Closest/Nicest Off Site Hotel

[garettdoyle]

I am evaluating my hotel options for Disneyland. The prices at the DL hotel's seem extremely high compared to the nearby local. I am looking for a resort like feel with nice pools. We will be a party of four (myself, wife and 7,9 year old daughters). What is the closest and nicest hotel(s) to DL?

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

The Fairfield Inn right across the street from the main gate is a great place to stay. Nice rooms, nice pool and just about as close as you can get without staying on property.

 

[teatime]

I second the fairfield!! very nice rooms, clean and close.

 

[DangerMouse]

Actually, there are a lot of places closer than the Fairfield. Here's a map to familiarlize yourself with the area:

www.accommodationsneardisney.com

My favorite off-site hotel is Howard Johnson. It is the only off-site hotel with a themed pool area (Pirate theme with splash grounds and slide). They have excellent rates depending on what time of year you go. The best rate is the entertainment rate. If you scroll down this page you will see multiple threads and posts about the HoJo Anaheim. It's a DisBoard favorite.

 

[teatime]

Actually, there are a lot of places closer than the Fairfield. Here's a map to familiarlize yourself with the area:

www.accommodationsneardisney.com

My favorite off-site hotel is Howard Johnson. It is the only off-site hotel with a themed pool area (Pirate theme with splash grounds and slide). They have excellent rates depending on what time of year you go. The best rate is the entertainment rate. If you scroll down this page you will see multiple threads and posts about the HoJo Anaheim. It's a DisBoard favorite.

problem, hojo is not closer to the park. its nice, but I think the fairfield has nicer rooms... ( just my opinion )
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32626025&postcount=286

 

[DangerMouse]

problem, hojo is not closer to the park. its nice, but I think the fairfield has nicer rooms... ( just my opinion )
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32626025&postcount=286

Didn't say it was closer, that's why I showed the map. And seriously, the hotels are right across the street from each other, it's about about a minute's difference in walking time.

But I agree, Fairfield has lovely rooms too. The only things I really don't like is the exterior corridors and lack of super awesome entertainment rate.

 

[teatime]

Didn't say it was closer, that's why I showed the map. ;-) And seriously, they hotels are right across the street from each other, it's about about a minute's difference in walking time.

But I agree, Fairfield has lovely rooms too. The only things I really don't like is the exterior corridors and lack of super awesome entertainment rate.

I know!! I can not believe the wonderful entertainment rate the HoJo has!! I am never lucky enough to get those dates. Heck when I got my package in the mail they announced more dates which were mine. I wanted to cry!
So yeah, Hojo and that rate..... awesome

 

[stitchsclan]

we stayed in the tropicanan right across the street from the main gate, and loved it. The rooms were okay clean and well cared for but not spectacular, but we didn't spend much time there at all, the pool was open late so the kids could swim after disney and dinner, and we found that we were pretty close to most of the off site resturants, or within an easy two three block walk. We are planning on staying there again for our next trip too.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you're looking for nicer hotels, then I would recommend the Sheraton Ahaheim. They have large rooms (though bathrooms are kind of on the smaller size), beautiful grounds, good-size pool, and fantastic customer service. They also have a dedicated shuttle. The Sheraton is considered deluxe.

If you are fine with a hotel that's not a deluxe, I think the Hojo is really nice. They have a water play area that is great for kids and a quiet pool to swim in, plus the jacuzzi.

 

[kailuagirl]

We stayed at the BWPPI in June and had no complaints (and I'm a freak about yucky places, even slightly yucky places). And the location was great!!! Right at the crosswalk to the parks.

 

[avalon451]

Love HoJo. It has inside corridors, "Heavenly Sleep" beds, large, spotless rooms, great customer service. It has the big garden pool at the back of the property, and then also the "Castaway Cove" water park area next to the hot tub. Free parking, free internet. Mini-mart in the hotel with tons of food items. Microwave and fridge in the deluxe and premium rooms. It's a 7 minute walk to the gate, especially if you cross Harbor there at Manchester and go down the (uncrowded) west side.

