I've reported extensively on safe travel and avoided hotels for months, but the Four Seasons Westlake Village wooed me back with their commitment to safety — here's what it was like to stay there

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Alesandra Dubin/Business Insider

• Although I'm a travel writer, I've stayed away from hotels for the entirety of the pandemic thus far, opting for a private Airbnb as my only prior summer getaway.
• However, for my 10th wedding anniversary, I needed a dose of pampering that only a hotel could provide — but it had to be driveable from our home in LA and feel fully safe.
• I chose the Four Seasons Westlake Village for its stringent and overt protocols for COVID-19 cleanliness and distancing.
• Rooms start at $395 per night for a spacious Deluxe Room. Here's what it was like to stay here.
• Read more: Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.

My 10th wedding anniversary was this summer, and my husband and I long envisioned a trip to French Polynesia, where we honeymooned, to celebrate. Of course, we hadn't factored in a global pandemic, which quickly dashed those far-flung vacation plans.

During COVID-19, my husband and I held ourselves to conservative standards of behavior. The only time we left our home in Los Angeles county since March was for a long weekend at an Airbnb in Palm Springs, where we didn't leave the vacation rental the whole time except for groceries, and made no stops along the way.

At that point, we considered local hotels to be off-limits. So, I assumed we'd be sitting at home dreaming of paradise while watching Moana for the umpteenth time with my kids.

But days before the occasion, I simply couldn't bear the thought. I decided to plan something with clear priorities and boundaries: I wanted to travel to a hotel that inspired serious confidence when it came to COVID protocols, that was driving distance from home, and would provide top-end luxury as a break from endless cooking, cleaning, and fetching stuff for my kids.

Santa Barbara looked promising, but five-star hotels there started well over $1,000 nightly. Instead, we chose the Four Seasons Westlake Village near Calabasas (popularly known as the place where the Kardashians own lots of real estate), with published rates beginning at about $395 for a standard room in low-season.

Under normal circumstances, this hotel has broad appeal and welcomes families, couples, girls' trips, and business travelers. It's also popular with locals for its spa, and the vibe is overall sophisticated, but accessible — not too stuffy, not out-of-reach pricey. During the pandemic, the crowd was similar, though there were visibly fewer patrons as the hotel enforced limited capacity.

While I was initially hesitant to stay in a large, traditional hotel, I quickly relaxed knowing we'd booked a Four Seasons hotel. I'm a deeply devoted fan of the brand and it has earned my trust around the world for consistency, luxury, and impeccable service. It was just what we needed for our first hotel stay, and I have a hunch we'll be back, pandemic or not. We ended up feeling so comfortable, that we added a second night to our stay, on the fly.

• The first impression
• The room
• On-site amenities
• What's nearby
• What others say
• What you need to know
• COVID-19 policies
• The bottom line

And, if you're wondering if travel is safe, be sure to read what experts told me about staying in hotels right now, and the added precautions you should take. It's also a good idea to read up about the cleaning policies being promoted by major hotel brands.

Finally, it's important to remember that without a vaccine, there is no firm guarantee with regard to safety. It's crucial to follow guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practice safety measures including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing. Additionally, consider your own level of risk, and whether you're traveling from or to a hotspot, so as not to increase the rate of infection.