The Avalon Hotel

This property is housed in a four-story yellow and gray building located a few feet up a steep street off Avalon’s main drag. Decor is homey and craftsman-style, with lots of wood accents and cozy details such as wooden benches with plush pillows. The quiet patio, complete with a small koi pond, tables, and a fire pit, adds to the property’s intimate feel. Most rooms overlook this courtyard -- which also serves as the outdoor breakfast space in the morning -- so noise is generally not an issue. The property is not luxurious, but it does have a number of upscale services and perks, including free taxi rides from the ferry terminal, and turndown service. Sister property Aurora Hotel, located an easy walk away, offers more stylish (but smaller) rooms, and similar amenities at comparable prices. 

The property is located on a quiet street right off Avalon’s main drag. Restaurants, shops, and bars are all within walking distance, and the beach -- a narrow stretch of fine sand with stairs to the water -- is half a block away. The hotel is centrally situated between the famous Casino building and the ferry terminal, so virtually all attractions can be reached on foot. Those arriving by ferry can walk to the hotel or take a cab, the price of which will be reimbursed upon arrival at the property.

The hotel features only 15 rooms, all of which feel cozy, with lots of wood and homey amenities such as microwaves, mini-fridges with free bottled water, DVD players, and coffeemakers. Other standard features and services include free Wi-Fi, turndown service, and flat-screen TVs. Rooms are not luxurious, but are in good condition and are always clean. Bathrooms are fairly spacious and attractive, with deep tubs, white mosaic floor tiling, and contemporary sinks placed on wooden storage cabinets. Some rooms have furnished balconies and partial or full ocean views, while others overlook the quiet courtyard where breakfast is served every morning. Murphy beds are available in some units.

The hotel features a small, quaint courtyard with tables and umbrellas where free continental breakfast is served every morning. Guests linger here after breakfast and during the day, reading, chatting, and mingling with other customers around the fire pit. The rooftop sun deck, however, is the highlight here. It features a handful of loungers and tables, and offers some of the best ocean views around. Guess are allowed to bring their own food and drinks, but there is no bar service. The hotel offers other wonderful freebies aside from continental breakfast, including Wi-Fi, taxi rides from the ferry terminal, coffee, bottled water and sodas, and loaner GPS devices, binoculars, and laptops. Guests also have access to a massage room at sister property Aurora Hotel, located a three-minute walk away.