Hojo WTHeck!

[TiggerCat]

I asked this a few month's back and really got no answers, I will be curious to see what shakes out.

Jack

It boggles the mind. I consider myself to be a hotel snub and I am looking forward to staying at the HoJo this August - without the Ent rate. It seems to have everything going for it. Close to Disney, retro design, large clean rooms, free wifi, superb beds, great staff, excellent amenities, and the list goes on. The only drawback seems to be the close proximity to the freeway, which is the only thing I'm worried about but I booked a deluxe 2 queen so I should be okay. It also consistently rates high with Tripadvisor. It has to be psychological.

TC.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We are hotel snobs and will only stay at the GCH, but I have always been curious about why people rave about Hojo's but they abandon the hotel if they can not get the ent rate.
FICKLE???

Jack

 

[californiamomof4grls]

The $59 dollar rate is what I paid when my husband and I went by ourselves a year ago last march. We paid 79 or 89 when we got the Disney view room with our girls.
I can't answer for everyone, only myself.
Here is how I reason it. We are a family of 7. I have to save money where I can so that my family can afford to go to Disneyland. I need to get the best rate and be as close as I can to the crosswalk. Hojo is a very nice hotel. But we really only sleep there. So for our family it needs to be the cheapest AND the closest as we possibly can. I have 5 little girls to walk back at the end of a magical day in the park.
BTW I want to be clear when I say that I never hid my girls and snuck them in to the hotel. We all walked up to the front desk both visits.

 

[wvnative]

I'll take on the Hojo question. While we really like Hojo, we aren't in the hotel long enough to pay full price. I will if I can get part of my visit at the lower rate, but there are several hotels that we are just fine with that are closer. That said, when I can't get the EC rate, we look elsewhere.

As for the continental breakfast at DI&S, we've only eaten there once. Pastries, toast, cereal, some fruit and coffee/juice were all I saw. I'm sure that would have been better received if my young'un was still little and all about the cereal, but at 20, she wasn't diggin' the unsweetened cereal. lol She has requested to add daily breakfasts in the park when we stay places with a continental breaklfast. haha DI&S is our second choice behind HOJO.

I'm glad you found something that works for you.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I've seen a number of posters who state that they wouldn't stay at HoJos without the Ent rate. I don't get it. Is the hotel only worth $59 per night? Or is this a case of people who know that the HoJo offers cheaper rates and outright refuse to pay more even if that means staying somewhere else?

TC.

It sure seems that way.

I asked this a few month's back and really got no answers, I will be curious to see what shakes out.

Jack

I'll contribute to the shaking... Our family has been Hojo Anaheim fans long before DisBoarders jumped on the bandwagon, when they didn't offer the amazing "ENT/AP/add your own acronym here" rates they've given the last few years. Even back then, we felt that we had a good deal for what we were paying. Of course, Hojo isn't the only hotel we'd stay at in Anaheim (we've stayed in plenty around the DLR...see below) but I'd still consider them, even if I'd have to pay more than $59/$79/$99 rates. The Wyndham Rewards points we get each time we stay always help in our decision.

It could be due to the many years we've used their facilities, but our family feel comfortable at the Hojo. It's familiar, it's clean (a big one for me), and the grounds and pool areas are nice. Because of how we feel, we'd be willing to pay a little more if the rates were unavailable, although I'm all over it when they have discounted rates for the dates we need.

BTW...A local SoCal paper posted an article recently about hotel discounts: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/21/hotel-discounts-appear-to-be-coming-to-an-end/

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I asked this a few month's back and really got no answers, I will be curious to see what shakes out.

Jack

It sure seems that way.



I'll contribute to the shaking... Our family has been Hojo Anaheim fans long before DisBoarders jumped on the bandwagon, when they didn't offer the amazing "ENT/AP/add your own acronym here" rates they've given the last few years. Even back then, we felt that we had a good deal for what we were paying. Of course, Hojo isn't the only hotel we'd stay at in Anaheim (we've stayed in plenty around the DLR...see below) but I'd still consider them, even if I'd have to pay more than $59/$79/$99 rates. The Wyndham Rewards points we get each time we stay always help in our decision.

It could be due to the many years we've used their facilities, but our family feel comfortable at the Hojo. It's familiar, it's clean (a big one for me), and the grounds and pool areas are nice. Because of how we feel, we'd be willing to pay a little more if the rates were unavailable, although I'm all over it when they have discounted rates for the dates we need.

