Hotel Vista Del Mar — Hotel in Avalon

Quickie: Only a 7-minute walk from Catalina Express drop-off (no taxi needed) Smack dab in the middle of the boardwalk and right on the water Grocery store only 2-minute walk around the corner All activities/tours/rentals just minutes away on foot Highly, highly, highly recommended

Verdict: I'm picky and not even I could find something wrong with this place. This was just a superb hotel that I will be recommending to anyone who vacations in Avalon. I couldn't have asked for any better.

Location: Best location I could've ever asked for on a vacation in Avalon - hands down. This hotel is planted right in the heart of Avalon's boardwalk. There are restaurants and bars down the street in both directions, a Von's grocery store just 2 minutes around the corner and the mini golf course, parasailing, golf carts rental, and pretty much everything a vacationer would want to do no more than 4 minutes away. We stayed for four days in Avalon and didn't need to rent any mode of transportation - everything was literally a few steps away.

Room: There is only one floor of rooms in this hotel and only two suites that actually have an oceanside view. I paid the normal price for a regular non-oceanside suite and was extremely pleased. We stayed at the end of the hall so we rarely heard any noise from the surrounding rooms and guests milling about in the lobby. The deluxe room had a mini bar area with a counter, sink, and stocked fridge; an electric fireplace; large mounted flat screen TV, separate seating area with a chair and mini loveseat, queen-sized bed and bathroom with closet. There was ample amounts of storage for our clothes so we didn't have to live out our suitcases during our weekend. Also - there is a vending machine at the end of the hall for any late night drink cravings. A lot of people recommended to splurge for the big expensive suites but the regular rooms were just perfect and are highly recommended.

Service: We arrived at 11 a.m. and checked right in - we didn't have to wait until the 3 p.m. check-in! Everyone we encountered at the hotel was just great. They were really helpful with our questions and food recommendations. The maids take care of the rooms really well... we were out for only an hour or so one afternoon and when we returned, our room was made up!

Extras: Continental breakfast served at 8 a.m. (bagels/cream cheese was my fave) Warm chocolate chip cookies and milk at 8 p.m. Diverse DVD collection for free rentals (uploaded a photo) Free Wi-Fi

Note: No elevator so you have to walk up two flights of stairs from the street No door to the bathroom so if you try to nap in the daytime, the skylight in the bathroom illuminates the room The balconies for the oceanside suites are open to the hotel lobby... no privacy on those balconies and you'll see everyone/they'll see you...

We really loved our stay at Hotel Vista Del Mar. The location is unbeatable. It’s right in the heart of Avalon, walking distance to everything, and just upstairs from the boardwalk. It has so much character and such a lovely vibe. Truly one of a kind. You can feel the care in every detail, from the decor to the layout to the little guest touches.||The staff was incredible. Friendly, professional, and super accessible. They brought extra pillows and blankets for our kids without hesitation and were kind and warm throughout our stay. One staff member casually mentioned that the building is over 100 years old, which made sense given the classic charm. And honestly, maybe more than just charm.||We’re not ghost-hunters by any means, but during our stay, the TV turned on by itself three times (thankfully not in the middle of the night). No one was near the remote, and it wasn’t set on a timer. The lights also shifted a couple of times from soft and dim to full bright, with no one touching the controls. It wasn’t creepy, just... curious. Like something was passing through. It didn’t feel like anything was haunting the place, but it left us wondering what else happens in these older buildings. ||The beds were super comfortable, though the pull-out couch was a little squeaky (as expected). The shower pressure was amazing and felt perfect after a long day in the sun. We didn’t make it to the continental breakfast since our preteens slept in, but the cookies and milk every night were absolutely delicious and such a cozy, thoughtful touch.||We’d absolutely stay here again. It’s charming, comfortable, a little mysterious, and full of heart. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a relaxing, memorable stay with a bit of...

After enjoying lunch at the Descanso Beach Club on the island, we returned the golf cart rental before checking into the Hotel Del Mar. This Mediterranean-style hotel, a 4-minute walk from the Catalina Island Ferry Express Boat landing and Golf Cart Rental company, overlooks Avalon Bay Pier and beach strand. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and wet bars with mini-fridges, fireplaces, and sophisticated family living room designs. Two suites boast private balconies overlooking the ocean. In addition, ocean views are visible from four ocean-facing chairs in the hotel’s second-floor lobby. Watching the sunset on the beach with a gentle breeze and observing the people is an amazing pre-dinner experience from the hotel lobby balcony. Beach chairs and towels are also available at the hotel front desk. Shared spaces feature a garden, atrium, courtyard, and a balcony overlooking Avalon Bay. Travel tip: don’t order dessert at dinner because this fabulous hotel, and wonderful front desk host (Savannah), provide freshly baked chocolate chip cookies with milk for a wonderful after dinner snack. Savannah brought out at least 4 batches of cookies between 8PM - 9PM. This hotel’s only downside is its lack of a lobby bar for pre- and post-dinner cocktails. Although the luxury boutique hotel has a second-floor steakhouse bar, you can’t take those drinks to your hotel room. We suggest you visit Abe’s Liquor Store, two blocks from the hotel, to get bourbon, cognac, soda, and ice for your hotel...