Need a private bedroom suite for next year

[Buttercup Roberts]

Hi everyone,

I just spent an hour looking at all the walking distance hotels for somewhere with a suite with a private bedroom (ie door that shuts), and I have to say I'm not thrilled with any of them except maybe the Park Vue Inn (who I can't seem to get a price out of them online, I have to call) and the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites on S. Walnut ($180 a night - expensive!).

I didn't care at all for the decor in the other 7 or so places I reviewed. Maybe it's because they are all cement block buildings from the 50's and 60's but in general they are not floating my boat. There just wasn't anything truly nice about them.

Hubby refuses to ride shuttle busses, can't stand waiting around for them or standing in line, wants to get in his own car and go. So, it doesn't matter if there's a free shuttle. We'll have a rental car and will just have to drive and pay to park at DL.

I am really interested in somewhere we will feel safe and relaxed, that's a little upscale. And of course, has at least one private bedroom. Can anyone steer me in some good directions, please?

TIA~~

 

[TribeFan]

WOW ... if $180 is expensive for a suite and you are looking for something upscale and also has some amenities, then you might be out of luck. I was going to suggest the Grand Califrnian Hotel because you were looking for something upscale, close to the parks, closing door to the parlor, safe and relaxing. But the Grand suites start at about $700 a night. DLH and PPH might be a little cheaper and your hubby can walk the short 5 minutes to the parks.

Good luck.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Upscale never really comes cheap. If shuttles are out, and the ones in walking distance aren't upscale enough, one of the onsite hotels would be your best bet. But yes, they are expensive!

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

WOW ... if $180 is expensive for a suite and you are looking for something upscale and also has some amenities, then you might be out of luck. I was going to suggest the Grand Califrnian Hotel because you were looking for something upscale, close to the parks, closing door to the parlor, safe and relaxing. But the Grand suites start at about $700 a night. DLH and PPH might be a little cheaper and your hubby can walk the short 5 minutes to the parks.

Good luck.

Sorry, I gave the wrong impression -- I thought $180 for THAT particular place, from what I saw, was overpriced.

I actually did just find a Residence Inn not too far that has a cute kid's suite with bunk beds and a big kitchen for $240, that's not too bad.

Keep the replies coming, I'm interested in seeing all the options and then we'll figure out what price is worth it or not to us.

Thanks!

 

[blackjackdelta]

RI Maingate has a loft suite which we get each year but no door.

Jack

 

[Lori00789]

You should consider getting two connecting rooms. It would give you more choices. We like to stay at the Paradise Pier. We get two rooms, we have stayed at a 1br suite at the disneyland hotel and it was very nice but it is less expensive to get two rooms at PP, and we have more room with two full bathrooms. How many people are sharing the hotel room?

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Embassy Suites South and Homewood Suites both have all suite rooms and both have doors to bedrooms. We find that important for us when traveling with the kids, otherwise, without the door, we'd have to shut all the lights off and go to bed with the girls!

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

Embassy Suites South and Homewood Suites both have all suite rooms and both have doors to bedrooms. We find that important for us when traveling with the kids, otherwise, without the door, we'd have to shut all the lights off and go to bed with the girls!

Yes, exactly!

I don't like the two connecting rooms because there's a door to the outside, and our son would be in there by himself. I'd feel better if it was all one unit.

 

[ter-moo]

Carousel Inn and Suites has some suites with closing doors and they've just renovated. Most of the walking distance hotels are older motels that aren't much to look at from the outside, so if you want more upscale within walking distance, you're kinda out of luck.
http://www.carouselinnandsuites.com/rates.asp

The Anabella has some nice suites, and it is a bit nicer than the strip motels across the street from the gates. But, it's a bit of a hike.
http://www.anabellahotel.com/guestrooms.htm#

I would NOT do the Park Vue, based on reviews I've seen.

 

[JNorris]

RI Maingate has a loft suite which we get each year but no door.

Jack

The Residence Inn Maingate also had regular one bedroom suites. I'm in one right now! Kitchen and living room, then a door to the bedroom and bathroom.

You could walk to DL, we did the first day, but it's about 4 blocks.

 

[silence]

I don't know if it will fit your needs as far as style/upscale or not....

but we like the Hawthorn Suites in Orange.

It's only 1 exit up the freeway, just past the mall and in a business park. We always get a room with 2 double beds and there is a door that separates the room/bathroom from the living room/kitchenette area. I believe they run like 105/night. The really nice thing.....is the free, HOT breakfast each morning.

They also have a free shuttle to the park.

