Fairfield Inn and parking (updated) vs Desert Plams and Portofino

[halfmonkey]

We just booked our hotel at the Fairfield Inn for our next trip in November. It'll be our first time staying at this hotel. We mainly picked it because it seemed to be the nicest looking and closest hotel to DLR/DCA without being so expensive. We don't want to stay at a motel so many of the across the street choices are off the list.

If anybody has stayed here, we would appreciate your feedback. We've stayed at the Homewood and that was nice. We just got back from the Double Tree suites and that was nice too. We've also stayed at the Sheraton not on Harbor but north of DLR/DCA and that was nice too but the hotel seemed a little old.

In any case, we're planning on driving up early on the first day that we plan on entering the park and actually driving directly to the Fairfield Inn and parking in the lot. We asked if this was ok and they said it was because apparently, the parking lot is actually managed by some 3rd party and not by the hotel. If anybody has had any experience with the parking, I'd like to hear your feedback. Does it get full really easily since I'm guessing many people park their cars and don't move it since the park is right across the street? Are the parking spaces really tight? Do they have a lot of parking spaces?

 

[AndreAggie]

Just FYI, the Fairfield is set up like a motel in the sense that you enter your room directly from the outside. This was a dealbreaker for me and my husband understood.

 

[lk2500]

We just booked our hotel at the Fairfield Inn for our next trip in November. It'll be our first time staying at this hotel. We mainly picked it because it seemed to be the nicest looking and closest hotel to DLR/DCA without being so expensive. We don't want to stay at a motel so many of the across the street choices are off the list.

If anybody has stayed here, we would appreciate your feedback. We've stayed at the Homewood and that was nice. We just got back from the Double Tree suites and that was nice too. We've also stayed at the Sheraton not on Harbor but north of DLR/DCA and that was nice too but the hotel seemed a little old.

In any case, we're planning on driving up early on the first day that we plan on entering the park and actually driving directly to the Fairfield Inn and parking in the lot. We asked if this was ok and they said it was because apparently, the parking lot is actually managed by some 3rd party and not by the hotel. If anybody has had any experience with the parking, I'd like to hear your feedback. Does it get full really easily since I'm guessing many people park their cars and don't move it since the park is right across the street? Are the parking spaces really tight? Do they have a lot of parking spaces?

We've stayed there 4 times and have had no issues parking our full sized rental car there each time. I haven't noticed the spots being too small.

Our most recent trip was the end of June, 2014, which is a very busy/crowded time and we had no problems finding a parking spot each time without using the valet parking. I think once or twice we had to park around back, but it wasn't that big of a deal. Worst case you let them valet park your car and let them worry about it, not sure how much you tip since I've never used it.

When you arrive just pull up to the attendant (should be sitting under an umbrella right inside the parking lot entrance) and tell him you are checking in that day. Then park, walk inside to the front desk, and tell them you're checking in that day and need a parking pass. You can also leave your cell phone number so they can call or text you when your room is ready. Then hang your parking pass in the car and off you go to Disneyland!

Like Andreaggie said it is outdoor hallways and can be noisy in high traffic areas. We requested quiet rooms away from elevators and vending machines and were quite happy with our stay. I can look up my room numbers if you'd like.

Have fun!

 

[Girimama33]

We have stayed there many times.
The parking can get busy at times, but have always managed to find a spot. The parking spaces are fine if you have a sedan, but may be a tad tight with a larger truck or SUV.

 

[halfmonkey]

We've stayed there 4 times and have had no issues parking our full sized rental car there each time. I haven't noticed the spots being too small.

Our most recent trip was the end of June, 2014, which is a very busy/crowded time and we had no problems finding a parking spot each time without using the valet parking. I think once or twice we had to park around back, but it wasn't that big of a deal. Worst case you let them valet park your car and let them worry about it, not sure how much you tip since I've never used it.

When you arrive just pull up to the attendant (should be sitting under an umbrella right inside the parking lot entrance) and tell him you are checking in that day. Then park, walk inside to the front desk, and tell them you're checking in that day and need a parking pass. You can also leave your cell phone number so they can call or text you when your room is ready. Then hang your parking pass in the car and off you go to Disneyland!

Like Andreaggie said it is outdoor hallways and can be noisy in high traffic areas. We requested quiet rooms away from elevators and vending machines and were quite happy with our stay. I can look up my room numbers if you'd like.

Have fun!

Oh. Didn't realize the "hotel" was set up like a motel with the doors and hallways on the outside of the buildings. Thanks for clarifying that.

