Shutters on the Beach

Character and identity

Shutters sits directly on the sand in Santa Monica, a few minutes' walk from the Pier, with a Cape Cod-leaning beach house feel reworked by Obama-era White House designer Michael S. Smith. The lobby reads as a coastal living room: fireplaces, sea air drifting through, and pieces by California artists including Hockney and Oldenburg on the walls. 1 Pico anchors the dining with seasonal Californian cooking under lofted ceilings hung with antique boat hulls, while ONE the Spa runs through HydraFacials and CBD-cream Swedish massages. Service is polished but unstuffy, the register of a place locals drop into as readily as out-of-towners.

Who's it for

Bottom line

What sets Shutters apart is its position: genuinely on the sand in walkable Santa Monica, with a lobby and bar scene that pulls in locals and industry regulars rather than feeling like a tourist island. Book an oceanfront room (the view is the product), aim for a weeknight to catch the jazz programming at the Living Room, and plan a meal at 1 Pico.