Need DisAdvice....Residence Inn Maingate vs. Homewood Suites

[Mouse13]

If you've stayed at the Residence Inn Maingate and Homewood Suites in Garden Grove, can you compare them for me? We've stayed at the RI and are wanting to try HS but it has some mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. Also, right now with the HS parking fee included, we can stay at the HS for over $50 per night less than the RI and we'll be staying for 8 nights.

Most important to us are: 1) a swimming pool that's truly heated (doesn't feel ice cold when you enter the pool), 2) good beds, 3) clean, pleasant surroundings and 4) getting to DLR before opening. Also, we tend to hit the parks hard in the morning/early afternoon and spend time in the afternoon swimming and just hanging out. A few nights we will return to the park for some more fun but not every night.

Our impression of RI Maingate: great warm pool, rooms were kind of run down and could have been cleaner, bed was really hard. The staff at the RI was great but the prices at this property have continued to climb. We thought the walk to the park was nice and not too far.

I know that Homewood Suites has it's own dedicated shuttle now and it's supposed to get folks to DLR 30 minutes before park opening but I have no confirmation of this from anyone who's used it. Also, it will just be DH, DS (age 12) and me so we won't have to deal with strollers, etc. on the shuttle.

So, pretty please with Mickey sprinkles on top, can you DisBoarders help me make a decision between the two properties?

 

[specialks]

I can give a little insight into HS since we stayed there our last 2 trips (Sept 08 & Sept 09). In the summer of 2008 they did a big renovation. All of the rooms have upgraded furniture and flat panel TVs and new doors & carpet. The rooms were beautiful. Something else (shhh, secret) is if you get floor 5 or 6 on the Disney facing side you can watch the fireworks at night. Granted, it is far away, but it is a nice treat and our girls loved it. I didn't swim and my husband cannot remember the pool temp. I don't think it was super warm, but our girls loved swimming in it. I used the hottub and it was clean and hot. We were pleased with the housekeeping service and the breakfast. The manager's meals were ok food but after a busy day at the park and a shrinking wallet -- the food worked great for us. They also do the shopping service where you can request them to stock your fridge for your arrival and you just pay for groceries. I think RI does this as well. One minor disappointment is the elevators. They are slow. We preferred to park towards the back doors and used the back elevator. It wasn't as busy as the main lobby elevator. We drove each day and the dedicated shuttle is new, so I can't comment on that.
We are staying at the RI GG this time because we want to have the bunk beds for my girls. However, we would gladly stay at the HS again (especially now that we know they have a shuttle). Hope that helps some.

 

[Mouse13]

Thanks, specialks! Your insight is really helpful and it's great to know about the fireworks.

 

[Cagirl767]

We are regulars of both HS and RI Harbor Blvd., although we've been at RI on Harbor Blvd our last few trips, due to cost basically.

I really do like Homewood and it is my hotel of choice when at DLR especially now that they have their own shuttle (sorry haven't used it yet though) and dinners have improved and they also do a shopping service that they do at RI's. We like the proximity of the restaurants that are directly in the HS parking lot, although they are just a couple hundred feet from the RI. I think the pool area at HS is a bit prettier than both RI's. I can't comment on the water temp though - never been in the pool. I think HS is a tad prettier than RI. Also, the GM is the best and that makes it feel more welcoming to us and I'm confident that if we did have a problem there, that it would be handled efficiently by the staff.

 

[Mouse13]

We are regulars of both HS and RI Harbor Blvd., although we've been at RI on Harbor Blvd our last few trips, due to cost basically.

I really do like Homewood and it is my hotel of choice when at DLR especially now that they have their own shuttle (sorry haven't used it yet though) and dinners have improved and they also do a shopping service that they do at RI's. We like the proximity of the restaurants that are directly in the HS parking lot, although they are just a couple hundred feet from the RI. I think the pool area at HS is a bit prettier than both RI's. I can't comment on the water temp though - never been in the pool. I think HS is a tad prettier than RI. Also, the GM is the best and that makes it feel more welcoming to us and I'm confident that if we did have a problem there, that it would be handled efficiently by the staff.

