Senior leaders from Envoyage swapped the Sydney skyline for ocean views last week, heading to Santa Monica for a three-day famil hosted by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. The visit gave the team a hands-on taste of the beachside city’s lifestyle, prestigious hotels and renowned culinary scene ahead of the Flight Centre Global Gathering.

The Regent hotel brand has returned to the shores of the United States with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach.Regent Santa Monica Beach, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, reintroduces the legendary Regent name to Los Angeles and becomes the brand’s first flagship property within the Americas. Originally located in Beverly Hills, Regent returns along one of the nation’s most celebrated beaches and just steps from the famed Santa Monica Pier. The destination resort will deliver inspired stays through a blend of timeless elegance and modern luxury and is poised to usher in a new era of extraordinary experiences.

Sandbourne Santa Monica has opened its doors on Ocean Avenue, offering direct access to the iconic Santa Monica Beach. The property is connected with The Autograph Collection of Marriott International and Marriott Bonvoy.

Regent Santa Monica Beach is set to debut this summer at the site of the former Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Just steps from Santa Monica Pier, this highly anticipated opening will also represent the first destination in the Americas for the reimagined Regent Hotels & Resorts brand.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand in the Americas with an opening on the beachfront of Santa Monica, California. Poised to debut in late 2023, Regent Santa Monica Beach will raise its flag at the site of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

Virtuoso has analysed intel from its data warehouse exceeding AU$77.9 billion in transactions and found that while upscale globetrotters continue to book eternal European favourites, Paris has risen to the top as the number one city among luxury leisure travellers.

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) and key hotel partners returned to Australia for their annual trade, trade media and media sales mission from 14-18 October, 2019. The team visited Brisbane and Sydney for a series of appointments and events, highlighting the latest developments of LA’s beach city.

This spring Sydneysiders will be able to feed their culinary souls with a taste of laid-back Santa Monica living without leaving home as LA’s beach city pops up at the luxurious Pier One Sydney Harbour.

Opening on 17 June, 2019, Santa Monica Proper Hotel emerges as an architectural wonder just seven blocks from the crashing waves of the ocean, spanning two buildings linked by an artfully crafted bridge. Within walking distance is the beach, pier, plenty of boutique shopping opportunities, and an abundance of health-conscious cafés and fine dining options, as well as the world-class Wednesday Farmers Market. 

Tourism officials from Santa Monica wrapped up their 2018 Sales Mission to Australia last week, with an event for trade partners held at Sydney’s Park Hyatt overlooking the Sydney Opera House on Thursday.