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    The Avalon Hotel

    4.7 (222 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Closed 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Courtyard, foliage.
    Marie O.

    Outstanding hospitality, clean comfortable, so many amenities, beach bags and chairs. Luggage storage for guests... so much more! This was service and people at their best. Thank you folks.

    Breakfast in the courtyard.
    Gary R.

    We had a wonderful 3 nights at this upscale and very well-run hotel. In addition to the nicely appointed rooms, the hallways are adorned with historical photos and memorabilia from Avalon's early days. The staff are friendly and guest-centric and the provided breakfast in their courtyard is a nice touch. We'll plan to stay there next time we head to Catalina.

    Keith A.

    Wow - What a great hotel. Great location within waling distance of the Avalon harbor, maybe 5-7 minutes walk, or they offer a free taxi ride over from the harbor. Scenic views of the harbor and the Casino, great staff (friendly, helpful, knowledgeable), great service, and accommodating during the big storm that rolled in for New Years Eve 2022. The person behind the desk was very nice, helpful, offered suggestions on things to see and do, he even helped another guest get a tie for the NYE party at the Casino, the guest had forgotten his tie. He was nice enough to tell us about the storm coming in and the boats might be cancelled coming in and going out. He told us to check with the boat place to make sure we could get a change in our boat tickets and get off the island. The day we got in, we arrived a little early but they stored our bags and then delivered them to our room before we got there. Great local taffy in the lobby, and some more in your room along with some drinks and chocolates. The room was spacious, clean, filled with amenities. The hotel is very close to shopping, restaurants, the harbor, the casino, etc. We are definitely looking forward to visiting again.

    Avalon Hotel
    Jenna K.

    When you hear of the Catalina Island, it is almost impossible not to have heard of The Avalon Hotel. The experience in staying at such a landmark Bed-and-Breakfast-esque accommodation is well worth the hype - you will feel its magic once you arrive. Nestled up on an inclined street, The Avalon Hotel bears the signature Manchu yellow color familiar throughout the island, with decorative geometric 1920's tiles, giving the bygone era sentiments with modern amenities. Check-in was pleasant, the gentleman at the reception was quite knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. He also informed us about breakfast (7AM to 10AM) and where we can fill up our water bottles. The room was quaint with decors - we were also surprised with a gift in the room upon arrival! I did inform them earlier that it was a special occasion, and they welcomed us with a bouquet of flowers, balloon, a card, and even a Martinelli's Apple Cider (they offered champagne, we declined). We loved our balcony, with an ocean view, and was quick to take our coffee there to take in the salty chilled air! We also appreciated the unlimited coffee/tea and fresh fruits at the front desk area. Continental breakfast included bagels and bread to toast, bakery items from Lloyds, as well as instant oatmeal and cereal bar. There were cold hard boiled eggs and yogurts for some protein, milk and orange juice, as well as their unlimited supply of Columbian coffee, which was delicious. There were also fresh fruits and supplies of single serve jams and jellies, cream cheese, and peanut butter. We enjoyed our breakfast out in the garden terrace, next to the Koi pond. It truly was a magical experience to be able to stay at a well-maintained, well serviced accommodations, such as the Avalon Hotel. There's a reason why their rating is consistently high, they make their guests experiences one to remember! Just on a side note, if you're interested in purchasing a souvenir of the Avalon Hotel, which includes those coffee mugs that are in your room, is it possible. Just inform the concierge at the front desk and they were included to your final bill. Just a little reminiscent gift to remember such a wonderful experience! ------------------------------------------------ The ONLY Way to get to the Catalina Island is by a ferry boat (via Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach or Dana Point)which is about an hour ride. Once you arrive on the island, give a call to The Avalon Hotel and they will provide a white cargo taxi transportation, which is complementary (however, tipping the driver is greatly appreciated and he may also help with the heavier luggage's up the first full flight of the stairs!). PROS: EXCELLENT SERVICE! From the moment, we communicated with them via phone a week prior in regards to the boat ride from Long Beach terminal to the day of our arrival, every time we contacted the hotel, we received great communication. We were also unaware of the fact that the building does not have any elevator access, and we had booked a room that was on the third floor. Thankfully, they were kind enough to accommodate us to a lower floor unit! We did also opt for daily housekeeping - this is available with no additional charge! The hotel is very quiet and serene ambiance, we truly had the best rejuvenating experience! LOCATION. This hotel is located within minutes of the heart of the Avalon, to the "Casino", the museum, the Vons supermarket, shops, and restaurants nearby. Because we were off-season, some of the businesses were not open, so it may be a good idea to call ahead to find out whether or not it is open for business. CONS: NO ELEVATORS - STAIRS ONLY. This place will be difficult for those who have mobility issues, especially those in wheelchairs and or any assistive device. WEATHER. As mentioned, we went during the off-season (end of Jan-Feb) so it was a bit chillier than normal. However, coming from the East Coast, you will love this off-season weather! Just be aware that you will be welcomed with sudden rain showers, but no worries, the front desk area has clear umbrellas that you can double as a walking cane. Just be sure to bring it back as you may get charged for the lost item. PRICE: Price is comparable to the season, whether you want to pay the high season prices it will be worth it, even though it is quite expensive. Going there off-season, there are specials that are available for guests - call The Avalon Hotel directly and they will be more than happy to work with you on your dream vacation. Our package included a choice between receiving the third night stay free, or two round-trip tickets for the Catalina Express boat ride. Depending on the length of your stay, either options, would save you quite a bundle.

