Frequently Asked Questions for Villa 1-68
1. How do we get from our helicopter or ferry to your place?
The two most common options are to take Avalon Transportation (310-510-0025) or check out “Circuit” which is the new City of Avalon ride share app which works like Uber or Lyft and requires use of an app for your phone: http://bit.ly/HCcircuit Pro tip: Avalon Transportation operates like a cab and will take you directly to Hamilton Cove. Circuit drivers may intend to take you straight to Hamilton Cove, but the drivers often pick up other folks along the way. If you’re headed to Hamilton Cove, this may not present an issue, but if you are pressed for time and trying to get to your ferry or helicopter, Avalon Transportation is probably a safer in terms of being on time. With either solution, please inform the driver that you are heading to “Hamilton Cove1-68” which means “Building 1, Condo 68.”
2. What do we do with our luggage if we get to the island early and want to walk around?
Most guests check their bags at the ferry terminal with Avalon Blue Line Baggage. Information on pricing and also optional delivery service is at avalonbaggageclaim.com or by calling 310-510-9599.
3. May we check in earlier than 4pm?
Though 4:00pm is the check in time, occasionally we receive word from housekeeping that our condo has become ready an hour or so early. When we hear that it’s become available early, we reach out to guests to let them know. From time to time, if we do not have guests the evening before, we are able to offer a popular upgrade that guests have dubbed “The All Day Catalina Plan.” This has been very popular with guests who are arriving to the island in the morning and would love to head straight to the condo and not wait until 4:00pm. This upgrade is $175 and can be added to your Airbnb or VRBO reservation, or guests may pay via Zelle or Venmo. If we add the upgrade to the travel site reservation, the travel site will add a guest service fee which is outside of our control, and the travel site will automatically apply a 12% tax which goes directly to the City of Avalon. If you choose to send payment directly for the upgrade, it is not a taxable item to the island due to being an optional upgrade and not on the reservation invoice. If a guest opts in for the all day upgrade and we are not able to deliver the condo by the morning, we will issue a prorated refund the day of your check in.
4. May we check out later than 11am?
Usually, this is not possible, but there are rare occasions when something may be arranged. As with the early check in arrangement above, if we do not have guests coming in at 4pm the day of your check out, we might be able to arrange an “All Day Catalina Plan” for the day you check out. This requires a greater amount of coordination, however, due to the condo being reserved on housekeeping’s schedule. Please let us know as early in advance as possible if this would be something you would be interested in.
5. How do we get access to your golf cart and where is it parked?
You will find our golf cart parked in its assigned parking spot within Hamilton Cove. Our golf cart is offered at no charge to all guests who sign the golf cart agreement. The parking spot is numbered to match the condo number and we will send you a map of Hamilton Cove, our condo location, and the parking spot assigned.
6. Does the golf cart need to stay in Hamilton Cove once we’ve checked out, or may we park it in town?
The cart does need to be returned to its dedicated parking spot by the check out time, as an inspector will be coming to sign off on it and that there was not any damage. The cart may not be left in Avalon or it will be ticketed and we will be notified electronically and need to send you the bill for the ticket and our cost in hiring someone to go retrieve it and drive it back up to Hamilton Cove.
7. Can we leave the golf cart parked in town overnight, such as if we really shouldn’t be driving?
City of Avalon prohibits Hamilton Cove golf carts from being parked anywhere in town overnight and will ticket any cart they find between 2am and 6am. Hamilton Cove golf carts have special stickers which identify them as needing to remain in Hamilton Cove. Any tickets will the guest’s responsibility.
8. Is the row of 72-hour parking spots by the Tuna Club okay to leave the golf cart overnight?
This special row 10 spots is not available overnight for Hamilton Cove golf carts, but it’s a great place to park during the day if you want to go on an activity, or head to the beach, and not worry about having to move the cart every 1 or 2 hours. Daytime is fine but nighttime is not allowed.
