Best rooms at Santa Monica Proper Hotel — ranked
Best overall: Premier Suite — it pairs the hotel’s largest windowed living area with direct access to rooftop programming and easy proximity to the elevators and rooftop elevator lobby. Best for wellness: Room (Performance Wellness) if you want in-room fitness equipment and a wellness-focused layout; Best for sleep-sensitive guests: Proper Sleep Room.
In this guide
- How I ranked the rooms
- 1 — Premier Suite (Best overall room)
- 2 — Suite (Sunset) (Best suite for views and entertaining)
- 3 — Room (Performance Wellness) (Best for in-room fitness)
- 4 — Proper Sleep Room (Best for light- and sleep-sensitive guests)
- 5 — Deluxe Room & Balcony/Terrace options (Best value and families)
- 6 — Booking tips and practical advice
How I ranked the rooms
I ranked rooms by a mix of size/layout (suites and corner rooms rank higher), direct wellness features (in-room equipment or spa adjacency), and access to hotel amenities such as the rooftop pool and Calabra. I favored rooms that match common traveler priorities for Santa Monica: ocean views, outdoor space, and wellness features.
I used only facts from the hotel’s published room list and amenity pages. Where the hotel doesn’t publish square footage or exact view guarantees, I judged by room type (e.g., ‘Suite (Sunset)’ versus ‘Deluxe Room’) and on-site features that are explicitly called out.
- Size & layout — suites and premier rooms typically offer more living area.
- Wellness features — Room (Performance Wellness) and Proper Sleep Room include targeted features.
- Outdoor access — rooms labeled Balcony or Terrace grant private outdoor space when available.
- Proximity to rooftop — mid-to-upper floors put you closer to the rooftop pool and Calabra.
| Ranking factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Space & layout | More living area makes suites better for longer stays or small groups |
| Wellness features | In-room equipment or targeted sleep amenities help recovery and workouts |
| Outdoor access | Private balconies or terraces extend living space and can offer street or ocean views |
1 — Premier Suite (Best overall room)
Why: The Premier Suite gives the most conventional suite-style layout among the listed room types — a separate seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows and a bedroom with a king bed — making it the best all-around choice for travelers who want space and natural light.
Who it’s for: Couples or solo travelers who want a distinct living area for work or relaxation, and guests who value easy access to rooftop programming and dining without moving to a larger multi-room suite.
- Bed: 1 King Bed
- Layout: bedroom + separate seating/living area with large windows
- Best for: work/living balance, natural light, proximity to rooftop amenities
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Windows | Floor-to-ceiling in the seating area |
| Living area | Separate sofa and chairs for guests |
| Ideal guest | Couples or solo travelers who want extra space |
2 — Suite (Sunset) (Best suite for views and entertaining)
Why: Suite (Sunset) is identified on the hotel list as a distinct suite; the property’s materials show Sunset Suite layouts with semicircular headboards and a living room with large bay windows, suited for guests who prioritize expansive windowed views and a dedicated living zone.
Who it’s for: Travelers who plan to entertain in-room or want a more generous living area for family or friends; also useful for guests who want more dramatic window exposures near sunset time.
- Bed: 1 King Bed
- Layout: larger living area with bay/floor-to-ceiling windows
- Best for: small gatherings in-room, photo-friendly window views
| Reason to choose | What it delivers |
|---|---|
| Entertaining | Separate living room and seating zones |
| Window exposure | Large bay windows suited for sunset light |
| Ideal guest | Groups who want suite living and views |
3 — Room (Performance Wellness) (Best for in-room fitness)
Why: Room (Performance Wellness) is a dedicated wellness room type that includes in-room fitness equipment and a layout tailored to guests who want to maintain workouts without going to the gym. The hotel promotes a 24/7 fitness center as well, but this room gives private, in-room options.
Who it’s for: Active travelers, athletes, or anyone who prefers private workout time in the room rather than the public fitness center.
- Bed: 1 King Bed
- In-room gear: includes items such as a stationary bike or similar equipment (the hotel lists in-room fitness offerings for Performance Wellness rooms)
- Best for: guests who want private workouts or to supplement the on-site fitness center
| Wellness element | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| In-room equipment | Private workouts, no need to schedule gym time |
| Access to spa & Recovery Suite | Hotel has Surya Spa and a Recovery Suite for post-workout recovery (book separately) |
| Fitness center | 24/7 fitness center is still available for additional equipment |
4 — Proper Sleep Room (Best for light- and sleep-sensitive guests)
Why: Proper Sleep Room is designed specifically around sleep-focused features. The hotel markets Proper Sleep Rooms as rooms with layered sleep amenities intended to reduce disturbances and support rest.
Who it’s for: Travelers who are sensitive to noise or light, jet-lagged guests, or anyone prioritizing a better night’s rest. This room type pairs well with late check-in and quiet floor requests.
- Bed: 1 King Bed
- Sleep features: enhanced sleep amenities and accessories (hotel lists Proper Sleep Room as a special sleep-focused entry)
- Best for: jet-lagged guests or those with sleep concerns
| Sleep perk | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Sleep accessories | Rooms include specialized amenities to improve sleep |
| Noise/light control | Designed to minimize common in-room disturbances |
| Ideal guest | Travelers prioritizing rest and recovery |
5 — Deluxe Room & Balcony/Terrace options (Best value and families)
Why: Deluxe Room types (Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed; Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds; Deluxe Room, Balcony; Room, Terrace) provide the straightforward room layouts most travelers need. Two-queen Deluxe Rooms are the simplest option for families needing separate beds.
Who it’s for: Families (the 2 Queen configuration), shorter stays where suites aren’t necessary, and guests wanting a private outdoor balcony or terrace without moving into a suite.
- Family option: Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds
- Outdoor access: Deluxe Room, Balcony and Room, Terrace give private outdoor space when available
- Best for: families, shorter stays, guests who want a balance between cost and amenities
| Room type | Who it fits best |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room, 2 Queen Beds | Families or groups needing two beds |
| Deluxe Room, Balcony / Room, Terrace | Guests who want private outdoor space |
| Deluxe Room (Landmark) | Travelers who value the hotel’s restored 1920s landmark character |
6 — Booking tips and practical advice
Proximity & walkability: The hotel sits at 700 Wilshire Blvd (entrance on 7th St) and is about an 8-minute walk (0.4 miles) from Santa Monica State Beach and roughly a 6–10 minute walk to Third Street Promenade, so rooms facing west or upper floors may offer stronger light and partial ocean sightlines but the hotel does not guarantee specific views.
Check-in, policies & extras: Check-in begins at 4:00 pm and check-out is at 12:00 pm (noon). The minimum age to check in is 21; the guest must present a photo ID and credit card. Valet parking, Surya Spa treatments and rooftop pool access are separate fees and should be confirmed when booking.
- Pool: rooftop pool open 8am–sundown, pool seating for hotel guests only
- Pets: dogs allowed (max two per room, under 45 lbs) for a non-refundable fee per stay; cats are not accepted
- Wellness add-ons: Surya Spa and the Recovery Suite require separate reservations and fees
| Practical item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Want rooftop access | Book a room on an upper floor and check pool hours (8am–sundown) |
| Need parking | Confirm valet details on arrival; valet is provided for a daily fee |
| Require spa services | Reserve Surya Spa treatments in advance; spa hours are published on the hotel site |
