The Edgewater

Check-in was quick and simple because the staff contacted me beforehand with clear details. The location is perfect, right across from the beach and near plenty of good food and entertainment. The rooms feel modern and updated, with spacious, spotless bathrooms, a really comfortable bed, and even an Apple TV setup. I’ll definitely be back.

We arrived and found the place loud, with our suite window looking onto a beach where people were partying and smoking. I was there alone with my two kids, and a man next door asked me to come into his room in front of them. We left right away. I told the owner, but she wouldn’t refund us, so I ended up paying for two hotels. For $1,300, we paid for three nights and stayed for 10 minutes. The place was advertised as a hotel, but felt more like a motel. We had to haul our bags up a huge flight of stairs, and the suite didn’t feel like a suite. This is the first time I’ve given a “hotel” a negative rating, and I’m sure the owner will write a nasty response because I’ve seen the other reviews. We stayed at Hotel Atwater, which had been my first choice but was sold out when we booked this place. It was the same price and felt like an actual hotel, with a front desk, service, a lobby, and places to go. The staff were incredible. Catalina island is such a special place, but this motel isn’t. Do not stay here. It’s unacceptable.

The stairs were the one downside, especially with luggage. Otherwise, it was a really good place to stay, right on the beach and in the middle of everything.

It’s close to the beach, and that’s about the only good thing. There’s no microwave, ice machine, or breakfast, and the fridge is shared in the lobby. They wouldn’t hold luggage before or after the stay, either. The only person I saw was the cleaning lady, who doesn’t speak English and couldn’t answer my questions. It was awful in every other way. I only stayed because places book up fast. I tried to add a third night at the Mac Rae, a great hotel at every level, but it was full, so I got stuck here.