HoJo vs Residence Inn vs Hyatt House vs Homewood Suites

[mickeyd78]

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids 11&14) planning a trip from Australia to Disneyland in April 2025. First time to Disneyland for the kids, although they have been to WDW a few times.

We will book a Disney area hotel for 8 nights, ideally with enough room for the kids to each have their own bed. Breakfast would be a nice bonus, but not essential.
I've narrowed the list down to the following options and would appreciate feedback and recommendations

Howard Johnson
Queen bed + bunk $292 p/n
No breakfast - but seems relatively close to DL

Residence Inn Anaheim Convention Centre
2 Queens + Sofa Bed $671 p/n
Breakfast Included
This was probably our first preference. Online reviews seem to be good and the rooms look nice, but the price is a bit unreasonable at the moment. Hopefully better rates come out in time.

Hyatt House Anaheim Convention Centre
Specialty Family Suite w/ Bunk Beds | King Bed $1,081 p/n
Breakfast included.
We like the look of this vs Residence Inn as they have bunk beds - but holey moley what is with the pricing on their site right now?!? We could stay on-site for those prices! I'm assuming the rate will come down - so interested in opinions on this hotel (price aside) compared to the others

Homewood Suites Anaheim Convention Centre
1 King/bunk Beds 1 Bedroom Family Suite - no pricing yet as they have not opened reservations for April 2025.
Breakfast included.
A little further away - but we could use the Toy Story shuttle

Please help us decide!! Would love to hear your feedback and recommendations on these (or other) options.

 

[SFMommy]

I would snatch up that Hojo rate now if it is refundable!

 

[StarlitNight05]

I agree with SFMommy, with those options I would do Hojo. You can always stock up on some quick breakfast items for the room or swing by the Panera or McDonald's nearby.

I would also look into Desert Palms. Its a bit older, but they would have rooms with 4 sleeping surfaces, and breakfast is included.

I think Park Vue Inn (right at the pedestrian entrance to DL) also has rooms with 4 sleeping surfaces, but no breakfast. It's super close...but it is motel style if that is a consideration. I have never stayed here, but I hear consistently good things.

 

[Ta.Ham1989]

Hojo out of those options. I have family that stay year after year at Tropicana and The Anaheim Hotel. I don't know what their room set ups are like but they are right across from the park entrances.

 

[nalababybear]

Courtyard has nice family rooms too - no breakfast -- McD or Mimi's on the way though.

Fairfield also a possibility

With teens/tweens - you'll want to relatively close IMHO and not rely on shuttle to burn off that restless energy. The morning walks from RI/HH are nice and good family time bonding --- just enough 15min walk to check in with the kiddos.

 

[Pluto468]

I've stayed at Hojo and the Hyatt and between those the two I'd go with Hojo. The Hyatt has hot breakfast but I think the grounds of the Hojo are nicer. I'd ask for a room not overlooking the highway, though. Those rooms can be loud. Mimi's is a great spot for breakfast.

Have you looked at any of the hotels right across from the Disneyland entrance? Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn has a suite with 1 king bed and 2 queens and they serve a hot breakfast. It's only a 2 minute walk. When we stayed it was around $360.

 

[Howry]

Howard Johnson 100% with those prices. Might as well book a disney hotel over the other more expensive options.

 

[Pluto468]

Howard Johnson 100% with those prices. Might as well book a disney hotel over the other more expensive options.

That's such a good point. You could stay on property if you're paying $700 or more. Those Hojo rates are very good!

 

[Dumbo777]

Following..

 

[ChrissyLou]

I think you mean April 2025 since 2024 is past, but here's another vote for HoJo's which is one of our family favorites for multiple reasons. I've never stayed at the others you mentioned, but to me those chain hotels (I realize Howard Johnson is a chain also...but the Anaheim property is unique) are so impersonal. We were just at HoJo's in May and had another wonderful experience, from my request for early check in and a balcony (which aren't guarantees, but we were provided both) which just set the stage for everything else. I don't have one complaint!! There are closer hotels to the park entrance also, but they don't have a beautiful garden pool (I dislike the rectangular parking lot pools) and we never found it overcrowded. HoJo's is right across from Disney property so even though the entrance to park isn't, you still get the Disney vibe. Mimi's and other dining options are across the street or close and/or you could order groceries to be delivered (we always do this) and HoJo's keeps items refrigerated until you arrive. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Hojo is our favorite. We have stayed there many times. If it's cancellable, I would definitely book it now so you can keep it as an option.

 

[crystal1313]

Hojo!!

I would also look into the Park Vue Inn suites (right at crosswalk to Disneyland) and possibly the Home2Suites or Hilton garden inn (just a bit further or a walk than Hojo).

