At the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach DoubleTree Hilton, a strong emphasis is placed on providing an exceptional and comfortable guest experience. The hospitality begins upon arrival, where visitors are presented with a signature warm welcome cookie to start their stay on a pleasant note.
Poolside Cabanas
Like flowers that bloom in unexpected places, every story unfolds with beauty and resilience
Fitness Center
Like flowers that bloom in unexpected places, every story unfolds with beauty and resilience
Dining
Like flowers that bloom in unexpected places, every story unfolds with beauty and resilience
Advertisement
End Advertisement
Name of Hotel Amenities
Popular Amenities
Get access to our paid articles and weekly newsletter.
Join our IRL events.
Get a free tote bag.
An elegant addition of home decor collection.
Join our forums.
Other Amenities
Get access to our paid articles and weekly newsletter.
Beyond the Brochure: The Happy Memories Hotels Keep
When our Hotel Walls Will Talk editor, Jay Taylor, first said, “The stories hotel walls will tell,” he wasn’t just thinking of historical figures or spooky legends. He was thinking of the millions of smiles, the bursts of laughter, and the quiet, happy tears that a hotel is lucky enough to witness every single day. These buildings are treasure chests of our best moments.
The Capital of Romance
Think about it. How many nervous, exciting marriage proposals have happened over a candlelit dinner in a hotel restaurant? How many couples have shared their first dance in a grand ballroom, surrounded by everyone they love? Hotels are the settings for our greatest romantic chapters—from the giddy joy of a honeymoon suite to the shared glance of a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary in the same place they started their journey.
Advertisement
End Advertisement
Hotel Walls Will Talk: A Headquarters for Fun!
Beyond romance, hotels are simply headquarters for happiness. They hold the stories of:
The family vacation where the kids spent all day in the pool.
The college friends reuniting in the lobby after ten years apart.
The solo traveler who felt a sense of perfect peace watching the sunrise from their balcony.
The birthday celebration that turned into an unforgettable night of dancing and laughter.
Advertisement
End Advertisement
Every stay writes a new, happy chapter in a hotel’s history. These moments of connection and pure fun are the true legacy of any great hotel.
At Hotel411.com, we don’t just book rooms; we help you find the perfect backdrop for your next great memory. What joyful story will you tell?
On Catalina Island, enhanced comfort is a fundamental part of the visitor experience. The island’s services are intentionally designed to create a seamless, relaxing, and effortless escape from the hustle of the mainland. From transportation to activities, the focus is on convenience and allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the tranquil island charm.
Seamless and Stress-Free Transportation
The comfort begins before you even arrive. High-speed ferry services, like the Catalina Express, are designed to feel more like a relaxing cruise than a commute. Passengers can enjoy comfortable indoor, airline-style seating or open-air decks, with premium upgrades like the Commodore Lounge offering priority boarding and complimentary refreshments.
Once on the island, particularly in the main town of Avalon, the near absence of cars creates a uniquely peaceful and safe environment. The primary modes of transport are themselves a comfortable part of the adventure. Renting a golf cart allows you to explore the charming, hilly streets at your own leisurely pace. For longer distances, convenient shuttles and taxis are readily available, removing any stress of navigation or parking. The inherent walkability of Avalon means that shops, restaurants, and the beach are just a pleasant stroll away.
Personalized Planning and Effortless Activities
Catalina’s services are structured to make planning your adventures as easy as possible. The main Visitor Center, located on the iconic Green Pleasure Pier, acts as a friendly island concierge. Here, you can get expert local advice and book a wide range of tours and activities in one place.
Guided tours are a popular option for comfort and convenience. The interior tours, for example, handle all the driving through the island’s rugged terrain to see the famous bison, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery from a comfortable vehicle. For water sports, vendors offer equipment rentals for kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding right on the beach, making it incredibly easy to get out on the water without any hassle.
