Alternatives to Desert Inn & suites? BWPPI, Tropicana? Others?

[danlkrim]

We have a reservation a DSI &S Feb 16-22. With the current report of active bed bugs at this hotel, I am considering changing. I understand that this can happen at any hotel. I also understand that any number of other problems can arise so you are taking a chance no matter where you stay. We (DH, DS7 and me) are looking for a room withing easy walking distance and we want a microwave in addition to the mini fridge. I know we will make popcorn in the evenings for a snack and other things for DS. Plus i like to have a microwave to heat leftovers we will have from eating out so much. I can get a room at reasonable rates at Tropicana Inn & Suites, Best Western Plus Park Place Inn and Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn. HOJO is a little farther walk and Candy Cane was a little more than I wanted to pay. Which would you choose and why? If not one of these, where would you suggest. Any tips for getting a better rate? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

 

[interstate70s]

I would choose bwppi because its closest, and clean and has consistly good reviews on here. Of your options I have stayed at the Tropicana's and BWPPI. Rooms are larger at the BW, breakfast is better, no charge for wifi and the staff was nicer Imo. Breakfast was a joke at Tropicana. Pools are both really small. I would stay at BW again in a heartbeat Tropicana? Meh... It wasn't 't bad just not anything to write home about.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Even though the price was higher than you wanted, I would choose the Candy Cane. The service there is alway great, the rooms are clean, and the shuttle (private and on time) is really convenient. Have you called to ask about discounts for your dates (e.g AAA, return guest, AP, etc.)?

 

[mouseymommy]

We stay at BWPPI every trip, so we obviously like it a lot. It's clean, comfy, and SOOOO CLOSE!! We just love the location!

 

[Geemo]

I'm always interested in threads like this. Lots of good info.
I'd like hints on how to get a better rate too..

We stay at BWPPI every trip, so we obviously like it a lot. It's clean, comfy, and SOOOO CLOSE!! We just love the location!

How is the parking lot? Size, lighting and security?
I heard January 2013 parking rate increases to $10 per night.

Thanks
Geemo

 

[jennameowse]

We've stayed at BWPPI for the last 4 trips and will be staying again this month. I highly recommend it just for the location. The fact that it's clean and has friendly staff is just a plus. I'm not too fond of their breakfast but it's free and better than some hotels. We usually get a mini suite because it gives us more room and we feel less cramped but I'm sure their standard rooms are great too. Whatever hotel you choose, I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[busymom232]

we stayed at deserts inn at the end of aug start of sept, we stayed in 2 difrent rooms and neither had bed bugs and were very clean.... must be something new if they got them

 

[jennameowse]

How is the parking lot? Size, lighting and security?
I heard January 2013 parking rate increases to $10 per night.

It's not a huge lot. It makes a U shape around the hotel and there's only one way in and one way out. It's lit alright. I've seen much better lit parking areas but then again I've been to many that barely have any lights. I have not heard about the parking increase but I wouldn't doubt it. But hey, $2 extra is nothing when you're right across the street!
Also I don't know much about their security but I did see a guard there last trip. Not sure if it was the hotels security or not though. I'm sure if you call them they could give you info on their security.

 

[Geemo]

We've stayed at BWPPI for the last 4 trips and will be staying again this month. I highly recommend it just for the location. The fact that it's clean and has friendly staff is just a plus. I'm not too fond of their breakfast but it's free and better than some hotels. We usually get a mini suite because it gives us more room and we feel less cramped but I'm sure their standard rooms are great too. Whatever hotel you choose, I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

Is a mini-suite large enough for 4 adults and 2 kids 10 and 8.
Or would you suggest getting two mini suites with a connecting door between the two?

 

[jennameowse]

Is a mini-suite large enough for 4 adults and 2 kids 10 and 8.
Or would you suggest getting two mini suites with a connecting door between the two?

There are two beds, I want to say queen sized but I may be wrong, and a pull out sofa bed. We usually have 3 adults and an 11 year old. If there are people willing to sleep on the sofa bed I think it would be fine. Just depends on personal preference on sleeping arrangements. But having 2 rooms would sure help with showers.

 

[mouseymommy]

I'm always interested in threads like this. Lots of good info.
I'd like hints on how to get a better rate too..



How is the parking lot? Size, lighting and security?
I heard January 2013 parking rate increases to $10 per night.

Thanks
Geemo

I think the the parking lot is kinda tight. I honestly never noticed the lighting in the parking lot, but if it had been dark I would have noticed and been nervous. Regarding security, I know you have to pull a ticket to get in the parking lot with a car, and use that ticket to leave the lot. I was told when we reserved our room for February that the price was going up in January. They do offer special rates for guests who don't have a car. I think they are only available online though.

