Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Coastal Elegance Reimagined
Where History Meets Horizon
Steps from the Pacific, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel anchors the city’s west side with a bold design that bridges eras. Housed partly in a 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival landmark and expanded with a contemporary curving glass-and-steel wing by Howard Laks Architects, the property is a study in architectural juxtaposition. The union of historic texture and modern fluidity sets the stage for a hotel that embodies both Santa Monica’s beach-town heritage and its cosmopolitan present.
Kelly Wearstler’s West Coast Vision
Inside, Kelly Wearstler crafts an aesthetic that captures the spirit of the California coast: organic textures, sandy hues, handwoven rugs, and stone accents softened by woven cane, natural woods, and sculptural lighting. Earth tones echo the Pacific landscape, while abstract art and bold custom furniture ground the interiors firmly in the contemporary. The design is at once tactile and serene, luxurious yet relaxed.
Rooms as Restorative Retreats
The guestrooms and suites continue the theme, blending neutral palettes with natural textures to create calm, light-filled spaces. Many open onto balconies with coastal views, inviting guests to extend their stay beyond four walls. Interiors are sophisticated without ostentation, emphasizing comfort, craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place.
A Rooftop Made for the Pacific
The hotel’s crown jewel is its rooftop pool deck and restaurant, where sweeping ocean views stretch beyond the city. Lush greenery, sculptural furnishings, and a breezy, indoor-outdoor rhythm make it one of LA’s most stylish gathering spots—a space that feels equal parts coastal hideaway and urban social hub.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a masterclass in adaptive reuse and coastal luxury. By pairing historic revival architecture with contemporary fluid forms, and layering Wearstler’s organic interiors over both, it creates a retreat that feels distinctly Californian: relaxed, refined, and endlessly connected to the Pacific horizon.
