The Avalon Hotel in Catalina Island

A small hotel in the centre of Avalon, The Avalon Hotel suits divers who want the island on the doorstep rather than a resort timetable to follow. You can start with the sea, come back to a quiet room, and step out again when dinner is calling. The atmosphere is more boutique hotel than dive base, with a rooftop, a garden patio and views over the town and harbour doing much of the work.

English is spoken by the hotel team, so you will be understood from check-in onwards. The property has 33 rooms and works particularly well for a couple’s trip, with balconies, ocean-view rooms and comfortable super-king or king-size beds among the choices. There is also enough nearby to keep a non-diving partner occupied without turning every afternoon into a group expedition.

You are at 100 S Palm Avenue, in the centre of Avalon on Catalina Island, United States. Shops, restaurants and the waterfront are all part of the immediate surroundings, so you can leave your room without organising transport every time you fancy a coffee, a meal or a walk along the bay.

Avalon Bay Beach is a five-minute walk away, with sand and sun loungers. Descanso Beach is about half a mile from the hotel, while Gallagher Beach is roughly 2.8 miles away on foot. Old Ben Park is around 1,900 feet away, and Peoples Park is about half a mile away for a change of scenery after the water.

Long Beach Airport is 22 miles away. John Wayne Airport is about 34 miles away, and Hawthorne Municipal Airport about 39 miles away. The hotel is on the coast, but not directly on the sand: your morning swim requires a short walk rather than a towel over the shoulder from the front door.

For two divers travelling light, the king rooms with garden views or balconies keep things straightforward: a proper super-king bed, air conditioning, heating, a fan and soundproofing for the hours when your body has had enough of both boat engines and conversation. A private bathroom comes with a bath or shower, towels, toiletries, a bathrobe and a hairdryer. That is the useful stuff, particularly when you return tired and want a shower without searching the room for the basics.

The balcony rooms are the natural choice if you want somewhere to sit with a drink and let the island evening pass without going out again. The ocean-view queen rooms add the stronger visual connection with Avalon Bay, while the larger versions accommodate up to four people and make more sense for a small family group or friends sharing. Children are not accommodated at the property, however, so in practice the larger rooms suit adults travelling together rather than a family with young children.

A refrigerator, microwave and coffee machine give you a little control over the gap between breakfast and dinner. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel, and rooms also have a desk, flat-screen television, radio and telephone. Choose according to what matters most when you close the door: balcony, ocean view or extra floor space. The cards below will handle the measurements; the real decision is whether you want to watch Avalon from the room or simply sleep well after the sea.

Breakfast is a buffet rather than a token coffee and pastry arrangement. You can find fresh fruit, bagels, hard-boiled eggs, granola, muffins, fresh orange juice, organic coffee and a full selection of teas. It is the sort of spread that can cover both the early start and the diver who needs a second plate before facing the day.

For proper meals, Avalon Grille serves breakfast, lunch and dinner indoors, with an informal setting and a menu based on American classics. The dress code is casual, which is useful when your hair is still doing that thing saltwater does to it and your clothing choices have narrowed to “dry” and “not dry”.

There is one hotel bar: The Harbor View Bar, a lobby bar focused on cocktails and harbour views. The hotel operates on a room-only basis, so the restaurant and bar are separate choices rather than part of a half-board or all-inclusive arrangement. Catalina Coffee & Cookie and Antonio’s Pizzeria on Avalon Bay are about 100 feet away, giving you two nearby alternatives when you want coffee or pizza without making an occasion of it.

The rooftop is the obvious place to decompress. It has 360-degree views over Avalon and its harbour, with loungers and tables for the very important business of sitting down after a day outside. In the garden patio, an ornate fountain, secluded seating, detailed landscaping and an outdoor fireplace offer a quieter alternative when the rooftop has had enough of you.

When you want to move, the island supplies the options. Hiking, cycling and bike tours are available, along with walking tours and activities focused on local culture. The hotel also lists mini golf and a nearby golf course, while the surrounding area offers snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, fishing, boat excursions and equipment hire. These are practical ways to fill a non-diving day or give a travelling companion something to do while you are underwater.

The hotel can also arrange excursions connected with Casino Point Dive Park, Descanso Beach Club and Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden. You can borrow a laptop from reception, use the sun terrace or settle into the garden with a book. No spa routine is required; sometimes the useful luxury is simply a chair, a view and nowhere else to be.

Check-in runs from 16:00 to 19:00, and check-out is from 07:30 to 11:00. You will need photo identification and a credit card at check-in. The hotel also offers private and express check-in and check-out, luggage storage, daily housekeeping, concierge service and a wake-up service, which can make an early departure less of a logistical puzzle.

An airport shuttle is available on request, and car hire can be arranged. Check the transfer plan before travelling: the hotel sits on Catalina Island, and the airport distances describe the mainland airports rather than a drive straight to the hotel door. Parking information differs between the property and surrounding travel details, so confirm the current arrangement with the hotel if you are bringing or hiring a vehicle.

WiFi is free throughout the hotel. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available, as is a safe at reception. The property is non-smoking, does not accept pets and has no age requirement for check-in, although children are not accommodated. Early check-in and late check-out can be requested, subject to availability.