ensuring her guidance took these things into consideration.
Fitness Consultation with Body Composition Assessment: I had a personalized consultation with an Exercise Physiologist. Together, we set fitness goals and designed a tailored program that included aerobic, strength, and flexibility training.
Fascia Stretch Therapy: This therapy is designed to improve circulation, relieve muscle fatigue, and correct postural imbalances, making it an excellent aid in recovery from physical activity. This was one of my favorite sessions of the retreat. I was able to work out some back and neck kinks that had been bothering me for months.
Cardio Respiratory Fitness Assessment (VO2 Max): The VO2 Max test, known as the gold standard in cardio respiratory fitness assessment, measures the amount of oxygen your body consumes during exercise. By analyzing this data alongside your heart rate, it precisely calculates your caloric burn at different training intensities. I also received personalized guidance on my target heart rate and how long to maintain it during workouts to ensure optimal heart health.
Guided Hiking: We went on two hikes led by experienced guides who took us to breathtaking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains, where we also enjoyed panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Spa Treatment: Our retreat included a one-hour massage, and we had full access to the spa facilities throughout our stay.
What truly sets this retreat apart is the personalized attention. Whether it was a one-on-one training session with a fitness expert or a tailored yoga class, every experience was crafted to meet my specific needs. The staff’s expertise and dedication to wellness were evident in every interaction, ensuring I felt supported throughout my journey.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to prioritize my health and well-being in such a luxurious setting. The retreat not only rejuvenated my body but also refreshed my mind, leaving me inspired to continue my wellness journey long after I returned home.
Prices for this 4-day retreat start at $4,300 for single occupancy and $7,600 for double occupancy, including tax. Considering all that’s included and the luxurious experience of staying at a Four Seasons hotel, it feels like a fair value.
If you’re looking for a shorter stay, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village also offers personalized wellness stays throughout the year. This package includes two nights of accommodations, three nutritious meals each day, a wellness amenity, access to all daily health and fitness classes, one wellness elective per night’s stay, and complimentary overnight parking. Prices start at $2,900 per person and you can book here.
Whether it’s a 2-night stay or one of their 4-day health retreats, Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is the ultimate destination. If you’re aiming to optimize performance, gain insights on how to improve longevity, narrow in on a personalized fitness routine, or simply relax and recharge, this oasis in Southern California offers everything you need for a transformative experience.
Plan Your Trip
After traveling consistently for over 15 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
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Let us book your trip! Looking for a Travel Advisor to help you plan your trip? Contact us here for more information!
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We are proud to offer the best service in the airport parking industry, and we won’t be beaten when it comes to price making sure we bring you the cheapest airport parking we can. We’ve spent more than 25 years perfecting our service and parked more than 7.5 million cars across the UK, which means you can feel safe and in good hands.
In the ever-changing post-Brexit world of travel, it may not come as a surprise that the date for the new visa rules remains vague. British citizens travelling to the EU have been holding their collective breath wondering when ETIAS (European Travel Authorization System visa waiver program), will arrive.
ETIAS has been on the agenda for years, so what is happening?
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is an entry requirement similar to the ESTA, the visa waiver authorisation, required for entry into the US for non-US nationals. Visa-exempt nationals can apply if they wish to travel to one of 30 European countries, including France, Spain, Greece and Italy.
What has changed?
Since Britain has been demoted to a third country, UK passport holders are limited to visiting Europe 90 days in every 180 days. All the time spent on trips to various countries in the EU will go towards the 90 days.
While part of the EU, Brits could travel to and from the EU with abandon, and pass through passport control with a wave of their British passport. Now the passport will be stamped, which is great for keeping a record of travels but a real pain when at the airport.
When will the ETIAS visa come into force?
The system has been delayed several times and the new date is likely to be mid-2025. There will be a period of grace and enforcement may not come into being until November 2025. The lack of clarity could mean holiday makers have to undergo a last-minute dash to get a visa. Border force guards are expected to be on hand to check passports, eligibility and authorisation.
However, the launch there will be a transitional period, meaning the earliest expected date could be November 2025.
How much is ETIAS?
ETIAs will cost €7. Applicants under the age of 18 and over 70 are exempt from the payment, as are family members of EU citizens or non-EU nationals who have the right to move freely throughout the European Union. However, all must still apply for authorisation.
