Catalina Island’s historic Hotel Atwater finishes makeover ahead of 100th birthday

AVALON—Catalina Island’s historic Hotel Atwater is on the cusp of celebrating its 100th birthday, but don’t let its age fool you, things are still roaring at the 1920s-built hotel. The seaside property in Avalon has been under renovation since January 2018. The Catalina Island Co. announced renovations have been completed and the hotel, as of Aug.11, reopened.

Guests are now welcomed by a more spacious lobby with seating areas and new amenities including a fully equipped meeting and event space for gatherings of up to 65 people. The guest rooms feature larger bathrooms and high-tech comforts including digital concierge tablets, Wi-Fi and smart televisions. Each room has new island-inspired décor with a nod to the Art Deco style of the era in which the hotel was built and nostalgic elements to reflect the Wrigley family.

Hotel Atwater opened on July 1, 1920. The original construction was overseen by Pasadena-based architect, David Malcolm “D.M.” Renton. William Wrigley Jr. tasked him with delivering the building in time for the 1920 summer tourist season – less than a year after Wrigley purchased control of the Catalina Island Company in 1919.

This year, the Catalina Island Co. is celebrating the centennial anniversary of Wrigley’s purchase of the company and his investment in the island.