New Holiday Inn delayed opening

[dotfurio]

I had reservations for the week of Thanksgiving and found out today they had to cancel because they won't be open yet. FYI for anyone else in the same boat! Try finding a hotel for thanksgiving a month out..

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Same thing happened to me for our reservation last week. Made a 2 night reservation for October 16-18 in July. They were supposed to be open in August. They had a Facebook page for this specific hotel at one point, and as they kept pushing the opening date further and further back they continued to reassure everyone that they would be opening on time for their reservations, which obviously they weren't. It made several people very unhappy. The FB page is gone now. I was lucky enough that I was able to get another reservation at Marriott Springhill Suites Convention Center on late notice, but it cost about $200 more than my original booking at Holiday Inn Express. I should have made a back up reservation in July when the Marriott rates would have been lower. Lesson learned.

Someone from the corporate relocation team should have reached out to you. They offered to put us in Staybridge Suites (we are a party of 6, so we need a suite), but it was more expensive than what we had booked at HIE so they offered to comp one of the nights. And when I say comp, it sounded like we would have to pay out of pocket and then they would reimburse us, which I did not trust at all. Also, I declined because the hotel was not within walking distance for us. I told them I had booked HIE specifically because of its proximity to Disneyland and now our options were extremely limited. They noticed I am a rewards member, so as compensation for the inconvenience, they ended up offering to add bonus points to my account. Still, I'm not happy about how everything was handled. They shouldn't have been taking reservation or at least letting people know sooner that they weren't going to be open in time. Best of luck trying to find another hotel.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Same thing happened to me for our reservation last week. Made a 2 night reservation for October 16-18 in July. They were supposed to be open in August. They had a Facebook page for this specific hotel at one point, and as they kept pushing the opening date further and further back they continued to reassure everyone that they would be opening on time for their reservations, which obviously they weren't. It made several people very unhappy. The FB page is gone now. I was lucky enough that I was able to get another reservation at Marriott Springhill Suites Convention Center on late notice, but it cost about $200 more than my original booking at Holiday Inn Express. I should have made a back up reservation in July when the Marriott rates would have been lower. Lesson learned.

Someone from the corporate relocation team should have reached out to you. They offered to put us in Staybridge Suites (we are a party of 6, so we need a suite), but it was more expensive than what we had booked at HIE so they offered to comp one of the nights. And when I say comp, it sounded like we would have to pay out of pocket and then they would reimburse us, which I did not trust at all. Also, I declined because the hotel was not within walking distance for us. I told them I had booked HIE specifically because of its proximity to Disneyland and now our options were extremely limited. They noticed I am a rewards member, so as compensation for the inconvenience, they ended up offering to add bonus points to my account. Still, I'm not happy about how everything was handled. They shouldn't have been taking reservation or at least letting people know sooner that they weren't going to be open in time. Best of luck trying to find another hotel.

The exact same thing has happened to us. I currently have springhill and ramada maingate booked and can't decide. How did you like springhill? I am worried about the walk being too long. OP i am sorry this happened to you. I think a lot of us were screwed with the HI, and it just isn't fair. Good luck in your hotel hunt!

 

[DaretoDis]

Don't know the dates for those above, but I would just book a hotel on Last Minute Travel Club and use ART. The Marriott Suites is going for $100/nite, and the Wyndham Garden Grove is going for $90/nite.

Again, don't know dates or family composition of above, so YMMV.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

The exact same thing has happened to us. I currently have springhill and ramada maingate booked and can't decide. How did you like springhill? I am worried about the walk being too long. OP i am sorry this happened to you. I think a lot of us were screwed with the HI, and it just isn't fair. Good luck in your hotel hunt!

Springhill Suites isn't much farther than the Ramada, but it can be a bit of a stretch at the end of a long day. We have kids ages 7-13 and the walk is doable for us. There is an ART stop nearby if you need it. I haven't stayed at the Ramada, but overall we like the Springhill Suites. It's still very new and clean, breakfast is fine, it can get a little crowded, but wasn't too bad for us this time.

 

[dotfurio]

We ended up booking the Annabella. We usually do CCI or Hojo, but CCI was booked and Hojo only had double beds, and DH and I can't sleep comfortably that close anymore! lol

They did offer to help us find other accommodations, but I declined because I don't know the other hotels of their brand in the area. Just researching myself, the other IHG properties seemed kind of out of the way. I emailed and asked if they'd offer a discount for the new hotel when it opens for the inconvenience; we'll see what they say...

 

[Astylla]

We ended up booking the Annabella. We usually do CCI or Hojo, but CCI was booked and Hojo only had double beds, and DH and I can't sleep comfortably that close anymore! lol

They did offer to help us find other accommodations, but I declined because I don't know the other hotels of their brand in the area. Just researching myself, the other IHG properties seemed kind of out of the way. I emailed and asked if they'd offer a discount for the new hotel when it opens for the inconvenience; we'll see what they say...

Me and my husband found the Annabella we stayed there several years ago very cramped. The room isn't bad but the rooms are rather on the small endjust to give you a heads up. I do hope the. Holiday Inn gives you a coupon for future stay because of the delay it's definitely good that you asked.

If you ever get a chance to stay at Hotel indigo which is an IHG property I highly recommend it. It's on Katella and it's within walking distance and not too much farther than the Annabella really. Their breakfast was really good when we were there they offer free parking as well and the rooms are really nice boutique styling.

 

[lvdis]

Me and my husband found the Annabella we stayed there several years ago very cramped. The room isn't bad but the rooms are rather on the small endjust to give you a heads up.

