Best Western Stovall's or Pavillions

[asumom]

I am planning a budget 4 night trip and am looking to stay on Katella Avenue this time. I have narrowed it down to the 2 best westerns (stovall and pavillions). Since Pavillions has free parking, it comes out to about $60 less than Stovalls. Not a lot, but a couple of drinks and maybe an appetizer at Trader Sams!

Stovalls free breakfast is at the hotel, while Pavillions gives 2 vouchers to the Denny's. Does anyone have more information on that? Like, does it include a beverage? What items are included? If we are going to be adding on to the "free" Denny's meal anyway, then there goes the savings.

Also, we have always stayed on Harbor so I am having trouble picturing the walk from Katella...any tips on that? It is just my husband and I so we are fine walking.

Any opinions/tips about these hotels are appreciated. Thank you, in advance.

 

[VandVsmama]

Last year, we stayed at both of those Best Westerns. In terms of cleanliness & quality of sleep & stuff like that, they are comparable and I would stay at either one again without hesitation. But if I had to choose, I'd pick Stovall's over Pavilions because of:

• free in house breakfast - faster than going to Denny's
• cheaper than going to Denny's for breakfast
• plus, at Stovall's, you can take a piece of fruit with you. So we'd take 1 banana each, which we'd snack on mid morning while waiting to get on a ride. This would not have been possible at Denny's.

From either Stovall's or Pavilions, walk along Katella to the intersection with Disneyland Dr. Then cross the intersection and walk up Disneyland Dr toward PPH and the GCH. When you get to the GCH, turn right and walk through the GCH to DTD. There are lots of signs that will direct you to DTD and if you get lost, just ask somebody and they'll help you find your way.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I have stayed at Stovalls, but I know next to nothing about Pavillions. I do know Stovalls is closer walking distance by more than you'd expect when looking at a map. Stovalls has a decent free breakfast. It's been a while since I've been there, but I think it was a breakfast meat, eggs, potatoes, fruit, yogurt, and cereal. The hotel can be a little dark in terms of its decor, but if you're just there to sleep, it's great.

The walk is easy. Stovall's is literally across the street from Disney property (pretty much the corner of Katella and Disneyland Dr.). You will see PPH from the corner. Just head that direction and follow the signs to walk through DTD. There's a stretch that's a bit lonely since the area between PPH and Katella is relatively unused, but it still feels plenty safe. I think if I remember correctly, it's about a 15 minute walk.

 

[Agent 86]

I've only stayed at Stovall's. It's a great location. That's about the most ... pleasant thing I can say about the hotel. But, it's probably the most important aspect since we spent all of our time at the parks, except for showering and sleeping!

I didn't love the free breakfast at Stovall's. Everything was so ... fake / processed, at least in comparison to the breakfasts that I'm used to in other hotels. And, depending upon the time, it could be very crowded with a lack of ... order. But, it was free. I usually just had two English muffins and a glass of orange juice (or more commonly water since the orange concentrate in the machine never seemed to actually exist). It was enough to keep me going until lunch in the parks.

 

[VandVsmama]

I'd say that the room décor of both motels is similar. Both rooms we stayed in at Stovall's and Pavilions was dark.

I agree about the walk...at the end of a long day, going down the road a couple of addresses farther to Pavilions seemed like it was super far, even though it wasn't that bad!

It would usually take us 10 min to walk from Stovall's to the security tents at the Esplanade every morning. By evening, it took at least 15 min because the kids were super tired!

 

[bevcgg]

Keep in mind they are both owned by the same folks!
I have stayed in BW Park Place Inn and Stovalls before- both really great for what they are.
Simple but very friendly, clean, comfortable and CLOSE!
We are staying at Pavillions this fall and have no concerns considering it is the same owners.

 

[Disney Dider]

We thought the breakfast at Stovalls was amazing for being free. French toast, eggs, potatoes, different meats every day. Yogurt, cheese sticks, fruit, oatmeal machine, cereal, boxes of raisins, individual Nutella, bagels, toast etc. coffee, juices... It's a huge selection. And the walk was very enjoyable.

 

[dec2009mama]

we stayed at Stovalls for the first time in January and have booked again for our trip in October
it fit with exactly what we needed -- i am not a breakfast lover but the offerings satisfied hubby and kid! I was impressed the breakfast was more than hard boiled eggs and pastries -- we would grab what we wanted and take it back to our room to eat, the breakfast area does get fairly loud and crowded!
i liked that I could take a piece of fruit or yogurt with me for the kids to have as a mid-morning snack in the parks!

 

[kirstie101]

I've only stayed at Stovalls of the two. Loved Stovalls. I also thought the breakfast was great and had everything that my family wanted. Rooms were a little dark but nothing that would keep me from booking there again. Staff were friendly. Walk wasn't bad at all. Didn't use the pool or fitness area but both looked nice.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I haven't stayed at Pavillions but I have stayed at the Stovall's a few times, most recently in January of this year. I think the Stovall's is nice, the rooms have always been clean and the bedding comfortable. The breakfast is decent considering it is a complimentary hotel breakfast, it can be super crazy in the morning though. But as some mentioned they don't mind if you take food to go. One morning we couldn't find a table, so we ate our breakfast on the walk to Disneyland.

