{"id":13042,"date":"2020-02-20T16:12:10","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T00:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?p=30000007487"},"modified":"2020-03-03T17:06:59","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T01:06:59","slug":"at-reopened-hotel-atwater-come-for-the-resort-style-getaway-stay-for-the-wallpaper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/at-reopened-hotel-atwater-come-for-the-resort-style-getaway-stay-for-the-wallpaper","title":{"rendered":"At reopened Hotel Atwater, come for the resort-style getaway, stay for the wallpaper"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
A view of Avalon’s Catalina Casino. Feb. 12, 2020. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re not going to visit Catalina for its natural beauty, as a quiet island escape from city life, to commandeer a golf cart, or for its rich Wrigley history, at least go for the drunk monkeys.<\/p>\n

Just a one-hour Catalina Express ride from Long Beach, sitting, swinging and swigging bottles of vodka inside the recently reopened Hotel Atwater\u2014chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr.\u2019s first major undertaking after purchasing the Catalina Island Company in 1919\u2014are several of the creatures seemingly up to no good on the walls of the men\u2019s lobby restroom.<\/p>\n

It may be considered a charming quirk of the modernized building that, since its multi-million-dollar renovation was completed last summer, has been creating quite a buzz in the city of Avalon.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The drunk monkey wallpaper in the men’s lobby restrooms in the newly renovated Hotel Atwater. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Visitors stop by the hotel just to see the monkeys, said hotel manager Lisa Castillo\u2014\u201cWe literally take full tours to the men\u2019s restrooms\u201d\u2014and while the wallpaper doesn\u2019t necessarily relate to the hotel\u2019s 100-year history, it\u2019s safe to say that island living and cocktail-sipping have long gone hand in hand.<\/p>\n

The hotel\u2019s historian, for example, is also its bartender.<\/p>\n

Sean McAlpin, a Catalina resident of nearly 13 years who came over from Chicago and humbly considers himself \u201ca student of the island\u201d had plenty of stories to tell about the Chicago Cubs, and even the speakeasies that popped up around Avalon during prohibition. Did you know that, in the ’20s, the general manager of the Catalina Casino was fired because he started a little bar? Now you do.<\/p>\n

But, back to the hotel.<\/p>\n

When the Chicago Cubs would arrive in Avalon for spring training to much fanfare, \u201cthey would always have a parade that would end up right in front of the Atwater,\u201d said McAlpin.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The Chicago Cubs arrive in front of Hotel Atwater in 1947. Courtesy Catalina Island Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overseen by famed Pasadena-based architect, David Malcom \u201cD.M.\u201d Renton, Hotel Atwater was opened July 1, 1920 just in time to wow guests of that summer\u2019s tourist season. The hotel once had a cafeteria on its ground floor that was said to be the world\u2019s largest, and was used as housing during World War II.<\/p>\n

Now imagine, if your father-in-law named a hotel after you, how would you feel? Probably pretty special.<\/p>\n

Hotel Atwater was named for Helen Atwater Wrigley, wife of William Wrigley, Jr.\u2019s son, Philip Knight Wrigley. Her legendary knack for hospitality, as well as her interests in music and horseback riding, can still be felt throughout the building.<\/p>\n

Before this latest renovation, the most extensive in the hotel\u2019s 100-year history, a souvenir shop, The Steamer Trunk, and a Chinese restaurant, Mr. Ning\u2019s Chinese Garden, took up most of the space of the lobby\u2019s original floor plan, while now the interior boasts a larger, balmier atmosphere, complete with textiles inspired by the tropical island resort feel the hotel established when it first opened.<\/p>\n

\"\"
The lobby of Hotel Atwater in 1940, the photo fondly described as the “Mad Men” photo. Courtesy Catalina Island Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The lobby of Hotel Atwater, restored to its original layout from the 1920s. The hotel reopened in Avalon in August 2019 after a multi-million-dollar renovation. Originally built in 1920, the hotel is now 100 years old. It was one of William Wrigley Jr.’s first major projects after purchasing Catalina Island Company in 1919. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even if you\u2019re not a guest of the hotel, it\u2019s worth a gander.<\/p>\n

