
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for wellness-focused stays, rooftop-sunset dining, and direct beach access within walking distance.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star, design-forward coastal hotel in Santa Monica with the city’s only rooftop pool and an Ayurvedic Surya Spa—good for wellness-minded travelers who want beach access and modern, locally focused dining. The Peninsula Beverly Hills is a classic, prestigious five‑star Beverly Hills property known for polished service, a full spa, and multiple dining rooms—appeals to travelers seeking traditional luxury and proximity to Rodeo Drive.
Updated · about 8.5 miles apart

Best for wellness-focused stays, rooftop-sunset dining, and direct beach access within walking distance.

Best for classic luxury service, multiple on-site restaurants, and meeting/event facilities in Beverly Hills.
When Santa Monica Proper wins: choose Proper if you want immediate access to Santa Monica Beach, a destination rooftop pool and Mediterranean–Californian rooftop dining, plus an on-site Ayurvedic spa and wellness programming. It’s the pick for guests who prioritize contemporary coastal design and active outdoor access.
When The Peninsula Beverly Hills wins: choose The Peninsula for a more traditional luxury hotel experience with a larger mix of restaurants, extensive meeting and event space, complimentary area shuttle service, and a long-standing reputation for polished, concierge-led service near Rodeo Drive.
Bottom line: both are five‑star hotels serving different needs—go with Santa Monica Proper for beach-proximate, wellness-forward, design-led stays; pick The Peninsula Beverly Hills for classic, full-service Beverly Hills luxury and more on-site dining and event options.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | The Peninsula Beverly Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Contemporary coastal design, wellness-first | Reserved, classic Beverly Hills luxury |
| Location | 0.4 miles (8-min walk) to Santa Monica State Beach; walkable to Pier and Third Street Promenade | In South of Wilshire Beverly Hills; ~0.5 mi to Rodeo Drive; not beachfront |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites | 195 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; minimum check‑in age 21 | All ages welcome; minimum check‑in age not published in supplier listing |
| Pools | Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool (open 8am–sundown; hotel guests only) | Outdoor pool and hot tub; pool cabanas (surcharge) and poolside bar |
| Restaurants & bars | 2 signature venues: Calabra (rooftop) and Palma (lobby lounge) | Four restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, 24‑hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa (Ayurvedic treatments, signature Abhyanga + Shirodhara), 24‑hour fitness, Recovery Suite | Full-service spa (massages, body treatments, facials), fitness facilities |
| Known for | Rooftop pool/deck, Ayurvedic spa, Kelly Wearstler interiors | Polished service, classic Beverly Hills address, event/meeting facilities |
| Event/meeting space | ~16,000–24,000 sq ft of event space including Canela Ballroom and rooftop venues | Conference center with ~14,004 sq ft and 5 meeting rooms |
| Transportation & shuttle | Valet parking (fee), accessible to Big Blue Bus and Metro E Line; EV charging available | Limo/town car service, airport shuttle (surcharge), complimentary area shuttle within 3 mi |
Santa Monica Proper sits on Wilshire Boulevard a short walk from the beach, Pier, and Third Street Promenade.
Choose Proper for beach proximity and pedestrian access to Santa Monica attractions.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills is located in South of Wilshire Beverly Hills, a short drive from Rodeo Drive and Westside attractions.
Pick The Peninsula for easy access to Rodeo Drive shopping and central Beverly Hills locations.
Proper offers 262 rooms and suites with wellness-focused design elements and a mix of landmark and new-construction spaces.
Good choice if you want design-forward rooms with explicit wellness features.
The Peninsula lists a wide range of room types from Deluxe to multiple Villa and Suite categories across 195 guestrooms.
Better if you want traditional luxury room choices and villa-style privacy options.
Santa Monica Proper centers dining around Palma (lobby lounge) and Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean–Californian), both focused on seasonal, locally influenced menus.
Ideal if you want rooftop ocean views and a compact, curated food program.
The Peninsula offers multiple restaurants and bars and full 24‑hour room service, suiting guests who expect a variety of on-site dining options.
Choose The Peninsula when you want several on-site dining rooms and 24‑hour room service.
Santa Monica Proper’s rooftop pool is a key draw: it’s the only rooftop pool on the Westside and is reserved for hotel guests during published hours.
Best if you want a rooftop pool experience plus immediate beach access.
The Peninsula has an outdoor pool and a hot tub with pool cabanas available (surcharge); it is not a beachfront hotel.
Better if you prefer a traditional ground‑level pool and private cabanas in a Beverly Hills setting.
Proper emphasizes wellness with Surya Spa, a Recovery Suite, 24‑hour fitness and regular complimentary classes.
If wellness programming and an integrated spa/fitness experience matter, Proper is focused on those needs.
The Peninsula provides a full-service spa and fitness facilities alongside a quieter, service-led evening environment.
Choose The Peninsula for classic spa services and concierge-led leisure planning.

Santa Monica Proper — an easy 8‑minute walk to Santa Monica State Beach and the Pier; rooftop pool and ocean‑view dining.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills — multiple restaurants, a long-standing reputation for polished service, and proximity to Rodeo Drive.

Santa Monica Proper — Surya Spa’s Ayurvedic programs, Recovery Suite and daily fitness classes make it a wellness pick.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills — roughly 14,004 sq ft of conference space and five meeting rooms plus extensive event services.
Santa Monica Proper is much closer—about a 0.4‑mile (≈8‑minute) walk to Santa Monica State Beach; The Peninsula is about 8.5 miles away.
Santa Monica Proper has the Westside’s only rooftop pool. The Peninsula has an outdoor ground‑level pool and a hot tub.
Santa Monica Proper emphasizes wellness with Surya Spa (Ayurvedic treatments), a Recovery Suite and 24‑hour fitness plus complimentary fitness classes.
Both properties welcome guests of all ages. Santa Monica Proper has family-friendly access to the beach and family‑friendly programming; The Peninsula’s supplier listing notes children stay free when using existing bedding.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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