The pool area is really nice. It has two pools, two hot tubs, a topiary garden, and you can see Mickey's Fun Wheel and some of Cali Screaming from the pool area, so that is fun. The pools and pool area has always been clean as well. I recently stayed at one of the BW's on Harbor and the pool are was so small and I knew it would be small before booking, but the pool was dirty it had a ton of dead bugs and plant matter (how it got there I don't know there weren't many plants around) and it was surrounded by walls and a parking lot view. I could get over the the view and size, but the dead bugs in the pool was unexcusable, it was like this when I stayed here in 2012. So anyway, if you are looking for a good pool the Stovalls is for you.

The walk from the Stovall's isn't too bad it ranged from 15-18 minutes for us from turnstile to room door. You can easily cut through the Grand Californian which is pretty awesome. The Pavillions would add about 5 minutes to your walk. So if I had to choose I would pick Stovall's.

 

[Mjmdiva]

I have only stayed at Stovall's and been there 5 times. We love the location, we usually cut through the Grand hitel to downtown disney. We love the breakfast, usually take an extra yogurt and banana for the road or in our room for later. We are usually up very early so we have never had a problem with over crowding at breakfast. My kids like to sleep until the last minute then put sausages and pancakes in a take out bowl and eat it on the way to the gates.
The pool was nice for the kis and the rooms were just basic, great for sleeping. We always have trouble with the wifi though.

 

[Tommy_B]

Neither is a great location or hotel. Have you looked at the Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn, Park Place Inn and Raffles? I think they are better hotels and locations, even Raffles, that is further south, but it is right next to the Toy Story Parking Lot so you can use the shuttle.

 

[asumom]

Thank you for all the comments. I also just found out that even though Pavillions has free parking, they charge $5 per day resort fee; so the difference in price is even less. Stovall's is probably going to be our choice.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Thank you for all the comments. I also just found out that even though Pavillions has free parking, they charge $5 per day resort fee; so the difference in price is even less. Stovall's is probably going to be our choice.

Did you look at the suggestions of the Best Western Hotels on Harbor Blvd? Stovall's and Pavilions are not good locations. There are very few restaurants in the area and an uncomfortable walk back to the hotel late at night.

 

[asumom]

Did you look at the suggestions of the Best Western Hotels on Harbor Blvd? Stovall's and Pavilions are not good locations. There are very few restaurants in the area and an uncomfortable walk back to the hotel late at night.

Yes, I did check for hotels on Harbor Blvd but they were a lot more expensive. The Best Westerns have no availability; was going to stay at ParkVu for $139 per night plus tax ($165 total per night) but got a great deal on Stovall's ($112 per night, INCLUDING tax and parking). It's just a 4 night trip; we are ok with the walk. If we really don't like it we'll go back to Harbor Blvd next time. We used to stay exclusively at Candy Cane Inn.....can't believe how expensive that has gotten ($189 per night plus tax on our dates). We have also stayed at Tropicana, Carousel and Desert Inn and Suites; all about the same or more than ParkVu. I can use the $200+ savings for meals. Thanx for the input though.

 

[GoBears 1980]

we are ok with the walk

It isn't the distance, it is the remoteness of the walk. There is nothing on Disneyland Dr. I would not be comfortable walking the street late at night.

 

[bigb83]

It isn't the distance, it is the remoteness of the walk. There is nothing on Disneyland Dr. I would not be comfortable walking the street late at night.

We stay at Stovalls every time we go..the walk is one of the main reasons. So nice at night with all the trees lit up!

 

[bigb83]

Yes, I did check for hotels on Harbor Blvd but they were a lot more expensive. The Best Westerns have no availability; was going to stay at ParkVu for $139 per night plus tax ($165 total per night) but got a great deal on Stovall's ($112 per night, INCLUDING tax and parking). It's just a 4 night trip; we are ok with the walk. If we really don't like it we'll go back to Harbor Blvd next time. We used to stay exclusively at Candy Cane Inn.....can't believe how expensive that has gotten ($189 per night plus tax on our dates). We have also stayed at Tropicana, Carousel and Desert Inn and Suites; all about the same or more than ParkVu. I can use the $200+ savings for meals. Thanx for the input though.

As I mentioned we stay at Stovalls everytime. Check lmt club. I just booked it for 88 a night with a 25 dollar off promo code. 3 nights for 300 bucks total with tax and everything. Great little hotel.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

We stayed at Stovalls last year. We walked back each night and never felt unsafe. It was quite a nice walk, took about 10 - 15 minutes, depending on how slow we dawdled...lol

Was a nice way to relax down at the end of the day.

We didn't eat the free breakfast (smelt too greasy) we walked in one door and straight out the other and we went to Coco's Bakery, next door...lol...we then went and brought some cereal and milk from the shops and had breakfast in our room each morning.

We had no problems with the room, very comfortable and we could see the fireworks from the upstairs balcony.

We tried to book here again for next year, but our dates were not available.

 

[GoBears 1980]

We stayed at Stovalls last year. We walked back each night and never felt unsafe.

Then you do not know Anaheim very well. How you felt is different from the reality of how the area is.