Hilton Anaheim?

[coopersmom]

I have another Disneyland area-hotel question ... My husband is a high level Hilton rewards member and wants to look at staying at the Anaheim Hilton for our fall trip. We've actually stayed there are couple times previously, on business, and know it's pretty close, but is it still walkable? My understanding is that the parking lot you used to be able to cut through and, basically, be right in Downtown Disney is now gone. Is that correct? (We haven't been to the hotel since, I believe, 2004. Back then it was an easy walk through that lot.)

I also don't see the Hilton on the list of "good neighbor" hotels (unless I'm missing it). What do we lose out on, benefits-wise, by not staying on-site or at a Good Neighbor property?

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I stayed at the Hilton Anaheim in Sept/11, and here are my observations. First off we really liked the hotel. Their pools looked really good for families, and really liked the hotel in general. If you don't mind walking, it's a 15 to 20 mins walk to the parks. We usually cut through the side road next to the hotel to save a couple of mins walking time. There's a 7-11 on the corner of Katella and S. Harbor blvd that's a cheap place to get drinks and snacks. Overall it's a nice hotel, but I noticed the rooms are small, so it's worth the money if you've got young kids to splurge and get a studio suite. They are closer to the elevators, and are a large room.

 

[c4riley]

We stayed there back in 2005. It was just adults on the trip, so the walking was alright. It will take you 15-20 to walk to Disneyland.
The benefits are that the hotel is nicer. We picked up Subway on our way home one night, and one night we order in pizza to the hotel and ate it by the pool.
I would definitely go back if I didn't have kids with me.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

We just got back from a stay at the Doubletree Suites Hilton in Anaheim (not the one in Orange)--which is about a block away from the regular Anaheim Hilton that you are talking about. I picked the Doubletree Suites rather than the regular Hilton because the reviews on Trip Advisor are so much higher. My husband has to travel for work each week, so our trip was fully paid for (all 4 nights, plus free internet and breakfast buffet) with his Hiton Honor points.

I was really skeptical of staying there, because I typically like to either stay on Property or within walking distance. Some people do walk to and from this hotel (it is like a 20 minute walk, I am told)--but I am not one of them!

This hotel is SO nice. I was completely satisfied with all of it, and I tend to be a bit picky. It cost the same in points for a 2 queen suite as it did for a regular room, so that is what we got. We requested a top floor suite with a veiw of Disneyland, and that is what they gave us. The suite looked so new and clean, and the beds were outstandingly comfortable. The best part was the hotel was totally quiet--we heard NO screaming kids (a chronic problem at the Grand Californian at our previous stays) and no maid carts in the morning at all. Once you shut your door, it was just like a sanctuary. Our room was perfectly cleaned each day while we were in the parks. The front desk was so helpful and couldn't do enough for us. We got free waters and cookies each time we walked by the desk. The breakfast buffet was a full spread, and everything was great. There was a pancake making machine, along with waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, all kinds of fruits and cereals, as well as unlimited coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice.

We took ART each day (Anaheim Resort Transit) and the stop was right in front of the hotel. You could actually take either the 1 bus or the 3. We often took the bus right across the street at the Travel lodge (I think that was the 1) if we saw it coming. They both go right to Disneyland. The only wrinkle in the whole trip was taking these buses--it was great to take them after a full day of walking, but we hated waiting for them. It takes some getting use to, but after the 2nd day we were use to it.

Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor for the Doubletree Suites compared to the Hilton. We orignially had reservations for the regular Hilton and we changed after reading those, and I am glad we did. Here is the comparison for me:

Hilton Anaheim: Massive (like a small city!) hotel with a huge lobby and super modern look. Often long walks from elevator to room due to size. Can be very noisy at night, due to parties. Atrium facing rooms even noisier. A few places to eat right within the hotel--including a food court. No breakfast buffet, but they do have a Starbucks. The downside is that the line for the Starbucks is often VERY long, creating a huge backup in the morning. A large pool area. Smaller sized rooms and less suites. More of a grown-up, swanky feel.

Hilton Doubletree Suites: Smaller scale hotel (7 floors) with a medium sized Tuscan styled lobby. Very nice restaurant in the lobby with full free buffet breakfast for Hilton Honors members. Never any wait for breakfast, great service. Suite rooms are large and beautiful, and come with a fridge and microwave. We had 2 queen beds with super comfortable mattresses in one room, and the other room had a pull out sofa that was also very comfortable. Two flat screen TVs--one in each room. A desk, sofa chair and table made it easy to eat in there. Very quiet, comfortable hotel. Good views of Disneyland from the upper floors. Rooftop pool area is smaller than Hilton Anaheim, but more family friendly. I sat by the pool at night while my girls swam, and browsed online. It was so peaceful and heavenly after a full day in the parks. I actually found this hotel to be the best we have stayed in Anaheim as far as comfort and cleanliness.

Check out the reviews online. The Doubletree Suites is ranked #4 in Anaheim for hotels and is located on South Harbor Blvd.

Take care,
Lisa

 

[nana50]

I used to stay at the Anaheim Hilton ALL the time. We stay on site now, but loved it there. It is a beautiful hotel and the breakfast buffet is always good. The kids loved it there. They used to have a dedicated shuttle to DL from the hotel. Now you have to take the ART. It's o.k. but I like a dedicated FREE shuttle better.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I used to stay at the Anaheim Hilton ALL the time. We stay on site now, but loved it there. It is a beautiful hotel and the breakfast buffet is always good. The kids loved it there. They used to have a dedicated shuttle to DL from the hotel. Now you have to take the ART. It's o.k. but I like a dedicated FREE shuttle better.

Was this the Anaheim Hilton or The Doubletree Hilton? Because they don't have buffet at the Anaheim Hilton, unfortunately. I don't know if that has changed recently? That was one of the tipping points for me. Well, that and the noise issue. They have a real problem with thin walls and loud guests/parties at that hotel.

The Hilton is confusing around there, because there are so many of them in the area! Even the Embassy Suites is considered a Hilton property.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

the hilton is often one of the hotels that priceline uses so you can usually get really good rates if you go through them....