
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for rooftop pool access, immersive Ayurvedic spa programs, and Kelly Wearstler–designed interiors.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star, design-forward hotel with 262 rooms, the Westside's only rooftop pool, and a full Ayurvedic spa—best for wellness-minded travelers and design-focused couples or families. Regent Santa Monica Beach is a five-star beachfront resort with about 167 rooms, on-site spa and beachfront dining—ideal if you want direct ocean access and traditional luxury by the pier.
Updated · about 0.4 miles (≈0.6 km) apart

Best for rooftop pool access, immersive Ayurvedic spa programs, and Kelly Wearstler–designed interiors.

Best for direct beach access, oceanfront rooms/suites, and a classic beachfront resort experience.
When Santa Monica Proper Hotel wins: pick Proper if you prioritize a design-forward property, an active wellness program (Surya Spa and Recovery Suite), a 24-hour fitness center and the city’s only rooftop pool with Calabra rooftop dining.
When Regent Santa Monica Beach wins: choose Regent if you want true beachfront rooms and suites, easy walk-out access to Santa Monica Beach and the Pier, and a more conventionally scaled luxury resort with many meeting rooms and oceanfront dining.
Bottom line: Proper is the choice for wellness, design and a rooftop-pool scene close to the promenade; Regent is the practical choice for travelers who want to be literally on the beach with oceanfront rooms and resort-style meeting/event capacity.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | Regent Santa Monica Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Design-forward luxury with wellness focus and rooftop social life | Traditional beachfront luxury and conference-ready resort |
| Location (to beach & pier) | About 0.4 miles (8-min walk) to Santa Monica State Beach; near Third Street Promenade | About a 4-minute walk to Santa Monica Beach and 6 minutes to the Pier |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites | 167 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages/policies | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 (must present ID/credit card) | All ages welcome (not adults-only); standard ID/credit-card check-in policies apply |
| Pools & pool access | Only rooftop pool on the Westside (open 8am–sundown) — hotel guests only | Outdoor pool, hot tub, and direct beach access nearby (beach loungers included in resort fee) |
| Restaurants & bars | Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean-Californian) and Palma lobby lounge | Orla by Michael Mina (beachfront American) plus 2 bars/lounges and poolside bar |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa (Ayurvedic specialty, Panchakarma programs, Recovery Suite) and 24/7 fitness | Full-service spa on site and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Meetings & events | Multiple event spaces including a 3,794-sq-ft ballroom and ~16,000–24,000 sq ft of wedding/meeting space | 15 meeting rooms and about 20,000 sq ft of conference space |
| Known for | Kelly Wearstler interiors, rooftop pool and Ayurvedic spa programs | Beachfront location, ocean-view dining, and large meeting capacity |
| Parking & fees | Valet parking (fee with in/out privileges); breakfast and valet may be surcharge | Valet parking (surcharge) and mandatory resort/destination fees including beach inclusions |
Santa Monica Proper sits at 700 Wilshire Blvd (entrance on 7th St), a short walk to the Third Street Promenade and an 8-minute walk to the beach.
Choose Proper for a central downtown location that’s a short walk to shopping and an easy stroll or ride to the beach.
Regent Santa Monica Beach sits on Ocean Avenue with direct beachfront access and is within a few minutes’ walk of the Pier.
Pick Regent if beachfront proximity and ocean views are your priority.
Proper offers 262 Kelly Wearstler–designed rooms and suites with wellness touches and several room types including landmark rooms and rooftop-facing suites.
Proper is for travelers who want designer rooms with wellness-focused features and varied room types.
Regent’s inventory lists many oceanfront and corner suites alongside mobility-accessible options and private-patio/terrace rooms.
Regent works well if you want a beachfront room or suite with outdoor private space and classic resort comforts.
Proper’s dining centers on Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean-Californian) and Palma in the lobby.
Proper is geared to guests seeking elevated Mediterranean-Californian rooftop dining and a lively lobby bar.
Regent’s Orla by Michael Mina is a beachfront American restaurant; the hotel also has a poolside bar and two lounges.
Regent is best when you want oceanfront meals and poolside resort dining steps from the sand.
Proper’s headline amenity is Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool (5,165 sq ft) reserved for hotel guests during posted hours.
Pick Proper for a high-elevation pool experience and rooftop dining rather than direct beach access.
Regent pairs an outdoor pool and hot tub with direct beach access and beach amenities included with the resort fee.
Regent is the better fit if having immediate beach access and beach amenities matters most.
Proper focuses on wellness with Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic programs, a Recovery Suite and a 24/7 fitness center offering classes.
Proper is the better pick for an immersive wellness stay and a strong in-house fitness program.
Regent offers a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness facilities and a more conventional resort-bar nightlife offering.
Regent matches travelers who want spa services plus classic resort evening options near the water.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel — the only rooftop pool on the Westside with rooftop dining at Calabra.

Regent Santa Monica Beach — steps from Santa Monica Beach and near the Pier with oceanfront rooms.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel — Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic treatments, Recovery Suite and fitness classes.

Regent Santa Monica Beach — about 20,000 sq ft of conference space and 15 meeting rooms.
Both are within easy walking distance; Regent is a slightly shorter walk (about 4–6 minutes) while Proper is roughly an 8–10 minute walk.
Regent Santa Monica Beach has direct beachfront access; Proper is a short walk (about 0.4 miles) to the beach.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel—Surya Spa, Recovery Suite, and extensive fitness offerings make it stronger for wellness-focused travelers.
No. Both properties welcome guests of all ages; Proper does require the guest checking in to be at least 21.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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