Four Seasons Westlake Village

If you’re looking for more of a retreat in the Los Angeles area and really want a resort vibe, look no further than Four Seasons at Westlake Village. It’s about a 40-minute drive to Beverly Hills down the canyon, so you are a bit removed from the action, but if that’s more your speed, then this is the hotel for you.

THE PROPERTY

I will say that when we arrived at the hotel, I was a bit underwhelmed by the outside. It looked more like a hotel you visit for a work retreat rather than a luxury resort, but once you start to explore a bit, you see its appeal. There is a grand entrance, and to your right you’ll find a cafe with gelato, smoothies, coffees, drinks and pastries that look amazing. This cafe also has a small menu of quick bites. To the left of the entrance is the check-in desk. The staff was very welcoming to the kids and gave them a passport that lets them solve different puzzles and go on adventure hunts around the property. When they are done, they can redeem prizes in the treasure chest. Honestly, they weren't that strict about the kids finishing the book. My oldest is a stickler and made sure to finish everything, but my youngest, in true youngest-child form, barely did anything, and she was still able to search the treasure chest for a prize. It was a cute activity, and the girls loved it. Straight through from the entrance is their restaurant with bar Coin & Candor, which also has outdoor seating overlooking a beautiful fountain on the property. I will say the property feels a bit older than other Four Seasons properties we have stayed at, but it is overall well-maintained.

There is a kids’ club downstairs with one room for younger children, stocked with toys and activities, and another for teens, with video games, a pool table, and foosball, among other things. Though I loved that they offered this, the amenities were a bit outdated, and, being in what you would consider a basement, they had no windows and gave off a dungeon vibe. My daughter, who LOVES any kids' rom like this and is normally overly excited, was a bit underwhelmed by it all. A little sprucing up and replacing broken toys would make a world of difference, especially for a luxury hotel. Overall, this didn't matter as much to the kids because when you're in California, who wants to be inside anyway?

The hotel has many outdoor amenities that make up for this, including a large outdoor pool with plenty of seating; The Cove, their outdoor restaurant by the pool; grass areas throughout with games for kids and adults alike; a green room; and a large garden. The pool area really gives you the resort feel, and even though it wasn’t as warm as we like when we visited, there were plenty of people swimming in the heated pool, and they also offer two large hot pools, which we took advantage of.

THE ROOM

We stayed in a Corner Studio Suite, and it was very spacious. It had a king-size bed and a pullout couch for the kids. Although usually we like to have a separate space from the kids, the room was large enough that having the pull-out couch next to the bed didn’t feel too crowded, and we all slept well (Seriously, Four Seasons’ beds and pillows are everything). I actually liked the decor with the pops of yellow, and the room felt open and airy. We had a large bathroom with a separate water closet, stand-up showers, and a separate tub. They set up a kids teepee in the room with stuffed animals that the girls loved playing with. The hotel is not that high up, only 6 floors, so you’re not going to get an epic view. If you want a view, opt for a room with a waterfall view.

THE POOL

The main appeal of this property is the pool and outdoor amenities. The pool is very large, with ample outdoor seating, and is surrounded by tall, lush palm trees. They have personnel who will set up a space for you with towels and water, and you can order drinks and food from them. Next to the pool is also The Cove, a restaurant offering a variety of foods and drinks. There are also two large hot pools that kids are allowed in, and it was nice to be able to use this as it was only in the 60’s (F) when we visited. It also helped that the actual pool was heated, so I imagine you can swim pretty much all year. Also around the pool are games for kids and adults, like a large connect four, ping pong, cornhole, and even bocce ball, which I have no idea what that is, but they got it.

I don’t know if it’s because we came during the off-season, but certain things were not up to the standard of a Four Seasons. We would normally see, for example, that the large Connect Four was broken when we tried to play with it, and only one side worked. For the price, I think one would expect little things like this to be replaced promptly, and it honestly did make it feel less like a luxury property. I never like to speak “ill” of anywhere, but I will always be honest about any experience I share. Overall, though, the pool area is nice, and I can see that, with nicer weather, this would be the perfect place to lounge around all day for the whole family.

THE FOOD

The hotel offers three restaurants on site: Coin & Candor, a California brasserie; Onyx Restaurant, a Japanese restaurant; and The Cove, which offers Mediterranean and American food.

At Coin & Candor, you will get a slightly elevated dining experience without it being pretentious. This is the more central restaurant in the hotel and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Though we only experienced their dinner. The fresh-baked sourdough bread is amazing and will have you coming back for more. They have a caviar and raw bar, plus an array of fresh dining options featuring local produce and herbs from their in-house greenhouse (which you can visit). They offer a kids' menu and colouring to keep them entertained. You also have the option to sit outside with a view of the greenspace and waterfall.

We opted for in-room dining for breakfast because we love a good room service, but the fees tacked on make it a little less worth it sometimes, almost doubling the price of the meal. So it all depends on how much your convenience is worth to you.

Also on site is Properous Penny, their speakeasy bar offering speciality drinks and live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as Stir, a coffee shop offering freshly brewed coffee, fresh juices, quick bites, and homemade pastries that look divine. You will not lack for food when staying here. You will have options for all times of day without leaving the hotel.

FOR THE KIDS

I know I mentioned the kid-friendly amenities throughout this article, but I wanted to give it its own little spiel because the hotel deserves an A for effort. Though some of the facilities stand to be upgraded and updated, the fact that they have a playroom for both teens and young children, a large pool with pool toys, and a grass area with activities and games to play, mini golf, and nature walks around this 12-acre property, a passport scavenger hunt with prizes and a set up for kids in the room are all very noteworthy amenities and a parent’s dream on vacation. Not having to worry about how to entertain the kids always makes life easier.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

I expected the area to be more secluded, and although it is tucked in, it’s nice that civilisation is not far away. Across the way is a plaza with restaurants and shipping options, so if you need to run out and get something, it's not a hassle. You are in a very suburban area, so don’t expect the excitement and vibe of Los Angeles. It is much less lively, as Westlake Village is an area in LA where families come to settle outside of the city.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but it would not be our first choice when visiting Los Angeles, as it is a bit farther out, and at this price point, I would prefer a luxury hotel closer to the city. What I will say is that if you want the resort feel and don’t mind driving into the city while keeping your kids easily entertained, this is a great option. Many hotels in LA are not as kid-friendly, and the ones that are do not offer as much space or entertainment for kids as the Four Seasons at Westlake Village, so you do get the best of both worlds while staying here.

 See pricing and availability for Four Seasons Westlake Village HERE