Accommodations and Relaxation
The lodging on Catalina Island caters to rest and relaxation. Options range from charming, historic inns to full-service luxury hotels that offer amenities designed for ultimate comfort. Many establishments feature spa services, private balconies with stunning ocean views, and personalized guest services to handle every detail of your stay, ensuring a truly restful retreat after a day of island exploration.
Visitor Centers
For any visitor to Catalina Island, the official Visitor Centers, run by the Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, are an invaluable resource and the perfect first stop. They provide a wealth of local knowledge to help you get oriented quickly and customize your adventure.
The primary Visitor Center is conveniently located on the iconic Green Pleasure Pier in Avalon, the main hub for most travelers.
Here, friendly staff act as island concierges, offering official maps, visitor guides, and expert recommendations for everything from tours and attractions to the best spots for dining and lodging. It’s the ideal place to browse brochures and plan your day.
For those exploring the island’s more rugged and remote west end, a second Visitor Services office in Two Harbors caters specifically to the needs of boaters, campers, and hikers. It’s the go-to spot for obtaining essential hiking and camping permits and getting detailed information on the best outdoor activities in the area.
Stopping at one of these centers is the surest way to get reliable, current information to make the most of your island experience.
Catalina Day Cruises
Escape the hustle of the Southern California mainland with a scenic boat ride to the enchanting Santa Catalina Island. In just about an hour, this journey across the Pacific transports you to a world that feels miles away, renowned for its Mediterranean charm, pristine waters, and relaxed pace.
Most visitors arrive in the picturesque main town of Avalon, a walkable village brimming with quaint shops and seaside restaurants.
A one-day cruise provides ample time to discover the island’s diverse attractions. You can stroll along the waterfront, dine on fresh seafood, or explore the iconic, art deco Catalina Casino, which has stood as a landmark for nearly a century. For those craving adventure, the crystal-clear coves are perfect for diving and snorkeling, offering incredible views of vibrant marine life, including the bright orange Garibaldi.
Other popular options include kayaking along the coast, parasailing high above the bay, or taking a thrilling 300-foot plunge over the canyon floor on an adrenaline-pumping zip line tour.
Venture beyond the coast into the island’s rugged interior to hike a portion of the famous Trans-Catalina Trail. This is where you might catch a glimpse of the island’s most unexpected residents: a herd of American bison. These majestic animals are the descendants of a small group left behind after a silent film production in the 1920s and now roam freely through the hills.
Getting there is simple, with high-speed ferries departing daily from mainland ports including Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point, making Catalina Island the perfect destination for an accessible and unforgettable day trip.
Catalina Express
Getting to Catalina Island is a quick and comfortable experience aboard the Catalina Express, the primary ferry service connecting the mainland to this island paradise. Their modern fleet is designed for speed and comfort, whisking passengers across the channel to the Avalon pier in about an hour. The journey itself is part of the adventure, offering stunning ocean views through massive, ceiling-to-seat-level windows, a signature feature on their high-speed catamarans like the 381-passenger Jet Cat Express.
Onboard, passengers can choose the seating that best suits their style. You can relax in the comfortable, airline-style seats of the enclosed main cabin or opt for the individual open-air seating on the upper decks to enjoy the fresh sea breeze and California sunshine.
For those seeking an elevated travel experience, Catalina Express offers premium upgrades for an additional fee. The Commodore Lounge provides the convenience of pre-boarding privileges and reserved seating, along with a complimentary beverage and snack.
For the ultimate in exclusivity, the more intimate Captain’s Lounge offers plush, comfortable seating and the same priority boarding and refreshment perks, ensuring your island getaway begins with a touch of luxury.
With a fleet of eight vessels, Catalina Express operates daily departures from three convenient mainland ports: San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point.
Advertisement
End Advertisement
What People are saying About Us
Convenient location to the airport, cruise port, shopping, and nightlife. Great place to stay for everything you may want to…
Convenient location to the airport, cruise port, shopping, and nightlife. Great place to stay for everything you may want to…