Howard Johnson vs Ramada Maingate

[Katy Belle]

Hello All! My Mother-In-Law and I will be staying 2 nights. Which would you choose, Howard Johnson or Ramada Maingate? We are 46 and 70 and not interested in pools, etc. We do want to be very close to the parks, as MIL will be having a little surgery the day before we arrive. We anticipate she will want to go lay down in the afternoon.

We are late getting reservations, as its a last minute trip. Best Western, Park Vue, Tropicana all have no availability.

Thanks!
Katy

 

[carrierael77]

I don't know about the ramada, but the walk back to hojo at the end of a long day was murder on my feet. My 8 year old and the hubs were also worn out. It is only 10 minutes, but feels like the longest 10 minutes ever.

 

[TechGuy]

I am staying the FFI, near the HoJO. I know the walk is long at the end of the day but, to me, it's better than trudging to the tram station, waiting for the tram/bus (while watching the FFI people walk across the street), lining up, jockeying onto the bus, driving to the hotel, fileing out and then into the hotel.

 

[tlovesdis]

MY guess is they are about the same distance from the cross walk, you just go to the left for Hojo and right for Ramada. We stayed at the Ramada in December and I would say it took us 10 minutes from the front gate to our room. We liked the Ramada a lot. I've also stayed at Hojos years ago and it was nice too. You can't really go wrong with either. If I had to choose I might choose Ramada only because it includes a nice little breakfast, which helps get you going in the AM.

 

[crystal1313]

I've stayed at both. To me Ramada feels a little bit closer of a walk, but FYI, they are in the middle of construction right now. I haven't been lately, so I have no idea what the construction is like right now or how noisy. I would maybe call and ask. Are they about the same cost? What room at the Ramada? Is is a new room (in the new building)?

 

[tlovesdis]

They were doing construction when we were there in December and we never heard any noise at night or early in the morning.

 

[crystal1313]

Good to know Tina! I know construction is supposed to be done in fall, so I'm guessing maybe the framing part of the construction is over and they have moved onto the inside of the rooms, but I am not sure. Just wanted the OP to know!

 

[zanzibar138]

What about Desert Inn & Suites? They are closer than either HoJo or Ramada if that's your biggest concern. It's not fancy, but we found it clean and comfortable and perfectly adequate.

 

[Katy Belle]

What about Desert Inn & Suites? They are closer than either HoJo or Ramada if that's your biggest concern. It's not fancy, but we found it clean and comfortable and perfectly adequate.

Desert Inn is full too.
I will call Ramada tomorrow and check on the construction. I booked a superior room, which I think has already been remodeled. Ramada is a bit cheaper than Howard Johnson.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally would stay at HoJo. HoJo is officially a hotel, and Maingate is a motel, and that makes a difference to me. (and I disliked Maingate)

 

[peterpanandwendy]

Howard Johnson is considered a 'moderate level' hotel, and Maingate is considered an 'economy' motel.

We've stayed at both and prefer spending the extra for the Hojo.

Hojo's feels cleaner and has updated bedding etc. Ramada's rooms, while updated feel a bit dingy to me.

Hojo has a gorgeous pool area that is private and surrounded by lovely landscaping. Ramada's pool is in the centre of the parking lot, but does have some nice trees and is well maintained.

Ramada offers breakfast, Hojo's doesn't.

Hojo's is a hotel, so you have interior hallways, which I like. Ramada is a motel with exterior halls.

Ramada and Hojo's are approx the same distance from the gates. Ramada may be slightly closer.

honestly, we are planning a budget trip for march and looking at Ramada's updated rooms I may consider booking there again….

 

[wenrob]

The HoJo is right behind the Fairfield isn't it? I haven't stayed there but I have at the Fairfield and Ramada Maingate. I would say the Ramada is a shorter walk. It's not fancy but it is clean, customer service is great and the free breakfast is pretty handy. Just make sure if you're choosing it that you choose MAINGATE. There is another Ramada around the corner and down the street a little bit that comes up in the search when you put your dates in. They also have gas specials (give them your receipt and they'll take it off your bill) and discounts for APs.

 

[I<3MyGoldMiner]

I vote for ramada. It's closer and easier to get to then hojo.

 

[Disney Dory]

We have stayed a Hojo several times, the last time was about 3 years ago. I know a lot of people on the Dis like the HoJo and we really liked it the first two times we stayed there, but the last 2 weren't as nice. ( First 2 times there, we had really clean rooms but the last 2 times we had Dirty rooms, air conditioners not working and construction going on outside our door in the hallway very early in the morning) BUT, I know they had a shuttle service. We never used it and just walked. It wasn't a bad walk. About 8-10 minutes. The mornings were a piece of cake, but after a long day in the park or even in mid afternoon that walk back felt like forever on our tired feet. If your MIL is in good health and her surgery goes well and she's alright, the walk should be okay but you would have a shuttle option if you needed it if you decide to go with Hojo. We've never stayed at Ramada so I don't know if they have a shuttle or not. Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Zbugz]

I really like the HoJo, but your MIL may find the walk a bit taxing. Have you considered the Candy Cane Inn? It has its own dedicated shuttle.

 

[crystal1313]

A superior room is REALLY nice at the Ramada. It's in the new building, there are double sinks that are separate from the tub and toilet. The room is large and it's very bright compared to the older rooms on the property.

The room I stayed in at Hojo was spacious, but super outdated, though VERY clean. If Ramada is cheaper, I would choose Ramada. For me, it feels like a closer walk. And I really think the new rooms are very nice. They do charge for parking now, where at Hojo's it is free. And Hojo's has an in room safe and Ramada does not. Ramada also has a free breakfast, although it is not the best. Just other things for you to think about. I think both are a good choice! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[chrisaman]

I vote ramada. It is closer, depending on ur room at the hojo, the ramada is a lot closer. If ur room is in the back by the freeway it can be a long walk to the hojo. The ramada rooms are just as nice as the hojo but some are a bit smaller. We liked the hojo but the added cost and the longer walk make us choose ramada every time

 

[KellaCat]

Without needing the pools etc (which for me was a big draw to HoJo) I'd go with the superior room at Ramada.

 

[IDigDug]

I've stayed at both. I like the rooms and beds better at HoJo's. I like the price better at Ramada. I felt like the walk from Ramada was a little shorter. Last year we stayed at Desert Inn and have reservations to stay there again this Summer (unless I find something cheaper within walking distance).