9. Are golf carts subject to the same California laws at regular automobiles?
Yes! We have heard the sad stories about visitors using the cart to train their kids on how to drive, only to have their vacation interrupted by a sheriff issuing a ticket. The golf carts are DMV-registered and street legal carts which are subject to the very same lines. If you plan to consume alcohol or anything which might impair you, have a designated driver. You do not want a DUI or DWI!
10. What do we do if for some reason the cart won’t start? Could we be ticketed?
Though a mechanical failure is quite rare (3 times in 2 years) it can happen. The golf carts are open air in a beach town and no cart is immune from surprising us now and then. If the cart will not start or gives you any indication there might be a problem, please do not attempt to drive it, but call or text Ana at 213-598-6707. If you’re in a parking spot and fear your 1 or 2 hour limit is going to be up, please grab an “Out of Service / Broken Down” sign from the glove compartment and affix to the windshield. Again, it is extremely rare, but everyone in Avalon with an issue will use a sign to notify Parking Enforcement not to ticket the cart.
11. What happens if we get a parking ticket? Are you notified? How do we pay it?
In the unfortunate event that you receive a ticket, we are electronically notified with a copy of the ticket and the amount. You are welcome to pay for the ticket via Venmo or Zelle and we’ll take care of it.
12. What do we do if we ran out of time at check out and couldn’t refuel the golf cart?
Please let us know. If the cart is “really thirsty” for gas and you couldn’t fill it back up, we will need to hire someone to take it down to the gas station and refuel. The tank is only 5 gallons and most guests tell us it only required a gallon or two. Please make every effort to top off the fuel, even if it’s the night before. Guests keeping the cart topped off helps the other guests.
13. What type of gas does the golf cart take and how large is the tank?
The carts take premium unleaded fuel and the tank is just five gallons.
14. How do we know how much gas the cart has and can we drive around a lot without refueling?
As with many carts on the island, our golf cart does not have fuel gauge display to show the amount of gas in the tank. The way to check fuel levels is to lift the seat and eyeball the tank. You will see a fuel line and know how much gas is in the tank.
15. Is there WiFi and is it good?
We worked hard to set up WiFi that is both reliable and fast. Guests have reported speeds between 100 Mbps and 200 Mbps. We put a lot of work into setting something up which uses Verizon’s new 5G cell tower just outside Hamilton Cove and which has been significantly more reliable than Catalina Broadband. Stream away!
16. Will our phones work in Hamilton Cove?
Guests with Verizon have the best experience, thanks to the new cell tower a few feet from the guard station. Guests with AT&T, T-Mobile and other providers report no service until they hop on our WiFi and have their phone settings adjusted for WiFi calling. For emergencies, we do have a landline-type phone that uses the internet to place calls.
17. Who do we contact during our stay if we have an issue?
Ana Perez is not only a wonderful housekeeper, but she is also a valuable member of our island team. If something comes up, you may contact her at 213-598-6707.
18. What types of things should we contact Ana about?
Keeping in mind that we are not a hotel, but a self check-in vacation rental, we don’t have the staff a hotel would or a concierge. However, knowing that emergencies or other pressing situations might arise, Ana is your primary guest contact. Some examples of when a guest might contact Ana would include a situation where the toilet won’t flush, or the lights went out, or the TV won’t come, or there was an issue with the golf cart. You may also be staying at our place for a few nights and need an extra beach towel or two, or got locked out accidentally. If you have questions about whether a particular restaurant accepts reservations, those inquiries really ought to be directed to the restaurant. Questions about changing your ferry and needing the schedule would involve contacting Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer.
19. Do we need reservations at restaurants, or can we just walk in?
Most restaurants operate without reservations and are on a walk-in basis. Policies about reservations can change frequently, so guests are always encouraged to contact the restaurant directly.
