The Inn on Mt Ada

The Inn on Mt Ada is the most amazing property. No place else that view and that level of comfort. The person that made the experience amazing for us was Joy (the assistant manager). She does everything. From filling up the golf carts, to picking up guests who arrive at the wrong time (us), to helping serve breakfast, lunch, and h’orderves, to advice for dining and sightseeing, to help with the luggage. And, she does it all with a smile and a positive attitude. I’m fighting a pinched nerve and Joy was so helpful with the things I would have otherwise done.

No question, best place to stay in Catalina. We stayed here for our 1^st year anniversary getaway and it did not disappoint! Yes, it’s one of the pricier places, but the package is inclusive of: Breakfast and Lunch; wine and h’orderves evening social; unlimited access to the butler’s pantry for wine/​beer/​water bottles/​soda, popcorn, hot cocoa, cookies and homemade ice cream; and a golf cart (as well as access to various activities on the isla), which was all totally worth it. We stayed in the Garden Porch (which is the smallest room), but recommend booking the Windsor if you can afford it. All the concierges and waiters were super friendly and hospitable, ensuring all our needs were met. The chef, Johnny was amazing! Would eat at the Inn on Mt Ada over any other restaurants in Avalon. Can’t wait to come back again!

Looking for wacky hosts at an Inn then this is the place for you. Felt like the Twilight Zone! Would never recommend this place to anyone! Staff overbearing with their «we have Voss water» comments over and over again. Will follow you to see where you go with that golf cart. Will go on endlessly about history of the place, unable to take your cues, that you’ve heard enough. Looks like the place was robbed of any antiquities that would bring charm or a sense of history to the place. STAY AWAY

Absolutely Outstanding is right.
i have long wanted to stay at The Inn and when the opportunity arrived, i had reservations about what to expect in terms of level of service as the management has changed hands.
i am pleased to report my reservations were unfounded and my stay exceeded all expectations.
i spent 3 nights at The Inn, solo, during a period of intense personal turmoil. The warmth of every member of the staff, particularly my hostess Chris, combined with the incredible beauty and comfort of the Inn, served as a healing salve i’ll always be grateful for. The attention to detail and personal interaction is simply superb.
i stayed in the Queen’s Aviary which features its own petite sitting room, magnificent views of the harbor, grand old bathtub, and world-​class bed. Oh the bed — never wanted to leave it.
Lodging at The Inn includes breakfast, lunch, and a fine assortment of nibbles & libations for Happy Hour. Dining anywhere else on the Island is a total letdown in comparison. i was on a mission to enjoy a Lychee martini — i brought my own can of Lychees and incorrectly assumed the Inn would have vodka — and darn it all if Chris didn’t fetch me a bottle on her way to pick up incoming guests. Thanks Chris for the above & beyond!
i hiked the canyon & walked Avalon one of the days and spent another lounging and reading in a soft overstuffed chair in one of the living rooms, enjoying the gentle sea breeze. In my visits to the Island over the years, i have camped at BlackJack, stayed in a scuba diver’s hostel, stayed at the Pink Hotel and now at The Inn. My stay was decadent and it was worth every penny & then some.
For anyone considering a stay, i highly recommend it.
FYI The Inn will be closed for renovations for a portion of next year. i wish them all the best as they will be repairing the foundation.
PS Did i mention the mascots at the Inn? A mule deer and her fawn that were enjoying being handfed apples, the tiny Island Fox that visited me out on the veranda at night and the hilarious grey cat that has like 10 toes on his front paws? All seriously awesome

