No love for the Fairfield Inn?

[AustinTink]

I just checked the Fairfield's rates for my July trip and they are coming in at $116 as opposed to the Hojo at $136.

Is there something wrong with the Fairfield? I just see so much about the Hojo and not about the Fairfield, it had me wondering.

 

[AlexJanessa]

I just checked the Fairfield's rates for my July trip and they are coming in at $116 as opposed to the Hojo at $136.

Is there something wrong with the Fairfield? I just see so much about the Hojo and not about the Fairfield, it had me wondering.

Most people on the boards love HOJO's but will agree that there are a LOT of other great hotels nearby. I haven't stayed at Fairfields but it was highly recommended by a coworker of mine who stayed there last year. They loved it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Huge amount Hojo cheerleaders on this board. But there have been a few threads in the past about the Fairfield.

Jack

 

[Mindy71]

We have stayed at the Fairfield twice in the past few years & we like it just fine. It's really handy to have the Pizza Hut located inside! Our only compliant is that it's kind of a long walk back from the parks at night when you're exhausted & your feet are screaming. In the morning the walk is a breeze.

 

[oscarkitty1]

I prefer to stay at the Grand when I can, but our next choice is the Fairfield. I am a Marriott Rewards member so I like getting the points. They have the nice Pacific Coast down pillows like the full service Marriott's!

Since I am an Elite member we got upgraded to a theme park view for free! Plus they gave me a card for a discount at the food court (although we never made it there).

I have also stayed at the Hojo, the Camelot, and Candy Cane. Really you can't go wrong with any one of them.

I personally would only go with Hojo if you are looking to get the very lowest rate and the Entertainment rate is available. However, I do not have kids so I'm not taking their kids water play are into account - if you have kids it looks really cool!

 

[AustinTink]

I personally would only go with Hojo if you are looking to get the very lowest rate and the Entertainment rate is available. However, I do not have kids so I'm not taking their kids water play are into account - if you have kids it looks really cool!

See that's what got me thinking. Fairfield came in UNDER the Hojo in price. So, with the cost factor eliminated, what would make the Hojo better? Is it cleaner, more refurbished?

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

See that's what got me thinking. Fairfield came in UNDER the Hojo is price. So, with the cost factor eliminated, what would make the Hojo better? Is it cleaner, more refurbished?

Hojo has the entertainment rate of 50% off the regular rate, with standard rooms at $59, so because of that, it makes the place really popular. I think that may be the reason that you have read so much about it. They also have great rooms, inside corridors, and a great staff, and we love it there, but to be honest, if the entertainment rate wasn't available and I could find a better rate somewhere else, I might go elsewhere. I don't have any young children so the water park at the Hojo wouldn't be a factor any longer. I've heard really good things about the Fairfield Inn, but I think if the entertainment rate is available at Hojos, that's why some people may choose to go there over the Fairfield Inn, along with the other reasons that I mentioned above.

 

[davidsprincess]

We stayed at the Fairfield a couple of a year and a half ago for a couple of weeks. We liked it. It was fine. There were only 3 of us in the room, but we had lots of space. the beds were great. the walk from the park to the hotel was no different than walking back to the HOJO. They are easy hop, skip and a jump to Mimi's for breakfast, just cut accross the parking lot. We found the staff to be really nice and friendly. We have never had a problem with them. There is a chair in the room that pulls out into a bed, thus allowing the room to easily sleep 5 if need be. We liked them because they allowed us to decorate the outside of our door with removable disney stickers. Our room really stood out with them on! You could even see it from the pool and we stayed 6 floors up!! Anyways, nothing wrong with Fairfield. We like to try new places to stay so we will not be with them for our next trip.

 

[skiingfast]

Our only compliant is that it's kind of a long walk back from the parks at night when you're exhausted & your feet are screaming. In the morning the walk is a breeze.

Right it's a little far, but Hojo is further. So unless the OP needs the Kid pool at Hojo, there really isn't any reason to stay at Hojo over the fairfield.

Both offer something rare on Harbor, interior hallways. But honestly in a safe place like the Anaheim resort area I don't think that makes a difference to choose them over the other motels.

 

[AustinTink]

Right it's a little far, but Hojo is further. So unless the OP needs the Kid pool at Hojo, there really isn't any reason to stay at Hojo over the fairfield.

