Case Study : Four Seasons Hotels

Westlake Village, Calif. - Four Seasons Hotels sought out AFP as the sole-source provider to offer expertise in planning & design, as well as supplying state-of-the-art equipment and assessment tools to complete its vision of a one-of-a-kind experience.  AFP worked extensively with ownership, hotel management, and various architectural, design, and 3rd party consultants to insure congruency with the development’s myriad of overall objectives.  Upon opening, the property has received rave reviews and high praise as it has raised the bar even further for the Four Seasons brand of hotels.

Facility Description

In 2006, Four Seasons Hotels turned to AFP during the development of its illustrious Westlake Village property.  The project is further distinguished by Mr. David Murdoch’s establishment of the California Wellness Institute (CWI).  CWI is a full-service wellness and longevity center located within the Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village that caters to not only hotel guests, but also local residents intent on educating themselves towards the pursuit of a life of wellness. AFP’s design, supply expertise, and ongoing Fitness Facility Care & Support Program has helped provide a this functional environment capable of meeting the unique needs of the facility’s elite health professionals and state-of-the-art wellness and longevity methods they provide clients every day. The facility has remained remarkably congruent with the highly appointed and upscale characteristic of every Four Seasons facility.

Ownership- Castle & Cooke is a privately held company owned by chairman and CEO, David H. Murdock who controls the company’s diverse portfolio of businesses. Greatest assets include land holdings as well as, real estate developments and ownership, including resorts, residential communities and commercial properties. Castle & Cooke’s has over 150 years of success is the development of excusive communities and luxury resorts.

Project Summary

Among one of AFP’s most distinguished clients, the Four Seasons Hotel chain represents a luxury pillar in the hospitality industry.  In early 2006, AFP’s expertise was brought to bear during the development of the operators Westlake Village location in Southern California. The design and amenity scope of the development was designated to operate in ways that even the proven Four Seasons brand had not yet embarked upon.

Tucked into the Santa Monica foothills and outlined by giant sequoia trees, this exceptional 20-acre complex is an oasis from the bustle of Los Angeles proper just 20 miles south. Built to the highest standard of luxury, the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village covers more than 20 lush acres, with cascading waterfalls and pristine gardens leading you into the beginning of what is sure to be viewed as a new level in Hospitality Wellness.

Within the confines of this lush facility resides the California Wellbeing Institute (CWI). This state of the art fitness and wellness facility caters to hotel guests, from business travelers to wellness-focused vacationers and even local residents. CWI combines in-depth knowledge from its leading healthy living experts and preventive-care physicians and offers a full service health and fitness center.

Four Seasons sought out a sole-source provider to offer expertise in planning & design, as well as supplying state-of-the-art equipment and assessment tools to complete its vision of a one-of-a-kind experience in wellness. Most importantly, the facility had to cater to the unique fitness and health demands of its guests, many of whom were visiting CWI to educate themselves on ways to make wellness and longevity measures a part of their ongoing lifestyle.

AFP addressed every nuance of this unique project, from design solutions in theme with the upscale look and feel of the overall facility, to the latest in equipment addressing current fitness and wellness trends. Careful attention was put forth towards the facility’s entertainment offering, exercise diversification, functional design, and simple yet critical items such as facility hygiene and the guest’s sensory experience.

Equipment was selected carefully and strategically to accommodate a variety of training methods, including resistance training, cable-based training, core training, cardio-vascular exercise and even Pilates. Equipment from leading manufacturers including Precor USA, Stott Pilates, and Advantage Series custom accessories are featured throughout the facility. In addition, a movement studio was also developed to accommodate group exercise programming. All of these elements will receive ongoing attention from AFP’s Fitness Facility Care & Support Program.

AFP also provided comprehensive staff training, grand opening event support, and additional revenue generation opportunities through a variety of fitness products to be sold at the facility’s four gift stores and as part of the In-Room environment.

Results

AFP worked extensively with ownership, hotel management, and various architectural, design, and 3rd party consultants to insure congruency with the development’s myriad of overall objectives. The CWI project was completed on deadline and most importantly, reflected the specific vision and expectations of its visionary developer and the standards of the Four Seasons flag.

Upon opening, the property has received rave reviews and high praise as it has raised the bar even further for the Four Seasons brand of hotels.  AFP continues to support Castle & Cook’s diversified portfolio in the Private Club and Hospitality sectors, most notably via Sherwood Country Club, Manele Bay Resort, and the private residences of Mr. David Murdoch.  AFP also remains an ongoing supply partner for Four Seasons Hotels and is currently involved in supporting new and existing properties in their quest to develop exceptional guest experiences in fitness.

Key Stats

• Experience Series Treadmills and Ellipticals
• Integrated Personal Viewing Screens
• Extensive Strength and Free-Weight offering
• Functional Training Movement Studio
• Group Exercise Facility
• Ambient Entertainment systems
• Composite Sportweave(TM) flooring system for Strength & Cardiovascular Areas
• Bowflex(TM) Wood flooring for Group-X studio
• Core & Balance stretching area

Advantage Fitness Products has been instrumental in helping us launch several successful health clubs. Their expertise in equipment selection and optimum site layouts coupled with their ability to provide unparalleled pricing makes them the perfect one-stop shop for any health & fitness needs.

AFP has been a tremendous partner in the department’s focus on wellness. They have supplied over fifty of our stations with premium equipment meeting the stringing quality and functional requirements of our training programs. AFP is truly a class organization and a valued asset to our department.

We look to Advantage Fitness Products to not only supply fitness equipment to all our resorts, but keep us updated on new technology and assist us with design and equipment layout. As a result, our guests have come to expect the best from their fitness center experience.