One of Catalina Island’s landmark hotels celebrated its grand re-opening last week, while also giving a nod of appreciation to the namesake of the nearly 100-year-old Hotel. The Hotel Atwater was celebrated with a reception and ribbon cutting event on Sept. 5, allowing attendees to tour some of the hotel’s new rooms, conference room and lobby.
The hotel closed for renovations in January and began taking guest by mid-August. While the hotel underwent substantial remodeling and modernization, the plans were meticulously designed to keep the spirit of Helen Atwater Wrigley in place. The hotel was named for Helen, who was the wife of Philip Knight Wrigley, the son of William Wrigley. Her granddaughter Alison Wrigley Rusack, spoke at the event, sharing stories of her grandmother and her impact on the family.
“She was classy and gracious, and warm and welcoming, a little formal, but not too formal,” Wrigley Rusak said.
Wrigley Rusak said that Helen was a small woman, but that she had a lot of energy and a lot of drive. If she felt something needed to be said, or done, she had no qualms about expressing those opinions to anyone involved. Wrigley Rusak said that trait earned her the nickname, “The Little General.” But she was also warm and inviting, literally.
Wrigley Rusak shared a story of an incident where Helen and Philip were out in Chicago with friends to dance at a big band show. After the show, they went back to their apartment and one-by one, band members began to show up. Helen had invited them all for an after-show party. And that personality went with her from Chicago, to Catalina and everywhere in between.
“Mana, which is what we all called Helen, was out there making friends with everybody,” Wrigley Rusak said.
With her personality in mind, the hotel renovation attempted to preserve her legacy as best as possible. The lobby was expanded with lots of seating area, to encourage guests to gather for drinks or conversation. There is also plenty of power outlets to allow people to plug in modern devices, while enjoying the historic feel and the Art Deco style of the era of the hotel when it was built.
The hotel offers 95 guest rooms, including suites with one and a half baths and separate living room space. Carnations are part of the hotel’s floral displays, another nod to Helen’s love of flowers and carnations in particular. Rooms also offer two complimentary splits of California sparkling wine, again a favorite of Helen.
“We’ve tried to put a little bit of that personality in every corner of the hotel and just bring her alive, so the Atwater Hotel really is about something real and something authentic, not just the name of a hotel,” Wrigley Rusak said.
The harp, owned by Helen, decorates the lobby, as does a family safe, which displays books on the history of the Wrigley family. An accordion, also owned by Helen, is being restored and will also soon decorate the lobby. But modern aspects have been upgraded. Rooms are equipped with digital concierge tablets, high-speed Wi-Fi and smart televisions.
Since its opening, the Hotel Atwater had undergone several improvement projects, but this was the first major renovation of the hotel, which will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of its opening on July 1, 2020.
“Hotel Atwater was the first major project undertaken by chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. after he purchased the Catalina Island Company in 1919, and its reopening is truly a significant event in the island’s history,” said Randall Herrel, president and chief executive officer of Catalina Island Company. “Through thoughtful renovation, we’re excited to be able to offer an enhanced guest experience that stays true to Hotel Atwater’s historic beginnings, celebrates the centennial of Wrigley falling in love with the destination, and gives guests another compelling reason to visit Catalina Island.”
A release about the hotel stated, “‘D.M.’ Renton, who was tasked by William Wrigley Jr. 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. Defying all expectations, Renton, who would later add Mt. Ada, the Casino Ballroom, the Wrigley Memorial and the El Encanto building to his long list of Catalina Island projects, proved himself up to the task, and the Hotel Atwater opened on July 1, 1920.”
More information about Hotel Atwater can be found at visitcatalinaisland.com/hotelatwater.
