Editor’s Choice Award: Proper Hospitality Hotels Can Provide a Romantic Backdrop for Couples Visiting Major Cities in the U.S.

The Short Version: Proper Hospitality is a boutique hotel brand that impresses guests with its beautiful interiors, attentive staff, and trendy dining options. From the ocean views in Santa Monica to the rooftop pool in Austin, these hotels offer a luxurious setting to relax and savor special moments with loved ones. In recognition of its world-class hospitality, our editors have chosen Proper’s hotels as some of the most romantic places to spend a honeymoon, anniversary, or weekend getaway.

It only took one romantic weekend in San Francisco to make Alex W. fall head over heels in love — with the Proper hotel. Alex and her boyfriend visited the hotel in the spring of 2019 and said they were impressed by its elegant decor and down-to-earth staff.

The San Francisco Proper Hotel features a hip rooftop bar called Charmaine’s.

“The only thing I hate about this hotel… is that we don’t live in it,” Alex said on Yelp. “The beau took me here for a weekend that I never wanted to end. Pretty much everything about this place is so drop-dead stylish.”

Alex praised the hotel for its charming and friendly atmosphere, and she said the Villon restaurant downstairs checked every box on her date night. “I was floored,” Alex said, adding that Proper’s rooftop bar was also “worth all the hype.”

Proper Hospitality has three hotel locations in the U.S., and they all offer a sophisticated and memorable guest experience from the lobby to the rooftop bar. We’ve highlighted some of the most romantic aspects of the Proper Hotel in Austin, Santa Monica, and San Francisco to give couples some ideas for their next romantic getaway.

Whether you’re planning an anniversary trip or a low-key weekend stay, you can make the most of your stay by booking a room for two at a Proper Hotel.

“Proper began as a feeling, not as an idea,” according to Proper’s website. “The feeling was something akin to empathy; an acute awareness that, despite the current proliferation of ’boutique’ and ‘lifestyle’ hotels and residences, there were precious few properties designed for and around today’s global creative nomad.”

The Austin Proper Hotel is located in the heart of the city, just steps away from Lady Bird Lake. The hotel has 244 rooms and suites that feature floor rugs, fluffy rugs, blackout shades, artsy decorations, and other personal touches to make it feel more residential. The Proper Lakeview Balcony Suite is great for couples traveling with their families as it offers a separate living room and a connection to a junior suite.

Austin Proper invites couples and families to stay in the lap of luxury.

Austin Proper Hotel offers a relaxing oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet it’s still walking distance from many popular shops, restaurants, and bars.

Of course, couples don’t have to leave the hotel to find relaxation and entertainment. Proper’s Silene Spa, which opens this summer, will offer a quiet space for pampering, primping, and beauty treatments, and the heated swimming pool on the fifth floor is well worth a visit.

If you like to stay active with your partner, you can hit the gym before touring Austin’s downtown scene. Proper’s fitness center is open 24/7 and includes cutting-edge cardio equipment, yoga mats, and a punching bag. You can also schedule an appointment with a fitness trainer during your stay.

Austin Proper is a food lover’s paradise because it has four dining options crafted by McGuire Moorman Hospitality, the team responsible for developing some of Austin’s most beloved eateries.

The Peacock’s house-made pita and fresh herbs make its Mediterranean dishes come alive.

On the ground floor, you’ll see the Peacock Mediterranean Grill and the Mockingbird. The Peacock is a sit-down restaurant serving Israeli and Turkish fare with a modern twist, while the Mockingbird is more of a grab-and-go establishment with coffee, falafel, and rotisserie. These healthy and light dining options can hit the spot while highlighting unique flavors and taste combinations.

On Valentine’s Day, the Peacock put on a four-course meal for couples looking to share a special dining experience.

Goldie’s Sunken Bar is a classy bar where the drinks are cool and so are the guests. The exclusive and intimate setting is ideal for a date night, and it’s not unusual to see hotel guests enjoying handcrafted cocktails here.

The Austin Proper Hotel has a perfect 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, and many couples say they plan to make a return trip as soon as possible.

“It was a complete delight,” said Mallory M. in a review. “Beautiful spaces, cozy but cool rooms, thoughtful designs, friendly staff, and absolutely delicious Mediterranean cuisine.”

Drew K. said the Proper staff went out of their way to make his stay both comfortable and memorable. “I am still speechless over the beauty of the space, the delicious food, and the outstanding service,” he said. “There are personal touches to every aspect of the stay. We will definitely be back!”