    Sunrise view from balcony room 101
    Gimme C.

    Evelyn is a delight! Only one of the amazing staff at this fabulous little place. Don't let the size fool you. Small here is a plus as it means personalized service by people who have a sense of ownership and pride in their work. The hotel was immaculate, the coffee superb, and the views from the top floor are beautiful. Adorable private patio with a continental breakfast. DO NOT miss the Avalon Hotel Tangerine Sage Sea Salt body scrub and shea body butter (available for purchase... and we did!) We greatly enjoyed our three day, two night stay in Room 101.

    Roof top balcony at sunset.

    The best best best!!!! Lucy your a angel! Room was amazing, food was perfect and the property was quiet and relaxing. This is my go to hotel in Avalon for sure!!

    On the rooftop lounge area! Beautiful views!
    Talor G.

    This hotel was recommend by a dear friend! The hotel is so cute, extremely clean and the staff was so kind. The rooms are the perfect size for 2 travelers sharing a king size bed. The beds are very comfy and overall the room felt very homey! Our room had a beautiful large balcony that was perfect for drying our dive gear! They do serve a free continental breakfast of fruits, cereals, and pastries. Overall we were very pleased with our stay and 1000000% recommend staying here! This will be our go to when we return to the island!

    The rooftop view
    Mattison G.

    My wife and I loved our stay at the Avalon Hotel. I don't imagine any of the other hotels around can beat it's combination of location, amenities, and vibes. A quick walk to all the spots in town. The Hotel has a quant ole timey feeling, the service was very friendly and willing to help with any of our needs. Our room came with complementary beach chairs which was awesome, we took these to Descanso Beach Club - didn't have to rent them there, saved us ~$150! The bathroom was very nice, bed was comfy, and we enjoyed our porch/balcony and also the rooftop. We were the only ones up there most of the time and felt very private.. gotta be one of the best views in town. I'd recommend the Avalon Hotel to anybody looking for a getaway weekend.

    Room 303 - balcony
    Nil G.

    Spent a really nice weekend at Catalina Island at the Avalon Hotel. The garden in the back is a gem, they sometimes do wine tasting. It was raining, they also set the fire one morning. The bathrobes were quite cute, the staff is friendly and informative about local/tourist attractions. Finally, the rooftop is very nice to have a drink at night. Very quiet and night view is amazing.

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    Excellent customer service and accommodations. We will definitely be back. Kevin and staff made us feel at home

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    Customer service sucks! I had a rash all over my body after checking out, the rooms aren't clean.

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    Ask the Community - The Avalon Hotel

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    15 rooms total on three floors, stair access only.

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    Review Highlights - The Avalon Hotel

    I was right in the middle of all the action, just walking distance from some of the best restaurants in Catalina.

