Best moderate/inexpensive hotel

[kermit116]

Looking for a good moderate/inexpensive hotel for a one-night girls trip to DL in January. We'd only be staying in Anaheim for one Saturday evening, going to DL all day Saturday & Sunday. Not really concerned with amenities since we'll be in the park both days, but I am concerned about finding some place that is CLEAN and SAFE.

I need suggestions for a good moderate/inexpensive hotel that is within walking distance or has a good shuttle. I know DL has lots of "good neighbor" hotels that have shuttles, and I know there are a bunch of hotels just across the street from DL. I'm looking for some real world assessments from DIS-ers who have stayed at these hotels.

I'm also considering trying to rent DVC points for a one-night reservation at the Grand Californian. I'd love to stay at this hotel, but I think even with renting points it may be a bit too pricey. But, I'm assuming we'd have a little kitchenette in a studio so that could help us save on snacks and breakfast.

 

[CrazyDuck]

No real "class" of hotels in the DLR like there are in WDW but a good baseline in WDW speak would be:

Deluxe: Grand Californian
Moderate: Disneyland Hotel*, Paradise Pier Hotel
Value: All the good neighbor hotels

* actually Disneyland Hotel would actually fall somewhere between Moderate and Deluxe... Maybe Moderate+

 

[brenda1966]

I guess it depends on your definition of "moderate" and "inexpensive".
I don't consider the WDW Moderates (POR, etc.) to be inexpensive. And I can't think of anything within walking distance of DL that is comparable to a WDW Moderate. I haven't stayed at the onsite DL hotels so can't comment on them.

Many of us have stayed at the Motels on Harbor within walking distance. And compared to the DL onsite hotels, I find them to be 'inexpensive' and a good value. I've stayed at Hojo's, Carousel, and Camelot. For one night I'd consider any of those right across the street and not be bothered with shuttles. But it sounds like you may have a bigger budget and higher expectations for a hotel, so onsite DL may be more what you're looking for.

 

[kermit116]

I guess I should have mentioned - I'm trying to keep one night of hotel under $150 so the actually DL hotels are basically out of my price range unless I happen upon some amazing bargain (which I doubt). I've stayed at the La Quinta Inn that's near DL before and thought that was fine -- but I was there about 5 years ago so I don't know how it is now. The reviews online say it's not clean, which makes me a little concerned about trying that again. However, with a La Quinta Inn I'm not looking for luxurious accommodations, so I'm wondering if the online reviews are accurate, or if people just have expectations that are too high for what is essentially a motel.

 

[brenda1966]

If a La Quinta is okay for you, then I would look at any of those in that block on Harbor: Hojo's, Fairfield Marriot, Carousel, Tropicana, Best Western Park Place Inn, Park Vue Inn, Camelot, Desert Inn. Then I'd book the cheapest one! You should be able to find at least one of those for under $150 and may have a couple of choices.

that's how I book. I check all in that block and book the cheapest. Hojo's usually always wins.

 

[kermit116]

If a La Quinta is okay for you, then I would look at any of those in that block on Harbor: Hojo's, Fairfield Marriot, Carousel, Tropicana, Best Western Park Place Inn, Park Vue Inn, Camelot, Desert Inn. Then I'd book the cheapest one! You should be able to find at least one of those for under $150 and may have a couple of choices.

that's how I book. I check all in that block and book the cheapest. Hojo's usually always wins.

Great - thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

But, I'm assuming we'd have a little kitchenette in a studio so that could help us save on snacks and breakfast.

You should look at the Park Vue Inn it includes breakfast and snacks.