
Shutters on the Beach
Best for direct beachfront stays, family-friendly beach days, and ocean-view dining.
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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 direct beach access, classic coastal rooms, and beachside dining. Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a design-forward 5-star lifestyle hotel in downtown Santa Monica; read this if you prefer modern design, a central downtown address, and meeting/event capacity.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for direct beachfront stays, family-friendly beach days, and ocean-view dining.

Best for travelers who want a design-forward downtown hotel with large conference/meeting capacity.
When Shutters on the Beach wins: choose Shutters if you want immediate beach access, ocean-view rooms, on-site beachfront dining (1 Pico and Coast), a heated ocean-view pool with cabanas, and family-friendly services like connecting rooms and a kids' menu.
When Santa Monica Proper Hotel wins: choose Proper if you prefer a modern, design-oriented downtown base that’s near Third Street Promenade, has extensive conference space (24000 sq ft) and more rooms overall, plus a full-service spa and on-site restaurants for a busy city stay.
Bottom line: pick Shutters for the beachfront, seaside atmosphere and family-oriented amenities; pick Santa Monica Proper Hotel for contemporary design, larger scale (events/meetings) and a downtown location close to shopping and transit.
| Category | Shutters on the Beach | Santa Monica Proper Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Classic coastal, relaxed luxury | Design-forward urban lifestyle |
| Location | Directly on Santa Monica State Beach (steps to sand and ~5-min walk to Santa Monica Pier) | Downtown Santa Monica (near Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place) |
| Size (rooms) | 186 guest rooms and 12 suites | 261 air-conditioned rooms |
| Audience / age policy | Family-friendly; children of all ages welcome (reservation holder must be 18+) | All-ages property; not adults-only (reservation holder minimum age 21 noted in supplier listing) |
| Pools / beach access | Outdoor heated ocean-view pool, whirlpool/hot tub, cabanas; direct beach access | Outdoor pool (1) and poolside bar; beach shuttle available for a surcharge (beach not onsite) |
| Restaurants & bars | Two restaurants (1 Pico, Coast Beach Café & Bar) plus The Living Room lounge | Two restaurants and a coffee shop/cafe, plus a bar/lounge and poolside bar |
| Spa & fitness | ONE Spa (multiple treatment rooms, wet rooms) and 24-hour fitness with Peloton/Tonal/Hydrow | Full-service spa, 24-hour fitness facilities, fitness classes on site |
| Known for | Direct beachfront location, oceanfront dining (1 Pico), family services and beach activities | Design-forward interiors, downtown access, large conference/banquet capacity |
| Event & meeting space | 8,632 sq ft across 9 event rooms (largest 3,645 sq ft Grand Salon) | 24000 sq ft of conference space with 5 meeting rooms |
| Nearest major transit / shopping | Walking distance to Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier; close to E Line light rail terminus | |
Shutters sits directly on Santa Monica State Beach, steps from the sand and a short walk to the Pier.
If your priority is being on the sand and close to the Pier, Shutters is the straightforward choice.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel is located in Downtown Santa Monica near shopping and transit.
Choose Proper if you want a downtown base for shopping, restaurants, and transit connections.
Shutters offers traditionally styled coastal rooms and suites, many with ocean or partial-ocean views.
Pick Shutters for rooms with ocean views and family-friendly layouts.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel has a wide range of modern, design-forward rooms and suites.
Proper suits travelers who prefer contemporary design and a larger inventory of room types.
Shutters centers dining around oceanfront venues and a lobby lounge.
If ocean views with meals are important, Shutters’ restaurants are set for that purpose.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers hotel restaurants and a poolside bar in a downtown setting.
Proper is a good pick for downtown dining and hotel-based food options without beachfront service.
Shutters has a heated ocean-view outdoor pool with cabanas and a whirlpool hot tub.
Shutters provides a true beachfront pool experience with direct sand access.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel lists one outdoor pool and a poolside bar; beach access requires shuttle or short trip.
Proper works if you don’t need beachfront pool access and prefer a downtown setting.
Shutters emphasizes spa and fitness with beachfront wellness programming.
Shutters blends spa services and beachfront fitness with nearby evening options on the Pier and downtown.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel includes a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness, and on-site evening dining/drinks.
Proper is suitable for guests who want an on-site spa and city-evening options near shopping and dining.

Direct access to Santa Monica State Beach, oceanfront rooms and ocean-view dining at 1 Pico.

Much larger conference/banquet footprint (24000 sq ft) suitable for big meetings and events.

Family-friendly rooms, kids' menu, connecting rooms and beachfront activities make it easy for families.

Modern design focus, central downtown location near shopping and transit for city-focused travelers.
Shutters on the Beach: about a 5-minute walk to the Pier; Santa Monica Proper Hotel is downtown—short ride or a longer walk.
Shutters is more family-friendly with connecting rooms, a kids' menu and beach activities; Proper is all-ages but positioned as a downtown lifestyle hotel.
No — the hotel is downtown and roughly one mile from Santa Monica Beach; a beach shuttle is available for a surcharge.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel lists about 24000 sq ft of conference space; Shutters on the Beach lists 8,632 sq ft of event space.
Explore how Shutters on the Beach stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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