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    Snug Harbor Inn - Continental Breakfast Served to your Room

    Snug Harbor Inn

    (115 reviews)

    $$$

    This was my first stay at Snug Harbor. I visit Catalina/Avalon annually and of course had seen the…read moreInn right on the corner of Crescent and Sumner above Leo's Drug Store, but it was not until my stay last year at nearby Hotel Vista Del Mar that my interest in Snug was piqued. Last year, Vista and Snug were under the same ownership, which is no longer the case. Snug now has closer affiliation with Hotel Aurora a bit up the hill. Snug is a cozy and charming 6-room inn. There is staff on duty during the day; welcome in-room wine and snacks are provided as well as daily continental breakfast. There is no staff on the premises at night, although someone is on-call. My stay was lovely and somewhat surreal. I visited during the February rains which caused the cancellation of all Catalina Express boats on 2 days during my Avalon visit. This forced guests here for the long Valentines/Presidents Day weekend to leave early or relocate. I ended up being the sole guest for my 2-night visit! And with minimal visitors on the island, evenings were also pretty quiet, despite being right above the main drag (Crescent). Snug does provide earplugs and eye masks if needed. I moved up my arrival date due to the weather and Snug was able to accommodate me, even offering the same room, which was the Santa Catalina room, the inn's "crown jewel" situated on the corner with two large bay windows, one facing Avalon Bay with Casino, Bay and pier views, the other with a built-in window seat facing Sumner and the hills above. All rooms have a fireplace and deep soaking jetted tub. The rooms are not particularly large but are full of charm, coziness and warmth. No robes or slippers, but there were 2 clock/music/alarm machines. Complimentary reusable water bottles are provided; there's a water/ice machine in the hall. The welcome snacks offered were olives, pretzels and high-end nuts (i.e., no peanuts). The continental breakfast was quite ample and includes a small loaf of warm banana bread, yogurt, fresh berries, granola, milk, juice and coffee or tea. You fill out an order slip as to what you want exactly and what time you want it delivered. There are 6 delivery times for the 6 rooms, which of course was not an issue for my stay. There is a common room with a sofa, fireplace and machine for coffee and tea. There is a closet for luggage storage, a public restroom and umbrellas. The front door is open 8-5, key access is needed in the off-hours. Shout-outs to the great staff I met--Jackie, Destiny and especially Johnny at the front desk and housekeeper/breakfast preparer Alicia. Overall a fabulous stay. I usually split my time on the island between Mt Ada and a property "downtown". Snug Harbor has moved to the top of my downtown list!

    I am in awe of how misleading the description of this inn is. Especially the San Nicolas room!…read moreFrom the website re: the inn: "From the moment you arrive, the pace of the mainland slips away, replaced by sea air, harbor light and the quiet thrill of being somewhere truly special." What we experienced from the MOMENT we arrived - absolute CHAOS. We were greeted with a horrible rotten egg stench as soon as we opened the door, steep stairs with no one elevator (yes that's on their q&a but just another annoyance), violence and screaming in the streets after dark until 3 am, bass from surrounding bars shaking the building until 2 am, overpowering chemical smell in rooms, single pane glass that sounds like people on the street are in the room with you, gaslighting owners and managers (Melissa - not Jackie), unreliable communication, absolute ripoff for what you have to put up with. Melissa ultimately minimized my concerns by saying "nobody else complained". Okay, and? People have different tolerance levels, different health issues, even if it was someone's first time at the snug harbor inn maybe it wasn't their first time to the island. Maybe they didn't care. Maybe they didn't have the energy to complain. That shouldn't invalidate my experience and the lack of transparency. Can you honestly say you laid the framework for guests to make an informed decision? Did you provide transparency around potential barriers guests may experience during your busy season? No. This went beyond just a fun foam party during the daytime hours, there were literal violent fights and screaming in the streets BOTH nights until 3-4 AM. See videos below from Saturday night around 1:30 AM. I do acknowledge they can't control this behavior but they can and SHOULD add transparency for folks who are expecting a soft experience based on their own misleading advertising. The unprofessional manager, Melissa, also loves to blame-shift. She told us we could press 0 or call a number provided if we experienced issues again on the second night. I called 2-3 times throughout the night and it rang endlessly. By this point I was exhausted and didn't even think to get the physical number from the end of the hall and just assumed they weren't answering. When Melissa told me she never received a call the next day I was shocked but instead of being apologetic she said "if it was me, I would have walked down the hallway and got the number". I'm so sorry, in hindsight, if I wasn't running off of 4 hours of sleep collectively over 48 hours I would have gotten dressed at 3 am and gone to the end of the hall after pressing 0 didn't "work". Not sure how I was supposed to discern between it not "working" vs someone not answering. Funny how pressing 0 during business hours worked just fine. Either way, what a ridiculous process to shoulder the burden of breaking up riff raff to the guest and then blameshift when the thing you said would work didn't... While I would love a full refund, I firmly believe we are entitled to at least one night of a refund because of the misleading description on the website and we couldn't make a truly informed decision. I was told they would consider updating the website in the future but that benefits my husband and I in no way. The right thing to do is provide a refund for tainting our visit to Catalina with 0 reprieve from street violence and drunken debauchery.

