Hojo Rate Increase

[Pakytral]

I was looking at making advance reservations at the Hojo for next year and I found a massive rate increase? Is this something new? I was able to get a kids suite in August last year for $147 per night. They want $239 per night now???? Anyone else know anything about this?

 

[DizFan13]

They did increase the rates at the first of the year. I know that all of the rates went up slightly, although I seem to recall reading that the kids suite experienced a slightly more dramatic increase than the other room types. The retro rates also increased slightly. I know it is a bummer at first, but it is still one of the best bargains on Harbor, in my opinion.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

I just looked into September dates for this year, and was surprised what I saw....but I guess $169 p/n versus $300 p/n @ DL hotel...that is quite considerable.

 

[mouseymommy]

I called yesterday for the rates in July, and we were open to a lot of dates. She said the lowest she could get me was almost $140 a night for a standard! I have never stayed there before but I had heard how great the rates were. I just decided to go back to the BWPPI. It was cheaper and closer and we get free breakfast.

 

[DizFan13]

I will admit that the rate increase has tested my loyalty to the HoJo, but each time I am tempted to try a different hotel, I realize that the 20% AP discount, and the possibility of even one night becoming available as a retro rate, keeps their rates competitive. The customer service and familiarity closes the rest of the gap for us.

 

[KCmike]

Doesn't shock me after seeing what the going rates are for the Disneyland Resort hotels this summer. No discounts and high prices seem to be the norm especially with all the new expectations for DCA.

 

[Pakytral]

It's disappointing to me regardless. The Hojo was one of those hotels that was just all round perfect. I have a family of 5 and a suite is almost required for longer stays, and the kids suite was great - at $150/night. At $240/night, it's pushing it.

I know the Ramada Maingate has suites, but it seems none are available ever. Any other hotels close by that anyone knows of that have Suites?

 

[mouseymommy]

It's disappointing to me regardless. The Hojo was one of those hotels that was just all round perfect. I have a family of 5 and a suite is almost required for longer stays, and the kids suite was great - at $150/night. At $240/night, it's pushing it.

I know the Ramada Maingate has suites, but it seems none are available ever. Any other hotels close by that anyone knows of that have Suites?

The Desert Inn and Suites does have suites. We are trying them in October. Their rates seem really great. they are next door to the Park Vue Inn. BWPPI has a suite that is 2 queen beds and a sleeper sofa.

 

[limace]

It's disappointing to me regardless. The Hojo was one of those hotels that was just all round perfect. I have a family of 5 and a suite is almost required for longer stays, and the kids suite was great - at $150/night. At $240/night, it's pushing it.

I know the Ramada Maingate has suites, but it seems none are available ever. Any other hotels close by that anyone knows of that have Suites?

I think the Hojo has become very overpriced-it's a decent basic hotel, but it's a bit of a trek from the park at the end of a long day and $240 is an insane price for a room there.

I did a thread recently re choosing a suite-there are a bunch of options. Park Vue, BWPPI, Portofino, Desert Palm, Desert Inn...

 

[Eeee-va]

I believe Hojo previously priced their rooms more aggressively (low) and advertised on major Disney communities to get good word-of-mouth going. Now that they have a loyal fan base, they are able to raise the prices, and did so.

That said, Cars Land/Disneyland's increased attendance is not helping rates at all.

On the up side, hopefully some other nearby hotels are now pricing aggressively to attract a fan base.

 

[dismom73]

It's disappointing to me regardless. The Hojo was one of those hotels that was just all round perfect. I have a family of 5 and a suite is almost required for longer stays, and the kids suite was great - at $150/night. At $240/night, it's pushing it.

I know the Ramada Maingate has suites, but it seems none are available ever. Any other hotels close by that anyone knows of that have Suites?[/QUOTE

We are a family of 5 and our last trip our oldest DD brought a friend, so we had 6. We stayed at Desert Inn and suites in a 2 bedroom suite. It had 4 queen size beds, two in each room with a door that would shut in between the rooms. It also had a full bath in 1 room and a half bath in the other. The breakfast wasn't really good for anything but juice and milk. However, there is a microwave and a fridge in the room. I booked it way out (like over 6 months) and got it for $149 a night, but it was off season. I checked the rates as we got closer and it was going for $249 a night.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

It's disappointing to me regardless. The Hojo was one of those hotels that was just all round perfect. I have a family of 5 and a suite is almost required for longer stays, and the kids suite was great - at $150/night. At $240/night, it's pushing it.

I know the Ramada Maingate has suites, but it seems none are available ever. Any other hotels close by that anyone knows of that have Suites?

Desert Inn & Suites
Desert Palm
Portofino Inn has a kids suite that has a double/couch size pullout instead of Hojos chair/twin (plus king and bunk beds)

 

[disneychrista]

I have noticed ALL the Hotels have gone up. Used to be you could get a standard room at most of the Harbor motels for under $100/night now none of them seem to be under $100.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I got the kids suite at Portofino for $105/nt this December. If you want the best rates....book WAY IN ADVANCE!

 

[GrandBob]

I think the Hojo has become very overpriced-it's a decent basic hotel, but it's a bit of a trek from the park at the end of a long day and $240 is an insane price for a room there.