The Santa Monica Proper Hotel comes alive on Valentine’s Day weekend, and many couples flock to this trendy California spot just west of L.A. The hotel offers breakfast in bed, red velvet cupcakes, and other exclusive Valentine’s packages to encourage a romantic mood. There is a lot to savor at this hotel, including morning yoga classes and a rooftop bar called Calabra.

The Santa Monica Proper is a luxury resort with panoramic views of the city.

Santa Monica Proper has 271 rooms and suites decorated with custom-made furniture and equipped with an Apple TV. The Kelly-Wearstler designed rooms are open and airy. Some suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light and also come with blackout shades. Comfort comes first at this hotel, and that’s only Proper.

Guests at Santa Monica Proper are just across the street from the Pacific Ocean, and they can walk up and down Wilshire Boulevard to explore local shops, coffee shops, and restaurants.

Like any proper hotel, Proper has both upscale and convenient dining options. Guests can grab a snack or a cocktail at the Palma lounge, or they can reserve a table at Onda, which blends Californian and Mexican cuisines to create one-of-a-kind seasonal dishes.

Calabra is a top-notch rooftop restaurant and bar with great views and delicious cocktails. This indoor/outdoor spot attracts a crowd for brunch, and it’s also a popular social spot on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Santa Monica Proper makes guests feel at ease to vacation any way they want. You can sign up to the email list to hear about exclusive offers, promotions, and special rates going on during holidays and the off-season.

“The Proper Hotel is a fabulous addition to Santa Monica,” said a guest on TripAdvisor. “The bar and restaurant next to the lobby are inviting and exude atmosphere.”

“My first impression of the hotel was that it was like walking into an oasis of serenity,” said Victoria S. in a review. “Whether you wish to relax by the rooftop pool or nest in a corner by the lobby bar or even be regaled with the excellent Mexican food at Onda, you can easily stay here for a few days and leave feeling totally rejuvenated.”

The San Francisco Proper Hotel has a lot to love, especially if you’re visiting during a holiday. Much like Proper’s other properties, the hotel features an elegant rooftop bar and artistically designed rooms, and it also hosts happenings to bring guests into the social scene.

The afternoon tea offered at the Villon is perfect for couples looking for a special treat. For $39 per person, couples can indulge in homemade pastries, warm scones, tea sandwiches, and, of course, organic tea or coffee made any way you like — or you can upgrade to champagne if you’re feeling extra fancy. Tea time lasts from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on weekends.

The San Francisco Proper has 131 rooms with made-in-California beds.

On Valentine’s Day, the Charmaine’s rooftop bar put on a wonderful spread and served couples a bottle of champagne, canapes, and desserts throughout the night. Meanwhile the Villon downstairs featured a prix fixe menu with four indulgent courses.

Because the Proper in San Francisco is located close to the Orpheum Theatre and Alonzo King Ballet, many guests choose to see shows during their stay and create fantastic memories full of culture and cuisine.

Tina H. said she and her significant other had an early dinner at Villon before taking in a show, and the staff made sure they never felt rushed or stressed. “The food was delicious, and the cocktails were phenomenal,” she wrote. “We walked the short block to the theater and, when we came back at 10 p.m., had dessert and a few more cocktails at Villon…Perfect evening.”

Jane N. said in a review that the Proper staff went above and beyond to meet their needs throughout the San Jose couple’s staycation.

“My partner intentionally sought out a place for our overnight stay with distinctive character,” Jane wrote. “The Proper Hotel place did not disappoint. The room had a handwritten note, bottle of wine, and macaroons awaiting us — those little extra touches always make things feel more special and were much appreciated.”

At the end of the day, Proper Hospitality offers guests the chance to get away from their everyday lives and discover something new. By booking a room at a Proper location, couples, friends, and families can escape to a modern, cozy, and entertaining home away from home.

Throughout the year, Proper provides a romantic and luxurious guest experience in some of the most popular destinations in the U.S., and its amenities, events, and culinary innovations can always entertain and intrigue people looking for an adventure. Proper fosters many special moments — and it’s only proper that many couples say it’s their favorite vacation spot.

After touring San Francisco, Alex W. and her boyfriend went to Charmaine’s rooftop lounge, to unwind by the fire pits, and they took Proper’s guest-only elevator so they could skip the long lines. Alex joked that her overall experience at Proper was “so good I’m reluctant to tell you riffraff about it.” Proper has what it takes to wow guests from all walks of life, and all it takes is a weekend to sweep couples off their feet.