Regent Santa Monica Beach — Hotel in Santa Monica

Been coming here for 23 years, and spent a fortune, I'm a platinum member, very generous, and I never had a problem once in decades when it was Loews. ||||I came in last night, drove 6 hours to get there, got a $3,500.00 a night suite. And I had to leave immediately because there was no room service available!! (Wtf??) I went down to the front desk to explain the situation, no room service? And to my utter shock and disbelief, Ashley the self-proclaimed "highest up manager in the hotel" literally laughed in my face, made fun of me, and then bragged again how she is the highest up manager in the hotel, and then even more crazy was that her and the girl at the front desk next to her actually called security on me! They tried to pretend a was some homeless guy to security and not a guest in the hotel! You can't make this stuff up. I have never experienced anything so evil in my life. Apparently these two front desk girls have been getting away with abusing and picking on customers for quite a while now and even brag about the fact that "Their Bosses aren't around and nothing can be done about it." Yes you can't make this up. I'm paying thousands and just trying to eat for a bunch of "Mean Girls" to laugh in my face. This place us pure evil and there is no way IHG should allow anyone to abuse a guest let alone enjoy. She had the most evil smirk on her face. I can't imagine ever walking in this building again after decades. Sad, unprofessional and disgusting second, but illegal harassing discriminatory first.||||They then actually told me to "Complain to corporate" and tried to get me kicked out of the hotel, which was not only their answer to the room service problem, but they were literally laughing and enjoying watching my night, my stay and my life get ruined!||||What kind of a sick evil place would allow these people to treat their guests like this, but I'm a Platinum member who has spent tens of thousands here in just the last few months??? I'm currently in the process of filing litigation against the hotel for many illegal and unfair practices which I don't have time for but no one should ever have to put up with this sick and evil behavior. And this is hospitality?? I don't even know what to say this is the most evil experience I have had in my life in a hotel, and this is the "Hospitality" industry??? What a joke. ||||There have been other reviews about these evil front desk girls if you look so the hotel obviously allows and condones this disgusting evil abuse. These two girls at the front desk are literally enjoying their power and making it clear that they can just arbitrarily belittle and make fun of the guests. I've told management before that I don't want to deal with them in the past because they just have such a disgusting energy and one of the managers told me just to ask for the higher ups but what a shock, no higher ups around and these two knew exactly what they could get away with. Ashley literally had the most evil smile on her face. It was so creepy and messed up that anyone in a supposedly "nice hotel" could get away with this and then sic security on the guest with an evil smile. ||||Elie Maalouf the CEO need to be aware of this situation or it needs to be made very public in the media and through very public litigation and or constant picketing, that IHG Hotels condones this harassment, bullying, and abusive behavior of the apparently Power hungry and disgusting front desk staff. Time will tell. In summary, I drove 6 hours, as a Platinum member of the hotel, just to not be able to get food delivered to the room since room service "didn't work" and paid $3,500 just to be made fun of and picked on and have the mean girls at the desk tell security I'm some homeless crazy guy until they eventually had to admit I'm a guest.. ||||WOW does it get more...

As a Santa Monica local who's watched the ebb and flow of Ocean Avenue for years, I'll let you in on a little secret: The new Regent hotel is basically the old Loews hotel wearing its Sunday best – and honestly, I'm not mad about it one bit.

You know when your friend gets a really great haircut and suddenly starts carrying themselves differently? That's what happened here. Same bones, new confidence. The moment you walk through those familiar doors, you're greeted by Antonio and Fernando, who might just be the happiest humans on Ocean Avenue. These guys could make a parking ticket feel like a winning lottery number – their warmth is that contagious.

Let's address the elephant in the room: yes, the layout is identical to the Loews. Same elevators, same hallways, same everything. But it's like someone took the entire place to a really good interior designer and said, "Make it sparkle, darling." And sparkle it does. The rooms are what would happen if comfort and elegance had a baby and raised it in Southern California. The beds? Let's just say I'm seriously considering divorcing my mattress at home.

