The Edgewater

Stayed here on our first visit to Catalina Island. The staff were very friendly and attentive, and the amenities were clean and comfortable.

My husband and I spent our one year anniversary in Catalina and stayed at The Edge Water Hotel and we couldn’t have been happier with the choice in hotel. We spent a lot of time reviewing places as we wanted the weekend to be absolutely perfect and the staff at The Edge Water made it just that! We came in around 10:15 and we’re able to check in early with all of our luggage. In addition, our room was decorated with anniversary signs and balloons so it was extra special. Later we came back, and there was chilled champagne and wine glasses for us! Barbara and her staff were very welcoming and treated us like family! They put out fresh popcorn for snacks and provided juice, coffee, and muffins in the morning. They really made us feel extra welcome! We stayed in room #1 which we definitely recommend! The room is absolutely breathtaking with views of the ocean and the town. If you’re looking for gorgeous views within walking distance to everything, and a super nice staff, I would definitely recommend The Edgewater. We will be staying here any time we visit Catalina again!

The Edgewater is THE perfect place to stay in Catalina. I recently made a trip with a couple of friends to celebrate my birthday and couldn’t have been happier. They even put balloons and a giant «Happy Birthday!» banner in the room for me!
The Oceanfront Suite:
We stayed in the Oceanfront suite and the view was otherworldly. We had breakfast every morning while watching and listening to the waves crash and seeing people stroll by the sun room. At night, we enjoyed a drink while listening to some music it is a very relaxing place.
The Edgewater:
It’s a cute mom and pop type of place, so don’t come here expecting to be at the 4 Seasons! Don’t get me wrong, it was extremely clean and comfortable but people here are complaining about hot water taking to long or someone not being available at all hours! Chill out. The bagels for breakfast and juice in the fridge was a nice touch.
The Staff:
I only really ever met Esperanza, who seems to be the hotel’s Wonder Woman. She is so sweet, accommodating and knowledgeable about what to see, where to eat and how to get there. Also she was always providing snacks, so how could you not love her.
All in all, if you want a lovely and relaxing stay while in Catalina go to the Edgewater (but not on a weekend that I want to go ;) — haha)

Fantastic customer service!!! Tha Manager Barbara was very attentive, thoughtful and sweet.
The room was very clean and much better than we expected. The shower head was nice and high for us tall people. Location couldn’t be better. We will be back for sure.

Celebrated my 60^th birthday at the Edgewater. We enjoyed 2 nights and the view from our oceanview suite was beautiful. If you leave the windows open you can hear the waves on the beach — so tranquil. They decorated our room and the staff was so nice and helpful. My birthday was absolutely magical! Thank you Edgewater!

My sister who is terminally ill wanted to go to Catalina, one of her bucket list wishes. So I booked a suite at The Edgewater with an Ocean view. The room was clean, charming and the view was awesome. The location is perfect right in the center of town. Walking distance to all the restaurants and shopping. Barbara and Brittany went out of their way to ensure that my sister was comfortable. Example: had breakfast nearby, Brittany offered my sister a ride to the location due to she has a hard time walking. We tried to pay for breakfast but was told a secret admirer/​had taken care of the bill. Hmmm I did see Brittany run into the café after she dropped off my sister Words alone can not express our gratitude for your kindness and thoughtfulness Barbara & Brittany. My sister had a Wonderful time and loved the room. Thank you for your hospitality

I was disappointed. We paid full season price, but got off-​season service. After making the reservation, I got two phone calls asking me when I was going to show up — despite being specific about our arrival time, when we got there the office was locked up and nobody was on-​site. A note on the office door asked us to check in at the gift shop downstairs. The woman at the counter was annoyed and told us flatly that she didn’t have anything to do with the hotel. Called the hotel’s number a couple of times before getting an answer — was told someone would be there soon. All told, 45 minutes after we arrived, someone showed up and let us into the room. Next morning, nobody showed up at all… finally called again to ask to be checked out, and we were told to just leave the keys in the room. No «thanks for staying with us,» no «sorry about the wait.»
Yes, a great location. Yes, a comfortable room. No, I won’t be returning. An off-​season rate with an expectation of little service would have set the right expectation.

