Anyone stay at any of these hotels?

[Tinkerbell19672]

Portofino, Annabella or Red Lion....any opinions on which of the three would be best? Looking for a close walk, large enough room for rollaway bed and a nice pool. Any opinions are much appreciated!

 

[nicolispicoli]

I've stayed at the Red Lion, it has decent sized rooms, I wouldn't consider them large. It's a decent distance away. I remember thinking it was longer, but we would walk it no big deal. We ended up deciding in the morning to just drive and park in the lot like a bunch of lazies. I know you can cut through to the Toy Story parking lot and catch a ride on the tram, I haven't done that though.

 

[LizzyS]

I've only stayed at the Red Lion (three times and I have an upcoming trip in February booked as well), but we were pretty happy with our stay. The walk isn't super close, but if you're able-bodied, you will have no issues. The rooms we've stayed in aren't huge, but there are only two of us. The pool area looks nice enough, but we never use it, so I can't really comment on that.

 

[Girimama33]

I have only stayed at the Red Lion as well. It is across the street from the Portofino, so the walks should be similar.
The room was nice and clean, not super large. We did use the pool. I found it on the chilly side (in October). There is no Jacuzzi.

 

[Mabel67]

Stayed at Red Lion and Annabella.

Red Lion: Pool ok. No hot tub. Rooms very nice. Long walk, but doable. Close to Garden Walk for additional restaurant choices. Check in staff exceedingly rude, but that was several years ago. I can't imagine that those two people would still be employed, with their attitudes... Very clean. Quiet. Would stay there again, but only if the rate was fabulous and we didn't plan to want to use a hot tub. Good paid parking, but lots of spaces.

Annabella: Very nice pool/hot tub area, with an additional adults only pool (yay!). Nice pool bar and restaurant with decent priced food and drinks that were tasty. Nice, easy walk. Rooms of borderline cleanliness. Rooms had weird configuration (which was ok) but bathroom area was small (no vanity, just a sink). Small, difficult to access closet. Room was a bit noisy too - both from outside the room (outdoor walkways) and from neighbouring rooms. Maid service not done by 5pm two days in a row, even though we requested earlier. This is a deal breaker for us. Didn't have a car here, but the lot looked full most of the time and the spaces looked smallish. Would consider staying again, but only if there was a great deal on price.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have loved Anabella. Staying there again for Star Wars Half Marathon weekend in January.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thanks so much everyone! This helps a lot. Hoping someone has Portofino review

 

[buzz242]

We stayed at the Portifino last summer, the rooms were quite large. We were two adults and a 16 & 18yr old, the room could have slept 6 comfortably. The room could possibly have done with a bit of updating but was clean and more than adequate for our three night stay. It was walking distance to the park but you could cross the street to the parking lot and hop on the tram if you prefer. The pool area was clean and tidy although we didn't use it as we were always at the parks. The staff were very polite at all times. It's also a short walk to the Cheesecake Factory which is one of our favourites.

 

[offwithyourhead]

We stayed at the Portofino in a kids' suite in 2006. The rooms were decently sized, but I feel like a room with JUST two double/queen beds and not the suite would probably be a little tight with a rollaway. That section of the room wasn't oversized, it seemed very standard for a hotel. Can't say for sure though as that was a long time ago, so I'm not sure if they've changed anything.

The pool was really nice when we went.

 

[AZpharmacist]

When's your trip? I'm staying there in early September. I can let you know if it's not too late

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I've stayed at the Anabella twice while accompanying high school students to conventions. The first time, our rooms were right on Katella, but they were plenty quiet for me. They were standard hotel rooms with two doubles or queens--not a lot of room for a rollaway. The second time, we stayed in Mission Suites, which had a king bed and a little room with a twin bed in them, and I believe a sofa bed in the main room as well. That would be an awesome configuration for families.

No complaints about either stay. Rooms were clean and beds were comfortable. Walk to the parks was decent (cut through the GCH lobby).

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

When's your trip? I'm staying there in early September. I can let you know if it's not too late

I'm actually asking for a friend going in September too, so too late for your review but I appreciate the offer and have fun!

 

[Tandyc]

I'm actually asking for a friend going in September too, so too late for your review but I appreciate the offer and have fun!

Sorry I highjack but I'm frustrated by the Red Lion. We got an $89 a night rate with free parking and breakfast. Sounded fabulous yet when checking closer it works out to $121.62 a night! They add resort fees and service charges plus of course taxes. Is this common? Will all hotels do this?

 

[bumbershoot]

Sorry I highjack but I'm frustrated by the Red Lion. We got an $89 a night rate with free parking and breakfast. Sounded fabulous yet when checking closer it works out to $121.62 a night! They add resort fees and service charges plus of course taxes. Is this common? Will all hotels do this?

As stated in your other thread, it's totally common in big major tourist areas.