The Dream Team:: Shutters on the Beach

Just the name of this hotel sounds idyllic, which isn't a word I would use for many hotels around the Los Angeles area of California.

Photo, courtesy of Shutters  on the Beach website

Shutters on the Beach is one hotel that I would love to stay at. It is a luxury beach front property in Santa Monica. A boutique hotel which looks cool yet comfortable, stylish yet friendly and of course, it's right on the beach.

Following the spot-on location, the credibility of the hotel is enhanced by beautifully crafted rooms, wonderful food and a wellness spa.

The rooms and suites have the mod-cons and cleanliness you would expect from a Californian hotel, but juxtapose this with a beachy-boutique feel. The clean, light and airy rooms are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sea views.

There are 3 restaurants to choose from; One Pico, Coast and the Living Room. I imagine a lazy weekend at Shutters, including a wonderful morning brunch of Eggs Benedict on the Sunday down at One Pico whilst reading the papers.

The hotel looks modern, very slick and is quite big, yet what I love most about it is the way they appear to have retained a friendly beach-house vibe throughout the decor, restaurants and character.

Week-day doubles in February start from approximately $510 based on 2 people sharing a room.

See more for yourself at their website, Shutters on the Beach.

The Dream Team:: Belle dans le sud

Courtesy, Hotel-du-cap-Eden-Roc

I've always dreamt of taking a holiday in the South of France, taking a few weeks in the summer time to travel along the coast. It is one of my dream vacations, which I hope will one day happen. The chic and elegant style of the buildings, the coastline and the people. I think it would be truly relaxing and decadent.


I name this post 'beautiful one in the South', but truly there are so many gorgeous hotels along the French Riviera that it is difficult to pick one. But, I think I've managed it. I want to take a look at one of the hotels in my 'dream team', Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc. The hotel looks to be pure luxury and it hasn't gone unnoticed. This hotel was apparently the favourite of President Kennedy and has continued to be highly regarded as the best place to stay, recently being voted the 'Best European Resort' by the Sunday Times Travel Supplement. High praise, indeed.


So, what's to like? Quite literally, where shall I begin?


There are a variety of rooms to choose from, varying from the 'Traditional' to the 'Eden Roc Suite' and then onto the Villas. The interior of the rooms is clean, stylish but truly French in its origins, with Louis XV and XVI decor. Beautiful cabinets, chests and ornaments; each room looks to have its own individual and unique charm. The Eden Roc Suite looks out of this world, everything you would expect in a suite at a luxury resort, with the addition of a sea view and a terrace, with a hot tub. Exquisite. The bathrooms look grand and luxurious, which is always a welcome treat when on vacation.


A few steps from the hotel there are two separate gorgeous villas to choose from, if you want to take the whole family away (I wouldn't suggest it, but if you have to!). These villas, of course, come with a butler and look every bit as decadent as the hotel.


The hotel has also received accolades for its food. You would have to begin your evening La Rotonde, the piano bar housed in the pavillion for a cocktail or two, before moving on to the restaurant, for some fine food from Arnaud Poëtte. There's also the lounge bar and grill serving sushi and tapas. Something to satisfy the most varied appetites. 

Courtesy, Eden Roc

On top of gorgeous rooms and heavenly food, there are tennis courts, a swimming pool and a wellness centre to occupy your time, if you aren't happy sitting and watching the water.


This hotel has definitely cemented its place in my Dream Team. Now, please take me there. 


If you, too, have an appreciation for gorgeous weather, beautiful hotels and decadent decor then you must check out the website. Or, go even better and spoil yourself by visiting the hotel when it reopens on the 5th April 2012. (Hotel-du-Cap-Eden-Roc)