The Exterior of Shutters on the Beach

For my first visit to Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I knew that it had a fabulous location right on the beach, but I wasn’t sure how the hotel would balance its casual decor with its luxury amenities.  After a two-night stay during the recent Independent Spirit Awards, I can definitely consider Shutters on the Beach one of my favorite hotels in the US.

I arrived on one of the busiest weekends of the year (school vacation week, plus the weekend of the Indie Spirits and Academy Awards) at about 11am, so my room wasn’t ready.  I left my luggage with the front desk, and when I returned later in the day, it was already delivered to my room waiting for me.

The room itself is beautiful, in a beach club casual sort of way.  My room had two queen beds (both extremely comfortable, although very high off the ground), a flat-screen television, writing desk, Keurig coffee maker, and a small balcony.  The bathroom was very large, with a big soaking tub, a shower, and a vanity, as well as a small television.

Service is excellent.  My room service was delivered promptly, and the room was cleaned extremely well, and early.  I am happy when I return from breakfast to a clean room.

The only negative I saw is that some of the rooms can be a far walk, outdoors (not a big deal in the warm weather, but I was there on a rainy day).  My room was actually on the first floor right near the lobby, so it was a bit loud in the evening hours.  WiFi is available, at an additional charge.

Shutters on the Beach
One Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 458-0030

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: Aveeno paid for my trip, including accommodations at Shutters on the Beach, for my trip to the Independent Spirit Awards.

Sitting here at my computer with “The Letter Factory” blaring from the television and Cheerios crunching under my feet, my experience spending the last few days at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica feels like a dream.

A dream come true, that is.

Read More »

Hotel Shangri-La, Santa Monica, CA

Everyone wants to feel like a movie star, even if you have no desire to trod the boards or too many scruples for full frontal. The Hotel Shangri-La, in Santa Monica, California, is the kind of old school glamorous hotel that real celebrities prefer, the ones who want the luxury that fame brings, without the gawkers and paparazzi that a stay at the Chateau Marmont entails. They might not even let Lindsay Lohan stay here, she’s so B-list these days!

The ritzy yet paparazzi-free lobby

The property is finishing up a $30 million renovation, and you have to admit, they spent their money well. This place looks like a movie set! Photographer Bruce Weber — inventor of the soft core porn pretty boy Ambercrombie model shots — loves to use the hotel as location for his shoots.

This is what celebrities see when they wake up

Hotel Shangri-La was built in 1939, and has seen its share of celebrity guests, from JFK Jr. to Madonna to Tom Cruise. It sits on a cliff above the Pacific, offering amazing views, and it’s also walking distance to the Santa Monica pier. They’re advertising introductory rates from $255/night.

And this is the suite where celebrities drink coffee, vodka or both

I would probably do full frontal to stay there. But of course, I love hotels. And drinking vodka on animal print rugs.