Keep in mind this is NOT a review of the Inn as a place to stay but rather a review of the lunch special offered to non-​guests of the Inn ONLY.
My wife and I have been lunch guests of the Inn for over 10 years. Last year the Inn changed ownership and is now (sadly) run by the Santa Catalina Island Company. More on them later…
The lunch special used to be a good value at $ 33pp which included your choice of several lunch items, and included open-​bar wine, beer, soda, etc., and some extras like nuts, fruits, cookies, etc. As the Inn had not been open to lunch diners since the transition of ownership in the beginning of the year, we were pleased to find out that they had once again started to offer this only a week before we arrived on the island.
Upon our arrival, we noticed they had removed several of the tables out on the balcony and the outdoor seating for lunch was now even more limited. Luckily, we got the last table. When we got our menus, we noticed that alcohol was now an extra and no longer included with your meal. When I asked my wife, who had made the reservation, she didn’t remember them mentioning this to her. The meals were now $ 30pp, but Wine was now $ 8/​glass and beer was $ 4 – 6 depending on the type. When we received our wine, they were pretty short pours for $ 8.The value was shrinking.
On to the food. The menu had changed somewhat, but they still offered the daily «South of the Border» dish, which historically had been a full plate of Carnitas with all the trimmings, which was excellent and hearty. We were told the special that day was Chicken Fajitas which we were both equally excited to try. When we received them, we noticed not only were they not your typical «sizzling» fajitas, but rather some chicken pieces on the plate, and the portions (of everything) were considerably smaller. Upon completion of our meal we both felt unsatisfied. The value continued shrinking. The only upside to our dining experience was the small dessert that came with the meal and of course the views of Avalon.
As I said, we have been coming here for over a decade and have never had an issue with the service, the food and its portions, or the value for your money, but this time we felt overcharged for what we received. At $ 60, 2 drinks each, tax & tip we were around $ 120, whereas in years past it was closer to $ 80 with all the free alcohol (which we typically had 2 – 3 drinks each over a 3-​hr period). Add to that the $ 30 in RT cab fare required to reach the Inn, and this experience is sadly no longer a good value and we will not be returning.
We have seen the changes on the island in the last dozen years or so and we, along with lots of people we speak to including residents and employees all over the island, agree that the Santa Catalina Island Company is slowly destroying the charm of the island for the sake of corporate-​driven profit, and it’s presence is noticeable all over Avalon as their ultimate goal is to turn the island into a playground for the wealthy. Off my soapbox now…

Top choice for Catalina! We have matching robes to prove it! Worth the winds and all. Fell in love with the Library along with the panoramic island views. Went home with «Big Band Music».

My boyfriend and I discovered that by booking here at the Inn, the entire island of Catalina became our playground. Transportation to the island, breakfast, lunch, and a nightly reception… a pantry fully stocked with ice cream and booze„ complimentary passes to many of the island recreational activities (including the day spa!) And golf cart available 24 hours, all offset the «big» price tag. We were VERY taken care of by all the staff but Joy was a absolute gem who made us feel like family. We look forward to returning to the bed and breakfast and consider our weekend there money well spent.

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING !
My wife and I were here for our 25^th anniversary, we are already planning our next visit. I can not say enough good things about our visit, but I’ll try…
The customer service is very attentive and accommodating without being overpowering. From start to finish, Salvador, Joy, and Kris do everything they can to make your visit enjoyable. Gail, our server for breakfast and lunch, gave the hospitality of a B&B, with the professionalism of a fine restaurant. Carmen and Martha in the kitchen produce delicious selections. The «crab Benedict» is 5 star and my favorite.
When you factor in everything that comes with your stay, the value is tremendous. Pre-​breakfast bar. Wonderful breakfast and lunch. Wine and appetizers in the afternoon. Even ice cream at night! Probably the greatest value is unlimited use of your own golf cart (just check the cost of golf cart rental on the island).
The Inn is beautiful as well as historical. The view is breathtaking. A very old mansion on the ocean requires high maintence. They do a wonderful job of it. There is a fine line between historical atmosphere and modern practical functionality, they walk that line magnificently. While sitting on the patio at night with a glass of Port (furnished of course), I kept anticipating Mr Wrigley to step out and join me! That is exceptional creation of atmosphere.
In closing, let me repeat that my wife is already planning our return visit.
«If I write a second review, will it count as 10 stars?»

This place is such a gem. The service, the staff, the cleanliness, the views… If I could give more stars I would. The epitome of luxury. My mother and I had a fabulous weekend at the Wrigley mansion. We will be back time and time again as this has become a staple for us. I can never and will never stay anywhere else in Catalina. The staff goes above and beyond to accommodate your needs and I highly recommend the inn. Thank you all again for such a pleasant experience.

