HoJo or Candy Cane Inn ?

[lillady718]

We've never been to Disneyland, and am trying to plan a trip

Which is better Howard Johnson or Candy Cane Inn ?

The prices are very similar for our timeframe- however- I do notice that you get a nice continental breakfast at Candy Cane Inn, plus free shuttle to DL.

But, I read complaints about the small pool?

Does anyone know how the two pools compare at the hotels?

For those experienced- Which would you stay at?

Thanks for any advice

 

[LucyKate]

I stayed at the Howard Johnson, loved it, and wouldn't consider staying anywhere else if we return - great staff, nice grounds, wonderful heated pool and kids wet play area and great views (if you book a Disney view room).

BUT it has no breakfast, or any restaurant on site. It does have a great little shop with everything you need for breakfast, a snack or souvenirs, chemists supplies etc. It also has a great restaurant across the street - Mimi's.

HoJo does have a shuttle you have to pay extra for, but it is only 500 yards or 10 minutes walk and we enever bothered.

Other who have stayed at the Candy Cane Inn have been just as adamant that they loved it and would return, so I'd say it's a trade off between the pool and the breakfast, but you cant go wrong with either.

 

[Bete]

We stayed this past, late March and we liked it. Many of the rooms are renovated; so, this is an added bonus, now. They still have older, retro furniture but the room was newly carpeted with a new bathroom and newly painted. We drive to the Disneyland parking lot because we have APs that include free parking. This is probably one of the closest resorts to the parking lots. Walking isn't too bad, either. There are self-serve laundry facilities, here.

There's a free USA newspaper everyday, too in the gift shop there. It's not hard to go to nearby grocery stores and get enough for breakfast that way. You get a fridge in your room. Continental free breakfasts are not that great anyway and usually they are very crowded; unless, you are an early bird. Also, if you want to sleep late you can forget about the free breakfast; there are time restrictions associated with these breakfasts.

There are two pools at HOJO. They were not that crowded any of the days we were there. PaPa Johns pizza will deliver, here. The rooms are good size.

I've not stayed at Candy Cane; so, I can't compare the two. As the previous poster stated there are loyal fans to Candy Lane, too.

We are staying at HOJOs again in May. I think that speaks for itself.

 

[Buttercup26]

If you are going with kids I would suggest HoJo over Candy Cane. HoJo is just much more kid friendly, IMO. It has two pools, both are great. HoJo also has a fun little game room that our kids always enjoy. It's nice in the morning while the adults are getting ready to go. We send one adult with all the kids down to the game room for 30 minutes or so while the rest of us finish coffee, get dressed, etc...

HoJo's doesn't have breakfast, but their gift shop has a very nice selection of fruit, yogurt, muffins, cereal, cereal bars, etc.... Also, Mimi's is right across the street and is a great place to eat or get a muffin on your way to the park.

Candy Cane is nice too, but our kids really love HoJo.

 

[M's_girl]

Don't know if it matters or not, but HoJo also has free Internet access. We love the hotel and it is the only place we stay when staying off property. It was HoJo's number one hotel last year.

 

[lillady718]

Thanks to all who replied. I think I'm definitely leaning toward HoJo's.

 

[Hojoanaheim]

Candy Cane is nice, but I vote for Hojo.

 

[karylrocks]

I'm thinking you might be prejudiced......but it is nice to know that you are watching out for what people are saying and apparantly doing something right to get all the great reviews.

 

[LucyKate]

Actually, one of the things that tipped me towards the HoJo in the first place was the fact the manager takes part in forums like this and responds.

The hotel scores great reviews on tripadvisor.com, but on the very few occasions when there has been a complaint the manager always responds with either an apology or an explanation.

The fact the manager is now here (and being open about it instead of hiding their identity) says it all for me. They care about the place and they care about the views of people like you and me who say there.