A $250m renovation raises the bar at Regent Santa Monica Beach

The hotel

Regent Santa Monica Beach

Check-in

On the oceanfront site of a former Loews hotel, Regent Santa Monica Beach heralds the return of Regent Hotels & Resorts to the US, now under IHG ownership. An extensive renovation and redesign to the tune of $US150 million ($250 million) sees the number of rooms and suites reduced to 167, with the addition of a flagship Guerlain Spa and the opening of Orla, a restaurant by esteemed Lebanese-American chef Michael Mina. The hotel was not directly affected by the California fires.

The look is “California chic.”Credit: Tanveer Badal

The look

“California chic” seems to have been the brief. From the palm-lined lobby to numerous white furnishings and marble floors, the aesthetic is luxe, spacious and coastal. Quiet luxury is the latest flex for the ultra-rich and this hotel goes all in on the trend.

The room

A hotel suite, complete with balcony and gas fire.Credit: Tanveer Badal

I’m in a spectacular Oceanview King with Balcony, a 67 square-metre suite that looks like an apartment. Clever design has created separate zones, with a king-size bedroom, a dressing room, a walk-in closet, a TV/living room and an extended entry. There’s no harsh overhead lighting, thank heavens, just soft and flattering lowlights.

I’m delighted when I come back to the room after evening turndown to see they have made up the bed with monogrammed “KK” pillowcases.

Inside an oceanfront suite.Credit: Tanveer Badal

The marble bathroom is bigger than some studio apartments, and is decked out with an extra-large walk-in shower, soaking tub, dual-sink vanity and Perricone MD skincare products.

The spacious balcony terrace has seating for eight and a private gas firepit, a cosy amenity in the chill of November. I reckon there’s enough room out there to host a party for 50 people.

Food + drink

Orla, the hotel’s signature restaurant by chef Michael Mina, is a triumph. The James Beard Award winner helms dozens of acclaimed restaurants in the US.

In Santa Monica, Mina has created dishes inspired by his Lebanese heritage, Mediterranean flavours and coastal Californian fresh produce. A prix fixe lunch menu ($US39/$65) a person, is excellent value.

Mezze lineup at Orla.

All of the hot mezze plates are excellent. Charcoal-grilled octopus, whipped chickpea hummus with cauliflower, pomegranate seeds and pistachios, and Kataifi-wrapped prawns are too good to miss. Order all of them. The honey-laced black truffle saganaki cheese, crispy and gooey after being torched, almost brings me to tears of joy.

By the pool, there’s Azure Bar for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a menu that covers healthy bites (fresh oysters, vegetable crudite), smash burgers and empanadas, and kids’ favourites (grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken tenders).

Breakfast is fairly lacklustre at Sweet July, a cafe by restaurateur and Food Network host Ayesha Curry, though the Nutella croissants are delicious when fresh out of the oven.

A complimentary “refreshment gallery” in guestrooms (most would call it the minibar) features free-of-charge beverages and snacks, including soft drinks, yoghurt-covered raisins, turmeric-spiced nuts and dried fruit.

I appreciate the provision of an electric kettle to boil water for tea, not always a given in coffee-loving US of A.

Out + about

There’s plenty to do on property, which spans an entire city block. Embrace the California lifestyle with a complimentary soundbath, yoga or breathwork class. The fitness centre has all the latest and greatest equipment.

The hotel bar for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.Credit: Tanveer Badal

An outdoor pool is heated, plus there are two hot tubs (one outdoors, one indoors). The 900-square-metre Guerlain Wellness Spa offers massages, facials, fragrance testing and makeup consultations.

Outside, the beach beckons. Borrow one of the hotel’s bikes and pedal to the famous Santa Monica pier to ride the rollercoaster and Pacific Wheel, play carnival games and shop for souvenirs.

For breakfast, try Sweet Maple across the street – they do amazing things with bacon. A few blocks away, Cobi’s serves outstanding pan-Asian dishes.

The verdict

One of the most talked-about US openings of 2024 raises the bar for Santa Monica luxe beachfront accommodation. If it’s inside your budget (and you’ll need a big budget), this hotel is a real treat.

Essentials

The lead-in rate for guestrooms and suites is $US1100 ($1820). Regent Santa Monica Beach, 1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, California, US. See santamonica.regenthotels.com

Our score out of five

★★★★★

Highlight
Chef Michael Mina’s dishes and the sound of waves breaking on the shore.

Lowlight
Given the room rate, some will wince at the daily resort fee of $US90 ($143) plus 15 per cent occupancy tax (guests receive daily credit of $US50 for use on dining or spa services).

The writer stayed as a guest of Regent Santa Monica Beach, with assistance from Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.