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Where to Weekend: LA’s Sexiest “Staycation” Is Not Where You’d Think

Sometimes it's not worth the effort it takes to get out of Los Angeles for the weekend. But what if you barely had to leave the city limits to completely rejuvenate, revitalize—even reconstruct?

The Valley: it’s not a place that screams “romance” or “resort.” It doesn’t necessarily jump out as a sexy retreat. But just west of the Kardashians’ Calabasas and just north of Leo DiCaprio’s Malibu is the supremely tony suburb of Westlake Village. Tucked away in its hills is the massive Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, home to a 40,000-square foot spa and wellness facility, the California Health & Longevity Institute. Though it sounds like an extension of a Scientology re-education camp, this enormity of a hotel compound is less Sea Org and more sanitarium. More than just a hotel and health club, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village functions as an amorous escapade dedicated to total-body rejuvenation (even insofar as reconstruction). Grab your partner and book a weekend stay–but don’t plan to leave the hotel.

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Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village
DAY1

The first day (and night) of a romantic getaway, you really shouldn’t even leave your room. Check in and head up to your room; don your terry cloth robes and slippers and get comfortable. Snuggle into the signature Four Seasons bed stacked high with down pillows, or go for a soak in the deep, marble bathtub (room for two).  A double-wide shower with a seat means you can luxuriate together in the bath amenities from Bulgari and L’Occitane. The in-suite parlor room offers romantic details like grand chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows (with sweeping views of the Santa Monica Mountains), more cozy seating (plenty of cushy places to rest), and a fully stocked private bar with all the aphrodisiac provisions—alcoholic bevs like Titos and Macallan and bottles of beer; bougie gourmet snacks from Torn Ranch like fresh cookies, dried fruits, and nuts; premium uppers like Red Bull and Starbucks—you could need, in case you don’t want to be interrupted. Otherwise, order up a bottle of locally-sourced California wine and a cheese platter with fruit and crackers, and turn on your favorite Bravo series to get you in the right mindset; when you get hungry or lubricious again later, late-night dining and cable’s finest adult entertainment are available.

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DAY2

Start your day downstairs, where the local farmers market comes to you. Saturdays and Sundays at the hotel feature freshly squeezed juices, locally grown produce, and interactive cooking stations for breakfast variations. Soak up the artisanal fixings, or fill up on the specialty caffeinated offerings of Stir Coffee Shop. Now that you’re revved and ready for the day, take it down a notch because you aren’t going anywhere: this is a staycation.

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Private Cabanas and Adults-Only Pool. Rachael Levitt

But just because you’re staying in doesn’t mean you aren’t indulging like a Real Housewife. At the hotel’s famed The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village you have seductive options that range from couples massages to energy healing. Rent a spa suite for a half (or full day) and get access to private amenities such as a plunge pool, relaxation room, fireplace, and massage tables. You’ve got plenty of options: some 30 face and body treatments and 12 types of massages, all with unique formulas and potions created specifically to scrub and smooth away the evils of everyday aging and get you glowing, smooth, and super touchable. Need something a little more corporeal and a little less spiritual to roll back the years? Dermatology treatments from botox to laser hair removal are available on-site, and that should go well with beauty indulgences like mani/pedis and hair styling.

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Private Couples Spa SessionsRachael Levitt Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Once you’re feeling blissed out, stop by the Bar or the Tasting Room, trendy lounge spaces with patio access, to sample unique local or festively themed offerings like a flight of bubbles featuring champagnes and sparkling wines to taste. Then, grab yourself a full pour—it’ll take off any possible edge that’s managed to hang on through your day of serenity. Head over to Onyx for your evening of Japanese sushi, sashimi, and specialty hand rolls. Share a variety of appetizer tastings (poke bowls, ahi tuna tartare) rolls, and hand cut pieces, or sides like fried rice or tempura. Indulge in the signature dish of Miso Black Cod, with miso eggplant, tofu, sesame spinach, and a soy drizzle.

Miso Black Cod. Westlake Village Four Seasons

Prepare to witness amorous displays—you clearly aren’t the only guests reconnecting this weekend. Split a bottle of sake and a bowl of sorbet or mochi while you watch couples make out from their respective booths. Of course, gluten-free, vegetarian, and specialty sustainable calorie range options are available, but you can’t hold the PDA. Order some dessert to go upstairs.

DAY3

You’ve established now that your body is a temple; why not now take the opportunity to get festive in your house of worship. Start with the holiest of all ceremonies: brunch. Bless yourself with champagne and prepare for the day of padding said temple with local, sustainable, delicious treats. Once you’re stuffed with nourishment, stroll the grounds–11 acres of gardens, including lush flower beds and hearty herb and vegetable plots–and bask in the Zen of the koi pond (with accompanying pagoda sitting area) or the waterfall. If you’re feeling adventurous, there is hiking and biking that can be arranged through nearby State Parks and canyons, but the grounds are beautifully manicured and replete with mountain vista views.

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The vast, manicured grounds. Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Every other Sunday, catch a cooking class offered in the greenhouse. The grounds are your grocery store, with homegrown organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables (including a variety of stone fruit trees, radishes, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and beans) utilized in Spanish Executive Chef Jose Fernandez’s culinary vision for the hotel and its dining experiences. Or if you aren’t ready for more eating, stretch out in a yoga or Pilates class, or work your inner energy with a chakra balancing, Reiki, reflexology, acupuncture, acupressure, energy healing and medical hypnotherapy. Fully limbered and blissed-out, you’ll climb into your car and head back over the mountains on an easy Sunday evening drive—back at home in 20 minutes with the rest of the night to keep enjoying each other.

WHERE TO STAY

The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is a totally unique lodging experience in that it offers so much more than spa services. Its California Health & Longevity Institute allows for couples to do more than relax—they can reconnect. With everything from classes to massages to the adults-only pool and privately arranged excursions and drinks and meals made from literally the finest ingredients around, there’s nothing to do but enjoy your time and each other.

WHEN TO GO

Weekends are always best when they’re long. Take off Friday and tack on a Monday if you’re feeling the need to really linger in lazy, sexy love.

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