Checked into HOJO kids suite today!

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Thanks Lorealle, you are amazing...AS ALWAYS!

We check in on Sunday and CAN NOT wait!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

What is the common consensus for getting the best rates at HoJo's? Entertainment Book, AAA, AP?

 

[MommyLove]

Thanks for all your feedback and patience! You guys are awesome!
Lorealle

Wow, YOU are awesome!! Thanks for that update!

We are checking in on the 10th and
can
not
wait!!

 

[Lynzer Torte]

What is the common consensus for getting the best rates at HoJo's? Entertainment Book, AAA, AP?

Entertainment Book rates!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Lorealle,
Thank you! It is so nice to know that Howard Johnsons
Anaheim, really does listen and care to and about their guests.
You guys are awesome

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Hey Everybody!

Just wanted to give a little update on things! :]

We are definitely still working out all the bugs on the Kids Suites. The 'hanger' thing seemed strange to me also, so I doublechecked with our General Manager and he was profusely apologetic and explained that it was just one of those bugs that we were working out! He ordered more hangers for the rooms and we will be amending that problem shortly. THANK YOU for letting us know!

Also, with regard to the crib- it might take them a little while to get it to you if the Front Desk is busy- but you shouldn't be waiting hours for it! I hope that you did receive it in a timely fashion! If you didn't, please let me know!

Check-in time is not until 4p- and I know that can be difficult if you arrive to the hotel sooner than that, but our Housekeeping Staff needs that time to make sure that all of the newly vacated rooms [at 12p] are clean and ready to go for those of you who are arriving, as well as service the guest rooms that are currently occupied. When we are less full, rooms are more readily available before check-in time, but when we are more full, 4p is the standard. We want everything to be absolutely perfect in the rooms when you check-in, and so in order to be thorough, our Housekeeping staff can't- and doesn't- do rushed jobs. But! I do want to be clear that we have no problems at all with checking you in early if there are rooms available! We never just 'sit' on clean rooms.

Also, our Housekeeping Department does like to 'check-in' with our guests at least once a day. Usually, when there is a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, Housekeeping will try to check-in via telephone later in the day, just to make sure that everything- and everyone is alright. We would hate to have a situation where someone needed medical attention, but was unable to get to the phone, and not know until it was too late. So...I know that this might seem troublesome to some of you, but please know that it is coming from a good place; we just want to make sure you are safe!

Now! With regard to the Pirate chest in the rooms, I have this email from our General Manager::

In our internet video which showed our concept Kids Suite we mentioned a “treasure chest” that would be placed in the kids room that would contain pirate-themed goodies...We are now working on getting a suitable and durable chest that will contain fake bead necklaces, maybe some plastic coins, hot chocolate and discount tickets to Pirates Dinner Adventure....[we] apologize that it is not finalized yet, and...are working with our partners to provide the contents. [In the meantime,] the concept videos have been pulled from our website and YouTube.

I will continue to follow up with him on these issues, and will let you all know when we have an update.

Thanks for all your feedback and patience! You guys are awesome!
Lorealle

Ok since I don't think I've said it yet this week.....LOREALLE, YOU ROCK!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

What is the common consensus for getting the best rates at HoJo's? Entertainment Book, AAA, AP?

Exactly what the poster above said....Entertainment rates! They are up to 50% off ($59, 69, 79 for regular rooms, and $99 for kids suites) vs. the AP rate of 20 % off. I'm not sure what the discount is for AAA, but you can't beat the entertainment rates when they are 50% off.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

With that wonderful input, I'll definitely be looking at buying an Entertainment Book this year! We've stayed onsite the last few times we've gone and growing up, we lived just an hour away, so this is the first time I've started looking seriously into Good Neighbor lodging. The HoJo seems to get the best reviews from families with young kids. I'm definitely intrigued by the kid-friendly suites and can't wait to see some photos.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

[PIRATE] "We wants the photos! We wants the photos!" [/PIRATE]

 

[jory29]

Thanks for the details about your suite. I just saw the photos of a kids suite on the Hojo website, and was delighted at the way it looks!! I also liked that it tells you the size of the room, the room layout, and don't forget to click on the picture for a better view as well, click on the little arrow on the upper right hand side to see another area of the room.

When the vids. were posted on youtube, I believe that it was mentioned that things might change, so as far as the Pirate's Booty goes, I'm not too concerned about that; if I wanted to, I could also create my own little gift bag of goodies for the kids myself, to place in the room for them.

