Southern California’s Secret: Santa Catalina Island

Southern California has a great deal of visitor appeal, offering everything from glamorous charm to beach vibes and of course magical adventures. However, for every tourist spot visitors flock to, locals make sure to keep some spots secret as well. One such location is Catalina Island. Located just 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina is a luxurious island escape, offering guests relaxing retreats, luxurious amenities, and world-class fun. For a unique take on a Southern California vacation, here are our top picks on where to stay at Catalina Island.

Snug Harbor Inn

Nestled in the heart of downtown, Snug Harbor Inn is a luxurious six-room boutique surrounding the restaurants, shops, and local attractions of Catalina. Here, each of the rooms are beautifully appointed with their own theme, drawing inspiration from local beach towns on the mainland for a unique room experience that’s equally comfortable and charming. All of the rooms at Snug Harbor provide ocean views, with many of the rooms offering fireplaces and relaxing lounge space as well.

Beyond the rooms, however, it’s the staff’s service worth writing home about. Every morning, guests are treated to a complimentary breakfast in bed, complete with pound cake, coffee, tea, juice, granola and more, all beautifully set up overlooking the room’s ocean view, and served with fresh flowers. Likewise, every evening guests are welcomed to join one another in the common area for wine and hors d’Oeuvres, where there are fresh caprice salads, homemade spreads and a variety of both wine and sparkling apple cider options. For being in the heart of the city, in a bed-and-breakfast type environment, if you enjoy personalized service and unique touches, this is the hotel for you.

Pavilion Hotel

From the moment your boat touches the shore, the Pavilion Hotel has you covered. Located just steps from the beach, the Pavilion Hotel provides complimentary luggage service from the Avalon boat dock to your room, allowing for a conveniently effortless check in that other visitors will be jealous about. Here guests can enjoy complimentary European breakfast every morning, complete with everything from freshly baked croissants to cappuccinos along with nightly wine and cheese tasting reception around their outdoor ocean view lounge. A fan favorite on TripAdvisor, what sets the Pavilion Hotel apart from the others, is their proximity to the beach and welcoming common areas. Here, every room has a view of their elegantly landscaped tropical garden which is a popular relaxation spot, and some of the island’s most popular restaurants are just steps away. For those who enjoy more lively hotels that always have something going on, the Pavilion is definitely a hotel to consider.

Hotel Metropole

One of the more recently renovated hotels on the island, Hotel Metropole is located a few blocks away from the main hustle and bustle of downtown, providing a peaceful retreat with the same breathtaking ocean views as locations elsewhere. There are over seven different types of rooms on property allowing guests of all budgets and preferences to find their best option ranging from moderate king beds with courtyard views up to VIP ocean front suites; and while there’s no complimentary breakfast or evening wine, you’re conveniently located to some of the island’s most popular restaurants, allowing you to try them out while visiting. Here, you can relax, unwind and enjoy soaking in their rooftop jacuzzi or getting a massage at their on-property spa and simply enjoy the island life.

Hotel Vista Del Mar

While unassuming at first glance, Hotel Vista Del Mar is truly one of the best all-around hotels on Catalina. Located steps away from the beach and overlooking the pier, Hotel Vista Del Mar receives rave reviews from customers praising their hospitality and having quality, well-appointed rooms in all price points. Whether you prefer views of Avalon Bay or their beautiful city scape, guests seem to agree on enjoying each and every room that this property has. Located on the third floor above a gift shop and steakhouse, all the rooms here are surprisingly quiet, allowing you to have your own private island retreat. If modern amenities are your thing, Hotel Vista Del Mar has you covered. The bedrooms have plush beds, fireplaces, and flat screen TVs, the bathrooms have soaking tubs and makeup removal towels, and here, you can actually take a bite out of the mini-fridge with soft drinks and snacks starting at just $1.50. For a cozy retreat with personal space and personal touches, Hotel Vista Del Mar is worth considering for your next trip.

For a full list of all lodging, activities and special events offered at Catalina Island, feel free to visit their website at http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/