Regent Santa Monica Beach: luxury redefined in Southern California

In 2018 IHG Hotels & Resorts, the company behind chains such as InterContinental and the Holiday Inn, acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts with the aim of turning the company into a big player in the A-list luxury hospitality game. Before the IHG investment, the Regent brand – which at one point was part of the Four Seasons portfolio – had been a bit under the radar and gone through various ownerships (Taiwan-based Formosa International Hotels Corporation currently co-owns it with IHG).

The company also returned to the US with its flagship property in the country and its first in the Americas so far: Regent Santa Monica Beach, which opened its doors in October 2024.

Located on a prime beachfront lot on Ocean Avenue, the property is housed in a building previously occupied by a Loews hotel. IHG completely gutted the structure, investing US$150 million to transform it into a five-star hotel that is arguably the most luxurious in Santa Monica right now.

With 167 rooms and suites – most of them offering unobstructed views of the ocean all the way to Malibu – a pool deck facing the beach, and an opulent spa in collaboration with French brand Guerlain, the hotel is the definition of a sanctuary.

The common areas and accommodations subtly pay homage to Santa Monica’s beachy vibes. The layout of the lobby, for instance – with its curvilinear couches, sandy hues and potted plants – is meant to evoke the seabed. Shell motifs, brass details, wood fixtures and ample natural light make you feel like you’re on a very chic cruise ship. The soothing hues of the rooms and suites combine neutral shades with light blues, while nautical touches such as rope detailing recall the ambience of a private yacht.

If you want to experience California living at its best, book one of the three two-storey poolside villas; their terraces alone are worth the splurge.