Avalon hotellia

Plussat: Excellent value for lodging and an onsite spa. Staff was incredibly accommodating and flexible. Shuttle drivers were personable and friendly.

Miinukset: Upon arrival at 10am off the ferry, the concierge dismissively informed us that we couldn't check into the hotel until 4pm. When I asked if there was any chance of getting into our room sooner so that we could change and get settled, he looked annoyed, rolled his eyes, and told us that check-in was not until 4pm and that, if we were lucky, he would call us when our room was ready. I asked when he thought that might happen, and he scowled at me and just repeated what he had already said at twice the volume, then turned back to his computer. We left our bags in an unlocked storage closet, as instructed. Then we asked when the next shuttle into town would be, and the concierge told us that he didn't know. When we asked if he could call the shuttle driver he didn't even look up from his computer, he just said "The Shuttle runs every 30 minutes at random times." which I'm not even sure makes sense. The next day, we asked if we could have a late checkout since checkout was 11am and our ferry didn't leave until 5pm. There was a new lady at the front desk who told us no, because she had already given away all the early checkouts and the housekeeping staff needed every available minute to clean the rooms because they were booked solid. We hurried to get out by 11am after breakfast. When we passed a cleaning lady on the way out, I told her we had rushed to get out and she said "Oh there's no rush, I won't get to your room until 1pm anyway". We get into the shuttle that "randomly" shows up every 30 minutes and ask if he can take us to Descanso Beach but he tells us no, he is only permitted to take us to the town center, which is still a 1 mile walk to anything else. This is the first hotel review I've ever written. I don't write reviews because I'm really not that hard to please. If the sheets are clean and the staff is friendly, I've got no complaints. But everyone we encountered at this hotel was either flat out rude or just didn't seem to care at all. Don't stay here.

Plussat: AC Worked.

Miinukset: Sheets - yellow and brown stains on white sheets upon check in. Left a day early and forfeited our pre-paid money. Towels - so worn you could almost see through. Staff at check, not a charmer. No help. They don't care.

Plussat: We like the amenities in the resort and location !!

Plussat: Loved the room and the gardens. Good hike to get to the hotel. If bad back or knees, will have to use the shuttle.

Miinukset: No clear schedule for the shuttle but they were very responsive to the calls. The luggage room was unsupervised....

Plussat: The overall vibe and design of the room. Definitely has air conditioning.

Miinukset: The room wasn't initially stocked with toilet paper but when I realized this at 3:00 am there was someone readily available at the concierge desk who ran to the stock room and provided some.

Plussat: • clean bathrooms • decent staff

Miinukset: • hot tub was broken whole visit (access to the hot tub was the main reason we picked this hotel) • hotel grounds were rundown, mostly dirt patches where plants might have been, dried up fountains and ponds • breakfast at hotel restaurant poor quality and very expensive • no WiFi connection whole visit (staff explained "sometimes it works, sometimes is doesn't)

Plussat: Clean modern rooms, nice appearance. Friendly staff, shuttle drivers. Restaurant was good! Pool was nice!

Miinukset: First night was great! 2nd night there was a party going on in next room. People coming and going till early morning. Quite a hike uphill if you don't take the shuttle.

Plussat: We visited during off season so we were unaware that the hotel wouldn't be open during our entire stay and room service wouldn't be an option for breakfast. The shuttle drivers were very friendly but we did a lot of waiting because only one shuttle was running and in one case, after waiting 20 minutes we were told the driver was on lunch break and there was no substitute driver during that time. Not the drivers fault. That was a mint schedule planning issue. The website pics were great but our stay was during the prep for summer season. Things needed cleaning, painting and repair. In the week before arriving, i emailed and voicemailed the spa in an attempt to schedule 3 massages and facials. I received a return phone call on our departure date just as we were returning to Long Beach. We ended up having our spa day at an off-site location. Overall, I rate the resort a 3 out if 5 stars. I attribute the mishaps to being there in off season and not having adequate staffing.

