Experience the Laid-Back Luxury of California’s Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Name:
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Location:
Santa Monica, California
Photography:
Courtesy of Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Words:
Marissa Stempien

California offers its own special charm and allure. Maybe it’s the miles of postcard-worthy beaches or year-round perfect weather. It could be the glitz of Hollywood or the calm of the ocean, either way, it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. For those looking to spend their summer on SoCal’s warm shores, elevate your trip with a stay at Santa Monica’s first and only luxury lifestyle hotel, Santa Monica Proper Hotel.

Unwind in the kind of laid-back luxury that California is known for. And don’t forget your swim trunks or bikini—the hotel sits on Wilshire just a short walk from the beach. To bring the beauty of the outdoors in, the hotel replicates the seaside with ample natural light, ocean breezes, and an interior design that mimics the coastline with organic tones and textures. Guests will find their rooms outfitted with original designs by Kelly Wearstler, and furniture and signature Proper beds dressed with Bellino and Fili D’oro linens. All 271 guest rooms feature premium Wi-Fi, Apple TV and bedside controls to adjust blackout shades and in-room lighting. And curved floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies, and garden terraces drench you in that warm SoCal sun.

If you not partial to the salt and sand, take in stunning, unobstructed views of the Pacific while swimming in the hotel’s rooftop pool—the only rooftop pool deck on the Westside. Poolside, you can nosh on Mediterranean bites at the Balearic outdoor restaurant and bar, or just lay in the cabanas and take in the sun all day. (That’s what it’s there for!) Those looking for traditional Californian-fare (avocado included) will find it downstairs at the hotel’s signature restaurant Onda, a collaboration between James Beard award-winning chefs Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Cámara. Tastes here blend Californian and Mexican flavors, techniques, and ingredients in the open kitchen, at the bar, and on the table.

Looking for a little adventure? Santa Monica Proper offers bikes and boards for guests to take to the shore so you can practice catching (or crashing) a wave, or just ride along a beach path. Or try one of California’s favorite pastimes, yoga, on the second-floor terrace. Then after a day of sunning or surfing guests can relax in the hotel’s Surya Spa, which offers programs for mental, physical, and spiritual health, all inspired by Eastern wellness. Lead by internationally-renowned Ayurvedic guru Martha Soffer, it’s the best way to end a laid-back, sun-soaked day.