20. May we use your golf cart early?
Our golf cart becomes available at your check-in time and needs to be back in its dedicated parking spot by 11am unless the guest and host have made a special arrangement. For guests who have upgraded to the “all day Catalina plan” with early check in, the cart becomes available the moment they reach the island. This all day plan is a special upgrade that can sometimes be arranged. Please contact us for more details, and keep in mind that the City of Avalon strictly prohibits owners from renting their golf carts or charging for them. If you have opted in to the “all day plan” any fee paid for the early check in was solely related to the condo and extra time. We just offer our cart at no charge to guests during the time of their stay.
21. What are the sleeping arrangements?
The bedroom features a California King bed, and we also have a sofa sleeper in the living room and a pretty comfortable inflatable Queen aerobed with built-in pump which you will find in the bedroom closet. Our condo also has the corner niche room and though it doesn’t have a door, it features a West Elm daybed and trundle which is also a nice option, especially for the kids!
22. May we have daytime guests come join us during our stay?
As much as we would love to have you bring guests, Hamilton Cove’s Homeowner’s Association recently changed the rules and now prohibits short-term guests from having guests. Everyone who enters Hamilton Cove must be on the guest list or the guards will turn them away, so we don’t really have any liberty to pull this off. However, if you anticipate wanting to have someone visit and you aren’t already at the four-person guest limit, you could provide us with your friend’s first and last name and we could add them to the reservation as if they were staying with you. They would then have access privileges to Hamilton Cove and if they aren’t spending the night, that’s okay. The guards are not policing that.
23. How many people can your golf cart accommodate?
Our cart has a 4-person maximum and the same laws applying to car seats are applicable to golf carts. Please be sure that only four people are in the golf cart at the same time.
24. Do you have coffee or should we bring our own?
We are happy to provide coffee and our 2-in-1 Cuisinart Coffee Center offers both bean coffee and the K-Cups. We supply K-Cups for all guests, and once in a while you might find whole bean coffee which a previous guest may have brought. The Vons store in Avalon carries a nice selection of whole bean and ground coffee (and other K-Cup selections if desired.)
25. Is smoking or vaping allowed outside on the balcony?
No. There can be no smoking, vaping or e-cigarettes on the balcony. Smoke travels quickly into the windows of condos above us, and smoking is not permitted on the balconies per HOA rules.
26. Do you provide beach towels, toys, or any other stuff?
We do! We continually bring over jumbo beach towels from Costco, and we also provide tennis rackets and balls for use on the tennis courts. We also have smaller beach towels for the kiddos, and other things. Our condo is also stocked with board games, puzzles, cards and other things.
27. We have a baby. Do you have a crib?
We have a Pack-n-Play in the bedroom closet that is retractable and can be set up.
28. What are your house rules?
Please see the Homeowner’s Association Rules & Regulations sheet we’ve attached for a detailed list of what’s required in Hamilton Cove. The “biggies” included adherence to quiet hours from 10pm to 8am each day (required for all short-term rentals in the entire community) and the occupancy limit (4 people maximum, unless one guest is 12 months or younger and doesn’t count) and no smoking, parties, or events.
29. How do we get to the pool or spa from your condo?
Most guests just take the stairs and walk down to the pool or spa, but some will take the golf cart and park down below in approved parking (see signs) near the pool and spa area.
30. How do we find the gas station to top off your fuel?
Please see the map we send to all guests. The gas station is location at Pebbly Beach approximately 1 mile south of where the ferries come in. It takes a few minutes to get there from Hamilton Cove, but it is a very scenic and beautiful drive.
31. Do you have laundry facilities?
We technically do! Our washer and dryer are located just outside our condo on the right a few feet from our front door. They are in a storage supply room which isn’t really set up for guests, but if you need to run laundry, please let us know and we will arrange to have the room unlocked for you.