I'll second most of this. We are people who discovered Hojo after reading the Disboards recommendations though. Our first trip I booked was at the AP 20% off rate, I think around $120 per night for a deluxe building 2 room. The first trip we stayed there actually ended up being three months earlier, same room type and with the ET rate. We don't spend tons of time in the room either, but there were things about Hojo that just made all of us feel immediately comfortable. No trouble getting parking. Interior corridors, so no motel feel. Clean, quiet, spacious room. I've never had trouble sleeping on their beds, and I certainly can't say that about every place I've ever stayed. We really liked Hojos and kept the three-month later reservation at twice the ET price. We have since stayed at Hojos another 10 times, sometimes with ET/AP rate, sometimes with all "regular" discounts, i.e. AP 20% off discount, the stay 3, get 30% off promotion, etc., and sometimes with a mix of ET/AP for some nights and AP 20% off the rest of the nights. The prices are usually better or close enough to other hotels we tried out before checking out Hojos, and our family is most comfortable with the familiar so Hojo usually wins out for us.

 

[BoiseToDisneyland]

This is not a slam on anyone, but what is the connection between this website, Disneyland and some of the hotels in and around the park? I sometimes wonder if the opinions by some are bias because where they work? Just curious...

 

[Mad Hattered]

Here is how I reason it. We are a family of 7.

Wait! I thought there were 6 of you?! Did you have another kid already??

 

[PatMcDuck]

Wait! I thought there were 6 of you?! Did you have another kid already??

I was wondering too, 5 little girls, 7 in a standard room?

 

[sonnyjane]

This is not a slam on anyone, but what is the connection between this website, Disneyland and some of the hotels in and around the park? I sometimes wonder if the opinions by some are bias because where they work? Just curious...

For the most part, there is no connection. I believe the GM of Hojo occasionally posts in threads that address HoJo-specific topics, but his screenname identifies him as working for HoJo.

Everyone else just likes to give been-there-done-that advice to those planning trips.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

We are hotel snobs and will only stay at the GCH, but I have always been curious about why people rave about Hojo's but they abandon the hotel if they can not get the ent rate.
FICKLE???

Jack

hah! I'll bite. I flip-flop between the HOJO and FFI and will stay at the HOJO only when there's an Entertainment Rate. Personally, I like the room setup at the FFI better - mainly because the sink is separate and situated outside of the bathroom (commode and shower). This gives us more space to do our own thing. I can brush my teeth or do my hair while DH...
...
...goes #2.



And beds/pillows, etc. are nearly identical between the two, so yeah, it does come down to price. If the EntRate is available, we do HOJO. If not, then FFI all the way!

 

[bumbershoot]

I've seen a number of posters who state that they wouldn't stay at HoJos without the Ent rate. I don't get it. Is the hotel only worth $59 per night? Or is this a case of people who know that the HoJo offers cheaper rates and outright refuse to pay more even if that means staying somewhere else?

TC.

For me, yep. It's not that it's not *worth* more...it's just that the low rate is out there, it's possible...it's hard for me to fathom paying more.

Of course it's been moot recently since we haven't stayed there in ages, just b/c other places have been better AND we haven't plain old been to Anaheim since 10/2010!

BTW I want to be clear when I say that I never hid my girls and snuck them in to the hotel. We all walked up to the front desk both visits.

Would be interesting if you had your old reservation confirmations that proved to HJ that you had that many with their OK...

This is not a slam on anyone, but what is the connection between this website, Disneyland and some of the hotels in and around the park? I sometimes wonder if the opinions by some are bias because where they work? Just curious...

Besides the manager that posts here, nothing. And HJ posts on other forums as well, is even a sponsor on some of them (I do not think they sponsor this site).

They were just a nice place, the only *hotel* (vs motel) that close to DLR, AND you could get rooms at a *serious* bargain!

 

[lozzypop]

I like the HoJo and have never stayed there using the Entertainment rate so that is not the reason I prefer it.

I do miss Lorealle though. I sent a booking request email a full week ago and no reply yet. I am used to getting an answer a little more quickly than that.

 

[skiingfast]

This is not a slam on anyone, but what is the connection between this website, Disneyland and some of the hotels in and around the park? I sometimes wonder if the opinions by some are bias because where they work? Just curious...

I doubt anyone is on here to bash other hotels than were they work. I only have a truly negative opinion of a couple places and that is based on many users input. Besides that is what TA is for.