The mansion re-​opened under new management with new staff only two days prior to our arrival. Work was ongoing our entire stay.
Salvador is the Inn’s assistant manager. He was wonderfully accommodating and very attentive.
This review is a bit difficult for several reasons. First, if I’m being perfectly honest, this opening, should have been pushed out at least, another month or two. Repositioning a property such as this, is a huge undertaking. Especially on the Island.
A call to the Inn at Mount Ada at (310) 510‑2030, had me listening to a message machine on which, I was unable leave a message. The message was outdated, stating the Inn was closed and would open on February 7^th 2015. I called on the 11^th.
I then called the Santa Catalina Island Company (877) 778‑9395. My reservation was accepted by a call center agent in Hood River Oregon who seemed a bit unsure of how to process the reservation. As well, she was unable to give a local contact for the property. Also unable to answer the most basic of questions about the Island.
Not a good first impression for the Santa Catalina Island Company. The rep had no idea how we should get from our boat to the Inn. She suggested a cab.
Needless to say, arrival was somewhat confusing. After shuttling between our boat in the harbor and another hotel, we had to take a cab to the Inn because there simply wasn’t a way to get ahold of anyone. Upon our arrival to the Inn and after having to schlep our things around, we encountered some property executives who, well, to be quite frank, looked at us as though we didn’t quite belong there. I introduced myself and explained that we were awaiting check-​in to the grand suite.
Demeanors quickly changed and we were assisted post haste. I’m hating even making mention of the previous lines of text. It’s just how we felt. One of the execs became a regular to the property during our stay. A younger Italian gentleman. He made a point of greeting us each time we passed. We had several casual conversations and he turned out to be a wonderful part of our guest experience.
Salvador allowed us to put our luggage in the office as we’d arrived early. He finished our paperwork and offered us lunch upon our return to the Inn. We were then offered our complimentary golf cart. That was the point at which, we decided to head to town in order to kill some time. Afteral we did arrive somewhat early.
We returned to the Mansion, unpacked and had a wonderful lunch.
The Inn is a wonderful property. I can only imagine it getting better. Throughout our stay, we were warmly greeted by staff whenever our paths crossed. Meals were well thought out and prepared to our liking. Unfortunately, we were unable to take part in the cocktail hours at the Inn. This due to prior obligations with a group of friends who stayed at the Pavilion hotel, which also has a wonderful cocktail hour.
Upon our return the first night of our stay about 9 –9:30 pm, we became locked out of the property. I tried for 40 to 45 minutes to get into the front door to no avail. I tried the numbers I had for the Inn but to no avail. I was able to get into the kitchen.
Our room The grand suite, left quite a bit to be desired. First, the carpet was faded in areas and spotted in others. It appeared there may have been area rugs which were removed leaving fade marks. A wonderfully comfortable leather club chair in the living room, could use a re dye as it was very faded on one side. The furnishings were a bit banged, scratched and perhaps, just needed to be replaced. A closet door and a terrace door were a bit difficult to operate. One of the bedroom valances was falling off the wall. It just didn’t feel quite 5 star. The bathroom was probably the best part of the suite. Next, the terrace and bedroom. Our TV didn’t work about 80% of the time we needed it to work. This due to the power cord being loose and ongoing work on the properties cable lines.
No a/​c and no telephone. A telephone would prove handy in contacting concierge or to order our meals from the kitchen.
Morning coffee and juice service right outside our door. This was a great plus however, as time went on (8:50 — 9am) the coffee usually became cold. There was no way to reheat other than to go downstairs and use the microwave in the butlers pantry. I suggested a small in room lined decanter, a small microwave oven and a tiny in room fridge. Plenty of closet space for these things without having to modify anything.
The entire second day, all we could smell was lacquer. Someone chose to refinish the front door late that morning. I literally had a headache the rest of the day as the smell emanated throughout the Inn and right into the upper hallway and into our room. We escaped by heading to town hoping the smell would eventually dissipate.
Since Unilocal won’t allow anymore lines of text, I’ll end with, All in all, I’d do it again once things settle down. It won’t take much to become 5 star!

The Inn has been a very special place for many years. Many great memories, tons of laughs, and lots of wine. Best of luck to Suzie, Marlene and the staff. Please new innkeepers, keep this place special. Many good times.

The food was good. The view makes up for any short comings in the food department. The house is amazing! The staff is great (thanks Jason!)

