Avalon Hotel

The location is outstanding, and we really enjoyed our meal at the Avalon. We ordered tuna and shrimp for our mains, with Rockefeller oysters to start. Two very large groups were there, so our food took ages. Our server kindly brought a complimentary glass of wine, though a heads-up about the wait would’ve helped.

After a long flight from London, we walked into our room and were met by a horrible smell, like damp mop water mixed with strong cleaning products. Staff moved us to another room, and I’m grateful to the person who really tried to help, though I can’t remember his name. The second room was still very bad. The bathroom tiles had mould, and the beach chairs were rusty and mouldy. The iron was dusty and dirty, too. Both rooms felt dirty. Doors were stiff and dusty, as if they needed oiling, and every window was old and rusted shut, so there was no proper ventilation. Breakfast was very poor as well. The Avalon is in a great location, but this was the worst hotel I’ve stayed in. Please don’t stay here if cleanliness and comfort matter to you. They need to do much better.

At checkout, I found a $300 resort fee on the bill, even though the receipt called this place a hotel. That felt like a second joke. The first was being told there’d be free coffee and tea, then finding no coffee or tea in the room, and no coffee available after 11 am. The AC also seems more like an air cooler. In a humid city, you can’t set it below 69F. This is based on my actual experience, so I’d advise asking people who gave glowing reviews about these three things before booking. I wouldn’t go there.

What made our stay was the warm, genuine attention from the whole team. Richard deserves a special thank you for taking care of us during a very special dinner. He was fun and informative, and made the evening feel perfect. The hotel has a lovely quirky style, and getting to the beach was easy. The towels and chairs they provide were a nice touch.