Inside Guerlain's Only Spa On The West Coast
Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel | Luxury Oceanfront Resort Photography by Hotel, Travel, Hotel, Lifestyle, and Architectural Photographer, Tanveer Badal | @TANVEERBADAL | TANVEERBADAL.COM Tanveer Badal Photography / TANV
From its oceanic views, to its premium suites and Michael Mina's critically acclaimed dining establishment Orla, the Regent Santa Monica Beach Resort has contributed to the Los Angeles hotel scene in groundbreaking ways. Among those developments? The only Guerlain Spa on the west coast.
Known as the Guerlain Wellness Spa, the luxury beauty and restoration destination opened in December 2024 with Parisian-influenced designs by Wimberly Interiors. A curated cohesion of sea-inspired textures, colors and patterns comprise the 10,000-square-foot spa, which fuses Mediterranean sophistication with the coastal charm of California. Twelve treatment rooms, along with lounges, a hot tub, saunas, steam room, champagne room and retail boutique offer a serene, immersive retreat for guests. The location is said to be inspired by the glamour of Beverly Hills and the serenity of Santa Monica.
Its launch follows the 2023 opening of Guerlain Spa at Raffles Boston hotel, and preexisting Guerlain Spa at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida and Guerlain Spa New York at The Plaza Hotel. The rare U.S. locations accompany approximately 20 additional Guerlain Spas in the world.
'There's a natural synergy between the resort and the luxury House,' says Regent Santa Monica Beach director of spa, Kristin Sartore. 'Regent Santa Monica Beach is located on the nation's most celebrated beach, redefining elegance and hospitality in the destination, and Guerlain is one of the most prominent and renowned Parisian brands in the realm of beauty. The newness of the property, coupled with the long history and respected reputation of the House allows for a unique blend of timeless elegance and thoughtful, modern luxury.'
Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel | Luxury Oceanfront Resort Photography by Hotel, Travel, Hotel, Lifestyle, and Architectural Photographer, Tanveer Badal | @TANVEERBADAL | TANVEERBADAL.COM Tanveer Badal Photography / TANV
When it comes to beauty at Guerlain Wellness Spa, fragrance is very much part of the big picture. In addition to a retail selection of the legacy brand's signature scents, the hotel pays tribute to Guerlain's heritage with a specialty aroma infiltrating the hotel at all times, depending on new launches and seasons. For example, when Pêche Mirage launched at the beginning of 2025, its enchanting floral and fruity aroma flourished throughout the hotel and spa. Spa treatments themselves include L'Art & La Matière's collection of Rose Chérie, Herbes Troublantes, Musc Outreblanc, and Neroli Outrenoir.
'Guerlain fragrances are the epitome of olfactory craftsmanship: sophisticated, sensual and unmistakably refined,' Sartore says. 'Each scent is composed with high-quality natural ingredients. Think Madagascan vanilla, velvety Tuscan orris and lush Bulgarian rose. Guerlain's fragrances are multi-faceted. They evolve on the skin like a story unfolding. Their masterful ability to craft fragrances that layer seamlessly allows the creation of truly personal 'signature scents.' '
At Guerlain Wellness Spa in particular, the vibrant, musky Herbes Troublantes is a standout favorite, according to Sartore.
'It's a scent that truly captures the soul of the coastline,' she explains. 'If you could bottle the essence of a quiet morning on the Pacific, this would be it. Wearing Herbes Troublantes feels like slipping into a soft Regent robe, still warm from the spa, tea in hand, as ocean breezes carry whispers of mint, bergamot, and citrus through open balcony doors. It's coastal serenity and understated elegance in aromatic form—effortlessly chic, refreshingly grounded.'
Regent Santa Monica Beach Hotel | Luxury Oceanfront Resort Photography by Hotel, Travel, Hotel, Lifestyle, and Architectural Photographer, Tanveer Badal | @TANVEERBADAL | TANVEERBADAL.COM Tanveer Badal Photography / TANV
Whether a guest pops in for the scents or the services, they can expect a Guerlain Wellness Spa experience that extends a traditional beauty treatment.
'Wellness is a true philosophy of life that leads the body and mind on an extraordinary quest for harmony and longevity,' Sartore says, of Guerlain Spa offerings, which include exclusive treatments starting at $550, tailor-made treatments like face-sculpting and even makeup application. 'The House collaborates with a board of wellness experts to further push this vision, respond to the needs of the times, and offer an ultra-personalized approach. For all treatments, the beauty expert is guided by two major pillars of well-being and beauty according to Guerlain: listening and emotion. [We] craft an emotional journey where hand, sound and fragrance come together in perfect sensory harmony.'
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