Fairfield Inn

[knik]

So I have read tons of questions about hotels, all of which were super helpful. Hojo was all booked and so sadly we could not stay there. We were able to get a great deal @ the Fairfield, also pretty much across the street from the main gates and so we booked that. My silly question is why does no one talk about this place, especially since it is within walking distance. Are we going to be ok there??

 

[mad9044]

I have stayed at that hotel a few times even back when it was called the Ramada Maingate it is a great hotel and we had no problems any time we have stayed. We are booked to stay again this September.

 

[DisneyOkie]

Have stayed a couple of times, once with the whole family and once with just my youngest and myself. It's a nice place and never felt nervouse or scared staying there.

 

[RegionsBeyond]

Fairfield is clean, decent, fairly close and the employees are friendly. No complaints having stayed there 5+ times on past trips. You'll do fine

 

[splash5]

We have stayed at this hotel several times in the last few years. We like the large rooms and comfortable beds. It is a great hotel! What kind of deal did you get?

 

[Amommy21]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2403157

you can read about my trip report from february if you click the link above.

I am a huge Marriott fan and was simply not impressed. We are a bit spoiled and prefer to stay on property. But if we want a cheaper option again I will try HOJO... seeing as that is booked I would probably take the Fairfield because I can't imagine how much worse the other optionss are.

 

[zeitzeuge]

Fairfield Inn is totally fine. It's a nice, clean and friendly staffed hotel. Trust me when I say I've stayed in some horrible places, and this place doesn't even come close to those. Great place for a decent price. The closeness to the parks was a great plus.

 

[GoofItUp]

We were there last Nov. It's nothing fancy, but it is clean, safe, has friendly staff, and worked well for us. Be sure and watch prices on other websites if you booked directly through the Fairfield site. I found a lower rate after I had booked through the FF site, sent them the link to the website with the lower rate, and they changed my rate to the lower rate, less 10%!

 

[Joybelles]

I just made our October reservations at the Fairfield Inn. I'm happy to hear some decent reviews of this hotel--we mainly just need a "home base" within walking distance and it sounds like this fits us just fine. We don't need anything fancy---my kids get excited when we are somewhere with an elevator!! Just being in a hotel is enough of a novelty. And with the great deal we are blessed to have (6 of the 7 nights are at the Friends & Family rate.... yes, HOJO's entertainment rate is less but not available nor do I have an Entertainment Book) we can afford/justify a 7 night trip instead of making it shorter!

I think this trip is really going to happen!!

 

[mom4scrapbooking]

Anyone have any pictures of what the rooms look like inside! I have been debating this hotel as well!

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with most everyone above that the Fairfield is clean, safe & within walking distance. It's a typical Fairfield with a couple of disney touches in the lobby.

A few other comments:

- Unlike other Fairfields, it does NOT provide free breakfast.
- Since a McDs is basically in the lot this isn't too big an issue.
- Speaking of "the lot"....it's hard to find parking late in the day.
- The pool is non-descript, but works for a 10 min. mid day swim.
- If one is a MARRIOT REWARDS member who is contemplating using points here, IT'S A BAD DEAL.

(It used to be (i think) a level 3...now it's a level 5, which eats up the same number of points as resort Marriots. Save your points for elsewhere & just pay for the room....imo.)


OP, fwiw....I've never heard of a bad review on the Fairfield. Most eveyone likes it. Most would prefer staying on-site or at Hojos or the CCI....but the Fairfield is a fine choice if one is mostly wanting clean & walking distance to the parks.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

As you can see from my prior trips, I've stayed at the FFI. My husband and I love staying here! It's always been a great place to relax after a long day at the park. I agree with all of Hound 109 criticisms, but they don't affect our liking the hotel.

We're staying at the Hojo next month, but that's only because we got the Entertainment rate. If not for that, we'd be at the FFI again!

 

[KCmike]

Alright we stayed there in 2008 on our first trip to DL. It was great. You can see into the park from their top floors which was kind of cool. I could see the top of HM and Splash. The walk is so much better from FFI than it is from HOJO. We didn't like the walk from HOJO at all. FFI has a Pizza Hut Express, sandwich shop somewhere in one of the middle floors. McDonalds and another wannabe applebee's restaurant are right in the parking lot. Having Mickey D's that close is nice for a quick breakfast that you can run back to the room or a quick snack on the way back.

The pool is small. The hot tub even smaller. It was definitely clean and the pillows were great. We had five in our party and the little chair/pullout into a bed was really small.

Again nothing but good reviews from me. Definitely a fine good neighbor hotel. I really don't know why everyone loves HOJO so much. It is really not that great and if you fact the highway in their main tower you can hear the traffic. Don't get me wrong its ok but just not great.

We have since stayed at DLH and GC on the property and are too addicted to go back. I personally don't like being on Harbor Blvd for many reasons.

 

[srauchbauer]

Another good thing about this it is on the 4th night free special through Disney travel or costco.com for the rest of the year. woohoo.

 

[mrsheppo]

I booked this hotel on a friend's recommendation as she really liked it and I was able to get a great deal through Costco for our trip

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I'm back! I just remembered I posted pics of the FFI rooms a while back. Hope this helps!

Little fridge!

 

[yupikgal]

Good choice with the FFI! We have stayed there twice the last two trips we were there, one in August 2009 and another time in May 2010. Both times were fine, it's a large hotel, so if you don't want to walk too far ask for a room by an elevator. I loved the free lime/lemon water in the lobby, and everyone was friendly. Also, if you get there too early for check-in, they will hold your bags in a locked storage room! There is a nice little area for kids to watch tv too, while you are checking in. We have two teens, and this room worked out very well for us. The only con I could see was the bathroom is VERY tight quarters, you practically hit your knees on the door when sitting on the toilet (sorry for the details). Anyway, we also love that it's within walking distance, and that there is a McD's right in front!

I'm not sure how to attach pictures, otherwise I could show you the outside area?

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Good choice with the FFI! We have stayed there twice the last two trips we were there, one in August 2009 and another time in May 2010. Both times were fine, it's a large hotel, so if you don't want to walk too far ask for a room by an elevator. I loved the free lime/lemon water in the lobby, and everyone was friendly. Also, if you get there too early for check-in, they will hold your bags in a locked storage room! There is a nice little area for kids to watch tv too, while you are checking in. We have two teens, and this room worked out very well for us. The only con I could see was the bathroom is VERY tight quarters, you practically hit your knees on the door when sitting on the toilet (sorry for the details). Anyway, we also love that it's within walking distance, and that there is a McD's right in front!

I'm not sure how to attach pictures, otherwise I could show you the outside area?

Hi! You can upload your pictures to Photobucket for free, then paste the image link here.

 

[Jenlan]

We were there last Dec. and really liked it. Outdoor corridors, but we had an incredible view of the fireworks from outside our door. We had received coupons for a free pizza from the Pizza Hut there, along with drinks and an in-room movie. We also like Millie's next to the McDonalds and Mimi's is also close by. Loved the iced water in the lobby. Agree about the small bathrooms - very tight quarters there!

 

[mrsheppo]

I read on Facebook that during the first quarter of 2011 that they will begin renovations on the hotel. Hopefully they will replace the towels as that seems to be a big complaint from people.