Santa Monica Proper Hotel: A perfect oasis to return to after exploring downtown LA

Santa Monica Proper Hotel: A perfect oasis to return to after exploring downtown LA

Travel Weekly’s editor at large recently enjoyed a stay at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a 267 room hotel positioned on sun-drenched Wilshire Boulevard within walking distance to the beach.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel rooftop view over the surrounding suburbs. (Supplied)

Built alongside a classic 1920’s landmark building which forms part of the complex, The Proper Santa Monica is unique blend of traditional and contemporary architecture.

Standing proudly against the iconic Los Angeles backdrop of clear blue skies, rows of palm trees and snow covered mountains framing the city, the hotel is set back from the ocean and the bustle of the famous Santa Monica Pier and boardwalk making it the perfect oasis to return to.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel. (Supplied)

Look And Feel On Arrival

Designed by the renowned American interior designer Kelly Wearstler who has collaborated with furniture makers, artists & ceramicists to achieve a stunning result.

Although large with 267 rooms and 8 floors when we entered the hotel we felt instantly drawn into the luxurious lobby & intimate lounge areas.

The interior details exude warmth, texture with a mix of different furniture pieces that blend seamlessly together to create multiple cosy living spaces.

A palette of textural, soft, neutral colours and lush fabrics interspersed with African inspired artefacts and oversized palm trees also add to the ambience.

Whether there for work, meeting friends for a drink or just reading in a quiet corner of the library there is a place for everyone.

Common area at The Santa Monica Proper Hotel. (Supplied)

Rooms

Again the palette is soft and textural with a mid century feel, beyond comfortable over sized beds with thick mattresses and crisp white bedlinen – lots of lovely well thought out details & materials to invite you into the space.

In essence we didn’t feel like we were staying in a large hotel, more like a lovely bedroom in a someone’s beautiful country home!

Most rooms have views over the Californian landscape with a light and airy feel which adds to the feeling of calm & serenity.

Premier King room. (Supplied)

Food

We dined at the Calabra rooftop on delicious Mediterranean inspired cuisine and as part of The Proper Hotel ethos of sustainability we enjoyed an array of organically grown & sourced dishes and wines to match.

Refreshments on show at The Santa Monica Proper Hotel. (Supplied)

Service

Staff members on hand to assist you or just say hello – they do love Australians and are always interested to hear that we travel so far!

The housekeeping was also second to none – friendly, smiling and our rooms were immaculately clean and tidy at the end of the day – again a small detail but an important one.

Overall experience.

Bar service at The Santa Monica Proper Hotel. (Supplied)

It was such a treat to stay at The Proper Santa Monica absorbing the visual feast of Kelly Wearstler’s sumptuous and clever interior – we definitely did not want to leave.

Latest News

  • Technology

Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand

Booking.com has announced its AI Trip Planner (Beta) is now available for travellers in Australia and New Zealand, the first markets to launch in Asia Pacific. Until now, AI Trip Planner was only available for US and UK travellers after it was launched in the Booking.com app in June last year. Built using Booking.com’s existing […]

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]