Nicest Non-Disney Hotel???

[BippityBoppity]

Hubbie and I are making an unexpected trip to the WC in April. We thought that it might be nice to spend a couple of days at DL. We haven't been there in probably 15+ years. We don't really want to spend the extra $$ to stay at one of the Disneyland Hotels. We want to stay at a nice romantic place. Not worried about walking distance because we can drive if need be to get what we want in a hotel. But, if there is a really nice hotel within a mile of DL then that would be great too. Please give me your opinions.

Thank you so much

 

[fairycat]

We really liked the Hilton. We had a corner Disneyland view room, and actually watched parts of WoC and the fireworks from our room. I also used my cell phone with a youtube app to add the fireworks music for more of the experience. We also stayed at a hilton suites brand (forgot the name but it is a Hilton property) down Harbor a little bit and it was super nice. Also the Doubletree, but personally I think it's usually almost as expensive as going with a Disneyland hotel. So not typically worth it for us.

 

[Malcon10t]

We like the Hilton also. The Doubletree on Harbor is also nice, I book my brother and family in there often, and it is usually about $135 a night. The Hyatt is down the road a bit (maybe 1.5 miles) and quite nice. It can often be found on Priceline for $50-60 a night.

 

[yupikgal]

I might suggest the Candy Cane Inn, they include a continental breakfast, have lovely landscaping, they are rated #3 on TA, they are within walking distance, but also have a dedicated shuttle, there's a grocery store and a 7-11 next door, there are plantation shutters on windows, and if you get a premium room, they will deliver your breakfast in the morning! Good luck!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

If you are looking for a "nice hotel" near Disneyland that isn't a DLR property, then you have to know a little about the area. The majority of walking distance hotels on Harbor Blvd are actually "motels", which means outdoor corridors and a motor coach style of motel. This is fine if that is what you are wanting and know you will be getting, but from your request of the "nicest" I don't think that is what you are wanting.

The Candy Cane Inn is a true "motel"--not a nice "hotel". Perfect if that is what you expect, but not so perfect if you are expecting something else. We stayed there last summer, and there were some surprises for us. First of all, it is two stories, and there is no elevator. This means you drag your luggage up concrete steps by yourself. It is very old school in it's furnishings and bathrooms. But, with that said--it is a very family friendly type of motel. The pool is very tiny and filled with lots of kids, but the landscaping is nice and their is a pride of ownership in the place that you can see. The shuttle service is on time and friendly and never crowded.

There are many other motels on Harbor that look similar to these style of motels. Howard Johnsons on Harbor is more of a "hotel" with indoor elevators and corridors, but it is a solid 2.5-3 star hotel. It is perfect for the price point, I think.

You have to go a little farther from the DLR area to get a true "nice" hotel feeling. I personally think that if you are going to do this, then you should pick a hotel with a dedicated hotel shuttle that takes you Disneyland. I would never stay at a hotel that has you depend on ART (Anaheim Rapid Transit) for transportation. This is because the timing is not dependable, and they make many stops. If you stay at a hotel that has it's own shuttle (or one shared with only one or two other nearby hotels) then you know exactly when to catch it (usually every half hour) and are taken right back to your hotel.

I think the nicest hotels that have hotel shuttles are:
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Sheraton
Or a bit further away in Orange:
The Doubletree Hilton

I think the nicest is the Hyatt Regency Orange County. They use to share their shuttle with another hotel, but now have their own shuttle.

I hope this is helpful and what you were looking for.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

I've never stayed there, but read good things about it: Park Vue Inn

I actually haven't seen the reviews on tripadvisor and so on - so the honest I don't know much about haha

Just read some romantic and good things about it, which made me want to stay there :b

So maybe it's worth checking it out

 

[marciemouse]

Another vote for the Hilton by the convention center. Fireworks view room! Also, look into package rates that include their huge and very nice breakfast buffet.

We also like the Marriott right across from the Hilton. Parking costs more than at the Hilton though. However, they offer a package that includes a really nice breakfast buffet and parking.

The Hilton is probably more romantic, though the hotel has really modern decor. If you don't love modern, try the Marriott, which has slightly more traditional decor.

You can walk from either one, though it's a bit far. Each hotel has its own ART shuttle bus, too.

 

[Hollywog]

I agree- the Hyatt down the road is very nice. We lucked out a few years ago and got it on Priceline for $55 a night.

Also stayed at the Hotel Menage- it was interesting. It seems like it used to be a motel type place but has been renovated. Looks like they were trying to make it look like a "W" hotel, but it still has outdoor corridors, but aside from that, the property is very nice, the lounges are chic, and the furnishings are cool and modern. It's about a mile from the park, and the prices are in the $75/night range. I would probably stay there again.

Have also stayed at the Anaheim Marriott, the Marriott Residence Inn, Peacock Suites, and a few others that were nothing to write home about.

 

[Olallamom]

My kids and I are checking into the Anaheim Marriott this Sunday for 4 nights. I have stayed there before, but many years ago. We usually stay at DLH, but was unable to justify 1K more for 4 nights.

I will post a review when I get back.

 

[aymekae]

I am voting for Park Vue Inn as our favorite romantic hotel. In fact, we chose to stay there immediately after our wedding for a mini-honeymoon (our real honeymoon to WDW was a few months later). We loved it so much that when we were planning another romantic getaway last year, that's where we chose, and it was still just as good.

What we like about it: a nice room with king bed and two person jacuzzi tub for about $160/night! Unlike some "jacuzzi rooms" we've stayed in, this one is in the room, not the bathroom, and it is framed on two sides by mirrors. Oh, not to mention it is literally across the street from Disneyland. They give you a little welcome basket; ours included a bottle of champagne with 2 plastic flutes, a few pieces of fruit, and a few bottles of water. I like their continental breakfast better than most. And they also serve a light dinner, though I have not actually tried it. Oh, did I mention they have a Cold Stone Creamery right there attached to the hotel lobby? Yep! Good stuff. And this might seem like a little thing, but we liked their bathroom! It was nice and spacious with a sink and mirror inside the bathroom and a mini-vanity just outside the bathroom. Very different than most setups. And they have a fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The room is spacious, I never felt cramped at all.

There was a few down sides, but nothing major. All their king jacuzzi rooms are situated at the far back of the hotel. This makes it quieter, but a bit of a longer walk to the parks. Also, there is no view. One window faces a hallway and the other smaller window faces a large parking lot. But, if you are there for a romantic getaway, the curtains will be drawn, am I right?

Good luck wherever you choose!

 

[nana50]

I vote for the Anaheim Hilton and the Sheraton. I've been able to get both for around $89.00 a night if I plan it right. They are both great.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Lisa is absolutely correct, some of your recommendations are actually motels, which is fine as long as you understand what you are getting.