For years, I dreamed of working from home, eschewing L.A. traffic and carving out more quality time with family. In 2020, that dream became a reality because of a nightmare: the pandemic. But even when much of the world went back to office work, my publishers made our remote status long-term. While I enjoy the ease of working from home as much as I had once envisioned, there are days I’d rather be anywhere else. Thankfully, coffeehouses aren’t the only option.
When construction chaos recently took over my house, I traded the incessant drilling and drywall dust for ocean breezes by booking a day of “resort working” at Santa Monica Proper Hotel’s rooftop via ResortPass.
My corner cabana — with just the right mix of sun and palm shade — became the perfect spot to edit, eat and enjoy vacation-like vibes. Whenever I looked up from my screen, I saw people lounging in the sparkling turquoise pool. This scene, backed by the Santa Monica mountain range and a wide swath of sky, helped open my creative vision in new ways.
No longer closed in by the walls of my home and the invasive sound of construction, I could breathe a little easier, soak up some vitamin D (after lathering on sunscreen) and hear and see other humans in real life! Before you remind me that the grass is always greener from the other side, I’m not ready to go back into an office full-time. Remote work really is my jam. But knowing that I can easily work from one of L.A. County’s beautiful hotels any time I need a break from home is refreshing.
Why ResortPass is a game-changer for remote workers
ResortPass lets you book luxe hotel amenities — such as cabanas, spas and pools — without an overnight stay, making it easy to turn any workday into a mini getaway. Day passes start at $25 and can increase depending on where you want to go and what kind of amenities you would like to access.
Booking is easy. On the ResortPass website, I entered my preferred location (Santa Monica) and date, clicked “all” for the amenities option, then browsed the list of participating hotels. The list included customer reviews, cost, icons symbolizing which amenities were available (pool, towel service, bar, food, etc.) and links to the hotels’ websites.
The pitch for a day at Santa Monica Proper Hotel let me know it was the choice for me: “Escape to a luxurious alcove at Santa Monica Proper Hotel for a day of pure relaxation. Savor the ocean breeze, enjoy personalized service and unwind by the rooftop pool with breathtaking views. Indulge in gourmet bites, sip refreshing cocktails and recharge in serene, stylish comfort. Treat yourself to an unforgettable day of bliss and tranquility.”
On the day of my poolside workday, I made sure I had chargers for my phone and laptop, a notebook, my reusable water bottle, sunscreen and trail mix. Located at 700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Proper Hotel is walking distance from the beach. Designed with coastal flair and natural tones, it is branded as a hotel with a “looser kind of luxury.” I easily found metered parking around the hotel, but since it was a workday, I decided to valet park, which was $40.
After I checked in at the front desk, staff directed me to the elevators leading to the rooftop. I sighed with pleasure when I saw my alcove — a corner with a lush couch that curved around a wooden table. Blessed with a sunny day, I was thankful the cabana was tucked under a squat palm tree with fronds that fanned over my workstation.
From Calabra, the hotel’s rooftop hotel that serves up Mediterranean and California cuisine, I treated myself to an oat milk cappuccino, truffle fries and the fattoush salad crowned with large falafels that burst with aromatic spices and boasted a crips golden-brown shell and a tender, flavorful center.
How to book your own work daycation
Booking through ResortPass is seamless — just select your date, choose your cabana and get ready to work in style. Even though you’re working, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation — especially if you take your break in the pool.
Cassandra Lane is Editor-in-Chief of L.A. Parent.