In tune with the hotel\u2019s namesake, Helen\u2019s harp sits displayed between the check-in desk and The Bistro at the Atwater. In seemingly perfect condition, you\u2019d think the gorgeous instrument, built 100 years ago in 1920 when the hotel first opened, would be protected in a glass case but it\u2019s out in the open for visitors to inspect the ornate, antique details up close. The only thing that had to be replaced were the strings.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Hotel Atwater was named after Helen Atwater Wrigley, wife of William Wrigley, Jr.\u2019s son, Philip Knight Wrigley. This is Helen’s harp in the lobby, a Style 22 Gold Harp by Lyon & Healy, Inc., manufactured in Chicago in 1920. It was given to Hotel Atwater to display by her granddaughter Helen Rosburg. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then take a look inside the Wrigley safe. The 1,850-pound steel structure built in 1906, was brought from William Wrigley Jr.\u2019s Chicago residence and stored in the Atwater offices, then moved to its maintenance shed, then the basement closet shop, for about 60 years.<\/p>\n

Before the reopening of the hotel in August, they cracked it open expecting to find it empty, but instead discovered all kinds of memorabilia, including family photos, some of which they used to decorate the hallways, said Castillo. And, fun fact, they tiled the Atwater lobby around it.<\/p>\n

Helen\u2019s accordion and Phillip\u2019s shoes will also be making an appearance, once their restorations are complete.<\/p>\n

Aside from the lobby, other major changes involve updates to all of the rooms, including making them \u201ca little bit bigger, as well as the showers, just because in the 1920s people were really tiny,\u201d Castillo said.<\/p>\n

Some of those rooms\u2014there are 95 accommodations today\u2014didn\u2019t even have their own showers or bathrooms then. The original layout required a much more communal existence when staying, as in having to walk down the hallway to wash or do your business.<\/p>\n

But for today\u2019s $124-to-$390-a-night price tag\u2014depending on when you go and what size room or suite you reserve\u2014even guests visiting just for the historical aspect of the updated building, probably wouldn\u2019t be too happy about having to experience that century-old nuance.<\/p>\n

\"\"
One of the renovated rooms (Classic Queen) of Hotel Atwater. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You may, however, desire to walk through the hallways for another reason, to experience the ups and downs of the original flooring. Underneath the new carpeting you can still see the original floorboards from when the hotel was first built, sanded down and stained for this renovation, but still with their charming \u201cas-you-go-you\u2019re-kind-of-on-a-wave\u201d feeling, Castillo said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a subtle touch, and you probably won\u2019t trip, but don\u2019t say we didn\u2019t warn you.<\/p>\n

Now, back to the monkeys. As charming as they are fully inebriated and sipping martinis, some content with dangling from branches, smoking cigars with no hands, one thing is clearly not up to par, the women\u2019s room art.<\/p>\n

As vibrant and eye-catching as its under-the-sea wall dressing is, it simply has not generated the same amount of chatter as the men\u2019s room, so the hotel is considering an update that might reflect \u201csome classier version\u201d of the monkeys in the months to come, said Castillo.<\/p>\n

\u201cRumor has it, sipping kittens will be arriving in the women\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
The women’s restrooms in the lobby of Hotel Atwater. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The stairs leading down to the lobby of Hotel Atwater, which reopened in Avalon in August 2019 after a multi-million-dollar renovation. Originally built in 1920, the hotel is now 100 years old. It was one of William Wrigley Jr.’s first major projects after purchasing Catalina Island Company in 1919.\u00a0 Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
The Bistro at the Atwater at Hotel Atwater. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Another photo of the bathroom monkeys in the men’s restroom lobby at Hotel Atwater. Photo by Asia Morris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/h3>\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

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