First look: See inside Regent’s flagship Americas property opening in Santa Monica
At the beginning of the year, TPG shared its list of the most exciting hotels set to open in 2024, and those properties spanned from New Jersey to the Seychelles. One of these hotly anticipated hotels, which sits on a stunning stretch of California coastline, has shared new renderings of the property ahead of its summer opening.
Here's what you'll find at the Regent Santa Monica Beach.
Guests will enter the $150 million hotel designed by AvroKO and Wimberly Interiors by walking past a stunning circle entryway and porte cochere into the chic. They will step into a wood-paneled reception area full of fresh white accents, marble floors and a dramatic, wall-length portrait of the Pacific coast and rugged coastal mountains. (Plus, it's nice knowing that the real-life views are just outside the hotel's doors.)
For those unfamiliar, Regent is a historic brand that recently received a new life thanks to its majority acquisition by IHG before the pandemic. Since then, IHG has been rolling out new properties, including the Carlton Cannes in France and the rebirth of Regent Hong Kong as the brand's ultra-luxury hotel darling.
Related: Regent plans return to the US amid IHG's global luxury hotel expansion
The sweeping beaches and distant mountainscape vistas in Santa Monica — like the ones depicted in the new property's lobby — set the scene for this hotel to serve as Regent's flagship property here in the Americas.
In the lobby, the modern glamor of this California chic Regent will continue. There are seating areas in a palm-lined space and a glass atrium to filter in plenty of natural sunlight. It serves as a home base for guests who want to take advantage of Regent offerings, like Experience Agents who can help curate and tailor a stay.
The hotel can also personalize other aspects of the stay, such as scent, music and literature, to create a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
The hotel will feature 143 guest rooms, plus 24 suites. Entry-level rooms start at 720 square feet and offer bathrooms with soaking tubs, rainfall showers, bidets and other high-end amenities.
The rooms will be full of colors, patterns and textures, as demonstrated by the King Premium Oceanfront pictures above. Still, even inside the rooms, the ocean views will be the real star of the show.
In corner suites, a private outdoor space and separate living area will surely make guests feel like they've moved into a boho-inspired apartment rather than a hotel.
For an even bigger accommodation, splurge for a two-story Atrium Suite, which measures more than 2,100 square feet; or, opt for the Santa Monica Presidential Suite, which has not one but four Juliet balconies and a game room.
Dining at this Regent will also be a glamorous affair, with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina bringing the flavors of the Mediterranean to Santa Monica at Orla.
Regent is also teaming up with Ayesha Curry for Regent Santa Monica by bringing her lifestyle brand, Sweet July, to the property in the form of a restaurant. It'll offer cafe favorites like coffee, tea, pastries and desserts, as well as a Jamaican-inspired menu that celebrates Curry's ties to the island.
And, because it's not a trip to Santa Monica without shopping, visitors can also pick up goods from Black- and women-owned brands, all curated by Curry.
True to California form, the property will feature a pool deck with lounge chairs, covered day beds and views out to the ocean, as well as beach butler services. Hopefully, the hardest decision you have to make here is deciding whether to kick it by the pool or down by the beach.
For spa lovers, a 10,000-square-foot Guerlain spa will be there, waiting to pamper guests in true celebrity fashion.
Is IHG luxury hospitality's silent sleeper?
The Regent Santa Monica — a partnership between Strategic Hotels & Resorts and Regent Hotels & Resorts — is scheduled to open later this year. Regent has an impressive pipeline in the works, with 11 properties set to open over the next five years in destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Kyoto, Japan; Sanya, China; and Shenzhen, China.
Regent's growth is also a big win for IHG, which has a "strategic focus" on lifestyle and luxury brands, as TPG previously reported. This move should make other hotel companies with key luxury brands — like Marriott with St. Regis and Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons — a little worried about what's happening in the space.
IHG isn't the only company making big moves in the luxury space. Just this week, Hilton announced it had acquired a majority stake in the parent company of NoMad Hotels, and has plans to eventually expand NoMad up to 100 hotels.
All this to say, it's a great time for those of us who love a luxury hotel, be it young and fresh or timelessly elegant. While the major hotel brands duke it out to see who can build and grow the "best" luxury chains, the rest of us will benefit from the new competition. We can enjoy what's sure to be a slew of incredible new hotels, like the Regent Santa Monica, opening up worldwide in the coming years.
Related reading:
- The award travelers guide to IHG Rewards
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What is IHG One Rewards elite status worth?
- Current offers on IHG One Rewards credit cards
- Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
- The best hotel rewards programs in the world
- Best hotel credit cards
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees