
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for beach proximity, a large rooftop pool deck, and dedicated wellness (Ayurvedic spa + Recovery Suite).
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star, wellness-focused coastal hotel with the Westside’s only rooftop pool and an Ayurvedic spa—best for travelers who want beach access and on-site wellness. Sunset Tower Hotel is a historic, Art Deco Hollywood-glamour property on the Sunset Strip—best for travelers who want old-Hollywood style and a central West Hollywood location.
Updated · about 14 km apart

Best for beach proximity, a large rooftop pool deck, and dedicated wellness (Ayurvedic spa + Recovery Suite).

Best for old-Hollywood atmosphere, an Art Deco setting near nightlife on the Sunset Strip, and a smaller, intimate hotel experience.
When Santa Monica Proper wins: Choose Proper if you want direct access to Santa Monica beach, a large rooftop pool and restaurant, a full-service Ayurvedic spa program, and a modern wellness-focused stay with more rooms and larger event spaces.
When Sunset Tower wins: Pick Sunset Tower if you prioritize a compact, design-forward hotel with historic Hollywood character, a location steps from the Sunset Strip, and a smaller, more private-feeling property.
Bottom line: Proper is the pick for beachside wellness, resort-style amenities, and larger events; Sunset Tower is the pick for iconic Sunset Strip address and classic Hollywood ambiance.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | Sunset Tower Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary coastal luxury with wellness focus and modern interiors by Kelly Wearstler. | Historic Art Deco Hollywood-glamour on Sunset Boulevard. |
| Location | Santa Monica, steps from Third Street Promenade and ~0.4 miles from the beach. | West Hollywood on Sunset Strip, close to nightlife and Hollywood landmarks. |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites. | 81 guestrooms. |
| Audience / age policy | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 (must show photo ID and credit card). | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age published as 18 for assuming liability but property requires an adult 18+ to assume booking responsibility. |
| Pools | The Westside's only rooftop pool (5,165 SF); pool hours 8am–sundown; guest-only seating. | Outdoor pool on-site (property lists 1 outdoor pool). |
| Restaurants & bars | Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean–Californian) + Palma lobby lounge (all-day small plates & cocktails). | Tower Bar & Restaurant plus a bar/lounge and 24-hour room service. |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa (Ayurvedic flagship) with signature Panchakarma and Abhyanga + Recovery Suite (sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy). | Not published |
| Fitness | 24-hour, 2,500 sq ft fitness center with Peloton, Woodway, reformer Pilates and daily classes. | 24-hour fitness facilities listed. |
| Event space | Large: ~16,000–24,000 sq ft of flexible event/meeting space, including a 3,794 sq ft ballroom. | Banquet hall and meeting facilities are available (smaller footprint than Proper). |
| Showstopper | Rooftop pool + full Ayurvedic spa programming and large event spaces. | Historic Sunset Strip address and celebrity-era Art Deco interiors; fireplace in the lobby. |
Santa Monica Proper sits near the Third Street Promenade and is about an 8-minute walk (0.4 miles) to Santa Monica State Beach.
Choose Proper if beach access and walkable Santa Monica attractions matter most.
Sunset Tower Hotel sits on W Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, right on the Sunset Strip with nightlife and Hollywood points of interest nearby.
Choose Sunset Tower for a central West Hollywood location and proximity to Sunset Strip nightlife.
Proper offers 262 rooms and suites with Kelly Wearstler design and wellness-focused amenities.
Proper suits guests who want larger variety and design-driven, wellness-minded rooms.
Sunset Tower has 81 guestrooms in a smaller, historic Art Deco building.
Sunset Tower suits travelers seeking a compact, intimate hotel with period character.
Proper centers food and drink around Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean–Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge).
Proper is for guests who want rooftop dining with ocean views and health-focused menus.
Sunset Tower’s on-site dining centers on Tower Bar & Restaurant and a single bar/lounge.
Sunset Tower is for travelers who want a classic hotel bar and restaurant tied to a historic property.
Proper’s headline amenity is the rooftop pool deck—the only rooftop pool on the Westside.
Proper is focused on rooftop pool access and ocean-view dining.
Sunset Tower lists a single outdoor pool among its recreational amenities.
Sunset Tower offers a traditional outdoor pool as part of a compact, full-service hotel.
Proper emphasizes structured wellness via Surya Spa and the Recovery Suite plus fitness classes.
Proper is ideal for guests prioritizing in-depth spa programs and daily wellness classes.
Sunset Tower highlights a classic stay with on-site fitness and proximity to West Hollywood nightlife.
Sunset Tower is a better pick if you want quick access to nightlife and classic hotel service rather than an immersive spa program.

Santa Monica Proper—only rooftop pool on the Westside and a short walk to Santa Monica State Beach.

Sunset Tower—Art Deco, Sunset Strip address and a celebrity-era reputation.

Santa Monica Proper—Surya Spa, Panchakarma programs, Recovery Suite, and daily fitness classes.

Sunset Tower—81 rooms, a compact footprint and a quieter, classic-hotel scale.
Santa Monica Proper is closer to the beach (about an 8-minute walk) and offers rooftop pool and beach-bike access; Sunset Tower is inland on the Sunset Strip.
Sunset Tower is a historic Art Deco hotel associated with Hollywood glamour; Proper blends a restored 1920s landmark with contemporary interiors by Kelly Wearstler.
Both welcome families, but Santa Monica Proper explicitly markets family amenities and kids’ services; Proper’s minimum check-in age is 21 (unaccompanied minors can’t register), while Sunset Tower’s listing notes adult liability and standard policies for bookings.
Santa Monica Proper has a full Ayurvedic Surya Spa with multi-day Panchakarma options and a Recovery Suite; Sunset Tower’s listing does not publish a comparable spa program.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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