Santa Monica
800/334-9000 or 310/458-0030
www.shuttersonthebeach.com

Scene-y Shingle Style hotel with modern art collection (Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns) and the best Santa Monica location, as its name implies: right on the beach.

ROOMS 198 in a breezy beach-house style (lots of white, louvered doors); bathrooms have new R&R Bars with 20 self-serve beauty treatments.
SERVICE Staff-to-guest ratio of 0.6 to 1.
FOOD One Pico (New American), Pedals Café (Cal-Med).
FACILITIES Small pool, gym, wireless high-speed Internet throughout.
COST Doubles from $395