• CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
    • FOOD & DRINKS
    • SUITCASE SERIES
    • WELLNESS
    • INTERVIEWS
  • STYLE
    • THE LUX LIST
    • BEAUTY
    • SPA GUIDE
    • Seasonal Gift Guides
  • LITTLE NOMADS
    • FAMILY TRAVEL
    • THE PARENTING EDIT
  • TRAVEL
    • HOTELS
    • HOTEL REVIEWS
    • RESORTS
    • VILLAS
  • Destinations
    • EUROPE
      • SPAIN
      • GREECE
      • ITALY
      • FRANCE
    • UNITED KINGDOM
      • LONDON
    • AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
    • NORTH AMERICA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
    • ASIA
      • BALI
      • SINGAPORE
      • THAILAND
    • AFRICA
  • ESPAÑA
    • DESTINOS
      • ANDALUCIA
      • COSTA BRAVA
      • COSTA DEL SOL
      • IBIZA
      • MADRID
      • MALLORCA
    • LIFESTYLE
      • BELLEZA
      • BIENESTAR
      • GASTRONOMÍA
      • MODA
      • VIAJES
      • SHOPPING
Living Well, At Home And Away
Living Well, At Home And Away
HOTELS NORTH AMERICA RESORTS TRAVEL

HOTEL OPENING: California dreaming at Santa Monica Proper Hotel

LUX NOMADE.
June 8, 2019
4 Mins read
Last updated on July 27, 2024
014-DS-ProperSantaMonica

Opening this month, Santa Monica Proper Hotel emerges as an architectural wonder just seven blocks from the crashing waves of the ocean.

Following the success of San Francisco Proper Hotel, the evolution of Proper continues amid the sun-drenched boulevards and sea breezes of L.A.’s cinematic Pacific coastline. The Santa Monica Proper Hotel opening evokes California dreams for many of our readers considering to start their own businesses in the Golden State. If you’re motivated to dive into the thriving Californian business scene, it’s crucial to understand how to start an llc in California. This information could smooth your journey to owning a successful company on the Pacific coast.

Opening June, Santa Monica Proper Hotel emerges as an architectural wonder just seven blocks from the crashing waves of the ocean, spanning two stylistically disparate buildings linked by an artfully crafted bridge. With interior design by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel is a lesson in restrained elegance—think nature-inspired palettes, light hardwood floors, and organic textures augmented by artworks from emerging local artists. The exquisitely pared-down aesthetics provide the stylish backdrop to the neighbourhood’s only indoor-outdoor rooftop playground, complete with pool, cabanas, restaurant and bar. Add in a restaurant serving innovative Californian- and Mexican-inspired cuisine devised by celebrated chefs Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Camara, and an expansive Ayurvedic spa, and you have the hottest hotel to hit Westside L.A. in decades.

Location

Located at 700 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica’s downtown core, the hotel is housed across two buildings that present contrasting styles; one is a 1928-built Spanish Colonial Revival landmark building and the other is a sleek, contemporary new-build. Linked by a suspended bridge, the resulting structure not only stands as a striking architectural standpoint in the neighbourhood but also optimizes the ocean breezes and abundant Californian sunlight. The rich Moorish detailing and Art Deco ornamentation of the older building has been conserved and updated, while the sweeping new build is monolithic in nature, creating a soothing palette for the multi-faceted design.

Interior Design

Santa Monica Proper’s interior design finds inspiration in the tones and textures of the neighbourhood’s famed Pacific coastline. A neutral colour palette is heightened by bold patterns and silhouettes, while organic, natural materials such as wood and stone provide an experiential element to the aesthetics. Supporting the hyper-local visual concept, the artwork has been sourced from emerging and established L.A.-based artists such as Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, and Tanya Aguiniga.

The hotel rooms

Ranging from 325 to 925 square feet, the design of the hotel’s 271 rooms and suites is playful yet placid, layering muted tones and tactile textures with striking geometric shapes. Informed by the kick-back L.A. lifestyle, the result is one of chic comfort defined by over-sized, statement headboards and an eclectic collection of vintage and modern furniture. Many guestrooms offer living spaces, while balconies and terraces invite guests to embrace the seemingly endless days of summer. The Garden Terrace King Suites offer the epitome of outdoor living with expansive terraces featuring an inviting daybed. The airy, flowing layout of the guestrooms extends to the bathrooms, accessed through a sliding door and outfitted in peach-toned stone. The obsidian-framed windows flood the space in natural daylight and brushed silver and gold accents add a touch of discreet elegance.

Mediterranean and Californian inspired cuisine

Santa Monica Proper’s crowning glory is the sweeping rooftop deck and pool, complete with a sleek pool, poolside cabanas, and a restaurant with beach-inspired bar. Located on the 7th floor, the rooftop is the perfect perch from which to take in the Westside’s spectacular sunsets, naturally accompanied by a meticulously crafted sundowner. Calabra, the rooftop’s striking inside/out bistro and bar, pairs ocean views with Mediterranean and Californian inspired cuisine by executive chef Kaleo Adams. However, if the rooftop is a sunseeker’s paradise, the ground floor is undoubtedly a gourmet’s mecca. Here, a unique collaborative restaurant concept from ground-breaking chefs Jessica Koslow (Sqirl) and Gabriela Camara (Contramar, Cala) is set to disrupt the local food scene. Onda restaurant represents an all-encompassing experience, where Mexican and Californian flavours, ingredients and techniques are celebrated not only in the open kitchen but also at the bar and tableside.