I booked the hotel on line without any issues for Wednesday and Thursday nights. This was our third trip to Catalina, the first two (1981 Wedding & 2011 Anniversary) we stayed at a hotel up the hill. (Aurora) This time, for our 34^th wedding anniversary, we were determined to stay on Crescent Ave in an ocean view room. We wanted a balcony so the Edgewater was the perfect choice. I was kind of disappointed that they recently enclosed the balcony with vinyl windows but it worked out ok. It used to be open as can be seen in some of the older Unilocal photos. We booked Ocean View Suite # 1 not knowing that Ocean View Suite # 2 is configured differently. I assumed they were a mirror image of each other. Suite # 1 is configured where you can view of the harbor from bed where suite # 2 has a separate walled bedroom. We took a peek inside # 2. We liked Suite # 1 better so we lucked out. The view from bed… priceless.
The suite was recently remodeled. From what I can guess, before the vinyl windows were added, there used to be two sets of French doors that opened up to the balcony. The right hand set of doors remain but can’t use because of the sofa bed. The left hand set of doors are gone and it is just a wide open threshold to the balcony. The right hand set has curtains that can be closed where the left hand opening has no curtains. Although on the second floor, there is not much of a sense of privacy at night and no way to block the morning sun. This is a remodel oversight that can be easily solved by adding some curtains.
We spent most of Thursday on the beach using the umbrella and chairs from the hotel. It was very nice! The staff was very accommodating, especially Barbara who will go out of her way to please you.
The GOOD!
The balcony and the view.
Location, location, location.
Mini fridge in the balcony with wet bar.
Vinyl windows shut out the street noise.
The old glass door knob on the bathroom door. It might be the original.
Flat screen TV, free Wifi, free bottled water.
Why not five stars?
Bathroom sink was stopped up upon our arrival. It was plunged out.
Hotel ice maker was not working properly. More like an ice block maker. Staff had to chip us some ice.
No stir sticks for coffee (continental breakfast). They did have cream and sugar.
One of the beach chairs we were loaned was obviously ripped. Had to get it replaced for a good one.
Missing curtain (from above)
Hot water was only warm half of the time. We learned that the hotel has a tankless water heater. So either demand gets too high and exceeds its output capacity or it is not working properly.
CATALINA:
We really enjoyed visiting mid-​week. We were seated for dining right away. No waiting for parasailing.
For Dinner I recommend the Bluewater Grill for fish or the Avalon Grille for beef.
For Breakfast try Jacks or the Pancake Cottage. Both places have a good breakfast.
Avoid the Cantina.

I planned my boyfriends bday to be special. Edgewater was so accommodating that they even set my room with 2 dozen ballons, desserts and his favorite beer so when we arrived he was so surprised, he loved it! I have never dealt with a hotel that works with you to the fullest. The staff and I were emailing back and forth and they were so helpful giving me suggestions of places to go, numbers and did exactly as I asked. My bf at first missed the whole balloons when he came in because when he first walked in the room he was taken back with the amazing view! ALL weekend he just kept saying «ahhhhh this is soo relaxing». We stayed at the ocean view suite 1 I believe. The beach is like 15 steps from our room! Plus in every direction you go, theres everything you need, restaurants, stores, everything! Thank you edgewater for making our stay so memorable! If I can give 6 stars, I would!
By the way, the water that another Unilocaler wrote on her review about the shower: mine was like that, you just have to run it for about 3 minutes and wala! Hot water! Also for the comment about marijuana, I must agree with the owners daughter, my bf could smell the marijuana seeping through their room. We stayed around the same time as the other Unilocalers comment. So just letting you know, read hers and I totally disagree with what she says. Edgewater is great!

Amazing this place so fun and the view is awsome must say a fantastic couples getaway and a romantic weekend :) thank you for all the drinks and great service you gave us

What a great little place! The manager was amazing making sure we were comfortable and happy… Edge water is a short ten minute walk from the casino and about 15 minute walk to where you meet up for zip lining! The location is great, right in the middle of all the attractions!

