I've been to Four Seasons spas before, with mixed results. My memory of the facility at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale, Ariz., is closer to a dentist's office than a calm haven. But the Four Seasons in Westlake Village lives up to its promise as an oasis of serenity.

My personal bed was heated and dressed with the fine linens and firm mattress Four Seasons is famous for. The gently lit treatment room faced a garden scene outside, and soft ambient music set the scene for relaxation.

The spa treatment I chose, the Reveal Facial with the wrinkle-fighting antioxidant Idebenone, was as luxurious as the setting. After a series of cleansing and masking, my therapist Bridget gave me an extended hand massage and a thorough scalp and shoulder massage.

She answered lots of specific questions I had about my skin and gave me helpful recommendations without pushing me to purchase anything from the spa's expensive line of facial products, called True.

When I told her I usually "cleansed" my face with soap and water, she gave a little gasp, and said never to use soap, because it clogs pores and creates bumps.

After my treatment, Bridget took my elbow and guided me to the post-treatment lounge, where several other women were stretched out on rattan recliners. There was freshly squeezed passion fruit and grapefruit juice, dried apricots and nuts. The only sound was water dripping down the glass partition that separates the his and hers lounge areas.

I sat there for a very long time, watching the water fall down the glass, almost forgetting the heat and traffic of the 101 just half a mile away.

— Barbara Correa