The legendary Regent brand made a luxurious return recently to the shores of the United States with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach.

This elegant beachfront resort cements the reimagined Regent brand and the beauty of contrast by combining the glamour of Los Angeles with the splendour of the coast.

The resort has 167 guestrooms and suites, with most offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Beach, and its namesake pier.

Regent Santa Monica Beach is home to four dining destinations, each offering unique epicurean discoveries. Orla, and Orla Bar by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina blends the beloved flavours of the Mediterranean with the unsurpassed quality and freshness of Californian ingredients.

Sweet July, the lifestyle and culinary brand founded by entrepreneur, restaurateur and two-time New York Times bestselling author Ayesha Curry in 2019, is expanding beyond its Bay Area flagship with the opening of Sweet July Café at Regent Santa Monica Beach.
Regent Santa Monica Beach is also home to a 10,000-square-foot Guerlain Wellness spa, the European brand’s first on the Western Seaboard.

To find out what makes the property so unique, James Wilkinson spoke to Regent Santa Monica Beach General Manager, Youness Atallah.

Youness, the Regent Santa Monica Beach is popular on so many levels, from the location to the club lounge, design, rooms and food and beverage on offer. Tell us about your favourite things of the property.

The resort’s location is truly incomparable. To stand at the edge of one of the world’s most iconic beaches and see guests take in that view for the first time never loses its magic. I also have to mention Orla by Michael Mina. Enjoying Chef Mina’s cuisine with a view of the Pacific is something I deeply appreciate. His dishes are vibrant and inventive.

Tell us about the stylish rooms and suites on offer.

Our accommodations redefine coastal luxury. The resort features 167 guest rooms, including 34 suites, with entry-level rooms starting at an expansive 720 square feet, or is 67 square meters.

Each space blends an elegant design with residential comfort and includes amenities such as spa-like bathrooms, soaking tubs, rain showers, and Perricone MD bath products.

Thoughtful touches like Bose speakers, Dyson hair dryers, and complimentary in-room snacks and beverages are also part of the experience.

For something truly exceptional, our Santa Monica Presidential Suite offers sweeping ocean views and generous spaces for dining, lounging, and entertaining with a dedicated game room.

The Oceanfront Atrium Two-Story Grand Villa, and Malibu Sunset Suite both offer remarkable settings, the latter even includes an outdoor fire pit with panoramic coastal views.

Tell us about the fantastic food and beverage on offer, which is some of the best in Santa Monica.

We’re honored to collaborate with James Beard Award–winning Chef Michael Mina on Orla and Orla Bar.

At Orla by Michael Mina, guests experience a refined blend of Mediterranean and California coastal flavors — dishes like the Petrale Sole or Filet Mignon Shish Kababs paired with a wine list featuring underrepresented regions such as Corsica and Macedonia.

Orla Bar, in our lobby, is a sophisticated gathering space to imbibe or grab a bite to eat.

Poolside, Azure Bar offers a relaxed yet elevated experience overlooking the Pacific, while Sweet July by Ayesha Curry brings the warmth of her Jamaican roots and California’s farmers market culture to our café. The pastries and hand-crafted beverages are guest favorites.

You have one of the best spas in Los Angeles – tell us about that.

Guerlain Wellness is the brand’s first on the West Coast, a true destination in itself. The spa offers 12 treatment rooms, serene lounges, saunas, steam rooms, and a Champagne Room.

Each treatment is curated to reflect Guerlain’s Parisian heritage while embracing the restorative spirit of California’s coastline.

What’s your x-factor at the Regent Santa Monica?

Our people. Every member of our team is dedicated to creating deeply personal experiences for our guests.

The setting is extraordinary, but it’s the human touch – the intuitive service, the attention to the smallest details – that makes it truly Regent.

How important is the loyalty, particularly given the global popularity of IHG Rewards?

IHG One Rewards allows us to connect with discerning travelers around the world who already know and trust the IHG portfolio, yet want something exceptional. Regent delivers that elevated experience, and it’s gratifying to see how guests respond.

Youness, what are some of your favourite things to do in the local area?

I always recommend the Santa Monica Farmers Market. It’s a beautiful reflection of the community — local growers, artisans, and chefs all in one place.

Whether you’re picking up fresh citrus or handmade preserves, it’s an authentic taste of California living.

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