Man super bad I Called her to see if a she any room available its seemed like she was so distracted !!! She was Was not paying Attention to what I was saying GRR

Great hotel for many reasons:
1. Don’t have a two night minimum stay like all the other hotels on the island.
2. Very friendly staff!
3. Right on the water and oceanfront with only a 5 minute walk from the Avalon drop off.
4. Clean rooms!
5. Coffee and muffins in the morning.
We stayed here for the night and loved it! I’d definitely come back. It has a small feel to it with a hallway and small rooms the whole way down with a back patio which was great. The room was clean and although the office closes at 4pm you don’t really need any hotel staff help/​advice since everything is walkable from the hotel such as food, ocean, cons express, hiking, snorkeling etc. Everyone who worked there was super helpful on recommendations on restaurants and things to do as well :)

A pretty good hotel. I would come back, but only because they seem to be the only hotel on the island that doesn’t have a two night minimum. Also, the location is great. Right in the center of Crescent Avenue overlooking the water.
The room was clean and simple. However, you could tell it was sort of «fake nice». The windows would not shut all the way so you couldn’t lock them. The front office often had no one there. The kitchen was tiny and the continental breakfast consisted of packages bagels and packaged muffins. Their happy hour snack was microwave popcorn.
Good wifi though and nice staff.

Great hotel! We stayed Sat-​Sun and liked it so much we extended another night.
The location is excellent, located just a couple minutes walk from the boat right in the center of the main street between all the bars, restaurants and other hotels. It almost looks like this hotel was built between two buildings down and alley… you go up a narrow set of stairs and the entire hotel is just 9 rooms all off one hallway. I would have thought it would be MUCH noisier, but actually it was a quiet sanctuary away from the street.
This is a very minimal hotel in the way of services but the rooms were super clean and comfortable. Room 7 has an updated bathroom, and room 5 was a little larger, but without the updated bathroom (we stayed in both). Rooms 1 and 2 are the suites and I happened to glance in one that was open and they are GORGEOUS with a little sunroom view right over the boardwalk with a perfect view of the ocean. They are about a hundred more per night but I would totally consider staying in one next time.
The staff is wonderful and super accommodating, and let us leave our luggage at the front in the side room several times during our stay before check-​in, after check-​out, etc. The only reason I didn’t give 5 stars is because the water pressure in room 5 in the shower was absolutely terrible. Other than that, we loved our stay here!

We stayed in ocean front suite 2 and it was a great experience! The view was to die for and the room was clean and cute! The bed was very comfortable and had no issues sleeping like I normally do at other hotels! Staff were friendly and even witnessed a wedding from our window! Can’t wait to come back and stay here again! So sad to be leaving today!

What a perfect location! Literally in the middle of the front row of all Avalon shops and eateries. The beach is just steps away. Clean and quiet. Our room was a garden view room. Very comfortable queen bed and and nice shower. The staff were all very friendly! Would recommend this location to family and friends. Great price too!

Nice small clean room. We stayed in a fountain view room and had enough room to set up the pack n play for our toddler. Didnt hear any street noise. Had snacks set out and we were able to use the lobby fridge for our toddlers milk which was great. I liked that this hotel was on the main drag and you could leave the hotel and be steps from the beach. It is up a flight of stairs and i didnt note any other way to get in. No room service either. But a great quiet and clean place to stay. Oh and they let us store our luggage there both before and after checkin/​out.

Is The Edgewater a 4 star hotel? Well, in a way, yes.
It’s literally steps from the beach, maybe 25 feet. It’s also literally steps away from several bars and restaurants (20 – 40 feet in either direction). And most of the rooms are set far enough back from the main drag so you won’t hearany of the drunken partying at night.
Now, there ain’t no room service and there are very few amenities unless you count free water, apples and cookies amenities. We are talking low to no frills.
But the room was clean and quiet and much more reasonably priced than nearly every other hotel. And that counts for a lot in my book.
If you want a pampered hotel experience or frills of ANY kind, look elsewhere. If you want a clean, quiet room (and nothing more) at a fair price, look no further.

Like others have said, this place does not require a two night stay, which can be very convenient since all hotels in this area cost a fortune. Granted, if you’re coming to Catalina, you’re not looking for the cheapest weekend getaway.
When you’re walking down the main downtown Avalon area, keep your eyes peeled for the entrance of this hotel. It’s very, very small and easy to miss. Check in was easy and a breeze.
There are not that many rooms in this hotel, so you won’t be bumping into too many neighbors. What I really like is that each room is separate from the room next to it. It’s hard to describe, but essentially the walls are not connected, which provides a bit more privacy.
The downside is that the doors are thin and you can hear everything.
BUT, free wifi, free drinks, free snacks in the morning = GREAT. Plus 2 steps from everything? Great bonus.