
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for beach-adjacent stays, wellness programming, and rooftop pool time.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star coastal luxury hotel in Santa Monica with a strong wellness focus, for travelers who want easy beach access and a rooftop pool. The Beverly Hills Hotel is an iconic five-star Beverly Hills grande dame, for travelers who want classic Hollywood glamour, legendary dining, and a full-service spa.
Updated

Best for beach-adjacent stays, wellness programming, and rooftop pool time.

Best for classic Beverly Hills prestige, historic atmosphere, and a long-standing luxury restaurant scene.
When Santa Monica Proper wins: Choose Proper if you prioritize proximity to the beach, a contemporary coastal design, a rooftop pool with ocean views, modern wellness offerings (Surya Spa, Recovery Suite), and easy access to Santa Monica attractions and bike paths.
When The Beverly Hills Hotel wins: Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel if you want a storied Hollywood address, traditional luxury service, the Polo Lounge dining experience, private bungalow-style rooms, and an on-property full-service spa within a landmark property in central Beverly Hills.
Bottom line: Both are five-star luxury hotels with full spas and strong food-and-drink programs. Pick Santa Monica Proper for a modern, wellness-forward coastal stay and rooftop pool access; pick The Beverly Hills Hotel for classic Hollywood glamour, historic rooms, and an iconic dining scene.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | The Beverly Hills Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary coastal luxury with wellness emphasis and Kelly Wearstler interiors | Iconic, old-Hollywood grande dame with a long luxury pedigree |
| Location | Short walk (about 8 minutes) to Santa Monica State Beach, Pier, Third Street Promenade | Located on Sunset Blvd in Beverly Hills, close to Rodeo Drive and the Sunset Strip |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites | 208 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Age policy | All ages welcome; guest checking in must be 21+ (min. age to register) | All ages welcome; hotel is family-friendly |
| Pools | Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool (open 8am–sundown; hotel guests only) | Outdoor pool and hot tub; pool cabanas available (surcharge) |
| Restaurants & bars | Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean‑Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge) | The Polo Lounge and additional food & bar outlets plus 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa (Ayurvedic specialist), Recovery Suite, 24-hour fitness, wellness classes | Full-service spa with massages, body treatments, facials, and 24-hour fitness |
| Known for | Rooftop pool deck, Ayurvedic Surya Spa, Kelly Wearstler design | Historic Palm Garden setting, Polo Lounge, celebrity heritage |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive: Canela Ballroom, Helios, & multiple terraces (16,000+ sq ft wedding-ready) | Multiple meeting rooms and 3 meeting spaces, ballroom, wedding services |
| Pet policy | Dogs allowed (up to two per room, each under 45 lbs) for a $100 non-refundable fee | Pet policy: Not published |
Santa Monica Proper sits on Wilshire Boulevard a short walk from Santa Monica Beach, the Pier, and Third Street Promenade.
Choose Proper if you want beach access, coastal cycling, and walkable Santa Monica attractions.
The Beverly Hills Hotel is located on Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills—central to Rodeo Drive and West Hollywood.
Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel for a central Beverly Hills location near shopping and entertainment.
Proper’s 262 rooms and suites combine a restored 1920s landmark with new construction and Kelly Wearstler interiors.
Choose Proper for modern, design-forward rooms and wellness-focused in-room features.
The Beverly Hills Hotel offers 208 individually decorated guestrooms, including suites and bungalow rooms.
Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel for classic-styled rooms, private bungalow options, and historic charm.
Santa Monica Proper’s dining centers on Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean‑Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge).
Choose Proper for contemporary Mediterranean-Californian rooftop dining with ocean views.
The Beverly Hills Hotel features The Polo Lounge, 24-hour room service, a poolside bar, and a coffee shop/cafe.
Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel for a historic dining scene and traditional American restaurant service.
Santa Monica Proper highlights the Westside’s only rooftop pool, open to hotel guests from 8am until sundown.
Choose Proper if a rooftop pool with ocean views and immediate beach access matter most.
The Beverly Hills Hotel offers a classic outdoor pool and a hot tub, with poolside cabanas available (surcharge).
Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel for a garden-style pool experience in a private hotel setting, not for beach access.
Santa Monica Proper emphasizes wellness with Surya Spa (Ayurvedic treatments), a Recovery Suite, and a 24/7 fitness center.
Choose Proper if structured wellness programs and a modern fitness facility are priorities.
The Beverly Hills Hotel provides a full-service spa and a 24-hour fitness center, alongside traditional hotel nightlife options.
Choose the Beverly Hills Hotel for a traditional spa experience paired with classic hotel nightlife and easy access to Westside entertainment.

Santa Monica Proper — an 8-minute walk to Santa Monica State Beach and near the Pier.

The Beverly Hills Hotel — an iconic Beverly Hills landmark with long-standing celebrity and hospitality history.

Santa Monica Proper — Surya Spa (Ayurvedic treatments), Recovery Suite, 24/7 fitness, and complimentary classes.

The Beverly Hills Hotel — The Polo Lounge and traditional, full-service luxury hospitality.
Santa Monica Proper is much closer — about an 8-minute walk (≈0.4 miles) to Santa Monica State Beach; The Beverly Hills Hotel is inland and requires a drive to reach the coast.
Yes. Santa Monica Proper has Surya Spa focused on Ayurvedic treatments and a Recovery Suite; The Beverly Hills Hotel offers a full-service spa with massages and facials.
Yes. Both properties welcome families. Santa Monica Proper requires the guest checking in to be 21+, while The Beverly Hills Hotel accepts children and is family-friendly.
Santa Monica Proper has the Westside’s only rooftop pool; The Beverly Hills Hotel has an outdoor garden pool and a hot tub but no rooftop pool.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·