    Hotel Metropole - 4th floor balcony

    Hotel Metropole

    (394 reviews)

    $$

    First, we would love to give a huge shout out to Venessa at the front desk. Family and I, arrived…read moreon the island and we had 4 night reservation for another hotel. Long story short, after first one night we had to leave! I showed up at Venessa's desk telling her the story and in no time (hotel close to fully booked-summer break!), She found us a 2 queen room, got us an early complimentary check in (we've stayed at Metropole numberous time), but offered us a champagne in the room. What a hospitality! We did not expect this type of compation and problem solving, a true representative of Hotel Metropole. Now the pros: Location is amazing, navigation around the hotel or around it is perfect, close to everything, especially the breakfast shop on presmises and of course customer service. The room was exceptionally clean, I saw the service ladies actually mopping the floors after vacancy of other rooms. cons: second floor rooms overlooking the courtyard, get loud because of the shops. If you want to sleep in passed 9am, it's not happening. For some reason, shop people like to roll their garbage out either 6am or 11pm...at least when we stayed there which was June 9-12, 2026.

    I booked a Deluxe Sleeper for four people, expecting two queens as described on their site…read more Instead, they put our family in a single king room with one bed. After complaining, they moved us to a cramped king + twin sofa that was completely inadequate. They had already given away the room we reserved. They then stuck us in a depressing basement-level room with a terrible view of nothing but a wall, poles, and mechanical equipment. No operable windows -- just stale air. This is false advertising. Their "Deluxe" rooms do not deliver the views or comfort promised. We lasted one night and fled to the Atwater, where we immediately got a proper family room. The contrast was shocking. Management's response was a polished non-apology that called it a simple "mix-up" while offering to waive fees as a favor after ruining our trip. This was repeated incompetence. Do not book here. Hotel Metropole overpromises and delivers frustration; and you'll be stuck in a dark room underground with no operable windows. Stay elsewhere in Catalina.

    The Edgewater - View from pier/dock

    The Edgewater

    (92 reviews)

    $$

    Back to Edgewater again for another vacation in the tiny tiny town of Avalon. We booked the…read morestandard room with queen size bed. We always love the entrance: private door entrance walking up the stairway to the hotel. Hotel is on second floor. In this vintage and quaint 1930s building with no elevator. In fact many buildings on Catalina Island have no elevators. So be prepared to take the stairs. We always enjoyed staying here as it is small, modest, quiet, clean, and convenient. It has very comfortable bed with TV, ceiling fan, AC, and clean bathroom and towels. Simple and low key amenities for book lovers, introverts, and quiet ones. No loud party and drunken customers. No romantic thrill seekers- if you look for romance- please go to Dubai or Vegas or other hotels - as this one is perfect for us. Staff are always friendly. Management is always cordial and responsive. Summer is high season: high end hotels at Avalon range from $400 and up. We booked for about $260 -$300 a night as listed in Expedia. Downstairs are stores and restaurants. There is a coffee shop very close by plus other spots for breakfast. We would get coffee from local cafes in the morning, brisk walk, get some fresh air. Great way to start the day within walking distance to the beach, pier... Very relaxing air and place to be.