Thanks, Cagirl767. I'm really leaning toward the HS but it's so hard to make a decision. Honestly, choosing a hotel for an 8 day stay is difficult. It's so important to make the right choice for your family because a wrong one can really put a damper on the whole trip. I've been looking at the restaurants that are close to the HS and really want to try some of them, too!

 

[Cagirl767]

I really think you can't go wrong with either. I haven't been to the RI on Clementine in a while, I thought the rooms had been redone? No?

HS rooms are updated and we like the new decor with the granite countertops and flatscreen tv's. We like Oggi's for takeout back to our room and if we have time will walk over to Red Robin or Joe's Crab Shack. They're usually not crowded and it's a nice change from DLR food. DH likes that there's a Starbucks in the Marriott Suites. There's a Pizza Hut too just over Chapman. Your DS though, may appreciate the RI Clementine just for more room to roam. I think I remember basketball courts there??? RI on Harbor has a small basketball court too.

I'm sure you'll have a great stay at either.

 

[Mouse13]

I really think you can't go wrong with either. I haven't been to the RI on Clementine in a while, I thought the rooms had been redone? No?

....Your DS though, may appreciate the RI Clementine just for more room to roam. I think I remember basketball courts there??? RI on Harbor has a small basketball court too.

I don't believe the rooms have been redone. If they have, they already need to be redone again. Also, now that I think about it, I remember the toilet/shower area at RI being really cramped and definitely in need of a makeover. I hope the HS has a better bathroom layout.

Yes, DS loved shooting hoops, but I'm sure he can find lots of other things to keep him busy! Thanks again for all of the great advice.

 

[specialks]

The bathroom layout at the HS has one sink and vanity open to the bedroom with the shower & toilet inside the "bathroom". Allows you to shower and still have someone getting ready without fogging up the mirror or privacy issues.

 

[Karenann*]

I took 4 teenage girls to DL in July and we stayed at the Homewood. Rooms were beautiful, clean and spacious. We stayed for 9 days. There is a good AAA rate online.
Bkfst was good as well as the light eve meal Mon thru Thurs.We planned our meals out to to take advantage of this.
We had groceries delivered by Vons including alchohol for myself. The front desk accepted it on our behalf and took it to the room and put away cold/freezer items.
Elevator was a wait and crowded. I would ask for 1st or 2nd floor next time and use the stairs!
We used ART next door (literally across from the hotel entrance) because we had better rates for ART on Getaway today for our group. There is a daily charge for HS dedicated shuttle.
Service was excellent!

 

[Mouse13]

We had groceries delivered by Vons including alchohol for myself. The front desk accepted it on our behalf and took it to the room and put away cold/freezer items.
Elevator was a wait and crowded. I would ask for 1st or 2nd floor next time and use the stairs!
We used ART next door (literally across from the hotel entrance) because we had better rates for ART on Getaway today for our group. There is a daily charge for HS dedicated shuttle.
Service was excellent!

Thanks for the info on Von's grocery delivery, Karenann. I always have them deliver to our hotel on the day we arrive. As for elevators, I always ask for a lower floor room because I hate wasting time dealing with them. I already knew about the shuttle charge and the parking charge but am waiting for the first of the year to find out about the new "resort fee" I'm told they'll be implementing. It needs to include either the parking fee, the shuttle fee, or both fees, or I probably won't be staying there. I would rather just pay a little higher rate initially instead of being charged tons of fees. I don't like hotel fees or baggage fees!

 

[home4funkids]

Thanks for the info on Von's grocery delivery, Karenann. I always have them deliver to our hotel on the day we arrive. As for elevators, I always ask for a lower floor room because I hate wasting time dealing with them. I already knew about the shuttle charge and the parking charge but am waiting for the first of the year to find out about the new "resort fee" I'm told they'll be implementing. It needs to include either the parking fee, the shuttle fee, or both fees, or I probably won't be staying there. I would rather just pay a little higher rate initially instead of being charged tons of fees. I don't like hotel fees or baggage fees!

I totally agree with you about fees. GRR!!

You might check out getawaytoday.com for price quotes on lodging. Their rates for the Homewood are competitive--and according to their website includes taxes and free parking. HTH