viceroy or shutters on the beach?

Hi, my husband and I are ending our California trip with 3/4 nights in Santa Monica for my birthday. We are looking for somewhere boutique-y and trendy but not more than $500 a night preferably with a nice pool, close to restaurants/bars. Are the Viceroy and Shutters worth the money? Is one better than the other?

viceroy or shutters on the beach?

Here%26#39;s a vote for Shutters. The restaurant inside (think it%26#39;s called One Pico) is to die for and one of the most romantic restaurants in the area.

viceroy or shutters on the beach?

If you want ';boutique-y %26amp; trendy'; then it has to be the Viceroy ... Shutters is a beautiful hotel but it%26#39;s neither ... Whist restaurant at the Viceroy is pretty good, still relatively %26#39;hip%26#39; ... considering how quickly places go out of style in this city ...

Do you want uber-hip with hot, happening bar? Then, book Viceroy. Note that Viceroy has one of the best restaurants in LA, but that it%26#39;s not on the beach, it%26#39;s a block away.

Do you want the most romantic hotel you can imagine, with cozy rooms, right on the beach? Then, book Shutters.

There%26#39;s also Casa del Mar, an old fashioned, stately, gorgeous hotel, next door to Shutters, and also on the beach.

These hotels are steps from each other.