Speaking of home, can we talk about Rosa for a minute? She's the kind of person who makes you want to be a better human. I watched her fold a towel into what I swear was an origami swan (okay, maybe it was just a really neat rectangle, but it felt magical). She remembers everyone's names and probably their favorite color too. The attention to detail in the housekeeping is next level – I'm pretty sure my room was cleaner than when they first built the hotel.

The front desk team deserves their own paragraph because they're basically running a masterclass in how to make people feel like VIPs. They manage to strike that perfect balance between professional and friendly – like they could help you with a complex room situation and then recommend the best hidden taco spot in the city (and trust me, as a local, I'm picky about my taco recommendations).

Here's the beautiful irony: in choosing not to reinvent the wheel, the Regent has somehow made it roll more smoothly. They took what worked about the Loews – the killer ocean views, the perfect location, the solid structure – and simply elevated everything else. It's like when you keep the vintage frame but replace the mattress and linens – smart move, folks.

For my fellow locals: yes, the pool still has those Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific; however, they divided her up (I imagine there were a couple of got tubs but it was too cold and foggy to check). The room service brought by Sal was excellent and beautifully presented.

Possibly the only issue was the motion activated lights. They were clearly persnickety as my bathroom light would not turn off, but I closed the door and banished the problem!

Bottom line: The Regent Santa Monica is what happens when you take something familiar and reliable and give it the glow-up it deserves. It's still your favorite comfortable sweater, but now it's cashmere. And with staff like Antonio, Fernando, Rosa, and the front desk crew, it's like that cashmere sweater comes with a warm hug.

P.S. To the genius who decided to keep the basic layout but upgrade everything else: you're the real MVP. Sometimes the best renovation is the one that knows what...

Our recent stay at The Regent Santa Monica Beach was truly exceptional — easily one of the best hotel experiences we’ve ever had in Los Angeles. From the moment we arrived, every detail reflected luxury, comfort, and world-class service.

The service is beyond outstanding. Every employee we encountered was attentive, warm, and professional, but also genuine and kind. Staff remembered our names, checked in on us throughout our stay, and always made us feel welcome. This level of personal attention set the tone immediately.

A special mention goes to Johnny, who went far above and beyond. Early in our stay, we had a disappointing experience with the beach butler service (which is operated by an outside vendor). I shared this feedback with Johnny, and instead of brushing it off, he turned the situation into something unforgettable. Later that afternoon, he surprised us with a handwritten note and a bottle of champagne delivered to our room — an incredible gesture that transformed what could have been a negative memory into one of the highlights of our trip. That kind of service is rare, and it’s exactly why The Regent stands out among luxury hotels.

Our room (634) was beautifully designed, with a calm and quiet atmosphere. Unlike many hotels, we didn’t hear doors slamming or hallway noise — it was pure serenity. The attention to detail in the room was superb, from high-quality complimentary refreshments to an outstanding set of toiletries. The nightly turn-down service was particularly impressive, with thoughtful touches like folded clothing, water at the nightstand, and little notes on the bed. The linen is Italian, by Casa Rovea, with beautiful design patterns and color palettes. It felt luxurious and elevated the room experience even further — one of those details you immediately notice when you lie down.

We also spent two afternoons at the pool, which was an absolute highlight. The burgers were incredibly savory, and the Bloody Marys were among the best we’ve had anywhere. The pool attendants — especially the pool boys — were outstanding. They were kind, attentive, and seemed to read our minds with great suggestions for drinks and food. Their energy and attentiveness made lounging by the pool a wonderful part of our stay.

Dining at Orla, the hotel’s restaurant, was another standout. We had both breakfast and a light dinner with cocktails, and everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The views of the Santa Monica beach and pier from Orla are breathtaking. It’s a destination in itself, whether you’re a hotel guest or a local looking for a romantic sunset dinner or a fun night out with friends. The cocktails were excellent, and the atmosphere felt both refined and inviting.

We stayed for two nights but left wishing we had booked longer. Between the world-class service, beautiful rooms, peaceful atmosphere, luxurious details like Casa Rovea linens, and incredible dining, The Regent Santa Monica Beach sets a new standard for luxury hospitality in the area. If you’re looking for a hotel in Santa Monica that combines thoughtful design, impeccable service, and unforgettable experiences, this is the...