Historic Santa Monica Villa Reborn as Boutique Hotel Maison Twenty Seven

New intimate retreat blends French-Mediterranean elegance with soulful Southern California hospitality

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:07pm

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A historic 1927 villa steps from the Santa Monica coast is reborn as an intimate boutique retreat, Maison Twenty Seven, where French-Mediterranean romance meets deeply personal hospitality. The property offers 38 individually designed residences and a return to human-centered service.

Why it matters

In an era of increasingly automated and transactional travel experiences, Maison Twenty Seven aims to revive the art of personalized service and connection, honoring the property's historic legacy while embracing a more soulful, locally-driven approach to hospitality.

The details

Located just blocks from the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Pier, Maison Twenty Seven is distinguished by its Moorish-influenced Mediterranean Revival design, with original stuccoed walls, romantic balconies, and lush gardens. The hotel offers 38 residential-style studios and one and two-bedroom residences, each with unique layouts and many featuring fully equipped kitchens. Service is intentionally personal, delivered by stewards who view the guest experience as both craft and calling.

  • Maison Twenty Seven opens on February 1, 2026.
  • The property was originally built in 1927.

The players

Maison Twenty Seven

An intimate boutique hotel located in a historic 1927 villa in Santa Monica, California.

Somnium Hospitality Group

The company that operates Maison Twenty Seven, with a focus on creating places where emotion, imagination, and human connection are central to the guest experience.

Steven Ellingsen

The CEO of Somnium Hospitality Group.

Jimmy Peña

The General Manager of Maison Twenty Seven, with experience in luxury hotel leadership, private estate operations, and storytelling.

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What they’re saying

“At a time when so much of travel has become transactional and automated, we wanted to create something deeply human again.”

— Steven Ellingsen, CEO, Somnium Hospitality Group (PRWeb)

“I don't think first about what guests will see, I think about how they'll feel. For me, hospitality is about turning strangers into friends and friends into family. We want guests to feel instantly at home — seen, known, and genuinely cared for.”

— Jimmy Peña, General Manager, Maison Twenty Seven (PRWeb)

What’s next

Maison Twenty Seven is set to open its doors on February 1, 2026, welcoming guests to experience its blend of historic charm and soulful hospitality.

The takeaway

In an era of corporate-owned hotels and algorithm-driven travel, Maison Twenty Seven offers a refreshing alternative, reviving the art of personalized service and human connection within the historic setting of a 1927 Santa Monica villa.