
Shutters on the Beach
Best for direct beach access, easy walks to the Santa Monica Pier, and an intimate oceanfront experience for families.
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Shutters on the Beach is a five-star oceanfront hotel in Santa Monica with direct access to Santa Monica State Beach; read this if you want beachfront rooms, family-friendly amenities, and an ocean-view pool. The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey is a five-star waterfront marina hotel in Marina del Rey; read this if you prefer a larger resort with marina views, tennis courts, and a full-service spa.
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Best for direct beach access, easy walks to the Santa Monica Pier, and an intimate oceanfront experience for families.

Best for guests who want a larger full-service luxury hotel on the marina with extensive recreational options (tennis, boating access) and more on-site meeting capacity.
When Shutters on the Beach wins: choose Shutters if you want to be directly on Santa Monica State Beach, prefer smaller scale and oceanfront dining/rooms, or are traveling with kids and want quick access to the pier and beachfront activities.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey wins: pick the Ritz-Carlton if you want a larger property with marina views, a broader set of recreational facilities (outdoor tennis courts, boating/sea activities nearby), a bigger spa program, or need more meeting/event space.
Bottom line: both are five-star hotels on Los Angeles’s Westside, but Shutters is the straightforward beachfront option for ocean access and coastal dining; the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey is the choice for a marina-front luxury hotel with more on-site recreation and larger capacity.
| Category | Shutters on the Beach | The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Coastal, intimate oceanfront hotel with a relaxed yet refined beach-house feel | 5-star waterfront marina luxury hotel with a larger, resort-style footprint |
| Location | Directly on Santa Monica State Beach; ~5-minute walk to Santa Monica Pier | On Admiralty Way in Marina del Rey, close to Venice Beach and marina activities |
| Size (guest rooms) | 186 guest rooms and 12 suites | 304 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family-friendly with connecting rooms | All ages (not adults-only) |
| Pools & beach access | Heated ocean-view outdoor pool, hot tub, pool cabanas (surcharge), direct beach access | Outdoor pool and hot tub; beach access not listed (marina/waterfront setting) |
| Restaurants & bars | Three venues: 1 Pico (signature oceanfront Italian), Coast Beach Café & Bar, The Living Room (lounge) | One on-site restaurant, 24-hour room service, bar/lounge and poolside bar |
| Spa & wellness | ONE Spa with multiple treatment rooms, rain and steam wet rooms, fitness center open 24 hours | Full-service spa on site and a wheelchair-accessible fitness center |
| Known for | Direct beachfront location, oceanfront dining, family-friendly beachfront amenities | Ritz-Carlton brand, marina location, tennis courts and marina activities nearby |
| Meetings & events | Event spaces range up to a 3,645 sq ft Grand Salon; multiple indoor/outdoor venues including beachfront terrace | Meeting rooms and banquet facilities; wedding services and larger event capacity |
| Parking & transport | Overnight valet parking (published rates vary), airport shuttle available for a surcharge | Covered and secured parking with valet option (surcharge) and LAX is the preferred airport |
Shutters sits directly on Santa Monica State Beach with immediate sand access and short walks to the pier and Third Street Promenade.
Choose Shutters if you want immediate beach access and to be within walking distance of Santa Monica’s main attractions.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey sits on Admiralty Way in the marina area; it’s focused on marina and waterfront activities rather than direct beachfront.
Choose the Ritz-Carlton if you want a marina-front base with easy access to Venice and boating options.
Shutters offers oceanfront rooms and suites in two buildings with many ocean- or partial-ocean views.
Shutters is best if you want rooms focused on ocean views and a smaller, beachfront hotel layout.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey has a larger inventory of guestrooms with many marina-view and balcony options.
The Ritz-Carlton suits travelers who prefer more room-type options, higher inventory and dedicated balcony/marina views.
Shutters provides three on-site venues that cover fine dining, casual beachfront meals, and a lobby lounge.
Shutters offers more varied on-site dining focused on oceanfront experiences and family-friendly café options.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey has a single on-site restaurant, 24-hour room service, and poolside/pool bar options.
The Ritz-Carlton is appropriate if you plan to dine locally or prefer a quieter single-restaurant on-site model complemented by marina dining nearby.
Shutters’ signature amenity is its beachfront setting with a heated ocean-view pool and direct sand access.
If you prioritize beach time, ocean-view pool access, and beachfront activities, Shutters is built around that experience.
The Ritz-Carlton’s notable recreational features include an outdoor pool, hot tub, and outdoor tennis courts.
Pick the Ritz-Carlton for tennis, marina activities and a broader mix of on-site recreational options rather than direct beachfront access.
Shutters focuses on spa and wellness with ONE Spa, 24-hour fitness, and complimentary beach fitness programming.
Shutters is a strong pick for spa-focused stays plus convenient access to Santa Monica nightlife and seaside wellness classes.
The Ritz-Carlton offers a full-service spa and accessible fitness facilities combined with resort-style evening options.
Choose the Ritz-Carlton for a traditional luxury spa program with broader on-site recreation and convenient concierge-arranged activities.

Shutters on the Beach — steps from Santa Monica State Beach and a short walk to the Pier.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey — more guestrooms, tennis courts, and marina/boat activity access.

Shutters on the Beach — signature oceanfront 1 Pico plus a casual beach café and a lobby lounge.

The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey — extensive meeting rooms and banquet facilities for larger groups.
Shutters on the Beach. It sits directly on Santa Monica State Beach with immediate sand access and beachfront pool facilities.
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. The property lists outdoor tennis courts and is positioned for marina-related activities and boat tours nearby.
No. Both properties accept guests of all ages; the reservation holder must be at least 18 to check in at each hotel.
Shutters on the Beach has more on-site venues (1 Pico, Coast Beach Café & Bar, and The Living Room) while the Ritz-Carlton lists one main restaurant plus bar/pool service and 24-hour room service.
Explore how Shutters on the Beach stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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