This California City Hotel Pairs Sparkling Wine, Cozy Rooms, Beach Towels, and Easy Ferry Transfers for a Seamless Island Stay

Island escapes often promise relaxation, but the best ones are defined by small details that make everything feel easy from the start. A welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful perks, and a convenient location can turn a simple trip into a smooth and enjoyable experience. In California, Hotel Atwater brings this together with cozy rooms, sparkling wine, and helpful extras that make every stay feel effortless.

In this listicle, we break down the standout features that make this hotel a great choice for an unforgettable island getaway.

Table Of Contents

1. Nautical-Themed Decor

A comfortable bed at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island, adorned with decorative pillows, including two featuring a blue seal design, against a padded headboard with stylish lamps on either side. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

One of the most charming aspects of Hotel Atwater is its nautical-themed decor. When you enter your room, you’ll be greeted by delightful touches like cute seals on the pillows. And the bedding? They are exceptionally comfortable.

The rooms are decorated in calming blue and green tones, making you feel right by the ocean. The walls and furnishings are all decked out in these calming hues, giving the whole place a fresh, seaside vibe.

The decor is beautiful and thoughtfully designed to give you that perfect blend of comfort and style. We absolutely loved how everything created such a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. If you’re a fan of beachy, nautical themes, you’ll feel right at home here!

2. Cozy Rooms

A well-appointed room at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island, highlighting a modern vanity area with a round mirror and pendant lights, and a cozy bed with soft linens and decorative pillows in the background. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Sink into a comfy bed after a day of exploring at Hotel Atwater. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice how clean and well-kept everything in the room is. It feels fresh and welcoming, like a breath of fresh air. The beds are super comfortable with soft, luxurious linens that wrap you in comfort. There’s nothing quite like snuggling into those soft, high-quality sheets after a long day.

Need help planning a trip here? Grab our free 5-day Catalina Island itinerary. Reach out for a custom itinerary that fits your needs.

3. Stylish Contemporary Interiors

Elegant interior of a boutique hotel featuring two staircases, a chandelier, and a colorful painting of a coastal landscape at the center. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

One of the first things you’ll notice at Hotel Atwater is the stylish contemporary interiors. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by a stunning lobby featuring sleek white columns, soft beige floors, and an elegant staircase. Comfortable seating areas with vibrant island-themed fabrics and cozy cushions invite you to relax and soak in the ambiance.

The lobby’s soothing mix of white, teal, and blue creates a refreshing atmosphere, enhanced by soft background music. As you explore the lounge and hallways, you’ll find the same attention to detail. Well-lit and spacious hallways feature elegant lighting and tasteful décor that continues the island-inspired theme.

4. Central Location In Avalon

The exterior of Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island, showcasing its elegant facade with blue accents, multiple stories, and vibrant flower boxes under the windows, with parked cars in front. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Stay in the heart of Avalon, where everything is just steps away! Explore the main street, pier, restaurants, beaches or the iconic Catalina Casino – it’s all within easy reach. Plus the hotel is on the same road as Vons, the local grocery store. Water isn’t free in restaurants so save by buying it at Vons.

5. Two Splits Of Sparkling Wine

Two hands holding small bottles of La Marca Prosecco sparkling wine, toasting in a cozy room at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Imagine beginning your Catalina Island adventure with a celebratory toast! When you arrive at Hotel Atwater, you’ll find two splits of sparkling wine waiting for you in your room’s mini-fridge. It’s such a nice touch that makes you feel special from the start.

6. Exclusive Access to the Island’s Only Gym

Spacious gym at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island featuring various workout equipment, including treadmills, stationary bikes with monitors, weight machines, and a rack of dumbbells. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Hotel Atwater provides exclusive access to Catalina Island’s only gym, Catalina Island Fitness and Physical Therapy. Just sign a quick waiver, and you’ll get a fitness pass for your entire stay. The gym is just a one-minute walk from the hotel and it offers a variety of equipment, including free weights, cardio machines, and weight machines. For a modern workout, there’s an Aktiv Virtual Suspension Bay and a smart mirror, too!

7. $20 Nightly Food and Beverage Credit

A breakfast setup from Bistro at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island, including a cup of tea, a yogurt parfait with fresh berries and granola, a bowl of blueberry maple oatmeal, and a ripe banana. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Another fantastic perk at Hotel Atwater is the $20 nightly food and beverage credit! You can use this credit at the Bistro at the Atwater, Avalon Grille, Descanso Beach Club, or Flx Biergarten. This credit is perfect for grabbing breakfast, enjoying a seaside lunch, or sipping cocktails in the evening.