....this smiley is here by request from my 5 year old.

 

[danlkrim]

Sounds like lots of you have very positive experiences with BWPPI. That is good to know. We are experienced travelers and I am willing to do the research, but I trust first-hand info here more than Trip Advisor. We plan to get a rental car at SNA so we can go to the store for snacks/water/soda. We might sightsee on our arrival day since it will be a non-park day. We might consider DK's Livery service if we don't think we will sightsee since they will stop at a store. This link was posted in a different thread.
http://www.dklivery.com/home.html

I like the location of BWPPI. It has a microwave and we will buy a cheap toaster so we can get frozen waffles or other stuff to do our own breakfast and such. Just need enough to hold us until lunch. HOJO is $169/night and Candy Cane is $189 so that is more than I am willing to spend for a place to sleep in this situation.

 

[thewritegirl]

We have a reservation a DSI &S Feb 16-22. With the current report of active bed bugs at this hotel, I am considering changing. I understand that this can happen at any hotel. I also understand that any number of other problems can arise so you are taking a chance no matter where you stay. We (DH, DS7 and me) are looking for a room withing easy walking distance and we want a microwave in addition to the mini fridge. I know we will make popcorn in the evenings for a snack and other things for DS. Plus i like to have a microwave to heat leftovers we will have from eating out so much. I can get a room at reasonable rates at Tropicana Inn & Suites, Best Western Plus Park Place Inn and Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn. HOJO is a little farther walk and Candy Cane was a little more than I wanted to pay. Which would you choose and why? If not one of these, where would you suggest. Any tips for getting a better rate? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

We booked the Del Sol for our upcoming trip. I haven't been there yet, but the price was really good - for your dates, you could get a room with two queens for $99 or the Kid's room with bunk bed for $113. It's my understanding that the rooms have microwave and fridge, and they offer a free but fairly lousy breakfast. Wifi is also free. It looks to be an easy walk, just next door to Desert Inn & Suites.

 

[mouseymommy]

Sounds like lots of you have very positive experiences with BWPPI. That is good to know. We are experienced travelers and I am willing to do the research, but I trust first-hand info here more than Trip Advisor. We plan to get a rental car at SNA so we can go to the store for snacks/water/soda. We might sightsee on our arrival day since it will be a non-park day. We might consider DK's Livery service if we don't think we will sightsee since they will stop at a store. This link was posted in a different thread.
http://www.dklivery.com/home.html

I like the location of BWPPI. It has a microwave and we will buy a cheap toaster so we can get frozen waffles or other stuff to do our own breakfast and such. Just need enough to hold us until lunch. HOJO is $169/night and Candy Cane is $189 so that is more than I am willing to spend for a place to sleep in this situation.

BWPPI includes breakfast. They had frozen waffles and a toaster. I think most days they had yogurt, toast, croissants, pastries, muffins, egg patties, sausage, cold cereal, fruit, coffee, milk, and juice. We are often running late so a couple of us run up to the breakfast and grab food for all of us and we eat it in line. You can also take it back to the room.

 

[interstate70s]

Sounds like lots of you have very positive experiences with BWPPI. That is good to know. We are experienced travelers and I am willing to do the research, but I trust first-hand info here more than Trip Advisor. We plan to get a rental car at SNA so we can go to the store for snacks/water/soda. We might sightsee on our arrival day since it will be a non-park day. We might consider DK's Livery service if we don't think we will sightsee since they will stop at a store. This link was posted in a different thread.
http://www.dklivery.com/home.html

I like the location of BWPPI. It has a microwave and we will buy a cheap toaster so we can get frozen waffles or other stuff to do our own breakfast and such. Just need enough to hold us until lunch. HOJO is $169/night and Candy Cane is $189 so that is more than I am willing to spend for a place to sleep in this situation.

When we were at BWPPI there was a 20% "no car discount so I would ask them about that if you are thinking of forgoing a car.

 

[danlkrim]

The breakfast at BWPPI sounds like it would work fine. If they have a toaster I can just bring my DS's waffles to the breakfast room. He is very picky eater. We are working on that by bribing him with this Disney trip, he as to try more new foods or no Disney and it is working. We bring breakfast bars and other snacks so we would be fine. Wifi isn't a concern for us since we will bring our own hot spot. That has saved us more than once on other trips. Thanks for the tip suggesting asking for a no car discount.
We might alos consider Del Sol Inn since it is in that same area.