    We paid approx $2000 for two nights, this hotel was not worth even half that. The room was okay…read more They refuse to hold your bags before or after check in/check out. The worst part came when we wanted coffee in the morning, they advertise the rooms having a Keurig and K cups... nobody is going to want to use that when the water compartment is full of mold. Don't recommend staying here.

    Hotel Vista Del Mar - Pretty hallway.

    Hotel Vista Del Mar

    (225 reviews)

    $$$

    We stayed at Hotel Vista Del Mar over the Fourth of July weekend, and it blew us away!…read more The location is absolutely unbeatable--right across from the beach and the pier, and in the heart of all the shops, restaurants, and everything Avalon has to offer. We were able to walk everywhere, which made our trip so convenient. The views from the lobby's seating area on their balcony just cannot be beat. Looking out over the ocean and the beautiful surroundings of Catalina (including the famous Catalina Casino) every morning and evening on the lobby balcony was something my family and I loved doing together. Other guests from the hotel also come out to look at the views, and it's a great time to say hi to your neighbors. Our room was beautiful--very clean, tastefully decorated, and felt both elegant and comfortable. The fireplace in our room was a great touch, as well as the ice cold A/C! There was a large flat screen, as well as mini fridge in our room. The room was very well maintained and taken care of. The hotel also offers complimentary amenities that made our stay even more enjoyable. The Wi-Fi was free and reliable, there was coffee, tea, and creamer available each morning in the lobby, refreshing ice water with lemon throughout the day, and warm cookies and milk in the evening--a small touch that made us feel right at home. The highlight of our stay was the outstanding staff. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and genuinely went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Their hospitality made a great stay even better. My family and I highly recommend Hotel Vista Del Mar. Between the exceptional location, stunning views, beautiful rooms, thoughtful amenities, and amazing customer service, there is nowhere better to stay in Avalon!

    We stayed here over the 4th of July weekend and it was amazing. The service is outstanding, the…read morerooms are very large and elegant, and the views are perfect. We watched the 4th of July parade from the private balcony, and even had a visit from the USC band! They serve warm cookies and milk in the lobby. Delicious!

    Hotel Atwater - Bistro at the hotel

    Hotel Atwater

    (521 reviews)

    $$$

    We really loved staying at the Atwater. The lobby is…read moreabsolutely stunning, great space if you have to meet your group, because there's plenty of places to sit. They offer water, both regular and cucumber. They also have a great luggage holding service so if you needs to check out before your boat leaves, you can have them hold your bags or if you arrive before check in. The rooms are very nice and feel very clean! The bed was big and comfortable, what I didn't like was have no chair in the room, I like to be able to sit not on my bed, but the bed, king size, was so big, there's no room for a chair. The sink is also separate from the toilet and shower, which has benefits, like I can get ready while my husband showers, but it made the bathroom feel very empty, also there were no counters in the bathroom area, so you couldn't set down tampons or your phone or clothes anywhere in the room except on the closed toilet lid, which isn't my favorite thing to do. May finding a small side table or something to put here would be really helpful. In general it is beautiful and very comfortable. I will definitely be back!

    My first time on Catalina Island was truly beautiful. The island was filled with charming…read morehole-in-the-wall restaurants, retail shops, and boutiques. The hotel we stayed at was nice, but it did have some drawbacks. There was only one elevator, so we had to rely on the steep stairs to get in and around the building. We booked a Classic King room, which was cute but quite limited in space. At 180 square feet, my husband and I had to be cautious about giving each other enough room to move around. To make matters worse, when we checked in, the linens on the bed had bloodstains, which was really off-putting. I had to call the front desk to request clean sheets, and it was a hassle for both of us, especially since we were exhausted. The housekeeping staff arrived close to 9 PM, and it took them some time to replace all the linens with clean ones. The room amenities were also limited. We had a mini fridge, a flat-screen TV, a hair dryer, and a small vanity chair, along with two complimentary splits of Prosecco on the first day, which my husband enjoyed. However, the last night raised concerns about the hotel's safety and security. Someone played a prank on us by knocking on our door but not answering. We called the front desk twice to report the incident, but security was unavailable to check the CCTV footage. My husband and I felt unsafe because we had no idea who was knocking. Brian, the front desk staff member on duty, was prompt in keeping us updated on his communication with security and the hotel manager. David, the hotel manager, later reached out to my husband, recognized the incident, and invited us to try their sister property, The Pavilion. In the end, our stay was pleasant overall. The seafood, drinks, and the Avalon vacation experience were very enjoyable.