Miinukset: Not having quicker transportation to downtown and unable to use onsite spa facilities - that was the main reason that the site was selected, was for the spa treatment. That was a real "miss". There was only one staff member that did not seem as eager to please and it ws likely a communication gap. She seemed passive-aggressive in two different occasions. Once when we found, after waiting in the sun for 20 minutes, the driver was on lunch. I was asking if they had somebody else to drive during his break (we had an appt and had allowed 30 minutes to get from hotel to downtown) and architecture defensive and said it was the law that he take a lunch break - which had nothing to do with the conversation. She offered to call a cab, at our expense. And suggested we share it with another couple who was trying to make it to their zip line appointment. The second time was after the city had cut water off to the hotel and one of my party was in the shower sussed up. She thanked me for letting them know because the city hadn't notified of the outage but followed with a sideline remark that we should be glad it wasn't an earthquake. Again, that's the only two times that I felt uncomfortable and wished I was someplace else. Oh... we never could get the free Wi-Fi to work either.

Plussat: The rooms were newly designed and very beautiful. The shuttle service into town says it runs every 30-60 minutes, but it is typically a very short wait. The drivers were wonderful, and to have a free service to transport us to and from town made this hotel worth the money.

Miinukset: The front desk staff always seemed too preoccupied. At check in, the lady tried to throw a $250 deposit for our 4 night stay... I booked almost 6 months ahead for our Honeymoon and nothing about the reservation we made in March said anything about a deposit. We talked her down to a $50 deposit but it just seemed silly to try and ask for that much to begin with. Wifi is not that strong.

Miinukset: This resort is poorly managed. They tried to charge us $3471 for a massage in the spa. Our credit card company flagged it as fraud and called us immediately. This alone took hours to sort out and ruined a whole morning. We got our bill at check out and there were still all kinds of charges on it that weren't ours. It took three rounds for them to get it right. Like I said very poorly managed. We had to call three times to get a shuttle from the Ferry to find out the women answering the phone never bothered to let the driver know we were waiting. We were woken every morning by construction noise at 6:30. One morning there were two workers having a very loud conversation right at our door. I had to ask them to keep it down. They were changing a light bulb. 6:30 on vacation. This resort has no food service. I'm not kidding. There is NO food available except dinner a few nights a week and the restaurant isn't even managed by the resort. Seriously, you can not get breakfast at this "resort". For breakfast you must walk 1/2 a mile to town. No lunch, no poolside snacks or drinks. You can buy a yogurt, spotty bananas and potato chips in the lobby. Our room had a Keurig Coffee Maker but no coffee. You have to go to the lobby and buy the cups for $2 each. My wife and I enjoyed Catalina Island very much. We met so many very nice people and had great service everywhere EXCEPT at Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa. My suggestion is to avoid this place entirely.

Plussat: The area above town is very quiet, though the rooms themselves are poorly insulated.

Miinukset: There was no coffee shop, no bar, no restaurant. Every meal or drink required either a walk into town or waiting for a shuttle which runs on an unpredictable schedule. Rooms are poorly insulated: we could hear our neighbors shower, walk, talk, snore. Complimentary tea selection is limited - to black cafeinated tea only.

Plussat: Location

Miinukset: Bar closed in the evening, pool as a consequence not attractive at all. Airco to noisy.

Plussat: The transportation and the view was perfect

Miinukset: Both my wife and I are somewhat disabled and found the steps and ramps very difficult to navigate.

Plussat: Could bring our dog....Our room locale...the restaurant

Miinukset: No

Plussat: Shuttle service to the town

Miinukset: Overpriced! It is definitely not category "Resort".

Plussat: Close to downtown; shuttle available every 15 minutes.

Miinukset: Onsite restaurant was only open for breakfast, and had odd hours. Open for dinner Friday/Saturday only.

Plussat: Our stay was very relaxing and we liked the pool. The walk to the hotel from the shops was beautiful.

Miinukset:

Plussat: Able to store luggage before and after we checked out. Less than 5 minute walk to town. 10 minute walk to ferry. Basic room good deal. Staff very nice and helpful -thank you!

Plussat: The location was great! It was right in the middle of everything. Easy to find. Was Clean and had a home-y vibe. The patio on the roof is a great place to get a view of the whole island and for pictures too!

Miinukset: The windows didn't have curtains. Which is nice when it's during the day, but when the sun is hitting your face @ 5 a.m, not so much. Also, the room didn't have a heater which was inconvenient since the night got pretty chilly and also there were no warm blankets available in the room, Just the Bed sheets. Little Dissapointing.

