We’re accustomed to viewing the hospitality world through a critical lens, but every now and then a hotel lives up to the fantasy, and then some. Shutters on the Beach is exactly what you would want a Santa Monica luxury hotel to be, if you were designing it from a blank page. And the best part about it is that you don’t have to — it actually exists, and Michael S. Smith has already gone to the trouble of designing it, in a style that combines the barefoot ease of the West Coast with just a bit of Northeast elegance. It’s a glamorous backdrop for what is often a glamorous crowd, but the vibe is thoroughly relaxing. Shutters opens right onto the beach, which is more rare than you might imagine around here, and the result is an exceedingly private atmosphere. The rooms are as luxe as can be, and a great many of them have ocean views, including all the suites — and in defiance of the SoCal stereotype your room comes equipped with a small personal library, in addition to all the usual comforts. And the comforts continue beyond the accommodations: the hotel’s ONE Spa is first-rate, and its restaurants are impressive as well, from the refined 1 Pico to the more casual Coast and the multi-purpose Living Room lounge. The service is stellar, the amenities are thoughtful, the setting is idyllic, and the concept is perfectly realized — sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.