Four Seasons Wellness Vacation Resort Opens in Los Angeles

I have seen the future and it is...wellness.

We all know that we should go in for an annual physical. But let's face it, it just isn't a fun thing to do (and that's being kind). There is a lot of waiting, poking and even a little humiliation thrown in. It is exactly the type of thing that is far too easy to put off. Plus the pay-off is more often that not less than enlightening. The doctor says we should lose a little weight and watch what we eat. But even with these qualifiers we know that we need it and who doesn't want to live a longer, healthier life? Therein lies the rub.

This conflict, the desire to be healthy but not wanting to endure the annual physical and the uncertainty that we'll really learn something is exactly why today's opening of new Four Seasons Wellness Resort and Wellbeing Center will almost certainly be a success.

The resort has figured out a way to offer life-changing, life-improving wellness vacations. The combination of a beautiful resort, a thorough medical evaluation and health advice, should be a winning formula with aging baby boomers who have increasing health concerns and the disposable income to throw at it.

The 20-acre resort that includes a 270-room Four Seasons Hotel and a 40,000-square-foot health spa. The spa is the posh and ultra modern California WellBeing Institute. As the name says, it is all about wellness. According to its founder (who has stated his own goal of living at least to 100),

"The health community focuses on people when they are already sick, this is about prevention."

Guests can sign up for a variety of wellness packages that involve one-on-one sessions from a staff of seven physicians who then recommend various tests based on family history and lifestyle.

The standard "longevity" package, which includes three days of tests, nutrition counseling and lifestyle advice, costs $2,800 — and that doesn't include the price of the hotel.

Working with scientists and clinicians involved in the latest breakthrough discoveries in preventive health science, the physicians have developed a unique medical protocol for their state-of-the-art executive physicals that personalize testing according to age, gender, and family history. Includes post-visit follow-ups and monitoring for one year.

[Also included is a] 360-Degree Signature Experience from California WellBeing Institute. A complete diagnostic examination with an eye for preventive measures that can be taken now to avoid disease in the future. This deluxe package includes LifeAdvisor sessions, workshops in Fitness, Nutrition, and Inner Living and ends with a relaxing spa treatment of your choice.

David H. Murdock, the billionaire chief executive of Dole Food Co. and the Castle & Cooke development company came up with the idea for the center. He had this to say about wellness:

"People know more about taking care of their cat or their car than taking care of their body," he said. "They order a hamburger and then make it a double hamburger and then add cheese, and they've just knocked two weeks off of their life."

Complete story at Los Angeles Times (may require registration).

Tags outside of LifeTwo: four seasons wellbeing