Plussat: The location and architecture

Miinukset: Leave the outdoor decks open later than 8pm

Plussat: Our room was on the 5th floor. The room was clean and the balcony had an ok view of the ocean and the street below while standing sideways. The balcony was small but large enough to allow us to stand while our scuba gear dried out on the plastic chairs. The hotel is in a good location and it is very easy to walk around the area. We live in Northern California and the diving is ok in Catalina. We probably won't make another trip to Catalina, but if we do, we might consider staying here again since the rates were comparable to other hotels in the area.

Miinukset: The hotel is old and although the room was clean, it was incredibly dated and much smaller than the photos on the website made it appear. The room is a good value midweek but very overpriced on the weekend; however, the whole island is extremely overpriced, so exorbitant weekend rates are to be expected.

Plussat: The balcony view and the staff

Miinukset: A bit pricey, air conditioner didnt work well

Plussat: I like the hotel itself and the location, as well as the staff.

Miinukset: Fridge would be great!

Plussat: Liked the location, liked the storage for the baggage, the terrace was lovely

Miinukset: Curtains had holes, AC didn’t work; no one was at the front desk at noon when we arrived, room was not aesthetically pleasing

Plussat: The private patio was beautiful and it has an amazing room. It was also very nice that we could store our luggage there when we arrived early and the staff was very helpful.

Plussat: Complimentary coffee comfortable bed room clean great view 6th floor patio with great views of the city

Miinukset: Only thing that would have been better is that we had stayed longer

Plussat: Nothing!!!

Miinukset: Where do I start, women hair in the bed sheets (yuck), worn out mattress (hurts your back), burnt rug, warped concrete wall in restroom, bolted down bathtub, torn and extremely wormed out curtains, A/C knobs unserviceable, old dirty and unserviceable furniture, drunk people knocking on your door at 4am. Will I ever come back to this place, no thanks.

Plussat: It's unique ambience takes you back in time! The private deck was the best place to relax... The staff went above and beyond to make our 10th anniversary special...Kenny, Vicki, Miguel and Mark thank you for everything! !

Plussat: Hotel property is pretty and convenient

Miinukset: Room was very dingy with paint coming off the walls, curtains with holes and poorly decorated.

Plussat: Great, super helpful staff, flexible and personal service. Location perfect. Breakfast in morning a very nice treat.

Plussat: We were pleasantly surprised when we made same day reservations and got such a nice room for cheap on a weekend. We came in on a late ferry and got a call on the way in from Jack at the desk asking when we would be coming in so he could send a car to pick us up. Check in was easy and everyone on the staff was really nice. The best thing about the hotel was its location. Steps from the beach and everything else in Avalon.

Miinukset: The room was nice and clean, nothing fancy but it did feel like it was on a slant. It was no big deal but kind of quirky. We would stay here again for sure.

Plussat: Super friendly staff. Location was great

Plussat: The staff is very nice. The room is cutesy 1930s.

Miinukset: Continental breakfast consists of donuts. The breakfast should include cereal, breads and fruits.

Plussat: Good buy for the price, and comfy King!

Miinukset: Warning: Very thin walls.

Plussat: Location

Miinukset: Bathrooms

Plussat: Nice location

Miinukset: Showers were too small. Room service came late and only after we complained. Carpet felt dirty.

Plussat: The terrace was great, although it opens at 10:00 AM.

Miinukset: The sounds of people from other rooms were very loud (thin walls with no sound insulation), the barn doors at all room entries sliding open and shut could be heard every time other guests came in or out.

Plussat: It is in a great location, it is comfortable and it has a friendly staff.

Miinukset: The rate seems a bit high for the accommodations.

Plussat: Love this hotel every time we stay there! They have a wonderful wine and cheese happy hour and delicious breakfast that's included. Best location, toasty fire pit, friendly and extremely helpful staff. We leave our bags there while waiting for the ferry after we check out, and we can even take a shower after a day of hiking since they have shower rooms near the front desk!

Miinukset: Nothing at all!

Plussat: Tiffany and Michael were excellent and very helpful. All of the staff were very warm and welcoming. The small touches were very nice such as the bed turn down and the care taken with our room.

Miinukset: Better knowledge of events and excursions. Such as better availability to time tables.