    Mt Ada - The sitting room! (Ooops!  I forgot to clean up my knitting first!)

    Mt Ada

    (144 reviews)

    $$$$

    I'm a bit of a Mt Ada regular; this was my 6th stay and, due to the rainy/windy weather, the most…read moresurreal. I stayed just after the long Valentines/Presidents Day weekend. All boats to and from Catalina Island were cancelled on 2 days of my visit, forcing other guests to change their travel plans. I ended up being the sole guest for all 3 nights of my stay here! With some whispers of Mt Ada being haunted (but not as many as Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors), I was a bit concerned, but fortunately had no paranormal experiences. To briefly review Mt Ada's history, it was once the Catalina home of William Wrigley Jr. and family, of chewing gum and Chicago Cubs fame. He was instrumental in putting Catalina "on the map", and his descendants still own the Catalina Island Company, which runs Mt Ada, Hotel Atwater, Pavilion Hotel and Banning House Lodge, as well as other businesses. All my stays at Mt Ada have been with the Company, although it was previously run as a private B&B. Mt Ada still runs as a B&B, as opposed to a hotel. It's a pricey stay but has many many perks that justify the expense. These include transportation to and from the boat or helicopter terminals, use of a golf cart throughout your stay, daily made-to-order breakfast and lunch, pre-breakfast continental breakfast, afternoon wine/cheese/charcuterie, 24-hour butler's pantry with snacks like gelato, chips, cookies and popcorn plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, discounts on Island Company tours and activities. Currently there are about 4 main people interacting with guests at Mt Ada, plus "behind the scenes" kitchen and housekeeping staff. My past reviews have mentioned a stay here is more like a visit to a home, as opposed to a hotel. There will be times when you may not see any staff (especially at night). But Pierre, Liz, Tim and Yoli (Yollie?) work their hardest to accommodate guest needs--they are the chauffeurs, front desk, waiters, luggage handlers, concierges, etc. I applaud them all. One of Mt Ada's pluses is its location on the hill (Mt Ada) above Avalon Bay, even above the main Bay viewpoint that all the rental golfcarts stop at (traffic jams are common here). It's quite peaceful, although in busy times the noise from "downtown" does carry uphill. Mt Ada has 6 rooms. The room I booked was the Grand Suite, Mr. Wrigley's former bedroom. It's the largest room, with a separate living and bedroom, a bathroom with a separate shower and tub, and a large terrace above the first floor terrace. It has a fireplace, as do 3 other rooms, and a raised bed that requires stairs to access, as does one other room. The living room has an antique "radio" that is seen in photos with Mr. Wrigley. There are radio stations hand-written on it; I was appalled to see "graffiti" defacing this historic relic. The terrace is fabulous, but alas the weather prohibited much use; I feared the high winds would blow the cushions on the chaise lounges over the railing. Even the dining tables on the first floor terrace were stored; in more temperate weather it's the loveliest place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. The breakfast and lunch menus have some new items and some old faves. Once again a fabulous and peaceful stay. Thanks again to all the staff. With the Pavilion Hotel reopening soon, Mt Ada may be the next property to undergo renovations. I hope it does not lose its charm or homey character.

    We stayed here from 11/11/25-11/13/25. We had booked out the mansion for the first day, leaving 2…read morerooms open the second day. We had a wonderful time. This place is truly magical. We saw many deer, a fox, and all kinds of birds. The staff here are very accommodating, we especially liked Pierre. His charming French accent was really enchanting. This place is full of really unique antiques, lots of snacks, beers, wines, hard alcohol, tons of nonalcoholic options too! The afternoon they place a very nice charcuterie, the morning they place coffee just outside the grand suite, with OJ, champagne, decaf coffee and hot water and warm, freshly baked muffins. I'm looking forward to coming back here again. Hopefully for our anniversary or my bday. It's apparently very difficult to book for July 4. The views of the island here is phenomenal.

    The Avalon Hotel - hotels - Updated August 2026

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