Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel Review

I stayed at Regent Santa Monica with my husband and 18 month old daughter before our flight to Tokyo. It was a quick stay, but we really enjoyed it!

As a luxury travel advisor, I stay in a lot of luxury hotels and this one truly checked so many of my boxes. It was just renovated completely and everything is so beautiful throughout, the service is warm and the location is wondferful.

This has to be one of the most family friendly hotels that we have stayed in so I’m excited to share why we loved it as a family and why I think it works for so many travelers.

But, don’t worry, this review is not just about families. It’s definitely still an adult forward hotel, that also rolls out the red carpet when kids are there. The touches for babies and kids were so thoughtful! We had the nicest crib EVER at this hotel which was a Nestig brand with a cute mobile above (parents know this is rare).

I’ll be going over everything you need to know in detail and of course share plenty of photos from our stay!

If you decide the Regent Santa Monica Beach is the right hotel, I get my clients great perks here for FREE like complimentary breakfast, upgrade priority and $100 hotel credit to use on F&B during your stay! Inquire here for more info!

Regent Santa Monica Mini Guide

If you are short on time…

Why Stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach?

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Santa Monica, Regent Santa Monica Beach has an incredible location. It’s close enough to LAX that getting here is easy, but once you arrive, it feels like a true beach getaway. The hotel sits directly across from Santa Monica Beach and just steps from the Santa Monica Pier, giving you plenty to do without ever needing to drive.

We loved staying here as a family. At check in, my toddler got to choose a welcome gift from a basket of beautifully knitted stuffed animals. It was such a thoughtful touch, and she still sleeps with hers today. Moments like that made us feel genuinely welcome.

The food was another highlight. We had both dinner and breakfast at the hotel, and both were excellent. Breakfast was especially memorable with delicious food and beautiful views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In the evening, the lobby bar had such a chic, lively atmosphere. It was the perfect place to end the day!

As someone who loves beautifully designed hotels, I also couldn’t get enough of the interiors. From the gorgeous finishes to the stunning tile work throughout the property, every space felt thoughtfully designed. If you appreciate great design as much as I do, you’ll love staying here.

Location of Regent Santa Monica

Regent Santa Monica Beach has one of the best locations in Santa Monica. It’s directly across from Santa Monica Beach and just a short walk to the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and plenty of restaurants and shops. You can also hop on the beach path for a bike ride to Venice Beach. Best of all, it’s only about 25 to 35 minutes from LAX, depending on traffic, making it an easy luxury escape after your flight.

Check In Experience at Regent Santa Monica

From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were dropped off by taxi, and the staff immediately greeted us and helped with our luggage.

The lobby made a beautiful first impression. It’s bright, elegant, and absolutely stunning. At check in, we were offered warm towels and a welcome drink while the staff brought over a tray of toys for my daughter to choose from. She picked a knitted seahorse that was surprisingly high quality, and she still loves it today.

Everyone we interacted with throughout our stay was genuinely kind and attentive. Regent Santa Monica Beach set the bar high from the very first moment, and that level of service continued throughout our stay.

Regent Santa Monica Rooms

The 720 City View King

We stayed in the 720 City View King, but Regent Santa Monica Beach has several room types and views to choose from. The room was so pretty. I seriously can’t get over the decor. Everything felt so well done, and at 720 square feet, even the entry level rooms are incredibly spacious for Santa Monica.

The layout was excellent. We had a comfortable living area with a sofa and dining table that opened into the bedroom with a king bed.

There was also a large bathroom with a double vanity, soaking tub, rain shower, separate vanity area to get ready, and a large walk in closet with plenty of storage.

The coffee station was another nice touch for slow mornings.

Since we were traveling with our toddler, the hotel had a Nestig crib set up for us before we arrived. I was so impressed because most hotels have cheap cribs or, even worse, a pack and play. We brought our SlumberPod, and everything worked great.

Our room didn’t have a balcony, but many of the other room categories do if that’s important to you.

The little details made this stay even more memorable. Along with luxury bath amenities, they provided baby toiletries, toddler sized slippers, and even balloons for my daughter. They really went all out to make families feel welcome. Consider me impressed!

✅ If you need help choosing a room type or want special VIP perks, I’m happy to help. As a luxury travel advisor, I have preferred hotel partnerships and my clients get special perks like upgrades, comp breakfast and $100 hotel credit when booking through me (at no cost to you!). Hotel only bookings are always free with me. If you’ve never worked with a travel advisor, this is a great way to start! Inquire here.

Dining at Regent Santa Monica Beach

One of the highlights of our stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach was the food. We enjoyed both in room dining and breakfast at the hotel, and everything was delicious.

