Inside the stunningly glamorous New Regent Santa Monica Beach

“Santa Monica has always been an iconic destination,” says Santa Monica Regent Beach general manager Younes Atallah, emphasizing the beach town’s importance to travelers eager to conquer Route 66. “It always attracted people, no matter what level of accommodations it had.”

But Santa Monica’s long-standing reputation has made it a new magnet for high-end hotel developers. The past two years have been a boon for blue-chip openings, which may have just reached a fever pitch with the grand opening of Atallah’s 167-room beachfront property. IHG Hotels & Resorts acquired the hotel formerly managed by Loews Hotels, where Atallah was also general manager, and transformed it into a beacon of classic luxury under the Regent brand. In a destination famous for its laid-back vibe, Regent Santa Monica Beach is now the hottest and most glamorous beach in the game.

The original Regent in Beverly Hills was the setting for the iconic 1990 film Pretty woman, and looked very much like a hotel you would find in this part of Los Angeles. But now that Regent has found a new home in Santa Monica, the aesthetic is entirely different. Lots of light, lots of references to nature and water, and lots of space. The building plan originally called for 347 rooms and suites; today there are 167 keys, meaning entry rooms are double the size, starting at 720 square feet. In a post-covid world, where space is a priority, this should please the most demanding travelers. Marquee suites include the 3,200-square-foot Santa Monica Presidential Suite, which has its own game room. A previously unused two-story enclave is now the Atrium Suite, a two-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot pied-à-terre flooded with light and offering the best views of the Pacific Ocean.

Some public spaces are also quite rare, notably the Workshop, which can be used by guests to prepare for events, whether it’s a wedding or an awards ceremony. Another highlight is the Lounge, a casual lounge where guests can relax (with refreshments and showers) if they can’t check into their room in the morning or have late night flights . It’s a thoughtful touch that Atallah says they introduced knowing they’ll likely have many guests coming from overseas who might have less than ideal departure and arrival times.

And given its beachfront location, just across the street from Muscle Beach, Regent has a dedicated concession with a beach butler (the only hotel in town with such a deal) who can arrange a tanning day; otherwise, there is also the swimming pool terrace, the largest in Santa Monica, which is located on the roof of the fourth floor of the building.

This is obviously a hotel of superlatives. But Regent Santa Monica Beach also seeks to differentiate itself in the market through its renowned partnerships. The on-site restaurant Orlaa stylish indoor-outdoor all-day restaurant, is helmed by celebrity Michael Mina, who delves into the world of Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines for his menu, particularly dishes inspired by his Egyptian upbringing. Think: saganaki made more indulgent with black truffle, Mina’s Egyptian version of macaroni béchamel (it replaces ground meat in favor of mushrooms), plus countless wines from Greece and Lebanon. Ayesha Curry’s Lifestyle and Gourmet Boutique Sweet July is also present at the hotel. Here, guests can grab a coffee and a serving of Curry’s devotion-inspiring bread pudding over an entire pantry of goodies. And of course, the opening of Regent presents Guerlain on the American West Coast with the French beauty brand’s first spa in this part of the world. Her range of coveted potions and perfumes are available, as well as a full menu of relaxing massages and facials. This glitzy, 10,000-square-foot, 12-room destination also includes a wet area and champagne lounge where guests can linger with a glass of champagne (or tea or water) after their treatments.

For Atallah, these types of eye-catching partnerships can generate buzz, especially for visitors accustomed to the best of the best, but he says launching these collaborations can also help the hotel make a more interesting connection with locals. “Santa Monica is eight square miles, everyone knows everyone, so we want to be an anchor for the local community,” he says, noting that he wants his neighbors to see the sights on placed as stand-alone destinations, not just extensions of the site. hotel.

“When it comes to luxury, Santa Monica has always been low-key. “It’s not super flashy, and that’s fine with us,” Atallah says, adding that while the destination has Michelin stars in Santa Monica and designer boutiques, it’s all balanced by an energy of casual beach. However, he admits that Regent’s opening will undoubtedly reposition the Santa Monica hideaway with travelers. And he doesn’t think small.

“Yes, in the immediate area we hope to start competing with the hotels in Beverly Hills,” Atallah says of Regent’s ambitions. “But also Laguna Beach and Santa Barbara.”