
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Best for wellness-focused stays and rooftop pool access with Mediterranean-Californian dining.
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Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a five-star, design-forward hotel with the city’s only rooftop pool and an Ayurvedic spa—best for travelers who want wellness-focused amenities and a rooftop dining/pool experience. Shutters on the Beach is a five-star beachfront resort known for its coastal rooms, classic beach-house style, and direct beach access—best for travelers who want rooms steps from the sand and a traditional seaside experience.
Updated · about 0.6 miles (≈1.0 km) apart

Best for wellness-focused stays and rooftop pool access with Mediterranean-Californian dining.

Best for direct beach access and a traditional luxury beachfront resort experience.
When Santa Monica Proper Hotel wins: Choose Proper if you want Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool, an intensive Ayurvedic spa program (Surya Spa), and contemporary design by Kelly Wearstler—good for wellness trips and rooftop-dining views.
When Shutters on the Beach wins: Choose Shutters if you want to be literally on Santa Monica Beach, prefer a classic beach-house hotel with ocean-view rooms, and want an established beachfront resort atmosphere with a pool and spa steps from the sand.
Bottom line: Both are five-star options in Santa Monica; pick Santa Monica Proper for rooftop-pool, wellness, and modern design; pick Shutters on the Beach for direct beachfront location and a traditional coastal resort feel.
| Category | Santa Monica Proper Hotel | Shutters on the Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Design-forward luxury with wellness focus and rooftop pool | Classic beachfront luxury resort with beach-house style |
| Location | About a 8-minute walk (0.4 miles) to Santa Monica State Beach; near Third Street Promenade | Directly on Santa Monica Beach at 1 Pico Blvd; steps to sand and near the Pier |
| Size (rooms) | 262 rooms and suites | 198 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; minimum check-in age 21 (unaccompanied minors cannot register) | All ages welcome |
| Pools | City’s only rooftop pool (open 8am–sundown) with poolside dining and cabanas | Outdoor pool and hot tub, beach access and poolside bar |
| Restaurants & bars | Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean-Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge) | Two on-property restaurants including Coast; 24-hour room service available |
| Spa & wellness | Surya Spa—Ayurvedic therapies, Panchakarma programs, Recovery Suite with cold plunge and sauna | Full-service spa offering massages, body treatments, and facials |
| Known for | Rooftop pool deck, Surya Ayurvedic spa, Kelly Wearstler interiors | Beachfront location and proximity to Santa Monica Pier |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive event space (up to ~16,000 sq ft), ballroom and rooftop venues | 7 meeting rooms and 7 event spaces |
| Nearby highlights | Walking distance to Third Street Promenade, Tongva Park, Palisades Park | Steps from Santa Monica Beach and close to Main Street and the Pier |
Santa Monica Proper sits on Wilshire Boulevard a short walk from the beach, shopping, and parks.
Choose Proper if you want easy access to downtown Santa Monica attractions and a short walk to the beach.
Shutters on the Beach is literally on Santa Monica Beach, putting sand and ocean directly outside the property.
Choose Shutters for immediate beach access and a classic seaside location.
Proper has 262 rooms and suites with Kelly Wearstler design and wellness-focused features.
Pick Proper for more rooms, distinctive design details, and wellness-minded rooms.
Shutters offers 198 guestrooms with ocean-view and beach-facing options and beach-house styling.
Pick Shutters if you want rooms oriented to the ocean and a traditional beach-house feel.
Proper’s dining centers on Calabra (rooftop Mediterranean-Californian) and Palma (lobby lounge).
Choose Proper for rooftop dining linked to the pool and Mediterranean-Californian menus.
Shutters has two on-property restaurants including Coast, which focuses on American cuisine and beachfront dining.
Choose Shutters for beachfront dining and drinks steps from the sand.
Proper’s defining amenity is Santa Monica’s only rooftop pool deck, open to hotel guests.
Proper suits guests who prioritize a rooftop pool with city and ocean-adjacent views.
Shutters places you on the beach with an outdoor pool and a hot tub plus beach amenities.
Shutters is the straightforward choice if you want to step out onto the sand from the hotel.
Proper emphasizes wellness through Surya Spa, a Recovery Suite, fitness center and classes.
Proper is the better pick for structured wellness programs and a broad fitness offering.
Shutters provides a full-service spa and on-site fitness facilities integrated with the beach resort experience.
Shutters fits travelers who want a hotel spa and beachside outdoor activity options.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel — the city’s only rooftop pool and rooftop dining at Calabra.

Shutters on the Beach — rooms and public areas open directly onto Santa Monica Beach.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel — Surya Spa offers Panchakarma programs, multi-hour signature treatments, and a Recovery Suite.

Shutters on the Beach — established beachfront resort feel and steps to the sand and Pier.
Shutters on the Beach is directly on Santa Monica Beach; Santa Monica Proper is about a 0.4-mile (8-minute) walk to the beach.
Santa Monica Proper has 262 rooms and suites; Shutters on the Beach has 198 guestrooms per the supplier listing.
Santa Monica Proper centers wellness with Surya Spa (Ayurvedic Panchakarma, signature treatments) and a Recovery Suite; Shutters has a full-service spa but Proper emphasizes structured wellness programs.
No. Both hotels welcome guests of all ages; note Santa Monica Proper requires the guest checking in to be at least 21 years old.
Explore how Santa Monica Proper Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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