Your Innkeepers

   In the late 1990s, three friends came together to transform the Avalon hotel experience. After several years of hard work they are proud of what The Avalon Hotel has become and are pleased to introduce hundreds of visitors to the wonders of Catalina Island.

   Kathleen Gosselin, who has lived on the island full time for the last 15 years, can frequently be found on the hotel’s grounds or working at its front desk. She runs the hotel and oversees its staff, ensuring that the hotel’s guests experience warm hospitality to compliment their stay.

   Although also a diver and adventurer, Kathleen is an artist, working primarily in glass. Her love of art and support of Catalina artists can be seen in the local art pieces in the hotel’s rooms and hallways as well as the tile installations, which can be found both in The Avalon’s interior and its exterior. Kathleen is particularly passionate about the ocean and its creatures, a passion that led to the hotel’s street level marine life tile installation.

   Like many artists, Kathleen finds the island itself an inspiration and not just for her art work. “I moved to Catalina Island after college planning to be here three months,” she said. “Things changed.”

   Like many of The Avalon’s guests, Rock Gosselin appreciates that Catalina Island can be many things to many people. He would like to see the hotel reflect that diversity. “We hope to open all the sights, wonders and activities of Catalina Island from a warm, comfortable launching site for the adventurous guests or a luxurious enclave for those who simply wish to recharge.”

   As a native Southern Californian, he has spent decades exploring the island and all it has to offer. Initially intrigued by Catalina’s epic diving and fishing opportunities, Rock has come to appreciate all that Avalon has to offer.

   “I have a deep appreciation for my luck at being able to live in an environment like this,” he said.
   He met his wife Kathleen on the island and when the two of them are not running the hotel or their commercial laundry business, they enjoy entertaining friends old and new. Rock’s passion for fishing continues to be a large part of his life and he travels throughout the region in search of marlin and other game fish.

   Carl Lambert spent his early childhood on the East Coast and moved to Southern California in the late 1970s. The island’s fishing and diving quickly made him an avid Catalina fan. “The island blends my two favorite things – the ocean and mountains,” he said.

   Although he does not live on the island full-time, Carl can frequently be found on his boat in Avalon Harbor, appreciating Catalina’s natural beauty. At other times he is on the mainland running his Southern California real estate company, Lambert Investments.

   As a member of the Tuna Club Carl is able to honor his love of fishing and celebrate the history of the sport. “I get a visceral charge when I walk into the club because I feel like I am touching history,” he said. “I like the patina and the ancientness of being at the place where sportfishing started.”

   Carl’s respect for history can be found throughout The Avalon Hotel, where Craftsman style and an attention to detail were used to evoke the early 20th Century.

   All three owners are confident that their guests will experience a one-of-a-kind lodging experience. They are also hopeful that all of Catalina’s visitors will discover the magic that the island has to offer.