By Alex
There are hotels you stay at, and there are hotels you fall in love with, and Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica is firmly in the second camp. Perched right on the sand, it has that breezy, weathered-Cape-Cod elegance that makes you exhale the moment you walk in.
The rooms feel like a friend's impossibly chic beach house, all white shutters, soft linens, and the sound of waves through the window. Request an ocean view if you can, because there is nothing like waking up to the Pacific and a tray of coffee on the balcony.
Downstairs, the lobby fireplace and the cozy bar are perfect for a rainy afternoon, while the beachfront pool and the spa are made for the sunny ones. Dinner at the on-site restaurant, with the ocean just steps away, is the kind of meal you remember.
If you're planning a Santa Monica escape and want to be steps from the sand without giving up an ounce of comfort, Shutters is my forever recommendation. It's a splurge, and it's worth every penny.
Why This Hotel Wins Me Over
There is a particular kind of hotel that makes you feel instantly at ease, and this is one of them. It manages to be polished without being stuffy, the beach is right there, and the whole place has the easy, salt-air confidence of somewhere that knows exactly what it is. I have stayed in flashier hotels, but few have made me want to cancel my plans and just stay put.
The rooms strike that hard balance of cozy and elegant, the service anticipates rather than hovers, and the location means you can walk barefoot to the sand in the morning and be at a great dinner by night.
How to Make the Most of a Stay
My ideal stay here is gloriously low-effort. A morning walk along the water, a long lunch on the terrace, an afternoon with a book by the pool, and a sunset cocktail before dinner. The trick to a great beach-hotel stay is resisting the urge to fill it with activities and instead letting the days unspool.
Ask for a room facing the ocean, book a window table for at least one dinner, and do not skip a slow breakfast. The view does most of the work for you.
