Shutters on the Beach – Hotel Review

For the past 25 years, Shutters on the Beach has enjoyed a prime position on Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Beach. The grey-slate shingled hotel is reminiscent of an intimate Hamptons getaway yet, here it is sprawling over the vibrant Santa Monica beachfront. There’s something for everyone at this luxurious property. Boasting 186 rooms and 12 suites, with the most coveted located in the ocean-facing "Beach House", the interconnecting rooms, an outdoor heated pool, bike rentals and beach amenities (sand buckets, boogie boards, chaise lounges) do cater to families but business travellers will appreciate its vast meeting space, especially those rooms with adjoining terraces. Read on for the full review.

Where is Shutters on the Beach? 

Shutters on the Beach sprawls over Los Angeles’ Santa Monica beach, a tourist-friendly, oceanside neighbourhood that offers plenty of dining options for families as well as shopping and beach access. The famous pier is home to the amusement rides of Pacific Park.

What’s near Shutters on the Beach?

The sea. The Santa Monica coastline and its twinkling pier is the real drawcard of the property’s incredible location, seen through room windows and from the sprawling outdoor pool area. The area’s farmers markets are a fun weekend pastime, as is a wander down the way to Venice Beach and its vibrant canals, if you have 25 minutes up your sleeve.

Room types

You can’t help but feel as though you’ve been welcomed into the private holiday home of a friend. There’s a characterful comfort to the plush rooms, thanks to Tibetan rugs in ocean tones, a mismatch of chintz prints in layers of calming blue, with chalk white plantation shutters that open to the ocean (if you’ve secured the relevant room, of course). Most come inclusive with hydrotherapy baths and outdoor balconies, but Nespresso machines, California king beds, imported bed linens and sweet little curated libraries of classic novels are found in all. 

Restaurants and bars 

The casual Coast serves an all-day menu; One Pico offers fine dining with wraparound ocean views; and The Living Room is ideal for drinks and small plates. During the day, a beach concierge is available for those spending time on the sand. 

A drink at the Lobby Terrace, an extension of the Living Room, is popular with locals, hotel guests and even visitors staying elsewhere. The outdoor space is prized for its beautiful vantage point overlooking Santa Monica beach and the famous pier, making it the perfect spot to watch the sun set. The bar menu lists a good selection of Californian wines, classic cocktails with a twist, international beers and tasty treats such as lobster rolls and Wagyu burger sliders. As the sun disappears and night falls over the beach, suddenly you’re treated to an encore: the pier and its amusement park blaze into lights, becoming a riot of colour that’s an Instagram-worthy spectacle. It’s all rather dazzling and shouldn’t be missed.

Gym, pool and spa

The hotel's highlight is certainly the outdoor pool, which has a cluster of lounge chairs that face the rolling ocean. The homey One Spa is a grand old space to spend a few hours being pummeled into relaxation, especially when it involves fluffy bathrobes and slippers. Extend your visit by popping into the steam room,  or, perhaps if you've travelled from abroad, a Low Tide pedicure, which is perfect for tired feet. For fitness-fanatics, a gym with personal training and private yoga upon request. For those who want a blast of fresh ocean air, the beachside walking/biking path runs by the front door. 

Travel for work

There are several meeting and event spaces on-site, with the most notable being the balcony area that peeps out over the ocean. Even some internal rooms have ocean views however, if you don't want to splurge for the outdoor space. 

As for in-room working, take the hint: there are no desk spaces for digital nomads, so perhaps it's best to relinquish the laptop.

Accessibility

Accessible rooms are available, including those with ocean views, inclusive of amenities such as roll-in showers, visual alarms and bathroom grab bars.

What you need to know 

This is a year-round property. In winter, the fireplace roars and the self-heating floors of the open kitchen at Coast is the perfect balm for cool winter evenings.