The hotel is not a good neighbor anymore. I'm not sure how hotels get that status? It was durning our first trip, that is how we found the place. When we don't stay on site, this is where we like to be. For 5 of us, the nice breakfast alone makes it worth it.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

we like the Hawthorn Suites in Orange.

It's only 1 exit up the freeway, just past the mall and in a business park. We always get a room with 2 double beds and there is a door that separates the room/bathroom from the living room/kitchenette area. I believe they run like 105/night. The really nice thing.....is the free, HOT breakfast each morning.

They also have a free shuttle to the park.

The hotel is not a good neighbor anymore. I'm not sure how hotels get that status? It was durning our first trip, that is how we found the place. When we don't stay on site, this is where we like to be. For 5 of us, the nice breakfast alone makes it worth it.

Thanks, I didn't even think to look just beyond the "good neighbor" area. I bet you can get great places to stay for 40 to 50% less than right next to DL.

I will look around that area you mention and make a note of some of the things I see. I think now we are leaning toward a name brand suite hotel chain like Homewood, Embassy, Residence, Hawthorne, etc.

 

[heatherfeather24]

Thanks, I didn't even think to look just beyond the "good neighbor" area. I bet you can get great places to stay for 40 to 50% less than right next to DL.

I will look around that area you mention and make a note of some of the things I see. I think now we are leaning toward a name brand suite hotel chain like Homewood, Embassy, Residence, Hawthorne, etc.

Be forewarned that "good neighbor" seems to have little to do with location. We were looking for a suite as well and stumbled into both the RI Maingate and the RI Resort Area. Even though the RI Resort Area is a "good neighbor" it is not walking distance. RI Maingate is walking distance, but is not a "good neighbor." Go figure.

 

[prncssmel]

The Residence Inn Maingate is nice.

We have also stayed at Staybridge Suites and really enjoyed it. You have to drive, but they have a great breakfast and afternoon snacks for only $120/night.

You should check out getawaytoday . com. They have good deals on hotels and have lots of places with suites.

 

[DevilDuckie]

Erm... make sure your hubby knows that there is a very good chance he'll have to ride a shuttle to and from the parking. If he's convinced he'll *just die* if he rides a shuttle (they can be so dramatic, can't they?) I recommend the Castle Inn. We didn't stay in a suite but I know they had they and it's walking distance, so no shuttle.

 

[RMH]

The Residence Inn Maingate is a good choice. According to the Disneyland Good Neighbor map it is a good neighbor hotel and has everything you are looking for - and maybe even be cheaper than you think if you find a better deal online with some of the other hotel sites than what they offer on their web site. If you do, you can use their "Look No Futher Guarantee" and save 25% off the lower on-line rate. We were able to get a studio suite for $75 a night this way. Takes a bit of work, but it is worth it.

 

[munchkinsmom]

I'm not sure which hotels didn't make your list because of their decor, but based on the description, the Howard Johnson's might have be stricken off your list of possibilities due to its 1960's architecture. If so, please reconsider. They have two really nice one-bedroom suites that might fit most of your needs. It's a 5-7 minute walk to the DLR entrance and one of the suites has a great view of the Matterhorn and fireworks at night. While not as "upscale" as a Westin or Sheraton, the hotel itself is clean and safe. The grounds are pretty and the pools are wonderful. Here's a link to the HoJo's room layouts:

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/pdf/room_layouts.pdf

The layout for the two suites are on page 2. We always stay in the SNK1 suite (seventh floor, building one) whenever we're at the HoJo. We've been very happy with the room and service there.

Other one-bedroom suites we've stayed in were at Carousel Inn and Suites and Castle Inn and Suites. Not upscale hotels, but nice Inn/Motels that were walking distance to the entrance.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention Embassy Suites South in Garden Grove. Definitely NOT walking distance but a very short easy drive to the DLR.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

I'm not sure which hotels didn't make your list because of their decor, but based on the description, the Howard Johnson's might have be stricken off your list of possibilities due to its 1960's architecture. If so, please reconsider. They have two really nice one-bedroom suites that might fit most of your needs. It's a 5-7 minute walk to the DLR entrance and one of the suites has a great view of the Matterhorn and fireworks at night. While not as "upscale" as a Westin or Sheraton, the hotel itself is clean and safe. The grounds are pretty and the pools are wonderful. Here's a link to the HoJo's room layouts:

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/pdf/room_layouts.pdf

The layout for the two suites are on page 2. We always stay in the SNK1 suite (seventh floor, building one) whenever we're at the HoJo. We've been very happy with the room and service there.

THANKS! I was looking at that exact room, the SNK1, but I couldn't find any way to select it via their online reservation system, and so just gave up on it. I will make the effort to call, as it seems that's the only way to find out what the rate would be and if it's available.

I have always heard good things about them.