Desert Inn or HoJo's

[LeanneDownUnder]

Hi there,

Ok so I have two Bookings and Im not sure what one to keep or even if I should keep looking for other specials that may come up, open to suggestions and thoughts on this as it's our first visit to the house of the Mouse in California.

Its Just DD (16) and myself.
We arrive in Anaheim on the 5th of Oct and leave on the 9th (this is the end of three weeks in New York and LA, Disney is the last stop on our trip.

I currently have a room booked at HoJo
2 Double Beds Standard Room No smoking;2 Double Beds total for 4 nights is $632.50 (inc taxes) (so $158.12 a night) No breakfast.

at the DESERT INN AND SUITES
HOTEL ROOM WITH 1 KING BED NON - SMOKING (includes breakfast)
(excluding local taxes and hotel fees) $119
I wrote to the Hotel to ask about fees and taxes
Add $4.00 Resort fee, $8.00 parking (per day) and 17% Taxes.

Im not sure how the taxes are worked out, this is new experience for me so worse case scenario include everything
I work out a daily total of $153.00.

So now the big question is which one?? I like the idea of being close, close, close, but HoJo's "sounds" really nice ... but how much will I be in the room.... hopefully not at all, just to sleep and rest.

Anyway, Im interested to hear your thoughts, Anyone stayed in the Desert Inn before, Ive read reviews on Trip advisor and like most of the places close the reviews are mixed.
And if anyone can tell me how the taxes work I would be interested to know.

Thanks

 

[aussietravellers]

I think Alicia may have stayed at Desert Inn before?

I haven't stayed at either, but all of the hotels seem to be of a similar price in the area nowadays. I would check the HoJo rate though as they don't usually include taxes so you don't want to get there and it's actually about $100 or so more.

I like HoJo as it feels more like a hotel than the others, but it's really going to come down to your personal preference. Wether you would like the breakfast included or if you want to eat at different places at DL or DTD or on Harbor.

Have you signed up for HoJo's email list? If not, do so because they bring out specials from time to time and discounted rooms that you would be able to call and have applied to your booking. If you do get a HoJo discounted rate closer to the time, then I would go with that.

 

[alicia1506]

yup, i have been at the desert inn before, and we are staying there again this year too we love how close they are to the parks, and their room rates are pretty great compared to others in the vicinity.

the desert inn is literally across the street. after spending upwards of 13 hours in the parks, not having to walk a single step further than we had to was a true blessing.

we liked it. it's not the ritz, but it's perfectly acceptable. the breakfast is certainly no smorgasboard buffet, but again, perfectly acceptable and if you don't like it, there are plenty of places nearby (dennys is literally next door), and it's free, so it's not like you're losing out if you don't partake of it. the manager there was great to deal with, they don't run up any preauthorisations or anything like that on your card, they just charge the first night's stay when you check in (they say they do it 24 hours in advance, but i found the authorisation only hit my card on the first night) and then they finalise your bill at checkout. we made 2 local calls from our room and they didn't charge us for them. we also made it clear we didn't have a car, and they didn't charge us parking.

they do offer an itemised quote, the tax rate is 17% (15% tax + 2% improvement district tax), and that is charged to the total room rate + resort fee + parking fee (if applicable) rate.

they were safe, close by, well run, we were treated with the utmost hospitality and courtesy etc by all staff and had no issues with our room, cleanliness, safety or any of the other complaints/issues i read about on trip advisor.

they do have 2 x queen beds if you prefer that

i also recommend that you ask for a room in the courtyard area... we found that this was the quiet area (if that is something you're seeking).

they also have a small sundry shop on site that we used for postcards, drinks and snacks to take into the parks

if your room isn't ready when you arrive, they have lockers on site where you can safely and securely store your luggage. the lockers (they have larger and smaller ones) cost $1 in quarters (front desk will give you change for lockers if required) and the big ones hold a large suitcase & small daybag/backpack and the smaller ones will hold a carry on suitcase and small daybag/backpack etc. we had 3 x large suitcases, 3 x carry on suitcases and 2 small daybags, and we only required 4 lockers

if you have any questions, i'm happy to help

 

[maryr1oz]

I second everything Alicia has to say about the Desert Inn - we thought it was a great option for the price, and the location was hard to beat. We ate at lot's of the places nearby and there was always good options to be found.

