
Shutters on the Beach
Best for families and travelers who want a full-service beachfront resort with multiple restaurants, a heated ocean-view pool, and close access to the Santa Monica Pier.
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Shutters on the Beach is a five-star, family-friendly oceanfront hotel on Santa Monica State Beach; read this if you want full-service beachfront dining, a heated ocean-view pool, and easy access to Santa Monica attractions. Malibu Beach Inn is a boutique 4.5-star oceanfront Malibu hotel located on Carbon Beach; read this if you prefer a quieter Malibu setting with private beach access and smaller property scale.
Updated · about 12.8 miles (≈20.6 km) apart

Best for families and travelers who want a full-service beachfront resort with multiple restaurants, a heated ocean-view pool, and close access to the Santa Monica Pier.

Best for travelers seeking a smaller, quieter Malibu beachfront experience with private beach access and individually decorated rooms.
When Shutters on the Beach wins: Choose Shutters if you want a full-service resort atmosphere, more restaurants and bars on site (1 Pico, Coast, The Living Room), a staffed beach activity center with complimentary seasonal bike rentals, a heated ocean-view pool with cabanas, and easy walking access to the Santa Monica Pier and shopping.
When Malibu Beach Inn wins: Choose Malibu Beach Inn if you prefer a smaller, boutique hotel on Malibu’s Carbon Beach with private beach access, fewer rooms (about 47), and a quieter stretch of coastline away from Santa Monica crowds.
Bottom line: Pick Shutters for a classic, full-service Santa Monica beachfront stay with family-friendly amenities and more on-site facilities; pick Malibu Beach Inn for a low-key, boutique Malibu beach stay focused on oceanfront rooms and privacy.
| Category | Shutters on the Beach | Malibu Beach Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Larger, full-service beachfront resort with lively public spaces | Smaller boutique oceanfront hotel with a quieter Malibu feel |
| Location | Directly on Santa Monica State Beach; about a 5-minute walk to Santa Monica Pier | On Carbon Beach in Malibu (Eastern Malibu), steps from Malibu Lagoon State Beach and near Malibu Pier |
| Size (rooms) | 186 guest rooms + 12 suites across two buildings | 47 individually decorated guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | Family-friendly; children of all ages welcome | All-ages property (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Outdoor heated ocean-view pool, whirlpool/hot tub, cabanas (guest-only) | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Three on-site venues: 1 Pico (signature Italian), Coast Beach Café & Bar (casual), The Living Room (lounge) | One on-site restaurant: Carbon Beach Club (Californian cuisine) and 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | ONE Spa with multiple treatment rooms, rain/steam rooms, fitness center and complimentary beach yoga classes | Full-service spa offering facials and treatments; fitness/steam/steam room and classes listed |
| Known for | Classic Santa Monica beachfront location, family programming, walkable access to pier and Third Street Promenade | Private beach access on Carbon Beach and intimate oceanfront rooms with balconies and fireplaces |
| Parking & transport | Overnight valet (rates vary, commonly cited), EV charging station, airport shuttle for a surcharge | Valet parking (surcharge) and secured parking listed; airport distances provided |
| Rooms: signature features | Oceanfront rooms and suites, many with ocean views; 24-hour room service; 186 rooms | Private balconies, fireplaces in many room types, minibars and espresso makers; 47 rooms |
Shutters sits directly on Santa Monica State Beach within an easy walk of the Pier and downtown Santa Monica.
Choose Shutters if you want immediate beach access plus walkable Santa Monica attractions.
Malibu Beach Inn is on Carbon Beach in eastern Malibu, offering a quieter stretch of coastline than central Santa Monica.
Choose Malibu Beach Inn for a quieter, more private Malibu shoreline experience.
Shutters offers a wide range of room types across two buildings, including multiple oceanfront suites.
Shutters provides more room variety and family-friendly configurations.
Malibu Beach Inn is a smaller property with individually decorated guestrooms and oceanfront balconies.
Malibu Beach Inn suits travelers who want intimate, ocean-facing rooms with balcony and fireplace options.
Shutters has multiple on-site venues covering casual to upscale oceanfront dining.
Shutters offers more on-site dining options and venues for different moods and meal times.
Malibu Beach Inn centers food service around Carbon Beach Club and 24-hour room service.
Choose Malibu Beach Inn for intimate, ocean-facing dining rather than multiple restaurant choices.
Shutters emphasizes a heated ocean-view pool with cabanas and beach programming.
Shutters combines a beachfront pool experience with active beach services and rentals.
Malibu Beach Inn highlights private beach access and seaside rooms; an on-site pool is not published in the supplier listing.
Malibu Beach Inn focuses on private beach access and oceanfront rooms; a pool is not published in the supplier listing.
Shutters offers a full spa program plus a 24-hour fitness center and complimentary beach yoga.
Shutters provides broader wellness facilities and more evening public programming.
Malibu Beach Inn features a full-service spa and on-site fitness/steam amenities as part of a boutique offering.
Malibu Beach Inn is suitable for quieter wellness-focused stays rather than a lively evening scene.

Shutters — more room variety, connecting rooms, kids’ menus, and easy access to family attractions like the Santa Monica Pier.

Malibu Beach Inn — smaller property on Carbon Beach with private beach access and intimate oceanfront rooms.

Shutters — multiple on-site venues from casual Coast to the signature 1 Pico and a lobby lounge.

Malibu Beach Inn — individually decorated rooms with balconies and many rooms featuring fireplaces.
Shutters on the Beach — it’s explicitly family-friendly, offers connecting rooms, kids’ menus, and close access to family attractions like the Santa Monica Pier.
Malibu Beach Inn highlights private beach access on Carbon Beach; Shutters sits directly on Santa Monica State Beach but its beachfront is the public state beach.
Yes. Shutters has ONE Spa with multiple treatment rooms and signature treatments; Malibu Beach Inn lists a full-service spa offering facials and massages.
No. Malibu Beach Inn is not listed as adults-only in the supplier listing.
Shutters on the Beach — within walking distance of Third Street Promenade, Main Street, and other Santa Monica shopping and dining.
Explore how Shutters on the Beach stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·