Shutters is truly one of Santa Monica’s iconic hotel destinations. Right on the beach, by the beautiful and colorful walkway along the water, it’s hard to beat the location. I’ve been coming here for years- the hotel has a wonderful atmosphere, and the restaurants and bars are equally inviting.
I’m a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium member, so I’ve seen a hotel or two over the years 😊, and what really stands out about Shutters is the people and the atmosphere.
Coast Beach Café & Bar, the restaurant on the lower level right along the beach, is one of my regular stops. I’ve been coming here for more than 10 years, often two or three times a week when I’m not traveling, usually to get my caffeine fix before heading out for a longboard run. I’ll also stop in from time to time for a beer or one of their tasty Bloody Marys.
Lisa and Alex are absolutely fantastic. They’ve been there for years and always make me feel welcome. They know my order, greet me and my kids by name, and somehow always have my espresso ready. They even slice up fresh apples for the kids, who love coming in for the chicken fingers and hot chocolate. That kind of personal service is rare these days. Lisa and Alex are invaluable employees and a big part of why I keep coming back.
I also really enjoy the lobby bar and lounge area. The Living Room has a nice little al fresco terrace, where you can sit and watch the sunset, and there’s often music playing in the lobby bar. At times they also have live performers, which adds a great vibe to the whole place. On our most recent visit, Kate took care of my wife and me, and she was friendly, quick, and genuinely a pleasure to see.
There is one area that I do think has unfortunately not been a shining star, and that’s the management. Mary, who was wonderful, is no longer with the hotel, which is a real shame. Sophia has been there for quite some time, but unfortunately, I’ve consistently found her interactions with guests and employees to be less than welcoming. On our last visit, my witnessed her berating our waitress, and it just didn’t look or feel professional.
I actually had an experience with her about a year ago as well. I saw her, said hello, and called her by name, and she essentially scuffed and rolled her eyes at me without saying anything. At the time, I figured maybe she was just having a bad day and didn’t think much of it. But after repeated visits and seeing how she interacts with her employees, it unfortunately seems to be more of a pattern. And that’s disappointing because the rest of the staff is so friendly and welcoming.
On the other hand, Art at the upstairs 1 Pico Restaurant bar is also always welcoming and efficient, and Katie at the hostess stand is consistently there with a smile and ready to help. Also, Pierce, who manages the valet entrance, is always attentive. The 3 of them are great example of the kind of employee who makes a difference.
Overall, I highly recommend Shutters and its restaurants. The location is fantastic, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun, the sunset views are beautiful, and the music and the live performers make the lobby a great place to hang out. But more than anything, it’s the longtime employees who make this place special.
A very special shout-out to Lisa and Alex at Coast. After more than 10 years, they still greet me with a smile, know my order, and make my kids feel welcome. That kind of service is priceless- and it’s a big reason we’ll keep coming back.
