New hotel in Santa Monica debuts ‘looser kind of luxury’

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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New hotel in Santa Monica debuts ‘looser kind of luxury’

The 271-key Santa Monica Proper, designed by Kelly Wearstler, introduces a looser kind of luxury with interiors inspired by the natural coastline… 

A new hotel has emerged in Santa Monica that is said to disrupt the luxury hotel scene in California. Juxtaposing Hollywood glamour, Santa Monica Proper, designed by internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler, describes itself as embracing ‘looser luxury’ with an emphasis on wellbeing and holistic wellness.

The hotel, which is currently in soft-launch phase, is situated in the district around 7th and Wilshire, which is considered to be a rising hub of creative energy with upscale conveniences and wellness activities in any direction—and the beach and bike path only blocks away.

Using Santa Monica as muse, Wearstler took cues, motifs and hues from classic Santa Monica history. With room designs distinct to each building, the clean-lined environments are grounded in a bold, neutral scheme of subtle organic textures, materials, and natural elements: sandy palettes, light hardwoods underfoot; grasscloths, and floor-to-ceiling windows. To further enhance the site-specific, artisanal feel in public spaces, Wearstler has collaborated with the finest names in L.A. art for original artworks and monolithic installations, such as Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, Tanya Aguiniga, Len Klikunas, and Bradley Duncan.

close up of soft headboard and comfy looking bed with white sheets

Image credit: The Ingalls

Meeting the needs of the modern traveler, each room is well-appointed with specially designed furniture and signature Proper beds dressed with Bellino and Fili D’oro linens. State-of-the-art technology includes the Proper App and mobile room keys and checkout. In addition to curved floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies and garden terraces offer plenty of natural California light.

Integrated into a Proper stay is the 3,000-square-foot flagship collaboration with celebrated wellness practitioners Martha and Roger Soffer. Following a philosophy that bridges the physical, mental, and spiritual, hotel guests and locals can explore 10,000 years of Indian wellness principles through therapeutic massage, steam and oil treatments, cooking, yoga, and meditation.

The hotel, which offers its guests a front-row perspective over unspoilt ocean, is expected to be fully completed and open by September 2019.

Main image credit: The Ingalls

Hamish Kilburn / 25.07.2019

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

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Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
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During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
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