1/5

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Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Los Angeles • Santa Monica • SPLURGE

avg. $469 / night

Includes $25 / night in cash back

Cash back is redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out

Marriott Bonvoy® property

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Cash back

5% cash back on all completed stays (redeemable via Virtual Visa, Venmo, or bank transfer starting 24-48 hours after check-out)

Credit card points

Credit and debit card charges are processed directly by the hotel (i.e. not PressBeyond), meaning that any travel-specific credit card points or incentives that you normally get as a cardholder for direct hotel bookings are preserved

Hotel loyalty points

Points accrual and status eligibility with major hotel loyalty programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, and others

Free breakfast

Breakfast-included rate options available

Room upgrades

Complimentary room upgrades (subject to property availability)

Extend your stay

Early check-in and late check-out (subject to property availability)

Part of Design Hotels

Location

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At a glance

Kelly Wearstler's Santa Monica hotel features layered interiors inspired by a collector's home and rooftop ocean views.

Best for: Collectors and aesthetes visiting Los Angeles

Highlights:

  • Kelly Wearstler designed architecture and interiors from ground up
  • Lobby with iridescent tile columns, indoor palms, Moroccan rugs
  • Rooftop pool with unobstructed Pacific Ocean sightlines
Collected-eclecticwarm-layered

PB hotel design editorial

Kelly Wearstler's involvement with the Santa Monica Proper Hotel represented something of a homecoming — the designer's Southern California sensibility meeting a property whose stucco courtyard facades and palm-shaded interior volumes feel deeply rooted in their setting. Completed in 2021 within a purpose-built seven-storey structure on Fifth Street, the 271-room hotel gave Wearstler the rare opportunity to shape both the architectural language and the interior atmosphere from the ground up, in collaboration with the local firm Natoma Architects. The interiors carry the effect of a well-traveled collector's house rather than a composed hotel environment. Dark iridescent tile wraps the lobby columns while indoor palms rise through double-height volumes furnished with bamboo chairs, Moroccan rugs, and sculptural ceramic wall pieces. Guest rooms deploy Wearstler's signature layering of tone and texture — arc-form upholstered headboards in woven natural fiber dominate accent walls clad in grasscloth-style panels, paired with bleached oak floors, slatted wood bed benches, striped wing chairs, and wicker pendant lights whose warm glow anchors the room's sandy, dusk-lit palette. On the rooftop, a pool terrace edged with ornamental grasses and teak loungers frames a clear Pacific sightline, the ocean visible just beyond Santa Monica's low-rise skyline — an understated payoff to a building whose restraint at street level gives little away.

Travel notes

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About

Santa Monica Proper brings a more relaxed expression of luxury to the California coast, just moments from the beach in the heart of Santa Monica. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel features 262 rooms & suites, shaped by natural light and a palette inspired by the textures and tones of the nearby shoreline. The property is home to the only rooftop pool deck on the Westside, where Calabra serves Mediterranean and California-inspired cuisine alongside panoramic Pacific views, cabanas, and sunset cocktails. Downstairs, Palma offers an all-day dining experience rooted in seasonal California ingredients and a thoughtful, wellness-minded approach to cooking. Wellness is woven throughout the experience, from Ayurvedic treatments at Surya Spa to rooftop yoga, guided movement classes, cold plunges, infrared saunas, red light therapy, the Ammortal Chamber, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Amenities

Pool

Internet

Kids Activities

Suites

Room service

Free Internet

Wheelchair Access

Restaurant

Bar/Lounge

Pets Allowed

Santa Monica Proper Hotel Reviews

1,036 reviews

"Eric at the valet was super nice. Checkin was very smooth. At the price I paid for the room, I was hoping for more. The amenity provided in room is limited. And there’s only one pair of slipper. Room is small. We brought up some issues to the front desk such as not working outlet and safebox… the office manager had sent us an email to apologize which I appreciate their attention to this matter. The view from the room was ugly as it’s the view of parking lot and rooftop even with a balcony. The location is very close to all restaurants and shops. The gym is very nice with equipments I never seen before, but it’s a cramped space that fit in too many equipments. Just minor inconveniences but tolerable. We stayed for only a day and didn’t have time to rent the bike, otherwise i think it would be a lot of fun."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 12, 2026

"Santa Monica Proper delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. The design is truly one-of-a-kind, stylish, thoughtful, and unlike anything else in the area. The team was highly engaged and welcoming throughout our stay, making everything feel seamless. Food & Beverage offerings were world-class, and the wellness program provided the perfect opportunity to disconnect, reset, and fully enjoy our four days in LA. A standout stay, highly recommend."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 12, 2026

"Following our stay at the Santa Monica hotel, we identified multiple unauthorised and unexplained charges taken from our account. We fully understood and accepted the security deposit hold of $200 per night. At checkout, we were advised by reception that the account would be adjusted accordingly for the $295 in food and drink we had, that the remaining balance of approximately $305 based on 3 night stay, from the hold would be released within a few days. This did not happen. Instead, we have experienced a series of inconsistent and unexplained transactions, an increase to nearly $1,385 from $600 without authorisation, and a further charge of $1,090 just two days later, they then gave us a refund of $1,090, but we are still missing $1090. This lack of clarity and consistency is unacceptable. Despite repeated attempts to resolve this directly with the hotel via email and telephone, we have received no meaningful resolution. We have therefore been left with no choice but to formally dispute the charges through our bank. We hold full supporting documentation, including invoices, bank statements, and full written correspondence, which clearly evidences the discrepancies. While the hotel itself is modern, it has a great gym, and the food is of a fantastic standard, these positives are completely undermined by the handling of billing and lack of accountability in resolving the issue. There were also additional service concerns. On one evening, we were informed there was no seating available in the bar for us, as tables appeared to be allocated to non-residents, so we had to demand seating. In addition, at the rooftop bar we were told seating was only permitted if food was ordered, which seems odd as I’m sure there is a higher mark up with alcohol. Overall, the experience demonstrated a serious lack of transparency in billing and poor guest service resolution. I would not recommend this hotel until these issues are addressed"

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 10, 2026

"After checking out of the Santa Monica hotel, I was shocked to find two large unauthorised charges on my account. I expected the security deposit hold to be released once I received the final invoice ($295), but instead additional payments were taken. Despite multiple emails and phone calls to the hotel, I’ve made no progress resolving the issue and have now had to dispute the charges through my bank. The billing process at this hotel urgently needs reviewing. Taking unauthorised payments from guests is completely unacceptable and has caused a huge amount of stress and inconvenience. It wouldn’t surprise me if the hotel comments saying it’s sorted but i obviously have all the payments and invoices (which they were hesitant to give me!) to show this is incorrect."

A Tripadvisor traveler review

May 10, 2026

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