If Hojos wants to follow through on this, a good idea might be for the hotel to just place into the chest a little bag of chocolate coins; a couple of skull rings (no lead products though) and a couple of cheap (er, I mean inexpensive ) dollar store necklaces. That would be more than enough for the little Captain Jack wannabes. Please don't stick a bottle of rum in there for the kids... ....













But please DO place a bottle of rum in the room for the adults!

Just kidding!!


I think it's awesome of Lorealle to always view these boards and make sure everyone's happy @ Hojos. I agree, Lorealle does rock!

Also, our Housekeeping Department does like to 'check-in' with our guests at least once a day. Usually, when there is a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door, Housekeeping will try to check-in via telephone later in the day, just to make sure that everything- and everyone is alright. We would hate to have a situation where someone needed medical attention, but was unable to get to the phone, and not know until it was too late. So...I know that this might seem troublesome to some of you, but please know that it is coming from a good place; we just want to make sure you are safe!

I love the housekeeping staff - they are really polite, and thorough when they clean the rooms. I can see where it's important for them to follow through, and a quick phone call is a good idea. It's also nice that they ask if we need towels, etc.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

LOVE FEST!

 

[Kauinohea]

We got back to HI Sunday morning and with getting the kids ready for back to school etc, I haven't gotten a chance to post yet. Its 11:25 PM right now and I go back to work from vacation in 7 hours...yikes!

I promise to do a better report within the next few days...but for now just wanted to say that everything turned out perfectly. They must have been busy when we requested the crib, main thing we got it in time to put the baby down.
The kids suite is truly perfect for the size. My girls loved those huge decorator pillows that were on the bed. We ended up purchasing treasure chests for them so that worked out fine. The king bed was heavenly and we even decided not to get up after one of our afternoon naps since we were so comfortable! The staff was great and friendly - you can even use the computers to print out boarding passes for your flight etc.

We will definately be staying at HOJO again.....oh, MIMI's breakfast was great! Love the ciabatta sandwich and mochas (and those free breakfast coupons!)

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

For those of you with younger kids (under 8), how are you finding the walk to and from the parks from HoJo's? I know, I know, I've seen the wonderful links with walk times and distances! I'm just wondering how we'll do with the walk there and back (at least twice including a mid-day hotel break) with a 3 and 6 year old and our DD's are a bit too old for a stroller now. I really, really like the look of the HoJo Kid Suites, but am really torn between HoJo's and Fairfield Inn because of the distance.

 

[DangerMouse]

For those of you with younger kids (under 8), how are you finding the walk to and from the parks from HoJo's? I know, I know, I've seen the wonderful links with walk times and distances! I'm just wondering how we'll do with the walk there and back (at least twice including a mid-day hotel break) with a 3 and 6 year old and our DD's are a bit too old for a stroller now. I really, really like the look of the HoJo Kid Suites, but am really torn between HoJo's and Fairfield Inn because of the distance.

I would definitely take a stroller for the 3 year old, or you will end up carrying both of them back to the hotel. You will be happy to have it in the parks even if your dd doesn't ride in it. They are great for storing stuff you don't want to carry (water bottles, etc.), plus your dd's can take turns using it just to rest during the day. My kids didn't handle the late walks back to the hotel well until they were about 7 or 8 years old. Until then, it was a lot of whining and some piggy back rides.

 

[disneygirls3]

I can't wait to hear about your trip more and see pictures We will be there the first week of Dec. and staying in the kids suites. I am curious about the coupons that you are talking about from Mimi's? So any help on that would be awesome

 

[Kayla's Mom]

For those of you with younger kids (under 8), how are you finding the walk to and from the parks from HoJo's? I know, I know, I've seen the wonderful links with walk times and distances! I'm just wondering how we'll do with the walk there and back (at least twice including a mid-day hotel break) with a 3 and 6 year old and our DD's are a bit too old for a stroller now. I really, really like the look of the HoJo Kid Suites, but am really torn between HoJo's and Fairfield Inn because of the distance.

I agree with DangerMouse...definitely a stroller for the 3 year old (at least AT the park). My girls are 7 and 2 and can handle the walk to the parks. DD2 did need help a couple of nights coming back to the hotel. We stopped renting a stroller for DD7 when she was 5. She could handle walking around the parks at that age.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

We once stayed at a hotel farther than HOJO's with a 1 1/2 yr old, but we had a stroller. It was a long walk but it wasnt too bad...

I havent stayed at HOJO's yet, but i cant wait!!!
I will also be ordering an entertainment book as well.
Gotta love those deals!