One of Catalina Island's best-known stays has reopened after a yearlong renovation.
Pavilion Hotel—a longtime waterfront retreat in the town of Avalon on the island off California's southern coast —debuted a fresh new look, while keeping the breezy, social spirit that has made it a favorite for generations.
"Pavilion Hotel has long been part of Avalon's story, and this next chapter is an opportunity to both honor that legacy and reintroduce it in a way that feels thoughtful and true to the island," says Hunter Rusack, president and chief operating officer of Catalina Island Company. The waterfront site served as a popular gathering place for the town's famed Dance Pavilion in the late 1800s, and the new Pavilion carries on that social legacy. "It's about creating a place where guests can slow down, settle in, and feel connected to Catalina's history and setting," he adds
The hotel's updated aesthetic channels its midcentury roots, blending classic silhouettes with a beach-inspired palette—coral, sea glass, and soft coastal hues—and botanical accents. Guest rooms and suites have been updated, with some deluxe accommodations featuring French doors and semi-private outdoor seating or patios overlooking a leafy central courtyard.
That courtyard, outfitted with chaise lounges and a fire pit, anchors the property as a focal point for its signature evening social hours. Guests can help themselves to a drink as well—lobby dispensers offer pours of wine for purchase, spotlighting California regions, including Russian River Valley, Sonoma , and Napa Valley. Also in the lobby: The Lanai, a communal space that hosts a daily continental breakfast.
Pavilion Hotel sits steps from the beach and from Avalon's waterfront restaurants and boutiques, and offers easy access to Catalina Island Company 's tours and ocean adventures.
The island, reachable by high-speed ferry or helicopter from several Southern California ports, has long drawn visitors from the mainland for sun-soaked activities like snorkeling, kayaking, ziplining, and glass-bottom boat tours.
Nightly rates at Pavilion Hotel start from $350, and you can book your stay at visitcatalinaisland.com .
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