The Proper Place to Be

by SweisKloss
June 17, 2021

Santa Monica has been teeming with tourists once again, and what a welcome sight it is because their presence brings back some normalcy to our neck of the beaches. Given that we live + work here, we often forget how much of a vacation destination SM is for lots of people. With the last year behind us, the energy is back, and the streets are filled with those looking to enjoy their downtime.

When we think of places to stay, Santa Monica Proper Hotel comes to mind. The mere mention of the hotel in our office will elicit a collective “Ooooooh, the Proper…” from the staff. The hotel checks all the architecture boxes: historic preservation; adaptive reuse; creatively built environment; and beautiful interiors. Add on a Ayurvedic spa, several lovely restaurants, and a great location, and even us locals like to go there.

The hotel complex consists of the renovated Spanish Colonial Revival building—designed by architect Arthur E. Harvey in 1928—with a new curvilinear glass and concrete extension done by Howard Laks Architects. The Moorish details and baroque touches of the historic structure were fully restored to its original beauty. The extension was kept to a minimalist design to meld with the more ornate front.

Go inside and be prepared to be wowed by Kelly Wearstler’s design. Organic textiles, natural materials, and earthy hues all complement the eclectic assortment of Art Deco, Mid-Century, and contemporary furnishings. Vintage art is mixed with works by LA-based artists such as ceramists Ben Medansky and Morgan Peck, textile artist Tanya Aguiniga, painter Len Klikunas, and sculptor Bradley Duncan.

Click on images to make them larger.
All photos sourced from yatzer.com, The Ingalls.

Those of us from SweisKloss who have gone to the restaurants at the Proper love them. We recommend any one of them for date nights and a place to meet up for drinks with friends. And although we have no shortage of amazing views in Santa Monica, the view from the rooftop is one of the best. One SK staffer recently went to Calabra (the indoor-outdoor restaurant on the roof) and said, “My husband and I met friends we haven’t seen enough of during this pandemic, and the time spent together, laughing and catching up in person, was extra special because of where we were.”

There are other Proper Hotels (DTLA, San Francisco, Austin), but we are going to be completely biased and say that Santa Monica’s is the best. For more info, click here.