Can anybody tell me about the Desert Palms or Portofino down the street? We've considered those hotels as well since they're down the street and within walking distance.

 

[Zbugz]

Fairfield parking was adequate. They did tell me that I needed to be gone by about 3 p.m. on check out day or I'd have to pay additional parking. IDK if this is the official policy or not.

If Homewood Suites, Doubletree and Sheraton are your usual spots, I don't think you are going to find anything comparable in the DL block of Harbor. I don't have any personal experience with Desert Palms, so that may be the exception.

BTW, Building 2 at the HoJo has interior hallways. I prefer the beds there to the Fairfield and find the décor about the same quality. Parking is free, and the walk is maybe 2 minutes longer.

 

[valiamo]

We have stayed there before, and will be heading back there this upcoming weekend. Parking is $13 a day, either park yourself or valet. The hotel is nice, clean and well kept up.

I love the fact that it is basically across the street from DLR, and in very easy walking distance.

While some of the rooms are accessed from the outside, it is not a "motel" in any sense of the meaning. This is a large building (about 10-12 stories), and you cannot park outside of your room and walk up a couple of stairs to your room.


Hint.. if you become a Marriott rewards member (free to join) you can watch the price's and if they are offered for less on the net, you may qualify for a 25% price reduction. We got a great reduction when another website offered the room at $12 cheaper than we had booked, they not only beat the price, but also took off 25% extra.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

i'm typing this from my room at the Fairfield Inn. Love the proximity to the parks. 5-6 minute walk. I just valeted the car so I didn't have to worry about where to park (same price, but yes do remember the tipping factor if you will get the car in and out a bunch).

Nice rooms, reasonably large, not fancy but adequate and my room at least is very clean. AC is a little loud/buzzy but it doesn't bother me.

Staff have been exceptionally friendly and courteous.

I asked for a view of the parks for $30 more a night. Got a Mickey Mouse theme room. Because of the layout the view rooms are not particularly useful unless you plan to watch the fireworks from here (which would probably be a pretty great show). Couple of Mickey pictures on the wall. Cute but not at all worth extra $$ in my opinion.

Love the free wifi.

so far I'd definitely stay here again.

 

[KittyKat1978]

ClosetDisneyJunkie, are there safes in the room at FFI? My mom and I are staying there in 9 days.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

there is no safe in my room. Next time I swing through the lobby I'll ask if they have them at all.

 

[julesann]

there is no safe in my room. Next time I swing through the lobby I'll ask if they have them at all.

Thank you for checking into this; I'll be there in December and would like to know. Also, I am interested in knowing if there are mini-fridges there? Thank you!!

 

[julesann]

Like Andreaggie said it is outdoor hallways and can be noisy in high traffic areas. We requested quiet rooms away from elevators and vending machines and were quite happy with our stay. I can look up my room numbers if you'd like.

Have fun!

I just went to my reservation to add your wise advice of quiet rooms and I couldn't find a place to add this. Where to I add this request! or do I need to call? Thank you!

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

Thank you for checking into this; I'll be there in December and would like to know. Also, I am interested in knowing if there are mini-fridges there? Thank you!!

So apparently my room DOES have a safe! It was hidden away in a cabinet under the sink and I hadn't found it. But it's there. There is also a mini fridge in the adjacent cabinet. Per the front desk the "vast majority" of the rooms have both, but it might be worthwhile just to ask when you reserve the room (or if you reserve online follow with a call).

 

[KittyKat1978]

Thank you so much for checking on the safe situation.

I have to call in to let them know we are having a ECV delivered. I will ask for a quiet room as well.

 

[valiamo]

there is no safe in my room. Next time I swing through the lobby I'll ask if they have them at all.

the safe is under your sink at the back of the room. It should be open and awaiting your valuables.

 

[lk2500]

I just went to my reservation to add your wise advice of quiet rooms and I couldn't find a place to add this. Where to I add this request! or do I need to call? Thank you!

Usually when you make a reservation online there is a place to add special requests. Not sure if you can add it online afterwards.

However, yes, you can call and request that. I always call a week prior to verify reservations and my room request.

If you want quiet I would recommend upper level away from parking lot, pool, elevators, and entryway. I was in rooms 540 and 541 last June, which met all that criteria. Those do face the construction site, but I never had much problem with noise from there since they don't start until after you're up anyway. I suppose it might be noisy for an afternoon nap depending on what's going on over there. Out breaks were usually more towards the evening when they were done for the day. It was also a short walk to the stairs and only one floor above the little cafeteria place on the 4th floor (I usually get myself some cereal/milk/yogurt each morning).