The Four Seasons Hotel and adjoining California Health and Longevity Institute in Westlake Village have had a busy first year.

But have they met the expectations of owner David Murdock?

"Nothing ever meets my expectations. I want it to be there and perfect instantly," said Murdock, chief executive of Dole Food Co., with headquarters across the street.

The combination of a world-class luxury hotel and well-being and medical institute was Murdock's brainstorm, building on his healthy living ideals. The hotel and institute officially opened at the end of November 2006.

Murdock said he wanted something that would add to the community.

"We're certainly not profitable. I'm not afraid to say that," he said. But, then, it was a given that it wouldn't be profitable at first.

A main challenge is enticing people to build a vacation around a healthy lifestyle, time that could include a physical and DNA tests, learning to cook nutritious meals or relaxing in the spa. The beach is tough competition.

"People are more apt to jump in the ocean than to do high-definition testing of their body," Murdock said.

Some areas of the business are doing really well. People are visiting the spa and learning about nutrition and healthy living at the institute. Events in the hotel are booking up as well, such as weddings that take advantage of the ballroom and lush grounds.

The next step is to get a turn-in directly from Via Colinas to improve access.

One thing the California Health and Longevity Institute is focusing on is corporate and group business. That fits in with the trend of companies looking for ways to decrease healthcare costs and improve the health of their employees.

Some companies might use gimmicks like paying workers to lose weight, but such incentives aren't really a solution, said Alex Cuilty, general manager of the institute.

"Money can only do so much," she said. Employers who invest in getting employees healthy and extending their lives are making a big commitment with big returns, she said.

Employees want to stay and work for employers that make those kinds of commitments, she said.

"It's worth so much more than $50 off a gym membership," she said.

At the institute, companies can send their executives to participate in workshops, go on energy walks, learn about stress reduction, practice lifestyle changes or undergo physicals, using the results to guide nutrition and fitness programs. People learn how to take those things back to work, she said.

Cuilty said buzz is growing about the complex just off Highway 101.

"We feel, in 2008, we're going to make a huge impact changing people's lives on a corporate level and individual level," she said.

Some people in the community already are on board. The institute's "a-la-carte" services are drawing in locals for healthy cooking classes or fitness consultations.

Westlake Village Mayor Philippa Klessig goes to Onyx, the Asian-inspired restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel, with her daughter, and she has tried some of the spa services.

Though those involved with the project have been tight-lipped about how much it cost. However, building permits show the hotel, institute and spa ran at least $67 million, with an adjacent parking deck totaling an additional $14 million.

The city of Westlake Village saw some potentially large dollar signs coming out of the property.

The 10 percent hotel bed tax on the 270-room Four Seasons hotel is expected to generate from $500,000 to $750,000 a year for the city, roughly doubling income from bed taxes. Officials also anticipated the complex would spur redevelopment in Westlake Village.

Klessig said city officials are seeing the revenue come in, while the presence of the facility evokes pride in the community.

"We just love it here. It's fantastic," she said. "It is a wonderful asset for the community.

That was what Murdock had in mind.

"The future here is unlimited," he said. "Over time, we will attract people from all over the U.S."

On the Net:

www.fourseasons.com

www.chli.com