The reason I mention Home2Suites and Hilton garden inn is because the room size is a bit bigger than the room type you’re looking at for Hojo, and with 8 nights and 2 older kids, the extra space might be nice! Not sure if you’ll have a car, but the parking at both Home2Suites and Hilton garden inn is valet only. Only Home2Suites has a hot breakfast included. They share the same lobby and pool area. And they’re fairly new. We have stayed at both and enjoyed our stay.

That being said, we absolutely love Hojo as well! And you cannot beat the location of Park Vue. Have a fun trip!!

 

[mickeyd78]

I would snatch up that Hojo rate now if it is refundable

Yes - I did book a refundable room at that price. A little concerned about the proximity to the highway. The bunk room is in building one - and facing the highway

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Yes - I did book a refundable room at that price. A little concerned about the proximity to the highway. The bunk room is in building one - and facing the highway

Hmm...I know there are some of these room types in Building 2 because I stayed in one right after they last refurbished that building. Building 2 can be a little bit quieter depending on where in the building you end up being placed. I can't see a distinction on their website though other than for mobility accessible rooms which appear to be located in Building 1.

 

[Pluto468]

Yes - I did book a refundable room at that price. A little concerned about the proximity to the highway. The bunk room is in building one - and facing the highway

There are some other nice rooms in building 1 that would fit your family and might not face the highway. There's a kid suite with a king bed in 1 bedroom and another bedroom with a daybed and bunkbeds, plus 2 bathrooms. The other option is 2 guaranteed adjoining two-queen rooms. They're both around $500.

I know someone here on the boards had a coupon people can use for Hojo but I forget who. Maybe someone else remembers.

 

[StarlitNight05]

There are some other nice rooms in building 1 that would fit your family and might not face the highway. There's a kid suite with a king bed in 1 bedroom and another bedroom with a daybed and bunkbeds, plus 2 bathrooms. The other option is 2 guaranteed adjoining two-queen rooms. They're both around $500.

I know someone here on the boards had a coupon people can use for Hojo but I forget who. Maybe someone else remembers.

Here it is -- there used to be a link, but it didn't look like it was active anymore. However, I just tested out the corporate code and it's still valid!

For your 15% DisBoards Discount use the code 1000038115 under corporate code online.

 

[Porsche4]

Yes - I did book a refundable room at that price. A little concerned about the proximity to the highway. The bunk room is in building one - and facing the highway

Fellow Aussie here. We stayed at the HoJo two years ago and absolutely loved it. Don't worry about the freeway noise, the rooms in Building 1 (which is where we stayed) have a weird sort of balcony which has doubled glazed windows. I am a really light sleeper and hate noise but we were never bothered by the traffic. If you went out onto the balcony it was loud but once you closed those doors it was very quiet. The rooms are lovely, its nice to have some Disney pictures and bright coloured decor, sort of makes you feel like you are staying in a Disney resort. This does not feel like a hotel at all more like a resort-lite stay. There are lovely spacious areas to wander through with fountains and two pool areas. The kids will love the mini water park area but if you want to have some quiet swim time the other pool is really beautiful. Its quite big and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. There is plenty of shade but also some sunny spots and quite a bit of grass so it it is a lovely spot to lie on a lounge and relax. The little shop which is downstairs in building one has some basic breakfast cereals and milk and a few things like noodle bowls. There is a microwave in your room so that is handy. There is a restaurant directly across the street (can't remember its name), we ate lunch there one day and it was very good. We always went to the little convenience store on the walk home which is in the Tropicana Hotel and stocked up on cereal and milk for our breakfast, it was a bit cheaper than the HoJo shop. You will not be disappointed by your stay at the HoJo. There are closer motels that include breakfast but they are more expensive and the decor and pools are nowhere near as nice as the HoJo.

 

[Pluto468]

Here it is -- there used to be a link, but it didn't look like it was active anymore. However, I just tested out the corporate code and it's still valid!

For your 15% DisBoards Discount use the code 1000038115 under corporate code online.

Thanks for finding that, StarlitNight!

 

[pennym]

Hi Kiwi here. I have stayed at Hojo and Homewood suites multiple times. At the price you have for Hojo I'd say go for it....we've been priced out of there for our last few holidays, but that looks very reasonable! Rooms there are really spacious and the beds so comfortable. The little shop is great, and you can get breakfast stuff there. The walk back at the end of a long day in the parks can feel long.

Homewood Suites we got a 2 queen room, which has a pull out sofa double in the living room, thus 3 beds. Rooms are spacious, there is a kitchen with stove and full fridge and a really good free breakfast. You can fill up and then take a pastry and fruit each for later. It's a nice place to stay, close to an IHOP and you can catch the Toy Story shuttle to and from.

I'd go with the best deal!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Fellow Australian here too - we loved our stay at Hojos when our daughter was younger. Rooms were great - I understand Building 2 is better to avoid the freeway noise - great pool area and a short walk to the park. Parking is easy too if you are hiring a car and numerous places to eat close by.