We had a wonderful time. This Inn is sitting on the top of a hill that not only overlooks the ocean but gives you an overview of Avalon as a whole! We were so impressed!
The staff is the best! When you walk through the door they make you feel like you have just walked into your own home. It is absolutely beautiful. Some of the reviews mentioned it is older – it’s very old but that’s exactly why we loved it so much. It takes you back in time (in your imagination) to early Catalina. It’s spacious and the furnishings are perfect for the Inn.
While staying there you get complimentary breakfast and lunch — excellent! The service is perfect and the views are just spectacular. We’re just sorry we didn’t stay here before — we would never have gone to another place.
Amazing!!! Shirley & Lou

You can’t say enough good things about this place. The only quibble is that it’s old and some of the doors are a little askew, but who cares?
This place makes you feel like you are home. Champagne, ice cream sundaes, breakfast and lunch to order, free golf cart, delivery to and from the shuttle.
It’s expensive, but once you stay here you will never go to any other place on the island. It is completely worth it. 6 stars!

This was a nice little bed and breakfast. The food was good, the staff was nice and the view was unbeatable.
The breakfast was pretty tasty, but for some reason I thought it was a little small. I was also expecting a little more flash for the price, but no matter, the view made up for the food’s borderline nature.

I will start this by saying we have visited Catalina over 30 times since we were married 25 years ago. We’ve stayed at The Cove condo’s and the Zane Grey and once at a hotel in town. However, the best placed above all to stay on the Island is the Inn At Mount Ada, and on our 5^th Wedding Anniversary we made that discovery and have not changed that opinion. With children though The Cove condos are nice too. Just bring everything when you go there. Our preference is the locations that come with a golf cart.
The Inn truly captures the history of Wrigley and the Island. The Inn Keepers have all been there since the mansion was turned into a B & B. Sadly their lease may be running out on 1÷1÷2014 and thus an end to a great era of a really fabulous place.
Initially they served a 5 course candle lit dinner, however, some very rude guests who pushed their way into the dinner seating (not staying at the Inn) ended that a few years back.
The food is wonderful and I get torn between the authentic Mexican fare at lunch and the focacca portabella sandwich with the sweet potato fries. The hot muffins and wonderful coffee set out side you room in the early mornings and chocolate turn down service make the place a delight. We love sitting on our balcony looking down at Avalon in our plush robes enjoying the coffee.
I would recommend the Inn to anyone, especially this year while it is still open. Next year it may be property of the Wrigley Family again; at least that is the rumor in town. So go while you can, I know we are!

I had a blast during my 3 day stay. The staff could not be more warm and courteous. The house was beautiful and no detail was overlooked. It is no wonder that despite the price, this place is booked for months in advance. The attitude of the staff summed up: Help yourself!
Here is where we keep the wine, beers, champagne, soft drinks and bottled water. Help yourself!
Here is where we keep the ice cream, all the fixings you need to make a kick-​ass sundae and frosted mugs for a root beer float. Help yourself!
The fruit and nuts basket is restocked throughout the day. Help yourself!
Here is our hard liquor cabinet. Help yourself!
We bake fresh cookies, scones and muffins everyday. Coffee and tea is here as well. Help yourself!
The DVD and book collection is here for you. Help yourself!
Here is your golf cart which will be your transport during your stay. If you would rather us drive, you we can arrange a taxi. I made full use of my little golf cart. It didn’t run fast enough to drift but I still had a lot of fun with it.

We had a party of six visiting Catalina for the weekend. Someone on the ferry recommended the Mt. Ada Inn as a good place for lunch. Let the buyer beware — I should know better than to take advice from a blowhard on the ferry.
We made our reservation and were excited to get in. We were welcomed by the hostess and told to make ourselves at home (but don’t go upstairs!) until 3pm at which time you must leave. This sounded great but the guests who were staying at the in claimed their spots on the chairs and couches like a dog marking his territory by leaving a book or sweater strategically located to indicate that you better not sit there. So the hospitality was curtailed and the places to sit and enjoy the pricey view were limited. The management did nothing to address the issue.
While the view was sweeping and magnificent the fixed price ($ 33 per person) lunch was only slightly better than Denny’s. For example, my lunch salad with tuna — was mostly iceberg lettuce with some diced tomatoes and a scoop of tuna salad. The menu is extremely limited with a few burgers and a daily «authentic» Mexican dish that looked very run of the mill. The unlimited wine and beer consisted mostly of one or two barely average domestic wines (a red and a white), and beers like Miller MGD and Bud. Oh — there was one bottle of Sam Adams but that was as exotic as things got. Our server was engaging and added some local color — but overall the experience was lackluster and not anywhere near worth the more than $ 200 tab for 6.
There are plenty of good views on Catalina — and you can see them for free and get a very good meal in town. Don’t waste your money on lunch at The Inn at Mt. Ada.