Wellness

Presided over by internationally renowned Ayurvedic guru Martha Soffer, the hotel’s Surya Spa offers custom-designed programs supporting physical and mental health. Traditional massage therapies and treatments sit alongside yoga, meditation, and cooking sessions to ensure corporal and spiritual wellness. A 2,500-square-foot gym will share Proper’s dedication to fitness and more than 24,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor meeting and event space including various meeting areas with capacity for up to 500 will make this Santa Monica’s most proper place for corporate and social gatherings.

Proper Hospitality designs, operates and brands high-end hospitality experiences under the Proper Hotels and Residences and Avalon Hotels brands. The Los Angeles-based company, led by Brad Korzen and Brian De Lowe, debuted their first Proper-branded hotel in San Francisco in 2017. Santa Monica Proper Hotel is the brand’s second venture and will be followed by properties in Downtown Los Angeles and Austin in the coming
months.

For more information and bookings www.designhotels.com/santa-monica-proper-hotel

Shares
Written by

LUX NOMADE.

Lux Nomade is a luxury travel magazine and go-to guide for female travellers who like to travel in style.
Previous Post

THE LUX LIST

Next Post

THE LUX LIST: this week’s top picks

You might also like
Abaca Villas Seminyak
ASIA BALI HOTELS TRAVEL

Abaca Villas Seminyak Review (2026): A Private Luxury Villa Retreat in Bali

4 Mins read
January 8, 2019

Abaca Villas Seminyak Review (2026): A Private Luxury Villa Retreat in Bali Editor’s Note Updated for 2026 This article has been fully revised to reflect the latest luxury travel trends, new hotel openings, destination updates and seasonal travel insights. For a comprehensive overview of the world’s most exceptional destinations, hotels and experiences, explore our Master …

Alila Diwa Goa Review
HOTEL REVIEWS HOTELS TRAVEL

Alila Diwa Goa Review (2026): A Luxury Wellness Escape in South Goa

5 Mins read
May 5, 2017

Alila Diwa Goa Review (2026): A Luxury Wellness Escape in South Goa Editor’s Note (Updated for 2026): This article has been fully updated for 2026 to reflect the latest luxury travel trends, new hotel openings, and seasonal guides. For a complete overview of the world’s best destinations, explore our Master Luxury Travel Guide 2026 covering …

Marbella Club
EUROPE HOTELS SPAIN

Marbella Club Review (2026): The Original Jet-Set Legend That Still Defines Marbella

5 Mins read
June 19, 2018

Marbella Club Review (2026): The Original Jet-Set Legend That Still Defines Marbella Editor’s Note (Updated for 2026): This article has been fully updated for 2026 to reflect the latest luxury travel trends, new hotel openings, and seasonal guides. For a complete overview of the world’s best destinations, explore our Master Luxury Travel Guide 2026 covering …

Madrid da la bienvenida a un nuevo icono del lujo. Madrid da la bienvenida a un nuevo icono del lujo. 
Este septiembre, Nobu Hotel Madrid abre sus puertas en pleno corazón de la capital, llevando por primera vez la inconfundible experiencia Nobu a Madrid. Con solo 50 habitaciones y suites, el primer restaurante Nobu de la ciudad, una espectacular terraza con vistas al skyline y un diseño que combina la elegancia japonesa con el carácter madrileño, promete convertirse en una de las aperturas hoteleras más esperadas de Europa en 2026.
Descubre todos los detalles en LuxNomade. 
#NobuHotelMadrid #Madrid #LuxuryTravel #LuxuryHotels #Spain #HotelOpening #NobuHotels #VisitMadrid #LuxNomade #LuxuryLifestyle
 
Madrid welcomes a new icon of luxury. 
This September, Nobu Hotel Madrid opens its doors in the heart of the Spanish capital, bringing the iconic Nobu experience to Madrid for the very first time. With just 50 rooms and suites, the city's first Nobu Restaurant, a rooftop terrace overlooking the skyline and interiors that blend Japanese minimalism with contemporary Spanish elegance, it's set to become one of Europe's most anticipated hotel openings of 2026.
Discover the full story now on LuxNomade. 
#NobuHotelMadrid #Madrid #LuxuryTravel #LuxuryHotels #Spain #HotelOpening #NobuHotels #EuropeTravel #LuxNomade #LuxuryLifestyle
Viajar con tu mejor amigo de cuatro patas nunca ha Viajar con tu mejor amigo de cuatro patas nunca ha sido tan lujoso. Desde Nueva York y Londres hasta los Alpes suizos y la Riviera Maya, descubre los mejores hoteles pet-friendly donde tanto tú como tu mascota disfrutaréis de una estancia de cinco estrellas.

