Santa Monica Proper Hotel Tour

Planning a getaway to the California coast? Emmett & I spent the weekend in Santa Monica and crossed another Proper hotel off our list. As a designer, I’ve always admired and enjoyed the modern & eclectic spaces Kelly Wearstler brings to life. I’ve wanted to stay at the Santa Monica Proper for some time, but never had a reason to visit that location. Emmett and I decided to make use of travel points and spend a long weekend celebrating our anniversary. I wanted to share a hotel tour and give you a peek at the modern interior because it’s a beautifully designed property. Click through for a quick tour! 

Before I dive into the tour, you can catch my best travel tips for good deals & upgrades here. I also shared some travel essentials that may be helpful if you have any trips planned in the near future.

Much like the San Francisco Proper, this location is filled with eclectic decor, sculptural furniture, interesting textures, and unique textiles. It’s an immersive experience that is a treat for any designer lover.

Emmett & I both admired the use of everyday materials, but with an updated application. I find travel to be a real creativity booster- even more so when you’re surrounded by interior spaces that make you think outside the box. All of Kelly Wearstler’s hotels do that for me, which I consider a worthy splurge.

We had a couple drinks at the impressive hotel bar within the Proper Palma restaurant… me admiring the stonework and Emmett gawking over the turned woodworking.

The furniture and florals found within the hotel eateries and lobby are also sculptural works of art. Kelly certainly has a way of pairing mismatched pieces together that make a space sing in unison. What could have looked very odd and thrifted actually has a wonderful sense of cohesion.

I probably spent more time praising the plants in this hotel than I have at any other. Full size potted trees stole the show both indoors and out. With so much natural light spilling in, this breezy California property takes on a lush jungle vibe… with no faux branch in sight.

The interior architecture was also a win for me. Outside, the building is underwhelming and honestly nothing to write home about- but indoors there’s something new to discover around each corner or hall. Even the elevator hall felt special. Let’s go upstairs to check out the room, shall we?

We stayed in the standard room with a king size bed. The signature upholstered arched headboard is what comes to mind when visualizing the Santa Monica Proper. The grasscloth wall coverings, patterned textiles, and tactile surfaces give the bedroom the signature KW Proper aesthetic. I’m not sure why or how we ended up with a complementary bottle of wine upon entering our room, but it was appreciated!

Lighting is another element I’ve always got my design eye focused on. From sconces and pendants to chandelier and lamps, the fixtures were layered just like they would be in a residential setting- which I think makes this hotel feel more welcoming and better designed than its competitors. KW often installs her sconces upside down for a softer look or to highlight architectural elements you might have missed… the next time you visit a Proper, keep an eye out for sconces installed at a 180!

Stepping into the bathroom, pretty much every surface was covered in a graphic stone. The modern plumbing fixtures and heavy veining are simple and minimalistic, but anything but boring.

I also appreciated the integration of Aesop toiletries. Typically I dread showering when traveling, but I actually looked forward to this mundane task everyday thanks to amazing smelling, high quality products… so much so, that Emmett & I visited the Aesop store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard to do some product sampling for other fragrances.

The outdoor spaces at the Santa Monica Proper were equally as impressive… large planters, modern furniture, and organic textures made it a treat to discover each patio area.

We spent a full day enjoying the pool, sipping craft cocktails, swimming, and reading. Most of our vacations or getaways are more adventurous or tightly scheduled, so it was really nice to simply relax. I do wish we would have booked a spa treatment, because I hear their facility and services are incredible- and priced accordingly, as you might imagine.

I’ll admit, our favorite (and most convenient) part of staying at the Proper was taking advantage of their bikes. We cycled our way around Santa Monica and Venice. From breakfast & pastry stops to beach cruising and shopping, we pedaled miles and were able to cover lots of ground while having fun and exploring. We started out with regular cycles and by our last day at the Proper, we upgraded to e-bikes and were able to go much further with minimal effort… no ride shares necessary.

While the hotel is a couple blocks away from the beach, the bike ride to stick my toes in the sand was worth the five minute bike commute. There is also a really fun bike path on the beach that stretches miles long, albeit it gets busy during weekends.

I hope you enjoyed the hotel tour! Would you ever stay here? Feel free to leave me any questions in the comment section below… I’d be happy to share additional favorites. I’m just getting settled back in at home and have a busy day of work at the shop, but I’ll try to get to weekly comments tomorrow. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!