Set along Southern California’s Pacific coastline, Regent Santa Monica Beach introduces IHG Hotels & Resorts’ first destination in the Americas under its reimagined Regent Hotels & Resorts luxury and lifestyle portfolio, serving as the flagship resort for IHG in the region. Wimberly Interiors was entrusted with designing all guestrooms, specialty suites, meeting and event spaces, the pool area, and the spa, each reflecting Regent’s modern sensibility.
Inspired by the fluidity of the sea, the resort’s aesthetic balances tranquility with bold contrasts. Wimberly Interiors took cues from a leisurely Mediterranean lifestyle as they curated a distinctive palette of furnishings and materials for the Regent. The transformation elevates its sense of luxury and exclusivity by shifting to a predominantly suite-based offering, reducing the total room count to accentuate its residential feel. Expansive double- and triple-bay suites redefine the guest experience by blending refinement with the openness and approachability of coastal living, all while maximizing panoramic ocean vistas.
A series of specialty suites reimagines the romance of Mediterranean travel, with four distinct design schemes reflecting the architectural and cultural essence of beloved coastal destinations. One suite channels the bold elegance of the French Riviera, pairing a crisp blue-and-white palette with hand-painted graphic wallcoverings, bleached oak finishes, and high-gloss lacquer details reminiscent of a seaside retreat. Another scheme draws from the Amalfi Coast, incorporating honed, vibrantly veined marbles, tropical-inspired wallcoverings, and a palette reflective of the lush gardens of Portofino and Ravello. The Aegean-inspired suite embraces a sunlit, textural aesthetic with bleached woods, terrazzo, and crisp white surfaces, punctuated by bright color accents that mirror the vibrant coastline. The final scheme, evoking the Andalusian Coast, introduces deep, rich tones and equestrian-inspired details, with leather-wrapped walls, feather and cloud-painted wallcoverings, and a mix of walnut woods and verdant marbles.
Revitalizing an aging structure presented a unique challenge. Originally built in the 1980s with minimal architectural character, the building offered little in the way of existing details to preserve. The approach focused on layering textures, materials, and intricate detailing to create depth and refinement. An additional complexity arose in designing a model room before a hotel brand had been selected. Without clear brand guidelines, the design had to be aspirational, adaptable, and compelling enough to attract the right hospitality partner. The resulting aesthetic speaks to the property’s unique location while maintaining flexibility for future brand alignment.
By integrating artistry with functionality and grandeur with intimacy, this iconic beachfront destination now offers a refined yet welcoming sense of place—a retreat both grounded and transportive, sophisticated yet approachable.