Plussat: Loved the wine and cheese tasting.

Plussat: The staff was very friendly and helpful upon checking in. My room was not ready, but they called me on my cell when it was. Air-conditioning was great. My ex-wife used to tell me I was like Mamu the Killer Whale. If the temperature was not perfect in the room...well, then I would expire!

Miinukset: The lamps on either side of the bed were very hard to turn on/off. Just a tiny little knob that would not budge unless I went and got a wash cloth and REALLY cranked it on/off. I read before going to sleep and the lamps help a lot.

Plussat: I loved the complementary breakfast and the wine and cheese tasting at 4:30pm :)

Plussat: The staff are friendly and accommodating.

Miinukset: The bathroom may need some updating.

Plussat: We loved the breakfast and the happy hour. The bed linens are wonderful. The luggage storage on checkin and out is great.

Plussat: Just a lovely hotel. Garden was quiet and lovely-made it private even though the hotel was located on the main drag. Loved the breakfast and wine and cheese reception. Very friendly and helpful staff. Very easy to get to.

Miinukset: No complaints

Plussat: I love this hotel :) very friendly staff. Very nice and clean ! Love thebreakfast and also the wine and cheese tasting included with stay. :)

Plussat: I love the customer service. Hotel is walking distance to everything!!

Miinukset: Everything was great.

Plussat: Value for money.

Miinukset: Umrella's for lounge chairs perhaps. Not critical.

Plussat: Staff was friendly. They came and picked us up at the Catalina Express Terminal

Miinukset: Everything about the hotel was outdated - the rooms felt like you walked into the 80s. Roaches in the room. Air conditioner didn’t work and there were no other rooms available to move to. Kind of off the main road and uphill.

Plussat: Staff was very friendly, grounds were very clean, location is amazing! Continental breakfast is welcomed

Miinukset: Cockroach in bathroom upon arrival, clean overall but small tiny room

Plussat: Mac Rae is situated water front and in the center of everything.

Miinukset: The rooms are small and the bed could be more comfortable, but for a two-day stay, it worked for us.

Plussat: Coffee, you could borrow beach towels at hotel, shower head and soap and shampoo good

Miinukset: Mattress and pillows in room, and hair dryer and more selection of food for continental breakfast

Plussat: Very comfortable stay. Great bed. Full kitchen. Staff was very helpful. Quiet, we didn't hear any other guests. The room was Clean. All in all a great hotel. Free ride from boat by cab.

Miinukset: Shower only, no tub. It's a bit of a hike up the hill from town, but you get used to it.

Plussat: Very comfortable bed; full size kitchen

Miinukset: Gnat control (if possible)

Plussat: Literally nothing.

Miinukset: Everything, it was dank.

Plussat: My first time to the island the hotel staff made my stay very enjoyable and relaxing

Plussat: Close to beach

Miinukset: Old, rundown, noisy, expensive

Plussat: The charm.

Miinukset: There was no indication about not having any Elevators when we made our reservation. Also the botel's Electrical System needs to be updated. In their defense we are told that the Hotel will be closing for a major renovation in a few months.

Plussat: Close to the main road and attractions

Miinukset: Staff was not as pleasant as I would have expected. Was told would get a txt when room was ready before 3pm and when checked back saw a txt was written at the top of the reservation and when stated that I never recieved a txt was just told well your room was ready. Asked for a cot for a grown adult to be added to the room and was given a baby crib. The man at the front desk was the only helpful person that day to fix the problem. The room was run down and had many pieces missing from the walls and the screens outside the windows were falling off the outlets were extremely limited and in very odd locations. The bathroom floor was slanted and many stains on the mattress. The complimentary breakfast was extremely limited and the women helping us was rude. Did not feel that this hotel was worth the price and would not plan on staying here again or recommending others stay.

Plussat: Every staff person that we interacted with from check-in to check-out went above and beyond to help us and to make our stay so enjoyable.

Plussat: Clean, nice staff, near the water and a great value!

Miinukset: No elevator.

Plussat: I really liked how it was right in front of the water. It was in a good location where everything was walking distance: food, arcade, cart rentals, bike rentals, kayaking, and more. The hotel also provided complimentary breakfast and allowed us to leave our baggage in the lobby before we could check in or after we've already checked out. The staff was really great as well.

