The Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village offers an unparalleled wellness escape in a blended setting of home comfort and 5-star indulgence.
The Four Seasons Hotel at Westlake Village is all about health, wellness and retreating from pressures of modern life. It is set in the pristine environment of the Santa Monica mountains, not too far from the Malibu beaches, but close enough to the heart of LA to get away for a night or weekend.
This hotel was probably the most impressive and luxurious hotel in which I have ever stayed.
This hotel was probably the most impressive and luxurious hotel in which I have ever stayed, with all the trimmings one would expect from a 5 Star establishment including opulent furnishings, stylish décor, ambient lighting and fantastic service.
We stayed in an enormous corner suite which possibly had more comforts than home! It was well-appointed with a private bar, coffee machine and electric curtains which opened into breathtaking views from the floor-to-ceiling views of the local mountains.
The rooms were adorned with lavish furnishings including mahogany furniture, polished boards, handmade rugs and grand chandeliers. The linen was plush linen and there was loads of space.
Our accommodation included two bathrooms, one of which was enormous and included a deep marble spa and satellite TV.
The reception at the Four Seasons Hotel is warm and accommodating, and instantly one feels relaxed and peaceful. The hotel throughout is quiet, spacious and extremely comfortable.
We were welcomed on arrival with a complimentary glass of champagne, fresh fruit and a “mini chocolate mountain on a plate” as described by my children.
We were welcomed on arrival with a complimentary glass of champagne, fresh fruit and a “mini chocolate mountain on a plate”.
There were two pools on the premises, one for adults only and the family pool area which was also deluxe with comfortable day beds, fluffy towels, a jacuzzi and poolside service for refreshments.
The hotel is family friendly, but also perfect for that much-needed adult escape time, to take advantage of the wellness programs on offer, which comprise retreats and individualised health services inclusive of the services of a team of doctors and health experts.
I recently explored Singapore with my children for the first time and found it to be such an easy, accessible and enjoyable place for families.
A five-hour direct flight from Perth, in the same time zone, and predominantly English speaking, makes it very convenient for a quick and stress-free getaway.
We flew with Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ budget carrier and, despite reading incriminating reviews, the experience was pleasant. Although our flight was delayed several times, they offered us a meal voucher for $30/head. The flight was comfortable and professional with lovely staff.
We spent five days in Singapore which was adequate to explore the city’s sights and tourist peaks. We didn’t shop as were on-route to Vietnam and only had carry-on luggage. Although, the quality and range of fine-quality clothing were plentiful, but not cheap and on par with Australian prices.
I loved the warm, tropical climate of Singapore, and was surprised by the omnipresence of green, lush vegetation in a bustling international city. It was extremely clean and pleasant to walk through.
The city is so easy to get around. Communication was stress-free, English speaking and services top-notch – from the taxi drivers, or Grab (the Asian Uber equivalent car service), to retail staff and in the hotels.
The Singaporeans and overall energy of the city were relaxed and welcoming; which was surprising given its high density and large population of 5.45 million over a mere 758 km2, compared with Perth’s 2 million people over 6.4 square kilometres.
It was apparent why Singapore Airport was voted the world’s best. It has several tropical gardens, including a butterfly garden, as well as a robotic train that commutes between terminals, and check-in was seamless. High-end shopping was plentiful and food options ranged from Burger King to Singaporean street food.
Pan Pacific Singapore
We stayed three nights at the Pan Pacific Singapore which was a very modern 5-star resort with excellent amenities, including multiple dining options, and a warm, large swimming pool. The hotel’s breakfast and dinner buffets at Edge offered variety and flavours beyond what I had experienced. The Pan Pacific has a fantastic location – within walking distance of the Esplanade and popular Marina Wharf. And the staff service was exceptional.
Gardens by the Bay
On our first day, we walked from the Pan Pacific hotel to the Gardens by the Bay, which was a lush sanctuary of 101 hectares in the heart of the city. Set on the banks of Marina Bay, there were many aspects to explore in among the diverse flora, including winding pathways, majestic tall trees, a children’s playground and a community vegetable patch. My kids enjoyed tinkering on the top-nick piano. I was surprised to see no vandalism or abuse of these free available services.
Gardens by the Bay
Adjacent to the Gardens by the Bay, was the exclusive and massive The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands – a mall of luxury brands such as Gucci, Versace, Tiffanys, Chanel and Prada. It featured a waterway, with boats traversing a seemingly endless array of shops. The futuristic architecture along the Esplanade was impressive, including standalone buildings for Apple and Louis Vuitton.
Shangri-La Singapore
We spent two delightful nights in the opulent Shangri-La Singapore’s Valley Wing, which, set close to the shopping and dining hub of Orchard Road, was a luxurious treat. Built in 1971, this was the world’s original Shangri-La, and maintained its olde-worlde charm and glamour. The personalised service created a very welcoming feeling. The décor, ambiance and sparkling feel of the exclusive wing was a special experience away from the hubbub of the city. This hotel is in the top five places I’ve stayed worldwide.
White Bengal tiger in Singapore ZooGolden-headed lion tamarin in River Wonders
We visited the famous Singapore Zoo. Set in a rainforest environment, the main zoo featured 4200 animals over 1 zones including Australasia, Africa, China and a Fragile Forest housing lemurs and sloths. We meandered along the flourishing trails admiring the vegetation as much as the animals. The kids were excited to see a Siberian tiger, a red panda, a chameleon and naked mole rats. The zoo also provided complimentary tram rides. Feeding sessions are on offer with animals such as giraffes and zebras, as well as animal shows with elephants in the presentation of Elephants of Asia and sea lions in the Splash Safari. There was also an Amazon River Quest boat ride featuring leopards in River Wonders.
The zoo had two additional parks – a SEA Aquarium showcasing 100,000 animals including sharks, manatees (Sea Cows) and giant otters, and the Night Safari featured nocturnal animals such as the Big Cats, owls and porcupines.
I was hospitalised in Singapore as a result of an unfortunate accident, so can attest to the exceptional medical standards. Communication was effortless, treatment immediate and hotel staff accompanied me to the medical centres to provide personal support, which was unnecessary as the medical teams were extraordinarily diligent.
Throughout Singapore, I only experienced respect, cleanliness, and a free flow of traffic and order.
