HoJo's vs. Candy Cane Inn - my thoughts

[silence]

For our trip last week we stayed at HoJo’s and Candy Cane Inn. We are HoJo’s fans, having stayed here numerous times, and this was our first experience at Candy Cane Inn. Here are my thoughts comparing the two hotels.


HoJo’s:

The Good
Entertainment Rate
Wonderful comfy beds
Pool/Water play area for kids
Gift Shop with everything
Wonderful Staff
Microwaves in room

The Drawbacks
Walk to and from park
Location of our “premium room” (at end of hall, closest view room next to freeway) and thus the freeway noise
Outdated A/C unit in room
Room kind of feels outdated


Candy Cane Inn

The Good
Room very clean/modern
SHUTTLE!
Continental Breakfast
7-11/Convenience store right next to property

The Drawbacks
Pool is way too small for the amount of guests that use it. WAY too small
No microwave in room
Front Desk Staff was either not trained properly or just plain rude at check in
Beds were not all that comfortable


NOTES:
We usually stay in building 2 at HoJo. This trip we were with a large group and got premium rooms. Never have we heard freeway noise until this trip. It was all about the location of the room unfortunately. Also, we much prefer the floor plan of the rooms in Building 2, with the larger bathroom (both sinks in the bathroom) than those of the premium rooms. The other rooms also feel more updated than the room we were in. This trip we stayed at two locations as my mom has a blood clot and has to really watch how much walking she does and the swelling in her leg. We decided to give Candy Cane Inn a try because of their shuttle. The day I checked in, either the girl was not properly trained or just rude. I was there early, did not expect to get a room (almost noon). When I got there, the first thing she said was “Well, you are just over 3 hours early to check in”….and looked at me for a response. I said, “that’s fine, I’d like to check in and we can come back later for the room if that is ok”. She didn’t give me any info on the shuttle, I had to ask about it, she didn’t give me any info about the breakfast or anything. It was just kind of irritating I suppose.

The pool at Candy Cane was VERY warm and always super crowded. The HoJo pool is much larger and there is the play area for the kids, so it easily wins the “pool” competition. The beds were better at HoJo by far. The rooms felt cleaner at Candy Cane, but no microwave kind of sucked.

So, even with the shuttle being a huge hit, we will book HoJo over Candy Cane when it comes down to it.

 

[jemilah]

thanks for the info we could not get into hojo for our next trip and booked CCI. I think you should post your experience on trip advisor I have noticed the hotel manager has responded to all the postings, and as a business owner myself , he should know how you were treated.

 

[jakoky]

I pretty much agree with everything you said about the two....We were lucky, when we stayed at the CCI, we had the pool almost to ourselves many times, but it is VERY small...the staff was good at the CCI when we were there, but the HOJO staff rocks....we are heading to the HOJO for 10 nights in 3 weeks....we are hooked!!!

 

[teatime]

For our trip last week we stayed at HoJo’s and Candy Cane Inn. We are HoJo’s fans, having stayed here numerous times, and this was our first experience at Candy Cane Inn. Here are my thoughts comparing the two hotels.


HoJo’s:

The Good
Entertainment Rate
Wonderful comfy beds
Pool/Water play area for kids
Gift Shop with everything
Wonderful Staff
Microwaves in room

The Drawbacks
Walk to and from park
Location of our “premium room” (at end of hall, closest view room next to freeway) and thus the freeway noise
Outdated A/C unit in room
Room kind of feels outdated


Candy Cane Inn

The Good
Room very clean/modern
SHUTTLE!
Continental Breakfast
7-11/Convenience store right next to property

The Drawbacks
Pool is way too small for the amount of guests that use it. WAY too small
No microwave in room
Front Desk Staff was either not trained properly or just plain rude at check in
Beds were not all that comfortable


NOTES:
We usually stay in building 2 at HoJo. This trip we were with a large group and got premium rooms. Never have we heard freeway noise until this trip. It was all about the location of the room unfortunately. Also, we much prefer the floor plan of the rooms in Building 2, with the larger bathroom (both sinks in the bathroom) than those of the premium rooms. The other rooms also feel more updated than the room we were in. This trip we stayed at two locations as my mom has a blood clot and has to really watch how much walking she does and the swelling in her leg. We decided to give Candy Cane Inn a try because of their shuttle. The day I checked in, either the girl was not properly trained or just rude. I was there early, did not expect to get a room (almost noon). When I got there, the first thing she said was “Well, you are just over 3 hours early to check in”….and looked at me for a response. I said, “that’s fine, I’d like to check in and we can come back later for the room if that is ok”. She didn’t give me any info on the shuttle, I had to ask about it, she didn’t give me any info about the breakfast or anything. It was just kind of irritating I suppose.

The pool at Candy Cane was VERY warm and always super crowded. The HoJo pool is much larger and there is the play area for the kids, so it easily wins the “pool” competition. The beds were better at HoJo by far. The rooms felt cleaner at Candy Cane, but no microwave kind of sucked.

So, even with the shuttle being a huge hit, we will book HoJo over Candy Cane when it comes down to it.

I tried to get hojo, they want 20.00 more then the carousel I would have liked to stay there but it does not pay to dole out another 140.00 to stay there.
One thing I might suggest,is have your mom have a scooter or wheel chair, thats a lot of walking just in the parks alone.

 

[avalon451]

Good to hear the comparison side by side! Thanks for the info.