If you can get the Entertainment book rate it's unbeatable: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 If you book early and call the hotel directly (ask for IN HOUSE reservations; they don't know about the Ent rate at the national line), you can get the internet rate of 15% off; then if they add your dates later for the Entertainment rate, you can switch to that lower rate, right up to the last minute. (unless you've booked a package deal-- book airfare, park tickets and hotel separately and save a bundle!)

It's not right at the crosswalk-- but once you get out of the park and across the crosswalk, it's literally 5 minute's farther walk.

Hope that helps!

 

[ScooterL]

I've stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn (the closest you can get) and the Tropicana. I thought the rooms at the BWPPI were a little nicer, but the Tropicana had a nicer (and larger) pool area. I have friends who stayed at the HoJo last summer and I went up to spend the day with them and saw their room and the resort - the room was on a par with the Tropicana or the BWPPI (though no microwave/fridge like the BWPPI had). The kid's water play area looked fun but there's no pool there. I thought the pool area was pretty small and it was also fairly crowded. But I think any of those three properties would be just fine.

 

[Buttercup26]

Here's another vote for the HoJo. It is definitely our favorite non-Disney hotel. I love the fact that that it has indoor corridors to rooms. The grounds are very nice and well kept. Gorgeous plants, flowers, etc. The pools are nice - new pirate theming at main pool is super cool for kids. The walk isn't much farther than the others - they are all minutes from DLR entrance. The rooms are in nice condition and the beds are great. The customer service is top notch too - really superior for a mid-range hotel.

 

[Brancaneve]

Love HoJo. It has inside corridors, "Heavenly Sleep" beds, large, spotless rooms, great customer service. It has the big garden pool at the back of the property, and then also the "Castaway Cove" water park area next to the hot tub. Free parking, free internet. Mini-mart in the hotel with tons of food items. Microwave and fridge in the deluxe and premium rooms. It's a 7 minute walk to the gate, especially if you cross Harbor there at Manchester and go down the (uncrowded) west side.

If you can get the Entertainment book rate it's unbeatable: http://www.hojoanaheim.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14 If you book early and call the hotel directly (ask for IN HOUSE reservations; they don't know about the Ent rate at the national line), you can get the internet rate of 15% off; then if they add your dates later for the Entertainment rate, you can switch to that lower rate, right up to the last minute. (unless you've booked a package deal-- book airfare, park tickets and hotel separately and save a bundle!)

It's not right at the crosswalk-- but once you get out of the park and across the crosswalk, it's literally 5 minute's farther walk.

Hope that helps!

Gail is right! I heard everyone rave about HOJo's and finally went a few weeks ago. I loved the location, the grounds are "resort" like and the pirate pool area was a hit with both kids and adults. I actually thought the adults had more fun! The rooms are not brand new, and the furniture is a little worn. But I can say that they were spotless and the whole place had a good feel. For example, you can stay at a hotel with granite countertops, and new furniture, but it may not be necessarily be clean or inviting. HOJO's was wonderful!

 

[jerelynj]

Love this thread! Dh, 7 year old twin boys and I will be there Dec 12-14 for my birthday.

Thanks to all of you, I just booked us into one of the kid suites at HoJo. Our boys will love the pirate theme and bunk beds! DH and I will love the $105 AAA rate! Gotta love Disboards.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Hojo if you can get the ent rate or FFI. We have always said we would only stay at places with interior corridors. However, FFI locks all the exterior doors at night and you can only access it with a key. You have to go through the main lobby to get to the elevator bank that takes you to the rooms. (unless you are placed in a ground floor facing room which we've never had.) We felt completely safe at both places. I thought that FFI rooms and furnishings were in better condition than Hojos. They are both great and you can't go wrong with either place. We liked the closer proximity to DLR and many restaurants especially at night when we were tired. Hojos is about 500ft further than FFI, but it adds an extra 3+ minutes to your walk depending on how fast/slow you walk and how much pain you're in after being on your feet all day. Also, Pizza Hut onsite and room service available from Millies! Can't beat that! I don't think any other hotel in that area on Harbor has Room Service.

