The Santa Monica Proper is the second Proper to make our list, and the first to open in Los Angeles over the past two years, and while this property, too, was designed by Kelly Wearstler, it’s radically different from its downtown sister. This 271-room locale — which is within walking distance from the beach — successfully optimizes natural light and neutral tones, taking on a more organic, earthy feel in a completely elevated way. Using Santa Monica itself as muse, Wearstler grounded her designs in a bold, neutral scheme of subtle organic textures, materials, and natural elements: sandy palettes, light hardwoods, grass cloths, and floor-to-ceiling windows. To further enhance the artisanal feel, she collaborated with renowned names in the LA art world for original artworks and monolithic installations, such as Ben Medansky, Morgan Peck, Tanya Aguiniga, Len Klikunas, and Bradley Duncan. An emphasis on Eastern-inspired wellness dominates, more so at Surya Spa, one of the only truly Ayurvedic spas in America, a 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. Wildcrafted, plant-based ingredients are blended and created daily for individual tastes, to relax and rejuvenate. Guests may enjoy single treatments like Ayurvedic facials and scrubs, or the residential series — Panchakarma — lasting three to 21 days. Other spa features include an intimate retail space, yoga, and TM classes in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation. More amenities in the wellness space include a rooftop swimming pool, boards, and bikes at the ready, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and yoga on the second-floor terrace. Speaking of outdoor activities, well, the Proper Santa Monica boasts the only rooftop restaurant on the Westside with Calabra, its indooroutdoor, beach-inspired bistro, where ocean views are paired with biodynamic wine, signature cocktails, and Mediterranean and California cuisine. Other culinary offerings include Olea, a lush and breezy garden terrace, for fresh and inventive sushi and sake;and the art-filled lobby lounge, Palma, which features smallbatch mezcals and boutique wines by the glass. 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica 90401
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE IINGALLS
SANTA MONICA PROPER HOTEL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TK
With city lights and vintage brick as backdrop, Proper reimagines and updates a landmark in the heart of South Park District — a former 1920s-era private club whose members included Cecil B. DeMille — into a 148-room destination hotel. Here, the creative vision of Kelly Wearstler — in this case, heavily influenced by Mexican modernism, as well as elements from France and Morocco via vintage furniture and rugs and 100 different kinds of tiles — seamlessly blends past and present with compelling design, vintage influence, and local art. Each of the 148 rooms features unique pieces and specially designed furnishings, hand-applied plaster detailing, and a warm palette of charcoals and mauves. Suite offerings include everything from double-height ceilings and a vintage basketball court to an unexpected indoor swimming pool accented by a ceramic mural by local artist Ben Medansky. Sophisticated comforts include Aesop bath amenities, Kelly Wearstler x Parachute Home robes, and state-of-theart conveniences like Vifa speakers and HDTV streaming. The F&B offerings here are significant as well, given that they’re helmed by award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne (Larder Baking Company, a.o.c., Tavern). They include Caldo Verde, an intimate lounge, and Cara Cara, a city-view rooftop pool and lounge-bar-restaurant. 1100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 90015
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE INGALLS
DOWNTOWN L.A. PROPER HOTEL