In years past I would be hesitant to leave a review on our favorite place because part of the charm is the fact few people know about it. But in honor of Unilocalers everywhere, i thought this was the year i would share this great place with the rest of world.
This was our fourth stay at the Inn and as always, we were very pleased. By far, this is the nicest place to stay on Catalina. You will love any of the rooms, (we have stayed in the Garden Room the last 3 years which is the least expensive, but we have also stayed in The Windsor and one other — not the suite — which were larger) the beautiful observation deck that looks down onto Avalon, the great room, and the fact you can enjoy popcorn, ice-​cream sundays, champagne, wine, nuts, grapes and fresh fruit any time you want. The staff are the best and the food is excellent.
We also love the fact you are given your own golf cart which are the nicest on the island, and you can go to the service side of Avalon and visit the Buffulo Nickel where you will enjoy the best fajitas anywhere. The road to that side of town is off limits to all but locals and automobiles and guest of Mt. Ada.
There are so many things to like about Mt. ADA — like the cozy love seats in the piano parlor, the fire place, the deck chairs over looking both Avalon and the Mainland, the Appetizer hour, the fresh baked muffins and jelly in the morning, ample champagne and wines, the wide selection of DVD;s and videos, the book collection, the photographs and paintings, the piano, the sherry and port, cookies, the friendly cats and the pretty red-​headed wood-​peckers — I can’t fit them here so visit their website. You should also make reservations early and expect to pay a few extra bucks for this place (there are far cheaper places but none include so much and give you the best view of the Harbor and Avalon). Keep in mind, once you are guest of the Inn at Mt. Ada, you will be like family and will return again and again.
Two Loud Hoots for this Wonderful Landmark
Hoo Hoo!!!

The old saying «You get what you pay for.» was made for a place like The Inn on Mt. Ada!!!
Price:
It is one of the higher priced places to stay on Catalina but it is worth every penny and more. The fact that you have YOUR OWN GOLF CART during your entire stay absolutely makes up for any price differences with the other hotels. I’m not lazy it’s just a long walk to Descanso Beach.
Location:
I go to Catalina to get away from the madness that is Los Angeles but if I’m in a hotel in the middle of Avalon it doesn’t quite feel like I’ve left the insanity that is «the city». The fact that the inn is tucked away in its own secluded spot away from the masses is what helps make a vacation an actual vacation. Absolute peace, quiet, and serenity.
Food:
The best advice I can give any prospective client of this place is to think of the inn as a stay over at grandma’s house in the summer. Don’t expect meals with funny sauces, elaborate plate decorations, etc. Their breakfast and lunch meals are well prepared, good tasting, and fills your stomach without emptying your wallet since the meals are already included in your bill. The BEST PART about the food here is that there is some available for those late midnight snacks. I went down on a midnight run and grabbed a bowl of popcorn, HOMEMADE peanut butter cookies (all the cookies they offered were homemade), and a bottle of Cabernet to bring up to the room. That wasn’t all just for me by the way. Imagine all that and more at no additional cost. Soda, fresh fruit, water, ice cream, and all the different kinds of alcohol you can handle at NO ADDITIONAL charge.
Service:
Suzie, one of the innkeepers, reminds me of one of those mothers that all your friends wanted to go to her house because she is very warm and inviting. The rest of the staff are very nice, accommodating, and cordial. When my friend and I came back from scuba diving around 10am they were waiting to make us breakfast and even brought it up to the room because we were just exhausted. Now that’s SERVICE!!! They didn’t have to but they did and I made sure to tip them for that.
Overall, this place makes the most financial sense for a vacation get away. I will recommend this place to everyone that plans to go to Catalina. I will be back and DO NOT plan to stay anywhere else in Catalina. I almost stayed an extra day, that’s how much I love this place!
The origin of the name Avalon comes from a magical island King Arthur went to. The Inn on Mt. Ada is part of what makes Catalina magical.