Desert Inn and Suites questions

[ClaraOswald]

Some questions for people who have stayed here before...

If I need to do laundry, I assume I will need quarters. Will the front desk have some?

In your experience, do you think there's a "quieter" part of the hotel? If so, where? I am a light sleeper so may request an area and see what happens.

Are there rooms or an area near the pool we'll want to make sure they don't put us in because of noise?

If you've stayed in a 'parlor suite', is the AC unit only in the back portion of the room? Does that make the front portion get pretty warm at night?

Will we be allowed to bring any floatie type things into the pool for our toddler?

 

[nicolispicoli]

We stayed in November, is hopefully this helps some.

My husband did laundry while we were there and he said he did get quarters from the front desk.

As far as the pool, we stayed directly above where the pool and breakfast area are, room 202 or 203, and never heard any noise. We were even directly in front of the stairwell and elevator and didn't hear a thing. The only noise we ever heard was people passing by the room, but that would likely happen in any room.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Thanks.

Did you use the pool at all? Was it very clean? What about the water temp? I know it's indoor but I still wondered about that.

 

[Geemo]

We've stayed there in a variety of rooms. Always right at the front stairwell, on floors 2, 3 and 5.

Never a problem with noise. The rooms haven't been hot due to the afternoon sun. The AC unit kept the temp comfortable.

The location is a family favorite. An easy walk to and from the parks.
I like the large in-room safe. So handy to use.

Geemo

 

[Cal-Pie]

Thanks.

Did you use the pool at all? Was it very clean? What about the water temp? I know it's indoor but I still wondered about that.

The pool is clean and heated, but a bit chilly (important to note that I like a really warm pool). I don't think they'd mind if you brought pools toys as long as they're not too large. Even though the pool is indoor, the glass wall is open about a foot at the bottom & one of the doors to the pool is an open air gate. So, pool temperature probably varies a bit with outside air temperature.

I think all the parlor suites are on the top two floors, so maybe request top floor if noise is a concern. Like others have mentioned, the only noise I've heard has come from outside the room.

 

[lk2500]

Some questions for people who have stayed here before...

If I need to do laundry, I assume I will need quarters. Will the front desk have some?

In your experience, do you think there's a "quieter" part of the hotel? If so, where? I am a light sleeper so may request an area and see what happens.

Are there rooms or an area near the pool we'll want to make sure they don't put us in because of noise?

If you've stayed in a 'parlor suite', is the AC unit only in the back portion of the room? Does that make the front portion get pretty warm at night?

Will we be allowed to bring any floatie type things into the pool for our toddler?

Ha, I was going to post a similar thread, so I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on this one!

We've stayed at the FFI 4 times but I was considering trying the Desert Inn in one of their 4 queen bed suites.

I am also a light sleeper so any recommendations as far as requesting a quieter suite away from foot traffic, etc.. is appreciated.

I do recall people posting about thin walls and certain rooms having water pressure issues. Anybody have experience with that?

TIA,

 

[Cal-Pie]

Ha, I was going to post a similar thread, so I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on this one!

We've stayed at the FFI 4 times but I was considering trying the Desert Inn in one of their 4 queen bed suites.

I am also a light sleeper so any recommendations as far as requesting a quieter suite away from foot traffic, etc.. is appreciated.

I do recall people posting about thin walls and certain rooms having water pressure issues. Anybody have experience with that?

TIA,

I think this is the thread you might be thinking of, it has some good info on room locations. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3208399

 

[DahliaRW]

We had a 2 room suite and there was a/c in both rooms. At night I turned the "fan" on on the heat/air conditioning unit for white noise which really helped with any ambient noise from elsewhere. The only noise I heard over that was the DL fireworks! We were on the 2nd floor, so not all are on the top floor.

 

[Geemo]

Ha, I was going to post a similar thread, so I hope you don't mind if I piggyback on this one!

We've stayed at the FFI 4 times but I was considering trying the Desert Inn in one of their 4 queen bed suites.

I am also a light sleeper so any recommendations as far as requesting a quieter suite away from foot traffic, etc.. is appreciated.

I do recall people posting about thin walls and certain rooms having water pressure issues. Anybody have experience with that?

TIA,

Like I mentioned we have stayed many times at DI&S.
When we have had the C-1 and C-2 rooms they were up on the higher floors, right by the front stairwell. We didn't have an issue with foot traffic.

Being on the upper levels and on the end, most people took the elevator.

Didn't notice thin walls or a problem with water pressure.

Geemo

 

[lalasmama]

Thanks.

Did you use the pool at all? Was it very clean? What about the water temp? I know it's indoor but I still wondered about that.

When we stayed there last year, the pool area was clean and relatively empty. In fact, BFF and I were the only people I saw in there during our 3-day visit! The temp in the hot tub was fine. BFF said the pool temp was a little chilly, but that may have been because she had just gotten out of the hot tub. We weren't "chilled" while we were in there--the room was plenty warm. The only issues we had with the pool area was the HUGE windows (seriously, everyone walking by to get to their hotel room can look right in and see us in our suits), and that I managed to come home with a rash that started when we were in the hot tub--as in, I was sitting there thinking, "hhmm, my legs sure are sensitive today" and was covered in a red rash when I got out. The rash took weeks (3?) to go away.

I can't imagine there would be anyone in there to say "no" to the pool toys, judging by how deserted it was when we were there.

Other than that, we were in room 218, which wasn't overly loud or quiet. We heard people as they walked by, and heard our neighbors at one point (clearly roughhousing with a child). It's not one of the parlor suites, though. Not sure where those are located.