Traveling with your four-legged best friend has never been more luxurious. From New York and London to the Swiss Alps and the Riviera Maya, discover the world's best pet-friendly hotels where both you and your furry companion can enjoy a five-star escape.
Mykonos más allá de los beach clubs. Desde hoteles Mykonos más allá de los beach clubs. Desde hoteles de lujo y playas escondidas hasta las mejores puestas de sol, tabernas auténticas y rincones que no te puedes perder, descubre nuestra guía definitiva para disfrutar de la isla griega con estilo.

Mykonos beyond the beach clubs. From luxury hotels and hidden beaches to unforgettable sunsets, authentic tavernas and must-visit spots, discover our ultimate guide to experiencing Greece's most glamorous island in style.
Dinner at Los Naranjos is a reminder that great ho Dinner at Los Naranjos is a reminder that great hotel restaurants don't need theatrics to leave a lasting impression. At Don Carlos Marbella, Mediterranean flavours, beautifully executed dishes and genuinely warm service come together in a setting that feels elegant yet wonderfully relaxed. From pristine bluefin tuna to perfectly grilled turbot and indulgent chocolate sablé, this is the kind of meal worth lingering over.
Read our full review of Los Naranjos at Don Carlos Marbella via the link in our bio.
Fiji in 2026 has matured beyond overwater bungalow Fiji in 2026 has matured beyond overwater bungalows and cocktail menus. Thirty-three hundred islands now define themselves through intentional stillness, conservation, and privacy that respects your intelligence. From COMO Laucala's temporary pause to Six Senses' new private residences, the landscape rewards those who understand true luxury lives in time and space. Whether you seek coral restoration experiences, adults-only sanctuaries, or multi-generational escapes, this guide maps the journey. Some legends rest briefly; others evolve permanently. Your turn to decide which path fits. #fiji #fijiislands🌴 #fijitravel
Sometimes luxury shows up quietly, without fanfare Sometimes luxury shows up quietly, without fanfare or a grand lobby to announce its presence. That is exactly how Finca Victoria arrived in Sa Riera—a restored estate where the pine-covered hills and Mediterranean set the tone before you even step inside.

Opened in 2025 after careful renovation of a historic property, it captures something rare on the Costa Brava: the feeling of having discovered a corner that hasn't yet lost its soul. Just thirty-eight rooms, all adults over fourteen, spread across what feels more like a private summer house than a resort determined to impress from the first moment. The central cloister anchors everything, with warm stone arches, ceramics, and Catalan tuff flooring that gives you a sense of place without leaning too hard on nostalgia.

The food alone tells you this was done with intention. AlKostat del Mar, led by chef Jordi Vilà, serves seasonal Catalan cooking rooted in local produce and fire. A rice dish can become the reason you're traveling somewhere new. Breakfast stretches from eight until eleven with made-to-order hot options alongside a carefully edited buffet—eggs Benedict with salmon, avocado toast, regional specialties like black butifarra with beans—that makes rushing feel unnecessary.

But what lingers is the room itself. In our Terrace Suite, nearly sixty square metres overlooked both sea and the rolling hills of Begur. The bathroom held both bathtub and rainfall shower. An outdoor shower faced sideways toward the horizon. These details don't shout; they settle into your memory slowly.

Spa appointments run through the Victoria Wellness Spa with water circuits, saunas, jacuzzis, and sensory treatments—all requiring advance booking, which somehow makes the peace even sweeter when you arrive. Morning yoga happens inside one of the suites, sunlight filling the space as you ground yourself into the day rather than race through it.

There is a complimentary shuttle to Begur village until late evening, and the beach is literally a short walk away. Private boat trips can be arranged for up to six people. Paddleboards, loungers, anything on the water the hotel can help coordinate through external partners. Yet even with
Follow on Instagram
2025 Lux Nomade All Rights Reserved
Living Well, At Home And Away
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ADVERTISE
  • LN Studio
  • CONTACT
  • Privacy
Living Well, At Home And Away
  • CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
    • FOOD & DRINKS
    • SUITCASE SERIES
    • WELLNESS
    • INTERVIEWS
  • STYLE
    • THE LUX LIST
    • BEAUTY
    • SPA GUIDE
    • Seasonal Gift Guides
  • LITTLE NOMADS
    • FAMILY TRAVEL
    • THE PARENTING EDIT
  • TRAVEL
    • HOTELS
    • HOTEL REVIEWS
    • RESORTS
    • VILLAS
  • Destinations
    • EUROPE
      • SPAIN
      • GREECE
      • ITALY
      • FRANCE
    • UNITED KINGDOM
      • LONDON
    • AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND
    • NORTH AMERICA
    • SOUTH AMERICA
    • ASIA
      • BALI
      • SINGAPORE
      • THAILAND
    • AFRICA
  • ESPAÑA
    • DESTINOS
      • ANDALUCIA
      • COSTA BRAVA
      • COSTA DEL SOL
      • IBIZA
      • MADRID
      • MALLORCA
    • LIFESTYLE
      • BELLEZA
      • BIENESTAR
      • GASTRONOMÍA
      • MODA
      • VIAJES
      • SHOPPING
I accept use of cookies