When Catalina Island's Pavilion Hotel, formerly the Pavilion Lodge, reopens on Friday after a complete renovation, people may be talking less about its new midcentury design and more about the new iPads the hotel will offer to guests.

The hotel will have eight iPads for guests to use. Six of them can be checked out from the concierge for free. With them, you can can check your email, see weather reports, read a newspaper and look up things to do on the island while hanging in the outdoor lounge or in the library. The other two gadgets will be in the hotel suites, an extra incentive to splurge for the larger spaces.]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-05-13T15:10:44-05:00 33.3432872 -118.32525 http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/7/7/15134/47389

The Avalon Hotel on Catalina Island (22 miles off the coast of Long Beach) was just recognized by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards for their totally kickass "Endless Amenities."

And for good reason, too -- in our opinion, the Avalon offers what all hotels should be offering (without any of that hidden resort fee BS).

In addition to free Internet access, the basics are all extra-nice: flat-screen televisions, Supplepedic mattresses, 350 thread-count sheets, free breakfasts and complimentary (!) in-room beverages and snacks.

Even better, the hotel keeps binoculars, GPS units, backpacks, beach towels and even laptops on hand for guests to check out. Nice. ]]> Jenna 2008-07-07T15:15:40-05:00 33.344124 -118.32771 Search HotelChatter string http://www.hotelchatter.com/search/