We were reminded how great a hotel Shutters on the Beach is after a recent overnight there. All was splendid. If one hit the jackpot and was able to own an elegant house on the beach in Santa Monica, it would be like Shutters: serene, well-run, a haven for good living, drinking and dining. Just steps from the beach, here is a total resort with spacious, well-decorated rooms, a terrific restaurant, spa, pool, and workout facilities—all one needs to live the dream oceanfront life.

The hotel reminds us of a quintessential comfortable and luxurious Cape Cod cottage. There are only 186 gracious guest rooms and 12 suites and they have been cleverly designed by Michael S. Smith (he did the Obama White House) to feel like a blue and white seaside haven on Nantucket: polished hardwood floors, luxurious rugs, plenty of built-ins and sliding shuttered doors. Every room has a library of hardback books and a take home souvenir whale. Bathrooms are spacious with a 15-inch LCD television and large whirlpool tub. 

Check in is next to The Living Room, a grand space that has two perpetually burning fireplaces, a piano, bar and a selection of soft sofas and chairs to plop down into. This room comes alive at night with jazzy live entertainment and lots of socializing. Afternoon tea here is a must. Around the hotel, you’ll see works by Modern art greats like David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Claes Oldenburg, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Dining at Shutters is a memorable experience. We enjoyed fine Coastal Cuisine at 1 Pico which overlooks the Santa Monica Pier. Cozy by a burning fireplace in a room festooned with nautical elements, we eschewed the specialty cocktails (although a Santa Monica Vice with Malibu rum, strawberry-pineapple and infused Campari-vermouth was sounded tempting) sipped on a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and perused the menu. Mary Thompson, the razor-sharp dining room manager is delightful and she has curated a wine list that features wonderful wines from small California producers. It is well-priced and has all any would need in the way of bubbly, red, white and rose wines.

Super chef Vittorio Lucariello has constructed an irresistible seasonal menu that beckons diners to EMBARK (we chose the blue prawns roasted tomato essence, Nduja), RESTORE (who could resist Maine lobster with homemade spaghetti, Calbrian chili and cherry tomatoes), SAVOR (we opted for Marrunga marbled, free range Australian lamb barley finished and an order of Nantucket lightship scallops. We chose sides from the FORAGE section: Monterey Brussels sprouts doused with golden balsamic, agave and garlic and roasted baby leeks with fresh grated parmigiano, extra virgin olive oil and thyme). It was a tour de force, this excellent dinner, immaculately served and timed.  Do not hesitate to order the chef’s sinful caramel popcorn sundae to finish off the evening.

For more casual dining, there is Coast Beach Café and Bar, family-friendly and imaginative drinks and dishes are served. We had incredibly good lemon ricotta pancakes for breakfast there with a much-needed glass of Champagne.

Of course, Shutters has a wonderful pool and a sun-drenched pool deck with comfy chaise lounges overlooking the ocean. Fitness fanatics will love the mirrored and wood-paneled workout room. One Spa serves up indulgent treatments designed by Kerstin Florian and Omorovicza. Need a massage or nail appointment? No problem, they’ll accommodate you with a smile.

This is coastal living at its very best. You can work off the calories by cycling the bike path, playing paddle tennis, doing yoga on the sand or surfing. Pets are welcome at Shutters and are treated like royalty. In conclusion, Shutters on the Beach is a captivating experience, an icon with stellar dining, rooms that will embrace you lovingly, views to die for and an incomparable beach location. The staff is young extremely sharp. In short, a serene, superb sanctuary on the sand. Shutters on the Beach is at 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90405, (310) 458-0030, https://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/