I did a thread recently re choosing a suite-there are a bunch of options. Park Vue, BWPPI, Portofino, Desert Palm, Desert Inn...

I have to agree with you, Limace. I'm a long-time HoJo supporter, but if these numbers are accurate (I haven't checked myself), it's insane. No way I'm gonna pay $150 for a basic room there, much less $240 for a kids suite. I love HoJo at their Retro rate, but at those prices, I'll look elsewhere. As you say, it's a pretty good mid-level hotel, but it's not the Ritz.

-Bob

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I was looking at making advance reservations at the Hojo for next year and I found a massive rate increase? Is this something new? I was able to get a kids suite in August last year for $147 per night. They want $239 per night now???? Anyone else know anything about this?

I will admit that the rate increase has tested my loyalty to the HoJo, but each time I am tempted to try a different hotel, I realize that the 20% AP discount, and the possibility of even one night becoming available as a retro rate, keeps their rates competitive. The customer service and familiarity closes the rest of the gap for us.

I have noticed ALL the Hotels have gone up. Used to be you could get a standard room at most of the Harbor motels for under $100/night now none of them seem to be under $100.

I have to agree with you, Limace. I'm a long-time HoJo supporter, but if these numbers are accurate (I haven't checked myself), it's insane. No way I'm gonna pay $150 for a basic room there, much less $240 for a kids suite. I love HoJo at their Retro rate, but at those prices, I'll look elsewhere. As you say, it's a pretty good mid-level hotel, but it's not the Ritz.

-Bob

The basic rates when you look at Hojo these days seem to range from $129 per night for the 2 double beds standard room to $199 per night for the kid's suite. As PPs have pointed out, these are the rates you get when you book far in advance. I noticed August rates of $229 for the kid's suite, if it was even available (there are only 14 and they seem to go fast), when I was spot-checking. The closer you get to the dates you want, then the higher the prices seem to climb unless, of course, the hotel isn't filling up in which case it goes the other way and you might end up getting retro rates. The retro rates when you can get them range from $59-$129 per night and in my opinion are still well worth it. Typically there are discounts of 15% to 20% easily obtainable at Hojo so that brings those non-retro rate prices down a bit, but yes the price has gone up. The rates started inching up probably as the popularity of the place grew, but also they have done a bit of updating of their rooms and grounds over the last several years and have obviously decided that the market will bear passing these costs on to the consumer. As PPs have pointed out though, it seems that a lot of the hotel rates have gone up, and I would think if the demand continues then sadly the rates will stay up. I'm not thrilled by the price increase at Hojo either and have definitely been shopping around (the higher Hojo prices have started making Candy Cane Inn appealing to us again after ignoring it for several years). We're still stuck a bit on Hojo though not because it's the Ritz but because we're used to it, we've gotten spoiled by the two room/two bathroom arrangement of the kid's suite, we've made the choice for our family that's the longest walking distance we will tolerate at this time, and at the peak times that we have been going I haven't found a suite price to beat it within equal walking distance.

 

[ValpoCory]

The Harbor Blvd. hotel prices may be going up, but renting DVC points has stayed the same price for 3 years since I've been renting. For most of the year (232 days of Adventure/Choice seasons), for a Studio you'll pay either $170-$200 per night for a weekday night and $220-$240 per weekend night. The challenge though is deciding on your trip dates 7-11 months before your trip. If you can plan 11 months in advance, you almost certainly can get what you want in those off peak times. And if you are patient enough, or lucky enough even if you are impatient, you can find a $10/point DVC owner who wants to rent. And then once you find one, you can often re-use the same owner for future trips, with absolutely no fear of being scammed.

We are staying 6 nights (5 weekday, 1 weekend night) in January, which averages $178.33, final price.

 

[Pakytral]

I have to agree with you, Limace. I'm a long-time HoJo supporter, but if these numbers are accurate (I haven't checked myself), it's insane. No way I'm gonna pay $150 for a basic room there, much less $240 for a kids suite. I love HoJo at their Retro rate, but at those prices, I'll look elsewhere. As you say, it's a pretty good mid-level hotel, but it's not the Ritz.

-Bob

I agree with all this. Up to now I was a big supporter of Hojo. Any rookies wanting to go to Disneyland with kids - I'd argue that this was the best location by far. However.....the rates on the Kids Suite are now almost $100 higher than they were when I went last August. I am trying to book for May 2013, and they want $239 for the kids suite. May is the low seaons. That's asanine. The room is practical, but that's it. There is nothing special about it at all. The grounds of the hotel are good, the pool is OK. The practicality of the room and the location permitting one to walk to the Park is the drawing card. The big thing that accompanied all that was that it was a great deal.

If Hojo's is $239/night I'll definately be looking elsewhere and advising everyone I talk to, to do the same.

I am really disappointed Hojo's has done this.

 

[BethID]

I also agree. I have a soft spot for Hojo, but it was $140/night for the least expensive room in August. I was able to get a no car room at BWPPI for $88/nt. Then decided to rent a car, so changed to Ramada Maingate for $99/nt. As much as I like HOJO, I just can't justify the extra money when I have to walk further and don't get breakfast.