I think it depends on which room type you get. They have several different layouts. We stayed there a couple of years ago and were happy with it. Our room had a king size bed, sofa bed and a double bed that was kind of off in a separate area (no separate door though). It seems like it was called a Mission suite or something like that. We enjoyed the walk up Disneyland Drive and cutting through the Grand California. It's a very peaceful/pretty walk. I hope you have a good stay!

 

[Astylla]

I think it depends on which room type you get. They have several different layouts. We stayed there a couple of years ago and were happy with it. Our room had a king size bed, sofa bed and a double bed that was kind of off in a separate area (no separate door though). It seems like it was called a Mission suite or something like that. We enjoyed the walk up Disneyland Drive and cutting through the Grand California. It's a very peaceful/pretty walk. I hope you have a good stay!

That's exactly what we had the one time we stayed lol. It just goes to show one persons experience does not a good or bad hotel make It just was not enjoyable for us but I know many do as its popular. It's partly why I think reviews are always to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[lvdis]

That's exactly what we had the one time we stayed lol. It just goes to show one persons experience does not a good or bad hotel make It just was not enjoyable for us but I know many do as its popular. It's partly why I think reviews are always to be taken with a grain of salt.

I just looked it up and it wasn't the mission suite, so it might have been a little different than yours. It must have been a concierge king/double suite. This is the layout we had - http://www.anabellahotel.com/d/anabellahotel/media/pdf/CONC_CONCIERGE_PREMIER.pdf. The 2nd bed was in an area off to the side, not its own little room. We had the little patio like this shows too. I had gotten a Travelzoo special on it. You're right though, different people can have the same experience and feel completely different about it!

 

[dotfurio]

So no discount but they added some reward points to my IHG account. Unfortunately they had the wrong name....so some stranger just scored some reward points!

 

[Astylla]

I just looked it up and it wasn't the mission suite, so it might have been a little different than yours. It must have been a concierge king/double suite. This is the layout we had - http://www.anabellahotel.com/d/anabellahotel/media/pdf/CONC_CONCIERGE_PREMIER.pdf. The 2nd bed was in an area off to the side, not its own little room. We had the little patio like this shows too. I had gotten a Travelzoo special on it. You're right though, different people can have the same experience and feel completely different about it!

Oh okay I see now. That looks much better than what we have and would give that a chance at the right price lol. I definitely believe in trying things more than once just the value when we've gone hadn't been there yet. Thanks for the info though!

 

[dotfurio]

Well here we are at the Annabella. We weren't lucky enough to get a remodeled room. It's carpet and very worn furnishings and an odd smell for us :-/. At least it's only for 2 nights and most if our time will be in the parks.

I suppose that's what we get for being rather last minute. I need to remember to book a back up hotel if I ever book one that isn't open yet again in case
Of delays.

 

[Astylla]

If you have concerns about the room don't be afraid to bring them up. The front desk should at the very least be willing to listen and see if anything can be done. One if the worst things I hated as a hotel desk employee was for my guests to wait until checkout to tell us because there's always a chance we can do something. I'm sorry for your frustration it's understandable.

 

[Epek]

We were at the Annabella Sat-Sun. They put us in a room that had a weird musty smell too. We were going to just deal with it, but then realized the room was only 1/2 cleaned. It looked like housekeeping thought the guests were staying another night. Gross. So, we told the front desk and they moved us to one of the nice suites. I hope you talked to them about your dissatisfaction!

 

[dotfurio]

We ran the AC and went out, and when we got back from downtown Disney the smell had pretty much dissipated. However, there were several chunks of "dirt?" on the floor and the bedspread by the wall AC unit. BIG chunks. We called the front desk, who finally sent maintenance 45 minutes later after 3 calls. He said the room/ac hadn't been used in while but the good news is we cleaned it out by running it! They were supposed to send up a new comforter but it was almost 10 at this point, we wanted an early start in the morning, and we were tired so we gave up calling for it.

In their defense, I'm sure they were super busy. When I booked the room it said there were 4 left and that was a month ago, so I didn't even ask if moving was an option. The room was clean besides the AC chunks, just very worn out. Personally I wouldn't stay here again until I was assured the remodel has been totally completed, though. I love the CCI and Hojo and we'll probably just stick to those.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Looks like the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Anaheim Resort is now FINALLY opened. After a mere 6 month delay from their original opening date. Looking forward to hearing some reviews!

Doesn't look like their pool is ready yet though.

 

[dotfurio]

That's crazy! Wonder what all the delays were??? We booked Great Wolf Lodge for my youngest's b-day this summer so I hope they get up and running ok. If not, I have a Legoland backup. Lesson learned!

 

[mich311e]

We stayed at the Quality Inn on Manchester, right next door to the Holiday Inn in November and in January. I wondered how the parking is going to be at the Holiday Inn. My husband and I looked around when we walked each day and it doesn't appear to have much parking at all. We asked the manager at the QI and he said he didn't know either. It will be interesting to hear back how they handle parking.

 

[idle]

We stayed at the Quality Inn on Manchester, right next door to the Holiday Inn in November and in January. I wondered how the parking is going to be at the Holiday Inn. My husband and I looked around when we walked each day and it doesn't appear to have much parking at all. We asked the manager at the QI and he said he didn't know either. It will be interesting to hear back how they handle parking.

I was thinking about staying here as a new hotel ought to be quite nice, and it is closer to the entrance than the next closest IHG property (I'm vested in IHG for the moment).

I've been watching the reviews coming in as they've just recently opened. Seems the parking situation is that there are very few open and 'free' spots and everything else is Valet ($15/night). I take that to mean they take your car somewhere offsite as there is hardly any parking spaces around the hotel.

Now I am re-evaluating my choice as I learned this. Only 2 of the 4 days I planned on staying there will be dedicated to Disney, and I hate having to deal with valet in getting my car.