Stewart L.
Yelp
I stayed here for the first time exactly one year ago. Little has changed with the property, although what has changed was not all for the better. I heard the hotel now has a new manager.
To reintroduce the hotel, it opened in 2019 after reconfiguring author Zane Grey's former Catalina home into the historic wing of the hotel, and building a newer wing with all ocean-view suites. The building that houses the lobby, breakfast room, rooftop event space and a few rooms is also new, as is the pool and large deck area.
The hotel still has a golf cart for pick-up or travel to the downtown stop by Bluewater Grill or to the ferry dock. Sylvia, who I met last year, still works the front desk, as does Kelly, both of whom were friendly and helpful. When I left fairly early to catch the 7 :50 am ferry, the security guard took me because the regular driver had not started work yet. Overall, there were no issues with the staff.
Where I did have some minor issues were with the room and breakfast. For both my stays, I preferred the ambiance and character of the historic wing. Last year I booked the Honeymoon Suite, which was very large and had what may have been the original mosaic-tiled fireplace and a spacious terrace. This year I had the Queen Ocean Suite, which was smaller but still roomy and had a large balcony with a better view than the Honeymoon Suite, especially of the Casino and Chimes Tower. Both had mini-fridges and large bathrooms.
Several things in the room were not working properly: the electrical outlet in the bathroom, the TV remote (I had to use the buttons on the cable box), the safe (was open but locked). I could have called for assistance but did not. Overall wear and tear in the room and some of the public areas was fairly high, probably very few things have been replaced since opening.
Not the hotel's responsibility, but the guests in the adjacent room talked loudly on their balcony well into the night and also were smoking marijuana. Luckily they checked out after my first night.
I did notice some improvements. The outdoor staircase that accesses all levels (except the newer wing's upper floors) is now complete so one doesn't have to rely on the single elevator. The desk area in the historic wing now has vending and ice machines, plus a microwave. The former lounge area here has become a small guest room.
Breakfast has always been kind of basic and pre-fab. Commercially made baked goods (muffins, bagels, English muffins), cut melon salad, whole apples, oranges and bananas, cereals, hot scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, potatoes, coffee and orange juice. Last year on weekends there was someone making pancakes, but not this year.
I still love the hotel's location above downtown Avalon and its historic nature. I just hope more attention will be paid to the maintenance of the property in the future.