This is a review of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, where I’ve stayed twice. The quick version is that this is a nice hotel with a California vibe, and California prices. It’s a pity it’s not closer to the beach, but the location is not bad. For more, including photos, read on!
People are shaped by where they grow up and hotels are no different. This hotel is very Santa Monica, almost entirely in good ways. The design is super on point here, and it’s fun to just walk around. The hotel is impressive. It feels cool to be there. Beyond the obvious things like the name—the charmingly on-the-nose “Santa Monica Proper”—it actually feels very Californian.
This hotel is very Californian — Here’s what I mean:
The lobby has a sort of Neo-Spanish Mission style which feels distinctly modern-Californian. In the lobby you can order smoothies or coffee with very Californian options (Oat milk, healthy smoothies) and very Californian prices (expect to pay $15 for a smoothie), and an“amenity fee of $55 (plus tax), which covers various amenities, including Wi-Fi throughout the property.”
So, beautiful architecture and history? Check.
Healthy and amazing food? Check.
High prices? Check.
Extra fees/taxes? Check.
A great, but not cheap, experience? Check.
It’s very Californian, and just like living in the Golden State, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth it or not.
About the extra fee. My conspiracy theory is that since Proper is part of design hotels and not owned by Marriott, the fee probably is their way of making money off people who stay there with points. This is just a wild guess though, since I don’t know the backend of Marriott points economics. While I understand these fees at beach resorts, at least sort of, $55 for a fee where wifi is listed as the reason is kind of lame.
Whatever the reason, I always feel these mandatory fees feel deceptive, so it’s unfortunate that a hotel of this quality, which I otherwise only have positive things to say about, has them.
The History
The hotel is an amalgamation of a historic 1920s building and a new modern building, which are joined together.
Location
The hotel is reasonably close to the beach, but still about 4-5 blocks away. The surrounding area is fine, but not incredible. Understood from the perspective of someone driving in, with access to a car, the location is great. If you’re walking, the location is merely good, as you’re not on the beach. As with everything in LA, it’s a car-based city, for better or for worse.
Platinum Benefits
Benefits for Platinum Elite Marriott members are thin, with no free breakfast option. You can get 1,000 points, however.
Interestingly Proper hotels seems to operate their own “Proper Insider” program which is, I suppose not a competitor, but a sort of complement to the Bonvoy program.
Rooms
I’ve stayed here twice, both in cheaper rooms. I believe I was upgraded to a better room once, but the “better” room was still sort of basic luxury. I don’t mean that in a bad way. The beds were great, and most importantly, there were great Aesop conditioners and soaps, which I loved using.
The walls are actually covered in some sort of fabric or like, sort of linen-like thing, which is a pretty cool touch.
I’ve always had a view of the city, but more expensive rooms have views of Santa Monica and, in the distance, the ocean.
Rooftop Bar
The rooftop bar is nice, and kind of hip, but not truly luxurious. I had decent but expensive drinks there and some Mexican-inspired food. To be honest I liked the blueberry breakfast smoothie and the coffee the most.
Hotel Pool + Gym
There is a heated hotel pool on the roof, which is cool and near the bar. It’s kind of an awesome vibe, but it’s not so impressive as to have true wow factor, unlike say the St. Regis Bali (read our review of that hotel) Lagoon. The Gym is very nice, but not huge, and I regrettably did not take a picture.
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, etc.
California is the best place in the world to be Vegan. This hotel has a lot of dietary restrictions mapped out on the menu. I had no problem as a vegetarian.
Worth visiting, or worth traveling to?
The Santa Monica Proper is a hotel worth staying at if you’re in the area, but not a hotel that is so exemplary it is worth traveling to just to stay there.
California Luxury
I said this hotel was very Californian and I stand by that.
Ultimately this is a luxury hotel, but in the Californian idea of luxury. It’s minimalism, organic food, nice drinks, comfortable, but not European-mansion style vibes. It also has high (but probably worth it) prices, and an extra fee.
And, if they still have it, get the blueberry smoothie.
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