The quirky beach city of Santa Monica escaped the horrific January wildfires that ravaged other parts of Los Angeles County. That disaster is surely giving some travelers second thoughts about planning a trip, but now is when the region could especially benefit from tourism dollars.

My recent visit didn’t exactly feel like an act of charity, however. My traveling companion and I had a fantastic time indulging in the local food scene, browsing the art galleries and boutiques and unwinding on the sand. And finally, after years of recommending not a single hotel in Santa Monica, I discovered a place I can wholeheartedly endorse.

Regent Santa Monica Beach

The brand had been fading. Not a single Regent had appeared in the Harper Collection for ages, until the company made a stylish comeback in 2023 with the Carlton Cannes. Now the first Regent in the United States has opened in Santa Monica. One of the few hotels on the ocean side of Ocean Avenue, this 167-room urban resort already ranks as the top hostelry in town.