By Last Updated on May 10, 2023
A picturesque island located off the Southern California coast, Santa Catalina Island is one of the eight Channel Islands known for their stunning natural beauty, crystalline waters, and abundant wildlife. The island covers an area of around 74-square-miles and is California’s only island resort destination. Finding the perfect hotel on Catalina Island, however, can be tricky.
Santa Catalina offers a range of accommodations to suit a variety of budgets. Most of the hotels on Catalina are located in Avalon, the main marina area. Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly or luxury accommodations, for a small island, Santa Catalina offers a myriad of choices.
Visitors should know that the summer months are the most popular meaning that prices during this period will likely increase according to demand. Off-season prices and packages which may also include ferry service transport to the island can significantly lower the overall cost of a stay. You’ll be happy to know that none of the hotels in Avalon, Catalina Island charge resort fees.
Hotels on Catalina
We’ll be separating our list of hotels on Catalina into two categories: hotels in Avalon on Catalina Island, and those outside the main harbor town.
You will notice that the hotels on Catalina are small – there’s no Grand Hyatt here. That means you need to book early – very early – if you want to be sure to secure a room in your preferred property.
Hotels Avalon Catalina Island
El Terado Terrace
A budget-friendly hotel on Catalina Island located on a hilltop overlooking Avalon Bay, El Terando Terrace offers 22 comfortable rooms and suites with kitchenettes, perfect for families or groups. The hotel features a rooftop sundeck with breathtaking views of the ocean and the town, a hot tub and BBQ area.
Off-season rates here start at $129 per night for a standard room and $179 for a deluxe accommodation. You’ll be hard pressed finding a more affordable hotel on Avalon, Catalina Island.
Glenmore Plaza Hotel
This charming Victorian property adjacent to a golf course is situated just steps away from the beach and the town’s shops and restaurants. The hotel on Catalina Island in Avalon features 44 spacious rooms and suites with balconies or patios overlooking the ocean or the town along with a panoramic penthouse. It also offers a complimentary breakfast and a rooftop terrace with stunning vistas of the island.
Prices range from $159 for a standard queen to $956 for the one-bedroom penthouse.
The Edgewater
Located on the beach in the heart of Avalon, this charming hotel features 24 rooms with a range of options from standard rooms to suites with balconies offering picturesque scenery of the bay.
Complimentary continental breakfast is included in the stay along with beach towels and beach chairs for its guests. Other amenities include a rooftop sundeck, a hot tub, and access to the island’s only beach club.
Nightly rates start at $175.
Catalina Island Inn
This quaint boutique inn features 21 individually decorated rooms, each with its own unique style and personality. The hotel’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the island.
Catalina Island Inn is housed in a renovated historic building that carefully preserved its original charm and character. The hotel on Catalina Island has decor inspired by the area’s natural beauty and relaxed coastal lifestyle, with calming hues of blue, green, and white that create a serene and inviting atmosphere.
A complimentary continental breakfast, beach towels and chairs are all included in the stay.
Room rates range from $229 to $349 per night.
Bellanca Hotel
Located an 8-minute walk from picturesque Descanso Beach and 10-minute walk to the town center, this property underwent a total renovation in 2020 and now offers stylish, but cozy guestrooms and suites, some suites include fireplaces and soaking tubs.
Complimentary beach cruising bikes, beach towels and chairs can be checked out at the front desk. The sundeck is an ideal setting for rest, relaxation, sunbathing, reading or just taking in the Catalina harbor views.
Room rates start at $234 per night.
Aurora Hotel
A luxurious boutique hotel on Catalina Island, Aurora features just 15 spacious rooms and suites, each designed with modern amenities and elegant decor. The rooms feature plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as private balconies or patios with stunning harbor scenes or the surrounding hills.
The Aurora Hotel is known for its exceptional service and personalized attention. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities and services, including a complimentary continental breakfast, evening wine and cheese reception, and access to the hotel’s rooftop sundeck and hot tub.
Nightly rates start at $269 for a standard room. Rooms with ocean views and suites are priced higher.
The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island
15 well-appointed rooms and suites with a mix of modern amenities and vintage charm represent this lovely Avalon property. The rooms are individually decorated with unique details such as custom-made furniture, vintage light fixtures, and original artwork.
The Avalon Hotel offers a range of amenities to make guests’ stays more comfortable and enjoyable, including complimentary continental breakfast, beach towels and chairs. Guests can also relax in the hotel’s cozy courtyard, which features a fireplace and comfortable seating areas.
Rooms range from $304 per night for garden view rooms and $377 for balcony harbor views.
Today, it’s a popular return destination for guests who come to enjoy its unique charm and character, exquisite service and stunning panoramas of the Pacific Ocean from the lodge’s wraparound porch.
Room rates which include a full breakfast start at $337 per night and higher depending on view and season.
The Pavilion Hotel
Located just steps away from the beach in Avalon, The Pavilion Hotel offers 73 comfortable rooms and suites with a coastal-inspired décor. It features lush tropical gardens, a courtyard with a fire pit and cabana seats, a complimentary breakfast and afternoon wine hour, and access to the island’s only beach club.
Room pricing ranges from $369 to $449 per night.
(This is my favorite hotel on Catalina Island!)
Hotel Metropole
Located in the heart of Avalon, the beachfront Hotel Metropole is a 52-room boutique property nestled in a lovely Mediterranean style building. It offers spacious, contemporary inspired rooms and suites with stunning views of the ocean and the town. A VIP Wing offers unrivaled ocean views and their 2-bedroom, 2-bath beach house is an 1800-square foot hideaway ideal for a family.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant, a rooftop lounge, and a spa and wellness center. Daily breakfast is included in the stay. Room rates start at $386 per night.
Hotels on Catalina outside Avalon
Banning House Lodge
This 12-room bed and breakfast is situated in Two Harbors, a small village located on the more remote west end of Catalina Island. Originally built in 1910 by the Banning brothers, prominent figures in the development of the island, the lodge has a rich history, serving as a gathering place for politicians and celebrities, and as a recreation center for soldiers stationed on the island during WW II.
The lodge offers picturesque gardens, an outdoor hot tub, a library, game room and lounge area. It’s a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of Santa Catalina Island.
Rooms typically start at $234 per night.
The Inn on Mt. Ada
Staying at this magnificent inn is definitely a splurge, but for a romantic getaway or special occasion, this hotel on Catalina Island would definitely provide an unforgettable experience.
Originally built in 1921 by the Wrigley family (of Wrigley chewing gum fame) as their private residence, the Inn on Mt. Ada situated high on a hill overlooking the Avalon Harbor has been beautifully restored and transformed into a luxurious Craftsman-style bed and breakfast. The inn features six guest rooms, each with its own unique decor and amenities.
Guests of the Inn can enjoy a range of activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, and golfing. The inn also has a heated outdoor pool, a hot tub, and a sauna for guests to relax and unwind.
One of the highlights of a stay at the Inn on Mt. Ada is the daily breakfast, served on the inn’s expansive veranda with stunning panoramic Pacific Ocean views. In the evening, guests can enjoy wine and cheese on the veranda or gather around the fireplace in the cozy living room.
Once again, the cost of a stay here is dependent upon the time of year and day of the week. Generally speaking, room rates range from $500 to $1,000 per night. It’s also worth noting that the Inn requires a minimum of two nights on weekends and during certain holidays and special events.
What do you think?