An ultra-luxury hotel with a prime Santa Monica beachside location, Shutters feels like another world — a genteel, civilized retreat where one can enjoy a snifter of brandy in the lobby bar while eyeing the fine collection of modern art that lines that walls. (Ask for the brochure that provides a guided tour of the collection, which includes works by David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Motherwell, William Wegman, Richard Diebenkorn and Claes Oldenburg.) And each room seems like a peaceful, rustic beach cottage—but one that is equipped with every amenity imaginable.

If the surroundings aren’t relaxing enough, the in-hotel spa offers an extensive menu of treatments from Ole Henriksen and SkinCeuticals. For more active guests, there are surfing lessons, bike rentals, and yoga classes on the beach. And to feed the body as well as the soul, the hotel offers two restaurants, the elegant One Pico and the more casual Coast Beach Café & Bar.

Amenities

• 24-hour room service
• 32-inch televisions with movies and video games on demand
• DVD/CD player
• iPods and speakers available upon request
• In-room safes
• In-room coffee service
• High-speed wireless Internet access
• Large whirlpool bathtubs
• Fully equipped “Bath and Beach Chest”
• Fitness center
• Beach activities center
• Spa services
• Concierge service
• Valet parking
• 7,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space
• Pool
• Complimentary shoe shine
• Same-day laundry and dry cleaning
• Twice-daily maid service
• Business center