Plussat: The staff was super friendly and the rooms were clean. I liked that we were right in the middle of where the action is, so it was quite convenient.

Miinukset: No elevator, and no place to hang anything up to dry. Tiny sink in the bathroom and no place to set down your cosmetic bag. Since this is a beach place, it would be nice to have an area to hang swimsuits, towels, etc.

Plussat: Room was comfortable, hotel convenient to everything. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Would stay there again.

Miinukset: Slight musty smell in room.

Plussat: Proximity to all is perfect! All I need is a bed and bath with a tv, I got it! Best deal in town!

Plussat: I liked the decor

Miinukset: No elevator

Plussat: Location, price, and service.

Miinukset: Small bathroom but it was adequate.

Plussat: We loved the cozy mermaid room

Plussat: We liked the BBQ on the roof, the view from the roof, and the location

Miinukset: The whole place could use a face lift. Looks like the last rehab was in the 80's

Plussat: The location was perfect, right by the beach and the dock. Staff was really friendly.

Plussat: Nothing. Room had bugs, spider poop all over the place. On top of that it was very dirty, dusty, and terribly uncomfortable.

Plussat: It was centrally located to everything. Cozy & quaint. The staff was very friendly & helpfull. Thankful for the A/C!

Miinukset: The shower was a bit difficult to maneuver around in - tight quarters, but that was about it!

Plussat: 9.2 “Quaint and charming overnight stay!” Loved how quaint and cute the room was. Very cottagy and perfect for an overnight stay. Even though it was small, it had a microwave and fridge, and AC. And the showerhead was perfect! Didn't have to fiddle to get the right temperature or pressure. One of the best hotel showers I've used.

Miinukset: The wifi signal was VERY poor. If you are going to advertise free wifi, most potential customers assume that means high speed, functional wifi. This was neither.

Plussat: It was close to the main street, but far enough to be very quiet. The staff was friendly and helpful. The room was recently remodeled and very attractive, with a great shower and comfy bed. We would definitely stay here again!

Miinukset: No coffee pot in the room and the breakfast wasn't available until 8:00am. We are early risers!

Plussat: Room was so clean and elegant

Plussat: THE STAFF WAS AMAZING. THE ROOM WAS VERY NICE...LOCATION PERFECT...

Miinukset: DIDN'T HAVE ROBES IN ROOM

Plussat: We really enjoy being able to make tea or coffe in our room. No coffee mamer in or room.

Miinukset: Exspensive but a great location.

Plussat: The customer service was great, loved how it had a bunch of shops connected to it, made it very convenient and the room was beautiful. Most importantly the bed was clean and very soft!

Miinukset: The jacuzzi is very small can only fit two people at a time... But not a deal breaker at all.

Plussat: Near beach, friendly staff

Miinukset: Located next to loading dock at the local grocery store, the banging and crashing from trash pick up and delivery trucks starts at 5 AM!

Plussat: Nice hotel. Great location.

Miinukset: The hotel card keys didn't work, I wasn't locked out and the night manager wasn't available via the black phone for about an hour after I started trying to call him.

Plussat: We love the location, helpfulness and friendlies of the staff, and the quaintness of the place.

Miinukset: We found a stain on the comforter and dust bunnies around the bed. It wasn't a big deal to us but that's why I can only give 4 stars for cleanliness.

Plussat: Not too commercialized feel like very near to nature. We had a good time as we celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary

Miinukset: The price of food in the restaurant does not match the quality on how it was prepared and presented. We were told to have red potatoes but it was gold. The rice pilaf was saggy. Fresh catch was ridiculously price Salmon was $32.00 but no seasoning

Plussat: Comfortable bed and patio area.

Miinukset: cramped breakfast area

Plussat: We loved the location near everything and the short distance to the beach. Everything was clean too.

Miinukset: The room was small compared to the pictures, plus the bed was a bit stiff on the body.

Plussat: Room was clean, somewhat updated, staff were very friendly and helpful which made me give 4 vs 3 stars. Continental breakfast was basic but nice to grab (doesn't start until 8AM though).

Miinukset: Rooms are very small, round toilets (as a guy not cool), like everything on Catalina its a bit expensive compared to what you would pay on the mainland for the same level of accommodation.