Spa Review: Parisian Elegance Meets Beach Bliss at Guerlain Wellness at Regent Santa Monica Beach

Effortlessly blending the contrasts of Southern California’s laid-back coastal charm, sophisticated Parisian style, and extravagant Beverly Hills luxury is no small feat. Yet the newly opened Guerlain Wellness Spa at Regent Santa Monica Beach makes it happen with the best of each world. The result is a glamorous experience that offers a sanctuary of calm and indulgence within the energetic beach city. The 10,000 square foot wellness destination is the first Guerlain Spa of its kind on the west coast.

Regent Santa Monica Beach Deals

Arriving at the Regent Santa Monica

The lobby at Regent Santa Monica [Image courtesy of Regent Santa Monica]

I arrived at the Regent Santa Monica to a warm greeting from the valet and front of house staff. The hotel just recently opened in October of 2024, and it’s the brand’s flagship property in the Americas. You may remember this fun piece of Los Angeles history: LA’s original Regent in Beverly Hills was famous for being the luxury hotel in the movie “Pretty Woman.”

Santa Monica Pier and Ocean views from a patio at Regency Santa Monica [Image courtesy of Regent Santa Monica]

We all know that Los Angeles began the year with a rough start with the fires, but views of the beach and the Santa Monica Pier from The Regent reminded me of some of the reasons why we love our city and the iconic sights that will always hold a special place in Angelinos’ hearts. Travelers from all over the world dream of visiting Santa Monica to see these symbols of the California lifestyle for themselves.

Sweet July Café at Regent Santa Monica [Image courtesy of Regent Santa Monica]

The Regent Santa Monica has 167 guestrooms and suites, most offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to a swimming pool and the Guerlain Wellness Spa, the hotel is also home to Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July Café and James Beard Award winning chef Michael Mina’s Orla restaurant and bar. The Regent is an elegant choice for a stay while exploring Santa Monica, Venice, and Los Angeles.

First impressions at Guerlain Wellness

Guerlain products, including perfumes and makeup, are elegantly displayed in the retail boutique.

When I entered the spa’s lovely sun-drenched reception area, I felt like I had been instantly transported to Paris. Guerlain products, including perfumes and makeup, are elegantly displayed. The original Guerlain boutique first opened in Paris in 1828 and the brand has been a pioneer in the beauty space ever since, innovating when it comes to makeup, skincare, and fragrance.

After checking in, my journey started with a gold-leaf adorned mini fruit tart and oshibori (hot towel) in the chic entry lounge.

Women’s locker room at Guerlain Wellness Spa

Next, I was shown to the locker area to get situated. The changing room is equipped with a steam room, sauna, and hot tub which are some of my favorite ways to decompress during a spa day. There’s also a relaxation lounge where guests can sip on a selection of tea and find calm before or after treatments.

Melting Stress away with a deep tissue massage

The treatment room for my deep tissue massage at Guerlain Wellness Spa.

For my treatment, I opted for an hour long deep tissue massage. The massage begins with your choice of Guerlain scent for the service, and I chose one that reminded me of the ocean. My massage therapist worked through my knots and applied that firm deep tissue pressure.

As an editor that frequently writes about spa services, I’ve become aware of the details that make an exceptional massage stand out from an average, yet enjoyable, one. One thing that I’m keenly aware of is how my body feels after the massage. After this massage, my muscles felt melted like butter, my tension released, and I was so relaxed that I knew I would sleep really well at night. This was an excellent deep tissue massage!

Champagne lounge at Guerlain Wellness Spa.

I’m always a little sad when a massage comes to its end, but here’s one of the things I really loved about Guerlain Wellness: After a service, guests have a surprise to look forward to (I probably shouldn’t ruin the surprise, but…). As you’re feeling blissed out from your service, your therapist leads you to a beautiful airy champagne lounge where you can sip champagne (or tea), enjoy sweet snacks, and take a moment for yourself.

An assortment of sweets and tea in the champagne lounge.

After enjoying the champagne lounge, I wanted to take advantage of all the wonderful amenities. I relaxed in the steam room, sauna, and hot tub.

Of course, after such a relaxing morning my makeup needed a little touch up. The spa offers complimentary post-treatment makeup touchups with Guerlain makeup. (Full makeup application is available for $275 which is about an hour service.)

Insider tip: Booking a treatment at Guerlain gets you access to the hotel’s fitness center and pool (even if you aren’t staying at the hotel). You also can opt for a complimentary makeup touchup, fragrance consultation and application, or skincare consultation after your treatment.

Lunch at Orla

Orla by Michael Mina [Image courtesy of Regent Santa Monica]

After luxuriating at Guerlain Wellness Spa, I headed to Orla for a post-massage bite. It happened to be Dine LA week which is a fun way to try a few courses when visiting a new restaurant. Orla’s menu blends fresh seasonal California ingredients with Mediterranean flavors. I started with a sampler of appetizers for the table – whipped chickpea hummus, grilled halloumi and pear, and tahini dressed beets.

For my main course I opted for the tomato-ginger glazed salmon, and for dessert, the baklava. I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean food and the Dine LA menu choices were perfect for trying a few of the delicious menu items while dining alone.

Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated new luxury destination to spend your downtime while visiting Los Angeles or just want to treat yourself or someone special to a day of luxurious pampering, Regent Santa Monica offers everything you need to enjoy a day of self-care.

Key Guerlain Wellness Spa details:

Location: Guerlain Spa is located at the Regency Santa Monicca at 1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90402.

Prices: Massages start at $275 for an hour massage. Facials start at $310. Makeup application starts at $275.

Parking: Valet parking is available at the hotel. Be sure to get your ticket validated at the spa or Orla.

Spa amenities: 12 treatment rooms with double VIP suites, three lounges, and each changing room is equipped with a steam room and sauna. The spa also features a post-treatment champagne lounge, hot tub, access to the swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and a luxury retail boutique.

Phone number: (310) 899-4040

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer/editor. You can also find her work in publications including Healthline, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo!, MindBodyGreen, Men’s Journal, Bezzy, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16

spa reviews, spa review, spasLizzy ShermanMarch 18, 2025Regent Santa Monica Beach, Guerlain Wellness Spa, Orla by Michael Mina, spa review