Hotel Atwater

"Family-friendly on a budget"

Taking a family vacation to Avalon on Catalina Island is like escaping to a world far away, even when it’s really only a 1-hour boat ride away!  Families looking for a budget-friendly place to stay just steps away from great restaurants, shopping stops, and the ocean should look no further than Hotel Atwater.  Many family-oriented packages are available that can include transportation to the island, hotel accommodations, and a multitude of fun activities like kayaking, glass bottom boat tours, tickets to a movie, and miniature golf.
PROS:
GREAT LOCATION - The walk from the boat dock to the hotel took about 10 minutes.  As we walked down the main street of town, which was only for pedestrians, we passed numerous restaurants, ice cream shops, and souvenir shops.  The walk also offers a great view of the ocean and the boats in the harbor and gives you a good sense of what this small town is like.  It didn’t take long to feel that this hotel was in a great location.

NICE ROOMS - The room that we stayed in was rather small, but was nicely decorated.  The bathroom was very clean and nice.  There were no extra amenities in our room such as a microwave, coffee maker, or refrigerator, but we didn’t mind.  I was happy for a hair dryer in the bathroom, free WiFi internet access, and a TV to watch a few “vacation shows.”   No DVD player for kids shows, however.  There are larger rooms and connecting rooms available for families that hold up to 8.  

FRIENDLY STAFF - The check-in staff was quite busy when we arrived because most of us were guests that had traveled on the Catalina Express and had gotten off the boat at the same time.  Despite the line, the wait was short, and the staff was very friendly.  They took the time to explain our family adventure package and gave us good tips on where to find a great dinner.  

CONS:
NO SWIMMING POOL - Everything in Avalon is fairly small and packed in, from the streets to the houses to the shops.  (Even the parking spaces are small because most locals drive golf carts!)  Real estate is at a premium.  There are only a select few properties in Avalon that have swimming pools and Hotel Atwater is not one of them.  But who needs a pool when you are about 1 block from the ocean?  There are several spots in the harbor that allow wading, swimming, or boating.

NO CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST - We are used to staying in hotels with continental breakfasts because it makes the first meal of the day cheap and easy with kids.  As an alternative, we walked down the street to have breakfast at the Pancake Cottage.  The staff and the pancakes were amazing, and we were actually glad we “had” to go there for breakfast!

NO BLACKOUT SHADES ON WINDOWS - The windows in our room were covered with slat blinds, but no curtains.  Although the window looked cute, the light in the early morning woke us before we were ready to get up.  Our sleep was also interrupted by loud noises coming from the streets below as people were enjoying the late night and early hours.  This hotel really is right in the center of things!  We turned on the A/C fan the next night because it provided a little white noise, blocking out the outside noises.  We also noticed that there were rooms with a roof view that would probably have been quieter.

BOTTOM LINE:
Our family would definitely stay in the Hotel Atwater again.  It is just steps to the ocean, great dining, fun activities, and shopping.  What other hotel on the mainland can offer this?  This is the magic of Catalina.

This review is based on a complimentary stay at the Atwater Hotel in Avalon.  I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.  The opinions I express are entirely my own.