Hotel Indigo Anaheim or Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area??

[Bibbidi_Bobbidi_Becca]

Hello all! I apologize if this is not the right place to post - although I pour over the boards constantly, I have yet to get the ropes in posting.
I am a WDW veteran planning a trip to Disneyland and can't decide between two particular hotels - Hotel Indigo or Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area. It seems to me that they are essentially the same walking distance to the entrance, just coming from two different ways. I see that the Holiday Inn seems to have a little bit better of a pool area for my 15-month old, although I see that the Hotel Indigo is near the gardenwalk which would be nice. Just wondering if anyone who has been to either of those could weigh in on any factors about either of them that I may not be thinking of? I'm having a difficult time deciding which would be better for us! Thanks so much!

 

[ParkHopper1]

A lot of folks like Indigo but HIE is my go to between the two. It is a bit closer, Indigo always feels a LOT further to me.

HIE is a newer property so it is one of the nicer ones in the area where Indigo was remodeled form an old tired Holiday Inn express that was a bit of a dump.

 

[crystal1313]

We have given the HIE two chances, but will not go back. Both times the rooms were not as clean as we expected (i.e. other people's hair all over the sheets, on towels, etc.), and the noise from the hallways was super loud. Mainly, other room doors slamming. I get that can happen at any hotel, but it was especially loud at HIE.

 

[StarlitNight05]

We haven't stayed at HIE, but have stayed at Hotel Indigo multiple times and really liked it. We are somewhat brisk walkers, and it took us 10 minutes to the gates. The rooms have laminate (faux wood) flooring, which I prefer to carpet. We have gotten walk in showers every time we've been there, so if you have a little one I'd request a shower/tub combo (I believe they have them as an option -- however, there is a pull down nozzle you could use in the walk in).

We like the location since it's next to the Gardenwalk for other restaurant options, and near the CVS and/or Walgreens. We usually load up on waters, quick snacks, and breakfast items. It's nice if you need any supplies, medicine, sundries, etc.

The rooms at Indigo have always been very clean, and the staff has been pleasant. The parking is free. They don't offer breakfast for free, but when we stayed last it was an add on you could purchase. They give you a voucher for a breakfast item at their small restaurant. We aren't huge breakfast people so we didn't partake in that, but did try dinner there a few times. The food was good, and we also enjoyed some nightcaps at their bar. The bartender was SO friendly!!

It seems like HIE may be slightly closer, but the distance wasn't too bad for us at Indigo.

 

[Aurora0427]

We haven't stayed at HIE, but have stayed at Hotel Indigo multiple times and really liked it. We are somewhat brisk walkers, and it took us 10 minutes to the gates. The rooms have laminate (faux wood) flooring, which I prefer to carpet. We have gotten walk in showers every time we've been there, so if you have a little one I'd request a shower/tub combo (I believe they have them as an option -- however, there is a pull down nozzle you could use in the walk in).

We like the location since it's next to the Gardenwalk for other restaurant options, and near the CVS and/or Walgreens. We usually load up on waters, quick snacks, and breakfast items. It's nice if you need any supplies, medicine, sundries, etc.

The rooms at Indigo have always been very clean, and the staff has been pleasant. The parking is free. They don't offer breakfast for free, but when we stayed last it was an add on you could purchase. They give you a voucher for a breakfast item at their small restaurant. We aren't huge breakfast people so we didn't partake in that, but did try dinner there a few times. The food was good, and we also enjoyed some nightcaps at their bar. The bartender was SO friendly!!

It seems like HIE may be slightly closer, but the distance wasn't too bad for us at Indigo.

What is the Gardenwalk????

 

[StarlitNight05]

What is the Gardenwalk????

So if you're standing in front of Hotel Indigo it's to the right. We went to the McCormick and Schmicks and it was nice. Bubba Gumps, House of Blues and the new AMC is also there. It used to be a ghost town, but now it's filling out more. Here is their website: http://anaheimgardenwalk.com/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree with the pp that the location for the Hotel Indigo has more going on -- GardenWalk for restaurants, there is a Starbucks across the street, there is a 24/7 Walgreens & CVS close by, etc. The walk is about 10-20 minutes at an easy pace, depending on the signal at Harbor.

 

[Bibbidi_Bobbidi_Becca]

Thank you all for your input! Out of curiosity does anyone also have experience with Grand Legacy at the Park? I feel like I've seen a lot more mixed reviews on it there, but on the surface level it seems like it checks off all the boxes for me. Does anyone have any experiences there?

 

[pblack]

I've stayed at Grand Legacy(1 trip) and Hotel Indigo (last 3 trips), but not at the Holiday Inn Express. For me, the only leg up Grand Legacy has over Hotel Indigo is that it's closer to the parks. Other than that though, I prefer Hotel Indigo. Nicer staff, free parking, comfortable and clean rooms. The 1 trip we stayed at Grand Legacy I wasn't overly impressed with their rooms, I remember the bathroom being kind of weird, and their "snack bag" in the mornings was a joke.

 

[Bibbidi_Bobbidi_Becca]

I've stayed at Grand Legacy(1 trip) and Hotel Indigo (last 3 trips), but not at the Holiday Inn Express. For me, the only leg up Grand Legacy has over Hotel Indigo is that it's closer to the parks. Other than that though, I prefer Hotel Indigo. Nicer staff, free parking, comfortable and clean rooms. The 1 trip we stayed at Grand Legacy I wasn't overly impressed with their rooms, I remember the bathroom being kind of weird, and their "snack bag" in the mornings was a joke.

This is very helpful, thanks so much!!