32. How many stairs and steps to your place?
From the upper road (Playa Azul) we are 53 stair steps to the sidewalk outside our front door. This is actually pretty good for Hamilton Cove (some condos require 80-110 steps) and our golf cart is parked up top and not all the way down at the base of the development. If you would like fewer steps, please ask us about our other condo here with only 21 steps.
33. When are “quiet hours?”
These are 10:00pm to 8:00am, seven days per week.
34. Are the trash bins at the top of the stairs for us to use?
Yes they are! All trash bins are available to anyone. Please just don’t overfill a bin where the lid won’t close. If the lid won’t go all the way down, you can walk a few feet to the next row of trash bins and you will find additional ones available.
35. Do you recycle?
We are definitely into recycling! Unfortunately, Hamilton Cove does not yet have bins for regular trash and other designated bins for recycling. Down in Avalon, there are designated bins for trash and recycling, and if you would like to use those, you are welcome to do so! We are hoping that very soon, Hamilton Cove will begin using designated bins which separate trash from recycling.
35. Are the balconies shared? How private are they?
Our balcony, like most balconies in Hamilton Cove, are technically shared with adjacent condos, but not in the sense that people can just hang out on our balcony (or you on theirs!) They are spaces designed for your use and enjoyment only, but do not have dividers or barriers which protect the space from neighbors. In the multiple years we’ve owned here, we have not ever seen someone come and use our balcony, but once or twice have become aware of someone who may have used the stairway up to the balcony and realized they were in the wrong place and walked across to the condo where they were staying. We are all about privacy and really haven’t had any issues. Once in awhile, the Homeowner’s Association will send painters or other wood varnishers to come touch up the balcony, as the balconies are considered “common areas.” Usually, any planned touch ups involve giving us advanced notice and checking to see if we have guests.
36. Do you have heating or air conditioning?
While we aren’t aware of any condos in Hamilton Cove which have central air conditioning, we have purchased new Dyson space heaters which also offer cooling. We have been blessed to have a condo with multiple French doors and also a corner unit with the bonus windows in both the bedroom and the living room. We also have fans to help move air, though you probably won’t need them. For heating, Hamilton Cove was built in the last 1980’s with the then-popular radiant heat coils in the ceiling. We only know of one owner whose ceiling coils are still operational, and we hear that it can take hours before a guest feels anything. Knowing that heat is an issue throughout Hamilton Cove, we brought over some brand new Dyson space heaters which put out a great deal of heat. Guests have reported they work wonderfully, and we have often used the remote to turn them off after quite warm very quickly. If you experience any issues with being too warm or too cold, please let us know, as we want you to have an incredible stay and be at just the right temperature. Pro tip: if you want to run two heaters/coolers at one time, it’s best to have the living room one plugged into the outlet behind the barstools so they are on different circuits.
37. What do we do if power goes out, such as when we run a space heater?
After hosting hundreds and hundreds of guests, we have heard of a breaker being overloaded fewer than five times. It can happen, but it is quite rare. If you notice a light go out or a heater suddenly power off, all you need to do is to check the breaker panel inside the hall closet. You will more than likely find that one of the breakers had “tripped” and all you need to do is to flip the breaker back into the “ON” position.
38. Is there a way to turn on or off the balcony lanterns?
All of the Hamilton Cove condo balcony lanterns are activated on a timer which should turn the lights on when it gets dark, and turn them all off when it gets light. We have heard that some guests have unscrewed the bulbs to outen the lights. We discourage this, as bulbs can get hot and burn your hands. If you want the lights on and they aren’t on, it is likely due to a previous guest having unscrewed them.
39. We loved our stay and want to come back soon. Is it possible to book with you directly in the future?
We have been so blessed to welcome guests back to our island home again and again, and we are able to accommodate direct booking for most of our repeat guests.
40. If the ferries or helicopter aren’t running to the island due to bad weather, can we get a refund for our trip?
As we reserved our condo for you and blocked the night(s) across all travel sites, refunds may only be offered to guests who purchased travel insurance with coverage for such an event.