Regent Hotels has laid new roots in Los Angeles, with a Santa Monica location that combines ocean views with free minibars and innovative kids' amenities. Olivia Palamountain reports

The Regent Hotels brand has made its comeback to the United States with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach.

This marks the luxury chain's first Americas flagship property since its original Beverly Hills location, once famous as the setting for Pretty Woman.

Located steps from Santa Monica Pier, the 167-room beachfront resort comprises a selection of room types, most with ocean views, and an elevated pool deck overlooking the blue beyond. A free in-room "Refreshment Gallery", featuring beverages and snacks curated ahead of arrival according to a guest’s personal tastes, makes a neat addition to the experience.

Spa-like bathrooms, complete with a soaking tub, walk-in rain shower and Perricone MD products, plus in-room features such as a designated dining and work station, a Bose speaker, Dyson hairdryer, plugs, and chargers near each bedside.To ensure smooth service, each guest is assigned a "Regent Experience Manager" to be a dedicated point of contact throughout their stay.

For families, Regent Santa Monica Beach offers comprehensive childcare amenities through partnerships with CYBEX and Nestig, including strollers, highchairs, cribs, and the Seascape Explorers kids' programme featuring age-appropriate activities and seasonal events.Younes Atallah, general manager of Regent Santa Monica Beach, says: “It is an honour to reintroduce this legacy brand to Southern California and ignite a new era of unforgettable memories for our guests in Santa Monica. Our resort captures the unique allure of Santa Monica in a serene setting where you can disconnect from the outside world and experience Regent’s legendary hospitality on your terms.”

The property houses four dining venues, including Orla and Orla Bar by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina, and Sweet July Café by entrepreneur Ayesha Curry.

Next to the Sweet July Café, guests can find The Regent Shop featuring lifestyle products and luxury goods for the self and home.A 10,000-square-foot Guerlain Wellness spa, the French brand's first on the West Coast, offers 12 treatment rooms and luxury facilities. This joins a large gym decked out with high-tech equipment from brands such as Aviron, Echelon, Escape Fitness, Life Fitness and Therabody.

Design firm AvroKO drew inspiration from luxury fashion and oceanic elements, incorporating brass archways and yacht-style flooring, while Wimberly Interiors designed the rooms using Pacific Ocean-inspired colours."Half a century ago, Regent Hotels & Resorts pioneered modern luxury hospitality by introducing amenities that are hospitality hallmarks today," says Tom Rowntree, IHG Hotels & Resorts' vice president of Global Luxury & Lifestyle Brands.

Regent Santa Monica Beach, with rooms starting at $1,100 per night, joins Regent properties in Hong Kong, Cannes, Shanghai, and Phu Quoc, with new openings planned for Jeddah in 2024 and Kyoto in 2025.