Shutters on the Beach

Shutters on the Beach is our preferred place to stay when visiting Santa Monica because no other hotel does coastal California chic quite like it. This time upon arrival, we were thrilled to see the new look lobby, aptly named the Living Room. The LA-based design team, Nickey Kehoe Studio, are behind the transformation, and they have maintained the cerulean blue and glossy cream colour palette, with accents of mahogany and brass, remaining faithful to the property’s oceanfront setting and its New England beach house charm. The space is still the beating heart of the hotel, and its elegant, homely setting means that you are in no rush to check in. In fact it’s tempting to order a cocktail and curl up on a deep sofa with one of the hotel’s beautiful art books.

Art is an important topic at Shutters. Its contemporary art collection features 15 pioneering American artists from the 1970s to the current stars of the day, and the collection has been thoughtfully curated by Cynthia Greenwald. Sky Over Water by Los Angeles-based artist, Grant Levy-Lucero, sits above the reception desk and gives serious Pop Art vibes. As David Hockney knew well, pools are synonymous with sunny California, and this is the perfect piece to view whilst checking in. We also loved Coca Cola Girl in her white bathing suite by Alex Katz, and downstairs by the beach entrance welcoming guests back from a day in the surf, is William Wegman’s humorous Moondoggers, Beach Cruiser and Surfline polaroids.

This summer, Santa Monica celebrates its 150th anniversary, and although Shutters was opened in 1993, its New England cottage style gives it an historic feel. All of the 186 guest rooms and 12 suites are decorated with a calming palette of ocean blues and greens, reflecting the landscape and sweeping views of the bay.

With three ocean-view dining venues, guests are utterly spoilt for choice. 1 Pico specialises in upscale Coastal California cuisine meets Southern Italian tradition with handmade pastas, fire-grilled seafood and seasonal locally inspired dishes.

The Coast Beach Cafe and Bar is an attractive beachfront casual dining option offering Farmer’s Market Salads, seafood and craft cocktails. It provides a wonderful vantage point to watch the coming and going’s on the promenade, a popular spot for strolling, jogging or biking. One of our favourite things to do when staying at the hotel is to hire a bike and cycle along the paved pathway that stretches long the beach. The promenade also gives direct access to Santa Monica beach and you can also reserve a picnic to take with you.

The Living Room’s Terrace is the perfect spot for a morning coffee, afternoon tea, or a sundowner whilst enjoying spectacular sunsets views across the ocean. Live performances by local musicians have helped make the Shutters Living Room and terrace an LA institution.

One of the most relaxing places to lounge is at the oceanfront pool deck. For the more adventurous, surf lessons and beach workouts can be booked via the beach concierge. For those in need of deep relaxation, the nautically inspired ONE Spa is a calming sanctuary which offers treatments incorporating luxury brands such as Augustinus Bader and Biologique Recherche.

Santa Monica has been an emblem of coastal charm for a century and a half, and we look forward to it carrying on this tradition alongside the always iconic Shutters on the Beach.

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CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of the hotel.

All images by Shutters on the Beach.