
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for travelers who want easy access to Santa Monica Beach, rooftop pool time, and a wellness-focused program.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star coastal luxury hotel with Kelly Wearstler interiors, a rooftop pool, and an emphasis on Ayurvedic wellness—good for travelers who want beach access and a wellness-forward stay. The West Hollywood EDITION is a stylish five-star lifestyle hotel on the Sunset Strip with a scene-driven downtown LA energy—readers who want nightlife, design, and hotel dining will compare it to Proper.
Updated · about 14 km apart

Best for travelers who want easy access to Santa Monica Beach, rooftop pool time, and a wellness-focused program.

Best for guests seeking a design-forward hotel at the heart of West Hollywood’s nightlife and restaurant scene.
When Santa Monica Proper Hotel wins: choose Proper if you want immediate proximity to the beach, the Westside’s only rooftop pool, strong on-site wellness (Surya Spa and Recovery Suite), and a quieter seaside neighborhood vibe.
When The West Hollywood EDITION wins: pick the EDITION for Sunset Strip energy, on-site nightlife and multiple bars, a central West Hollywood address for museums and clubs, and a lifestyle-hotel atmosphere that’s geared toward dining and social scenes.
Bottom line: both are five-star, design-forward Los Angeles hotels. If your priority is beach access and spa/wellness programming, Santa Monica Proper is the better fit; if you want to be in the middle of West Hollywood’s evening scene and enjoy more bar/lounge options on property, The West Hollywood EDITION is the choice.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | The West Hollywood EDITION |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Design-forward coastal luxury with wellness focus and calmer beachside atmosphere | Stylish lifestyle luxury with Sunset Strip energy and active nightlife focus |
| Location | Santa Monica, a short walk (≈8 minutes) to Santa Monica State Beach and the Pier | West Hollywood, on Sunset Strip near clubs, galleries, and Melrose |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites | 190 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience policy | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 (unaccompanied minors not allowed to register) | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 18 (property lists 18+), adults-only: false |
| Pools | Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool (guest access; 5,165 sq ft; 8am–sundown) | Outdoor pool on property (one pool listed) with poolside bar |
| Restaurants & bars | Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean–Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge) | Two restaurants including Ardor plus four bars/lounges and a poolside bar |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa (Ayurvedic flagship), Recovery Suite, 24-hour fitness, wellness classes | Full-service spa, sauna, 24-hour fitness center |
| Known for | Rooftop pool, Kelly Wearstler design, Ayurvedic Surya Spa | Sunset Strip location, scene-driven nightlife, EDITION lifestyle design |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive event venues (≈16,000 sq ft weddings; >24,000 sq ft meeting/event total) including Canela Ballroom and rooftop options | Conference space: 3,445 sq ft across 5 meeting rooms |
| Nearby attractions | Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, beach and bike path | Sunset Strip, Roxy Theatre, Melrose Ave, close to LACMA and Beverly/ Rodeo Drive by short drive |
Santa Monica Proper sits on Wilshire Blvd a short walk from the beach, promenade, and pier.
Choose Proper for beach access and a calmer Westside base.
The West Hollywood EDITION sits on Sunset Strip in the heart of West Hollywood.
Pick the EDITION if you want to be in the center of West Hollywood nightlife and dining.
Proper’s 262 rooms and suites combine a restored 1920s building with Kelly Wearstler interiors and wellness features.
Santa Monica Proper is larger and design- and wellness-focused, with more suite options.
The West Hollywood EDITION offers 190 guestrooms in a design-driven lifestyle format.
The EDITION is slightly smaller and tailored to lifestyle travelers seeking terraces and design touches.
Santa Monica Proper has two signature venues: Calabra on the rooftop and Palma in the lobby.
Proper’s food program centers on rooftop dining with ocean views and a lively lobby lounge.
The West Hollywood EDITION lists two restaurants (including Ardor) and multiple bars/lounges.
The EDITION provides more on-site bars and a nightlife-friendly dining setup.
Santa Monica Proper is notable for the Westside’s only rooftop pool and pool-deck dining.
Proper is the pick for guests prioritizing a rooftop pool and ocean-adjacent views.
The West Hollywood EDITION lists one outdoor pool with pool cabanas available (surcharge).
The EDITION provides a classic hotel pool experience but not beach access or a rooftop ocean view.
Santa Monica Proper emphasizes Ayurvedic spa services and recovery-oriented wellness.
Proper is best for guests focused on spa programs, recovery services, and fitness classes.
The West Hollywood EDITION balances a full-service spa with a pronounced social and nightlife presence.
If your priority is nightlife and social energy with spa options on hand, the EDITION fits that mix.

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

The West Hollywood EDITION — located on Sunset Strip with multiple on-site bars and easy access to clubs.

Santa Monica Proper — Surya Spa, Recovery Suite, signature Panchakarma programs and wellness classes.

The West Hollywood EDITION — lifestyle-oriented design, restaurants, and social programming on property.
Santa Monica Proper is closest to the beach—about an 8-minute walk to Santa Monica State Beach; The West Hollywood EDITION is an urban hotel on Sunset Strip with no beachfront access.
The West Hollywood EDITION has more on-site bars and lounges (four bars/lounges listed plus a poolside bar) and is in the middle of West Hollywood’s nightlife; Santa Monica Proper offers a rooftop restaurant and a lobby lounge but a quieter evening neighborhood.
Both welcome children. Santa Monica Proper explicitly markets family amenities (kids’ programs) though the hotel’s minimum check-in age is 21; The West Hollywood EDITION’s listing shows adultsOnly: false.
Santa Monica Proper highlights Surya Spa with Ayurvedic Panchakarma programs and a dedicated Recovery Suite, making it stronger for intensive wellness offerings.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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