 

[4Mickeys]

I did our laundry at night and had no problems getting quarters from the front desk, even quite late.

Air-con worked fine for the whole room, and we were there in hot hot hot September.

We did have quite a noisy group next to us for our last couple of days, that we could hear through the walls early in the mornings. But with the people before them we heard nothing at all.

Shower water pressure was really good and temperature was good no matter what time of day we showered.

Pool was not cool when we were there, in fact I would have liked it a bit cooler to refresh from the heat.

The only issues we had with the pool area was the HUGE windows (seriously, everyone walking by to get to their hotel room can look right in and see us in our suits),

Wouldn't this normally happen in an outdoor pool also? Whenever you swim people see you in your suits

There is also a good size fridge and microwave in your room.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

The parlor has a little fan on the wall that it shares with the main room. If you're in the parlor with the door closed, the fan will suck in the air from the main room. So if you have the A/C on in the main room, you can have some of it blow into the parlor from fan on the wall.

 

[lalasmama]

Wouldn't this normally happen in an outdoor pool also? Whenever you swim people see you in your suits

Yes, yes they would... but most outdoor pools have walls providing a pretend semblance of privacy. (Thinking PVI, for example, has brick and ivy coverage around the pool. Everyone on the second floor could likely see us swimming, but not every single guest at the hotel as they walked to/from Disneyland, unless they were really trying to look.) At DI&S's pool, you might as well be in the display window at the local Macy's in the mall in your bathing suit. Essentially, every guest at DI&S will walk by the pool 2 times a day, at least, and they all seem to look in there.

 

[ClaraOswald]

The parlor has a little fan on the wall that it shares with the main room. If you're in the parlor with the door closed, the fan will suck in the air from the main room. So if you have the A/C on in the main room, you can have some of it blow into the parlor from fan on the wall.

Thanks. I had wondered about that. I'm glad they have something.

 

[Bossy22]

We stayed way in the back of the hotel and never heard any noise, here are a few of my observations:
-pool is warm!!! Someone above posted it was cold, we found it very warm for a pool!
-noise, no problem for us. Rarely heard noise as we requested the back room of the hotel so no one ever walked by our door!!! We could hear the fireworks every night but nothing else.
-also got change at the desk for laundry
-enjoyed the breakfast. Get there early if you want a seat! Wasn't extravagant by any stretch but just about perfect for us. Lots of apples and oranges, pastries and my constant friend, hard boiled eggs on toast!
-I was nervous staying here but loved the stay. Nothing is extravagant. The pool is small, breakfast is fairly basic but the rooms were nice. Fridge and microwave were a huge plus! and the location can not be beat! My wife and I are walkers so always stayed a couple of blocks away without giving it a second thought, closeness wasn't a huge deal. I would still stay a few blocks away if the price was way better but we got a good deal here and loved the closeness. Just nip back to the hotel for something forgotten. Nip into downtown Disney on a day off! So close, so worth it!!!

 

[4Mickeys]

Yes, yes they would... but most outdoor pools have walls providing a pretend semblance of privacy. (Thinking PVI, for example, has brick and ivy coverage around the pool. Everyone on the second floor could likely see us swimming, but not every single guest at the hotel as they walked to/from Disneyland, unless they were really trying to look.) At DI&S's pool, you might as well be in the display window at the local Macy's in the mall in your bathing suit. Essentially, every guest at DI&S will walk by the pool 2 times a day, at least, and they all seem to look in there.

Well we looked in as we passed as well to see how crowded it was to decide if we wanted to go in. But we weren't checking the people out per se. And it isn't the only motel in the area with pools that can easily be seen into the Tropicana has its pool in the middle of the car park for everyone to see you as they drive, walk by and from all of the balconies that face it. Also from our rear room window at DI&S we could clearly see swimmers at the next motel over. I would think this is a small concern when considering the DI&S. Swimming in a public place e.g. motel, community pool, the beach by essence means you lose privacy.

 

[DaveNinja]

We had people in the room next to us that were noisy. Little kids running around and yelling pretty late at night (we were at the parks until closing every night, so it wasnt like kids being loud at 8pm).
I'd stay there again and just hope to have no neighbors, haha, or at least quieter ones

 

[ClaraOswald]

I do worry our son crying could bother our neighbors but there's not much I can do about it really. He's 1...he cries. But kids being loud at all hours? That's really annoying to me. Some parents are just clueless.

 

[4Mickeys]

I do worry our son crying could bother our neighbors but there's not much I can do about it really. He's 1...he cries.

It's a family destination therefore most of us with kids would expect and understand some kid noises. e.g. your son if he has a cry you're right it happens. But yes some parents are clueless, and the noisy person next to me wasn't their kids but the male adult! lol

 

[DahliaRW]

I do worry our son crying could bother our neighbors but there's not much I can do about it really. He's 1...he cries. But kids being loud at all hours? That's really annoying to me. Some parents are just clueless.

We've traveled and stayed in hotels with kids since my oldest was 4 months old. Often times, if I see our immediate neighbors, I will introduce myself, mention I have children and that we'll do our best to keep the noise level reasonable. Then I invite them to come knock on our door and let us know if our kids are being too loud. Usually people are really friendly and we've never had anyone come knocking. But I feel like it's a friendly guesture. It also gives the people next door a chance to go request a different room if they are worried about the noise.

As for me, a child crying while a parent is trying to soothe them has never bothered me in a hotel. It's to be expected. But if it's obviously a child being left alone to scream themselves to sleep, I have issues with that!