Mt Ada — Hotel in Avalon

First, apologies for the long review but as a viewer you deserve accurate, complete information. This used to be our "go-to" place in Catalina. Last time we stayed there we said it would be our last time because of issues during that visit but thought we would try again. Short story is the attention to detail is gone. The bathroom sink had no hot water (nothing like a cold shave. Brent said he would look into this but never got back. We had the same issue with a different room last time). The golf cart we were supplied had torn zippers on the plastic sides and broken windshield wipers. It was raining during our visit so we were switched to another cart. Tablecloth during one lunch had yellow stains that looked like from breakfast. The pantry gelato selections were less than last time (we missed the salted caramel). For convenience, in the morning a continental breakfast is set up upstairs near the room. Coffee and muffins were there, but no sugar and cream. Had to go downstairs, through the mansion and into the kitchen just to find someone to help. Asked for a Prosecco in the living room one afternoon and had to ask again 20 min later when it did not arrive (receiving the usual "Sorry, I forgot"...). At the time of our visit several rooms were vacant and we asked for an upgrade. Did not expect one for free but were told we needed to pay the full "day of" price and when we declined were offered a 25% discount. On a previous visit we met in the middle. Property missed out on an additional $500+ revenue for a few days at no cost to them. Due to an approaching severe storm, we departed a day early at 2 pm (it was a good call as Catalina Express actually canceled and moved some departures the next day) and still had to pay for the full night (strongly recommend checking their cancellation policy as within 30 days they keep your money for the entire visit under all circumstances). Bottom line is a few years ago this all would have been different. For the price that is charged, near perfection should be the norm. Perhaps our expectations are too high. I suspect a couple or so years ago the previous management and staff, who seem to have some hospitality training, was replaced with others with little or no hospitality training. Pierre is the only one we recognized from previous visits and although he is quite polite and usually reliable at times he seemed like he had no clue. There's more but I've bored you enough already. That said, I'm sure first-time visitors will continue to rave about the experience, but it's just not the same and our multiple visits a year...

This was my 4th stay at Mt Ada, but my first in over 3 years. Alas, I was only able to book one night, as the inn was fully committed on Valentines Day and the Presidents Day weekend, when the place was a buy-out (booked entirely by one party). Still, the stay was fab, as was the weather.||A stay here is pricey but has many perks: pick-up and drop-off at the ferry dock or heliport, use of a golf cart throughout your stay, prepared-to-order breakfast and lunch, afternoon wine and charcuterie board, 24/7 butler's pantry with snacks, drinks (including wine and beer), ice cream (and sundae fixings), discounts on Catalina Island Co. tours and activities (miniature golf is complimentary)||I booked the Windsor Room, my 4th different room (out of 6 total), This room is a corner room and affords great views of both Avalon Bay (including the casino) and the ocean through its 4 windows. It's a cozy room but has a working fireplace, full bath and walk-in closet. ||As stated in my previous (more detailed) review, Mt Ada is the former Catalina home of William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada. As such, a stay here is like a stay in someone's home; the staffing is less than that of a hotel. There is usually just one person who does pretty much all of the front-end duties--attending to all guests' needs, including driving the van. There is also one person (Carmen) in the kitchen and one housekeeper. So at times the phone may go unanswered, or you may find yourself alone in the inn with no staff around, contributing to the house-guest feel. Only Carmen and front-end person Pierre were here during my last stay. Other staffers Maria, Eva, Cammie and Liz were new to me but all were friendly, capable and accommodating. ||Only one other room was booked during my one-night stay, and it was oh-so-quiet and tranquil. Even Avalon itself is pretty calm during the off-season and on days when there are no cruise ships docking. The inn was more crowded during the day because a group of 6 lingered at the inn 5 hours past the 11 am checkout time, and on my check-out day some of the buy-out party arrived early, including some children (who are only allowed under 16 if part of a buy-out). ||Still, Mt Ada remains my lodging of choice...

This was my 4th stay at Mt Ada, but my first in over 3 years. Alas, I was only able to book one night, as the inn was fully committed on Valentines Day and the Presidents Day weekend, when the place was a buy-out (booked entirely by one party). Still, the stay was fab, as was the weather.||A stay here is pricey but has many perks: pick-up and drop-off at the ferry dock or heliport, use of a golf cart throughout your stay, prepared-to-order breakfast and lunch, afternoon wine and charcuterie board, 24/7 butler's pantry with snacks, drinks (including wine and beer), ice cream (and sundae fixings), discounts on Catalina Island Co. tours and activities (miniature golf is complimentary)||I booked the Windsor Room, my 4th different room (out of 6 total), This room is a corner room and affords great views of both Avalon Bay (including the casino) and the ocean through its 4 windows. It's a cozy room but has a working fireplace, full bath and walk-in closet. ||As stated in my previous (more detailed) review, Mt Ada is the former Catalina home of William Wrigley Jr. and his wife Ada. As such, a stay here is like a stay in someone's home; the staffing is less than that of a hotel. There is usually just one person who does pretty much all of the front-end duties--attending to all guests' needs, including driving the van. There is also one person (Carmen) in the kitchen and one housekeeper. So at times the phone may go unanswered, or you may find yourself alone in the inn with no staff around, contributing to the house-guest feel. Only Carmen and front-end person Pierre were here during my last stay. Other staffers Maria, Eva, Cammie and Liz were new to me but all were friendly, capable and accommodating. ||Only one other room was booked during my one-night stay, and it was oh-so-quiet and tranquil. Even Avalon itself is pretty calm during the off-season and on days when there are no cruise ships docking. The inn was more crowded during the day because a group of 6 lingered at the inn 5 hours past the 11 am checkout time, and on my check-out day some of the buy-out party arrived early, including some children (who are only allowed under 16 if part of a buy-out). ||Still, Mt Ada remains my lodging of choice...