 

[ter-moo]

There really aren't any close non-Disney "resort-type" places other than the two Sheratons--neither of which is a very close walk. That's one of the problems around the resort.

HOWEVER, if you don't mind more of a motel-feel, there are some pretty good choices. My favorite is the Candy Cane Inn, which is an easy walk just down the street from the parks, and also has a private free shuttle that runs every half-hour. It's a lovely little place--two stories, outdoor entrances, but clean and safe, with lush landscaping. I really like the interiors, too.

They have a great breakfast for free in the mornings, too.

www.candycaneinn.net

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thanks for the pics of Candy Cane Inn. My sister just went there and liked it, but I haven't seen what it looked like inside. I'm thinking we are going to try there next time. I actually prefer "hotels", but there aren't any within walking distance, so I think we'll try this one.

For a very good hotel about a mile away, the Embassy Suites South is outstanding! Two room suites, free full breakfast, fridge, and microwave. I'm sure we will go back but I wanted to try a walking distance place for a change.

 

[garettdoyle]

We are going to give the HoJo a try. Our trip is not until November. I will provide a review when I return. We booked a kids suite. The HoJo pool looks great. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough so we can swim a few of the days during our late November stay. Thanks everyone for your recommendations!

I can't justify sending $300+ for a DL hotel vs. $100+ for the HoJo. The distance is between the hotel and the parks is not enough. I hope I will not be disappointed as we normally stay on site at WDW. We are staying for 8 nights, so $1600 difference is significant.

I am surprised Disney doesn't go on a buying spree of local hotels and "transform" DL into more of an all inclusive resort. Second, I am surprised that none of the major hotel chains have built a large resort in the area. Everything is close enough together that they could actually run a monorail between multiple resorts or build some Vegas style walkways. The large chain hotels in the area appear to be convention oriented or rather old. I would be willing to spend $200 plus per night for a nice themed full service resort hotel.

Regardless, we are looking forward to our trip. We have been to WDW numerous times. This is our families first trip to DL together. We decided it would be fun to try to DL and my daughters want to visit Legoland. Airline tickets from Denver to Orlando were 2.5 times more than Denver to Orange County. The only thing I am not looking forward to is Southern CA traffic. I enjoy parking my car for a week then we go to WDW.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We are going to give the HoJo a try. Our trip is not until November. I will provide a review when I return. We booked a kids suite. The HoJo pool looks great. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough so we can swim a few of the days during our late November stay. Thanks everyone for your recommendations!

I can't justify sending $300+ for a DL hotel vs. $100+ for the HoJo. The distance is between the hotel and the parks is not enough. I hope I will not be disappointed as we normally stay on site at WDW. We are staying for 8 nights, so $1600 difference is significant.

I am surprised Disney doesn't go on a buying spree of local hotels and "transform" DL into more of an all inclusive resort. Second, I am surprised that none of the major hotel chains have built a large resort in the area. Everything is close enough together that they could actually run a monorail between multiple resorts or build some Vegas style walkways. The large chain hotels in the area appear to be convention oriented or rather old. I would be willing to spend $200 plus per night for a nice themed full service resort hotel.

Regardless, we are looking forward to our trip. We have been to WDW numerous times. This is our families first trip to DL together. We decided it would be fun to try to DL and my daughters want to visit Legoland. Airline tickets from Denver to Orlando were 2.5 times more than Denver to Orange County. The only thing I am not looking forward to is Southern CA traffic. I enjoy parking my car for a week then we go to WDW.

I hope they don't go buying up all the places nearby, you would never get a place to stay for a decent price. We stayed at the Embassy Suites South this June for $150 a night. And that included breakfast. If you have ever stayed at one anywhere, you know how nice they are and all that they include. We got way more than you would get staying at the DLH and at half the price.

I recently heard a rumor about Disney wanting to do something along those lines with the monorail but the city of Anaheim wants it to be open to non park go-ers and I'm not Disney likes that idea. I can't remember where I heard that, so I have no idea if it is true or not. But you are right, that would be awesome!