 

[jory29]

The bare naked truth?? Honestly, we can only afford to go to DL on an annual basis from Canada by booking the Retro Rate at Hojo's (formerly the Entertainment Rate) BUT that being said, our other HUGE reason is that our son, with Asperger's, DEPENDS on Hojo's each year - he does not take well to change, surprises, or filth... and Hojo's has measured up in a million and ten ways to prove to us to be steadfast in it's cleanliness, superior customer service, and fine amenities that are offered. The peace of mind from the free in-room safes is simply invaluable (do any of you remember what happened at the Desert Inn and Suites in a recent post re: theft of an ipad?) Well, theft never happened to us at Hojo's - we left our safe wide open for one day (my bad) with $700 cash (food/snacks/souvineers/etc. for family of 4 for 7 - 8 days), electronics, passports, netbook, and more, and it was left untouched by housekeeping staff that we see the SAME friendly, smiley faces year after year. Yep. It didn't surprise me one bit that housekeeping was honest and left everything alone. Peace of mind, and when we have to pay so much money to fly in from Canada, (we also scrimp and save to use 'air miles' (points that can be redeemable) for the flights as well as parkhoppers) the savings with the Retro Rate can mean so much to us, and the savings literally mean FOOD for our family of four in the parks. Without the Retro rate, we could honestly not afford to go once a year. DH works full time while I work in a small part time home based business to make ends meet, and I also teach our 14 year old son full time in a virtual, online school, since his special needs are such that a traditional public school are not for him. Hojo's is quite literally our home away from home, and though some can afford easily to pay full price for it, we simply can not, and so we end up planning our entire vacation around Hojo's Retro Rate so that we can afford our vacation to Disneyland. For some families, it's fun times. For those with a special needs child, the enjoyment becomes something so necessary to the well-being and cohesiveness to the family unit as a family vacation. Time spent together is so important to us, and where better than in a place like Disneyland, with a home like Hojo's to come back to at night?

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Wait! I thought there were 6 of you?! Did you have another kid already??

Since I went to DL last, yes I have had my 5th daughter. She is about 2 1/2 months old. My oldest was 7 the first time we stayed. So I had a 7 year old, 6 year old, 3 year old and two year old at the time. My girls slept on the bed horizontally and my two year old was in a crib. Payton is still a very tiny kid she fit fine in the crib. I might still have my reservations that we printed out. I'll look for it! It doesn't matter though. Even if I used the "Retro rate" for the kids suite that's $99 a night. So I found a bigger room for cheaper and the bottom line is that I look for the closest hotel for the cheapest price.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I feel your pain, OP. I'm a mom of 5 as well.

I understand the restraints of a budget, but I would never try to put us in one room. That's what made the Hojo ent. rate attractive to my family. I could get two standard connecting rooms for a good price.

We tried Desert Inn in December and liked the convenience of the location. I booked the biggest suite for our trip in October.

You booked a suite that only holds 6. I know you only have an infant, but why worry that you are breaking any rules? I guess I'm a worrier, but I would hate to feel like I had to sneak in and out of my room. Plus you are paying to park at Desert Inn and that can sometimes be a hassle. It is a very tight parking lot and a spot can be difficult to find.

I would rather do the hotel right and cut expenses somewhere else. Those occupancy limits are for safety. Plus, you could get a larger suite that offers and room just for you and your dh. Then you don't have to go to sleep when your kids do. My kids would have never slept 4 to a bed!

Just a thought, OP.

 

[mommaU4]

Since I went to DL last, yes I have had my 5th daughter. She is about 2 1/2 months old.

Awww, congrats to you! Five precious princesses. No wonder in your signature your DH is going like this . LOL! I bet they'll all be daddy's girls though. I have 3 girls (and one boy) and all the girls have him wrapped around their little fingers.
Just wait until they are teens! The clothes, shoes, make-up...... then you'll both be .

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Awww, congrats to you! Five precious princesses. No wonder in your signature your DH is going like this . LOL! I bet they'll all be daddy's girls though. I have 3 girls (and one boy) and all the girls have him wrapped around their little fingers.
Just wait until they are teens! The clothes, shoes, make-up...... then you'll both be .

Enjoy your vacation!

That's exactly why I put the ! LMBO!! He is so out numbered!! I love having all girls! They're so much fun! I love watching my girls love on their Daddy! Or get all excited when he comes home from work! I wouldn't have it any other way!! LOL!
I'm not worried about the hotel size. We really just sleep there and we are all so exhausted after the park. We all pass out. If we were visiting Monterrey or something I would go with bigger. Just because you are in you room more. But with DL we are in the park from sun up until the boot us out!!! Can't wait to take them for Halloween!!

 

[dmked]

Hotels are the reason I had to stop at 3 kids totally kidding!

I am surprised that you were able to have 6 people in a standard room at Hojo before, it is not their rules it is because of fire code as previously stated. It just comes with the territory of having a bigger family, you are going to have to get a suite room or connecting rooms. I don't think any hotels let you have 6 people in a standard room with only 2 beds. We just got back from a trip at Hojo and it was awesome as always!