8. Complimentary Beach Towels

Shreeyeh and Kiran lounge on blue-and-white striped beach towels at Catalina Island, relaxing on the sandy beach under a clear sky. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

You’re going to love the convenience of complimentary beach towels at Hotel Atwater! They provide you with two free towels to use during your stay. Just ask the front desk for beach towels and when you’re done, drop the towels in the big basket at the hotel entrance. No need to pack extra towels – Hotel Atwater has you covered!

9. Hassle-Free Luggage Service to and from the Ferry

The Catalina Express ferry docked at Avalon Bay, Catalina Island, near Hotel Atwater, with scenic hills and waterfront buildings in the background. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Hotel Atwater offers a super convenient luggage service to and from the ferry terminal in Avalon. Make sure you tell the hotel staff when you’ll be arriving by ferry and when you’ll be leaving so they can get everything ready. When you arrive, look for the friendly bellman holding a Hotel Atwater sign. They’ll safely transport your luggage and let you know when it arrives at the hotel.

On departure day, your bags are collected at 10 AM and 12:30 PM, which takes about 45 minutes to reach the ferry terminal. Avalon Blue Line Baggage handles everything so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Just remember to keep any fragile or specialty items with you.

10. Save 15% on Tours

The grand entrance of the Catalina Casino near Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island, featuring intricate murals and tall arched doorways with ornate decorations. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

When you stay at Hotel Atwater, you get a 15% discount on certain activities and tours, including 19 different options. We took advantage of 2 of these deals and loved it!

We booked the VIP Backstage Tour at the Catalina Casino and the Undersea Sub Expedition. The VIP Backstage Tour took us through some incredible spots in the Casino, like the projection room, green rooms, and Wrigley’s private viewing room. It was like stepping into a piece of Hollywood history!

The Undersea Sub Expedition was another highlight. Aboard the Sea Wolf Semi-Submersible, we got up close with Catalina’s abundant marine life. We saw so many schools of fish. This was one of our favorite activities.

11. Let The Front Desk Book Your Tours

The front desk of Hotel Atwater on Catalina Island features tropical decor with palm plants, a colorful mural of the island, and a wooden counter in a welcoming, well-lit lobby. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Booking your island adventures has never been easier than at Hotel Atwater. We loved how simple and convenient it was to arrange our activities right at the front desk! The hotel partners with various island tours and activities, so you can sort everything out and make payments without any hassle. And if your plans change, you can reschedule or cancel as long as it follows the tour’s cancellation policies.

12. Complimentary Coffee Daily

A coffee station at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island with a large stainless steel coffee urn, cups, and condiments, ready for guests to enjoy a hot beverage. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Hotel Atwater offers complimentary fresh coffee in the lobby every morning from 5:30 to 7 a.m. We grabbed a cup daily, and it was such a delightful way to start the day. Waking up, going down to the lobby, and enjoying the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee was the perfect pick-me-up before heading out to explore the island.

13. Store Luggage on Checkout Day

A collection of suitcases and travel bags stored neatly on a boat deck with calm water, palm trees, and a bridge in the background. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Planning to explore the island a bit more before catching the ferry? No problem! You can ask the front desk at Hotel Atwater to store your luggage on checkout day. This service makes your last day on Catalina so much easier. Instead of carrying bags, drop them off at the front desk and enjoy your final hours on this wonderful island.

14. Packed with Historic Charm

Display cases at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island showcasing various memorabilia and artifacts, including historical documents, vintage photographs, and decorative items. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

Stepping into Hotel Atwater feels like a journey back to the 1920s. Designed in the historic 1920s style and linked to the Wrigley family’s legacy, this hotel is packed with old-world charm. You can feel the attention to detail and the extra touches that make it shine, even compared to the front street hotels.

Check out the 3 display cases in the back of the lobby showcasing various memorabilia and artifacts, including historical documents, vintage photographs, and decorative items. It’s like being transported to a bygone era, making your stay here even more unforgettable.

15. Games Available In Lobby

A cozy game area at Hotel Atwater in Catalina Island featuring a chess set on a table, a harp in the background, and an open safe with books and other items on display. — Image Credit: Bae Area and Beyond

This Catalina Island hotel offers a variety of games right in the lobby! You and your friends or family can enjoy classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland, Connect Four, Chess and Yahtzee.

Staying at Hotel Atwater on Catalina Island guarantees an unforgettable getaway filled with comfort and charm. With its exceptional amenities and prime location, your stay will be perfect.