With the holidays and the gluttony that accompany them behind us, who isn’t ready to fire up their wellness routine? There’s no need to travel great distances and spend weeks away from home to get back on track. Recently, I booked the new Bonne Vie Wellness Package at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, which is designed to address your physical and mental well-being. The weekend includes a helipad yoga class, a massage and a guided meditation class, along with a cookbook written by New York Times bestselling author Kimberly Snyder.
Cast aside any notions of deprivation. The luxury factor starts from the moment the valet greets you by name and guides you into the reception area that’s popping with color, courtesy of vertiginous floral arrangements by Jeff Leatham, who previously served as the artistic director at the Hotel George V in Paris.
You’ll be ensconced on a dedicated wellness floor (the fourth, where the spa and pool are located), which exudes a classic Hollywood glamour. These specialized rooms have a virtual encyclopedia of wellness features.
Rooms here are stocked with yoga mats and free weights, while the suites also have Peloton stationery bikes, making it impossible to ignore your fitness goals. There’s an air purifier that reduces allergens. Rooms are cleaned with hypoallergenic products, along with a 21st century UV wand, said to neutralize bacteria and viruses. And, in the bathrooms, taps run purified water and shower are de-chlorinated.
Since sleep eludes me most nights, my favorite touch is a mini miracle called the Mood Box, a gadget that allows you to customize lighting in your room. Crave some sleep? (Ahem.) It casts an amber glow that won’t disrupt your melatonin levels. Come late afternoon and you need a punch of energy? A bright white light will suppress melatonin.
Down the hall you’ll discover the secluded pool where a team of inconspicuous attendants ensure you stay hydrated and are never more than a fingertip from a plush towel. Nearby is the elegant spa, where I booked the Surrender Massage, which goes beyond standard soothing kink-reduction to utilize Thai massage techniques that involve stretching limbs, aligning the body and opening hips.
Guided mediation sessions are led by Audrey Slade, a down-to-earth teacher who dispels any myths about meditation being woo-woo and weird. Groups are guided by mindful breathing techniques so they emerge refreshed and frazzle-free.
Helipad yoga sounds exciting, and it is. The hotel’s rooftop offers one of the best 360-degree views of downtown LA. A rotating roster of A-list yoga masters lead small groups in the open air in an invigorating class that bonds seasoned yogis with newbies.
Unlike other “healthy” weekends that frown upon meals, abundant food is a mainstay. For instance, a new plant-based menu has made major room service inroads, so guests can order body-supporting meals like quinoa bowls tossed with sweet potatoes and kale drizzled with a green tahini dressing, along with spring rolls made with antioxidant-rich kelp noodles.
At the coffee bar near the lobby, you can skip the caffeine and opt for cold-pressed juices that target health goals. For example, “Feel Cleansed,” made from beets, apple and ginger aids detox while “Glow Green,” a smoothie made with a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, is aimed at skin.
The Cabana Restaurant, a low-key spot tucked above the pool, is where to order a specialized healthy menu called Go! Well. I devoured a heaping farro salad tossed with mango, tomato and a hint of jalapeno topped with seared salmon, while my vegan friend claims the gluten-free poblano and portobello tacos that are studded with charred corn are LA’s best.
Let’s face it, unwinding should always be part of a healthcare regime, so don’t skip Windows Lounge, a celeb-magnet that offers some very good wines by the glass, along with stellar people watching. I encountered Al Pacino and Beverly D’Angelo while sipping a glass of Champagne, just as it should be when star gazing.
My stay at the Four Seasons Los Angeles was both relaxing and restorative, but the very best part of the Bonne Vie weekend was what I took home with me. I left well rested, centered and determined to prioritize my wellness. I have incorporated deep breathing into my daily routine, thanks to Audrey Slade, and I have mastered a mean artichoke spinach dip, thanks to Kimberly Snyder’s cookbook. Plus, I have a new goal: I’m saving up for my own Mood Box so I can replicate that magical good night’s sleep at home.