The staff were all really great every time we ever dealt with any of them. We used the laundry rooms, and also watched the fireworks from the roof several times.

Haven't stayed at HoJo's, but definitely an advocate of Desert Inn

 

[Caroline NZ]

We have stayed at Hojos twice in the last few years, in 2011 & 2009. Had a great stay both times. 2009 we were premium room 6th floor building 1 with park view. 2011 we were deluxe ground floor room in building 2 looking out at the "quiet" pool. Both rooms were good. I think one of the major selling points for us though was the water playground. Now that the children are older we are trying somewhere else ( private vacation rental) this time. Also there were some great discounts to be had back then ( not so much anymore I understand). We had a car both times. No extra charge for parking, and no charge to store our bags on the day we checked out. The grounds are lovely.The extra walk was of no consequence to us, and it is a nice well lit walk.

 

[zanzibar138]

We've stayed at Hojos before and honestly, while we enjoyed our stay, I wouldn't rush to go back there. The extra walk was no problem for us - was still only 10 minutes (and compared to the half an hour we had to walk for the rest of the week, it was awesome!), but it just wasn't really a stand-out. We didn't use the pool area, but at 16 your DD might not get much use out of it either.

We didn't spend much time in our room, and I thought next time I really just want somewhere close that looks clean and safe. I'd certainly be happy to save a few $$ to stay somewhere less flash.

Just putting it out there too, I also get confused about taxes, resort fees etc. I much prefer going through Expedia or some other Australian hotel booking website. I find the convenience of paying in Australian dollars and getting the total price straight up well worth it - it's normally not a big saving going direct.

Either way, I'll be interested to hear what people have to say about the Desert Inn & Suites, as I'm thinking of staying a few nights there next time!

 

[aussie shaz]

I also had both Hojo and Desert Inn booked. The difference for us though, was that I chose Hojo because of the kids suite and great pool/water play area for the kids.
I think if it were just the 2 of us, I would go with Desert Inn, or more than likely Park Vue Inn. We stayed at Park Vue in 2011 and it was great.
Saying all of that, we haven't stayed at Hojo yet, and it may change my mind once I've been. We're there next week, so I'll let you know what I think.

 

[alicia1506]

re the pool issue... we didn't use it while we were there (it was rainy and chilly when we went in nov) but desert inn has an indoor pool (i am given to understand it was heated). it's not the largest though, and as it's indoors, the chlorine smell really can't dissipate as there's not much ventilation (compared to outdoor pools etc) so it took me straight back to grade 5 swimming class memories when i stuck my head in the pool room

i think the hojo pool/water play area is great for younger kids, or kids that HAVE to spend time in the pool on holiday and the hotel caters to that vibe, and is one of the oldest hotels near disneyland (designed by a disney architect etc)

i think the desert inn is good for those looking for proximity and no frills at a good price point, with safety and cleanliness in mind. i also found it really good for us larger group travellers (4 adults all wanting their own bed, multiple bathrooms, family suites etc) as they have muti-room suites that are priced really, really competitively compared to getting 2 x rooms at other hotels nearby.

i guess it's really a YMMV situation and i hope that wherever you choose to go, it is a great experience for you

 

[WAMUMOF4]

We haven't stayed at either but at the delsol inn which is next door to the desert inn and owned by the same people location is fabulous, I would recommend looking at hotels.com as they are often cheaper and if you sign up to their emails you will get a 10% off code, it might take a week or 2 and you can use it for these hotels and as said previously you are charged in Aus$

 

[LeanneDownUnder]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

aussie shaz I did try to get into the Park Veu for the time we are there but's booked out.

Thanks Alicia and Mary for the breakdown on charges and for all the info on the two different hotels, I will contact them and try for a courtyard room at the Dessert Inn

I will also have a look at the the Delsol inn. I don't think that one has even come in up in my searches?

Thank you everyone you have been most helpful, at this stage Im leaning toward the Dessert in because of the location, its great to get some knowledge from Aussie's who have stayed.

I will sign myself up for the Hotels.com and the Hojo newsletters because I don't plan on this being my last trip to Disney anyway!!

Thanks!