I stayed at the best hotel in Santa Monica, Shutters on the Beach. Opened in 1993, the hotel was renovated in 2005 by Michael S. Smith, the same interior designer who redesigned the White House for Obama. With the Preferred Hotels seal, a guarantee of sophistication, Shutters on the Beach is elegant, but at the same time has that beach style. After all, we practically have our feet in the sand, right on the coast. Right next door is Casa del Mar, sister hotel to Shutters, certainly the most classic in Santa Monica, and a reference for anyone looking to stay in the region!
Location
Santa Monica is one of the few areas in LA where you don’t need a car, meaning you can do everything on foot. Therefore, in addition to being able to stroll along the promenade, there are also several restaurants, bars, shops and cafes nearby. In a 20-minute walk you will reach Third Street Promenade, a street closed to cars, and in 13 minutes you will reach the Santa Monica Place shopping mall. The iconic pier is just eight minutes away from the best hotel in Santa Monica. A privileged location indeed!
Best hotel in Santa Monica
The all-wood construction, inspired by the Hamptons, certainly catches the eye of anyone passing by the beach! The cozy lobby has several areas, ideal for those who need to work a little or want to meet friends. At night, live music is an invitation to have a drink or something light to eat. The extremely tasteful decoration brings elements that remind us of that seaside atmosphere, and makes us feel like we are at a friend’s beach house! In addition, there are also works of art by great contemporary artists, such as David Hockney and Roy Lichtenstein, spread throughout the hotel’s common areas.
Integrated into the lobby is the Coast Beach Cafe and Bar, which offers everything from breakfast to dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. There is also 1 Pico, which has a more refined beach atmosphere, overlooking the Santa Monica Pier, and features dishes with fresh, seasonal ingredients on the menu.
The rooms
In total there are 198 rooms and 12 suites, most with balconies. In the decoration, light colors predominate, such as white, gray and blue, and wooden furniture. The Superior Room, for example, is 42 square meters, has a king size bed, sofa, TV and bathroom with separate bathtub and shower.
The Studio King Room, where I stayed, was 46 square meters with a king size bed, sofa, desk, armchair and even a fireplace! Oh, by the way, all accommodations offer a coffee maker.
Lazer
The hotel’s swimming pool is very pleasant, overlooking the Pacific, and surrounded by sun loungers. Additionally, there are also private cabins that can be rented. It’s worth watching the sunset from there!
Meanwhile, One SPA offers facial and body treatments, as well as a manicure service and gym. The best hotel in Santa Monica also offers bicycles to guests, as well as private yoga and surfing lessons on the beach, for an additional fee.
So, if you want to know where to stay in Santa Monica, save this post!
Text and photos by Renata Araújo.