Orla by Michael Mina

Orla by Michael Mina is the hotel’s signature restaurant, serving a Mediterranean inspired menu in a beautiful setting. We had breakfast here, and it was such a lovely way to start the day. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the views looking out toward the Pacific Ocean made it even better.

Breakfast is also included as one of the complimentary perks when booking through me, which can save nearly $100 per day for two people. Message me if you want to learn more about booking Regent Santa Monica Beach with VIP hotel perks.

Sweet July Café

Sweet July Café is the perfect spot for coffee, pastries, and something quick on the go. The menu is inspired by founder Ayesha Curry’s love for farmers market inspired California cuisine, with coffee and tea favorites, grab and go options, and so many delicious pastries.

In Room Dining

We also tried in room dining after arriving, and it was an easy and convenient option for a quick meal after traveling. The food was good, and it was exactly what we needed after a long travel day.

Check rates on Expedia here for your dates!

Pool & Beach at Regent Santa Monica

We didn’t use the pool during our stay, but I did check it out and it looked like such a lovely place to spend the day. You could easily lounge by the pool for hours with beautiful views overlooking the beach.

We did spend time walking along the beach and down to the Santa Monica Pier and it really made me understand the hype of LA! This was my first trip to LA and I get it. The beaches here are so different from what I’m used to on the East Coast, but in the best way. It was such a fun experience letting my toddler dip her toes in the Pacific Ocean for the first time.

Guerlain Wellness Spa at Regent Santa Monica

We didn’t get to use the spa during our stay, but I did get a chance to see it, and it was absolutely beautiful and serene. The 10,000 square foot Guerlain Wellness Spa is one of the standout amenities at Regent Santa Monica Beach.

The spa offers a full range of treatments, relaxation spaces, and wellness experiences, along with a fitness center for guests looking to stay active during their visit. Even just walking through the space, it felt like such a peaceful escape from the energy of Santa Monica.

Family Friendly Features at Regent Santa Monica

Regent Santa Monica Beach is ideal for families who love luxury hotels but still want to bring the kids along. It has that elevated, beautiful hotel experience while also making families feel genuinely welcome.

The spacious rooms are a huge plus when traveling with little ones. At 720 square feet, even the entry level rooms give families plenty of space to spread out. The easy beach access, walkability, and nearby activities also make it simple to enjoy Santa Monica without needing to constantly get in a car.

The hotel also goes above and beyond with thoughtful family touches. We had a beautiful Nestig crib set up for our daughter with a cute mobile, which was such a nice surprise. They also welcomed her with a high quality knitted stuffed animal, and throughout our stay, the staff was so accommodating and kind.

They even provided baby toiletries, including shampoo and soap, along with toddler sized slippers and balloons. The restaurant was also very family friendly with kid options and staff who were happy to accommodate.

Between the pool, beach access, spacious rooms, and all the little details, Regent Santa Monica Beach is a great choice for families who want a luxury hotel experience without feeling like they have to leave the kids at home.

Also read: our favorite trips with a toddler

Who Should Stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach?

As a travel advisor, this is who I would recommend this hotel for!

Couples

Regent Santa Monica Beach is a beautiful choice for couples looking for a luxury beach getaway. The ocean views, stunning design, excellent dining, and relaxing spa make it easy to slow down and enjoy a romantic escape.

Families

This is one of the best options in Santa Monica for families who still want a luxury hotel experience. The spacious rooms, easy beach access, pool, walkable location, and thoughtful kids amenities make traveling with little ones so much easier.

Babymoon

With spacious rooms, a beautiful spa, ocean views, and incredible dining, Regent Santa Monica Beach would be a wonderful babymoon destination. It gives you that relaxing coastal escape while still being close to everything you want to explore.

First Time Los Angeles Visitors

For a first trip to Los Angeles, I think Santa Monica is a great place to stay. You get the California beach experience while still having easy access to the city. Regent Santa Monica Beach makes it simple to enjoy the beach, restaurants, shopping, and nearby attractions without feeling overwhelmed by LA traffic.

The Wrap Up: Is Regent Santa Monica Beach Worth It?

My final verdict: 10/10. Yes, yes yes, I would absolutely stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach again.

This hotel is definitely a splurge, but in my opinion, it is worth it. The combination of the incredible location, beautiful design, thoughtful family touches, delicious food, and top notch service made it such a special stay. If you love luxury hotels and want a beautiful beachfront escape, this is a hotel I would happily recommend.

The only time I would suggest looking elsewhere is if your main goal is to be closer to downtown Los Angeles or spend most of your time exploring areas farther inland. But if you want the California beach experience with an amazing luxury hotel as your home base, Regent Santa Monica Beach is hard to beat.

Want to stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach? I can help you book your stay with complimentary VIP hotel perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, room upgrades when available, and more. Reach out to start planning your stay!