Both offer something rare on Harbor, interior hallways. But honestly in a safe place like the Anaheim resort area I don't think that makes a difference to choose them over the other motels.

My DS is 12. He loves waterparks, but this looks like it's just for the little ones. Yes? At WDW, we usually stay at the Beach Club, he loves storm along bay. But it has more for the big kids to do.

 

[skiingfast]

My DS is 12. He loves waterparks, but this looks like it's just for the little ones. Yes? At WDW, we usually stay at the Beach Club, he loves storm along bay. But it has more for the big kids to do.

Yes that is what I mean. If DS is 12 and can swim. He probably wants more excitement than a splash play area.

Fairfield has basic pool with lounge chairs and sun all day long.

No hotel pool area in Anahiem will match Storm Along Bay. No big water slides or sand bottom pools with a beach area. Unless you stay at the DLH when it's new pool is done don't expect a whole lot anywhere.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We have stayed at Fairfield once and Hojo many times. Our stay at the Fairfield was fine. The parking lot was a tight squeeze, but we did not have trouble getting parking. I do hear that the charge for parking these days, which they did not during our visit several years ago. The room was clean and spacious enough for our family of 2 adults and 2 children. I would recommend getting a Disney side room rather than a highway side room. I would make a similar type recommendation for Hojo too, don't stay on the highway side of building 1 there unless you are willing to make the noise trade-off for a kids suite, not worth it for a regular type room.

The reason we keep going back to Hojo is ultimately price. In our case, since we have APs, we can get 20% off whatever the going rate at Hojo is. I rarely find a place that is within walking distance, that I don't have to pre-pay, and that comes out cheaper for the whole stay. That being said, if Fairfield came out cheaper, I don't see any reason not to consider it. The walk is slightly less, you're still next to Mimi's, and you have the basic amenities.

BTW, Hojo has a separate pool as well as the water play area. My 9 and 11 year old boys enjoy both.

 

[cccdisney]

Both offer something rare on Harbor, interior hallways. .

Does Fairfield Inn have interior hallways? I could have sworn they have outside hallways.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Does Fairfield Inn have interior hallways? I could have sworn they have outside hallways.

Oh good point. I do like the interior hallways of Hojo. Fairfield Inn to the best of my knowledge does not have interior hallways. I remember the door opening to the outside and overlooking the parking lot.

 

[skiingfast]

Does Fairfield Inn have interior hallways? I could have sworn they have outside hallways.

Sorry they do, but not quite like a traditional motel. Once off the ground floor you are more isolated from the exterior because it's a taller building with real elevators, instead of ones just used to make a place ADA compliant. The stairs get a fire access feal, rather than something you would always use at a 2 story motel.

 

[AustinTink]

BTW, Hojo has a separate pool as well as the water play area. My 9 and 11 year old boys enjoy both.

That's a great reference point for me. I think my DS might have fun at the splash play area. He can really play up or down age wise, depending on the environment.

 

[jory29]

That's a great reference point for me. I think my DS might have fun at the splash play area. He can really play up or down age wise, depending on the environment.

DISboard members are also offered a 15% off discount (off of reg. priced rooms.) Obviously the entertainment rate (now called retro rate) of 50% off if you can get it is best, but 15% off is a good discount, too. Just let in-house reservations know (714.776.6120) you are seeking the DISboard member rate of 15% off. DO NOT phone central Howard Johnson's reservations they know nothing about these codes and can not honor them. ONLY in-house reservations staff at Hojo's in Anaheim can help.

Online you can enter code LKEP using the 'promo' code portion of the reservation form; if the entertainment rate is available for your dates it will show as entertainment rate heading for rooms available. You can also try the code LNLR to see the 15% discounted rate for DISboard members.

Here's the thread from Hojo's that tells you when the Entertainment Rate is available.
http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=14

 

[KCmike]

Fairfield is great. Its closer to DL, has a McDonalds very close, a pizza hut express inside, and had comfortable rooms. It is our favorite of all on Harbor. We have stayed at HOJO, FFI, and BWPPI. Pool is very small though. If you want a pool then go to HOJO otherwise stay here.

 

[perrinej]

Thanks for all the good coments on the Fairfield Inn, this makes me feel a little better. My daughter and I will arrived there June 10 for our 1st Disneyland vacation. We got a good deal through Southwest vacations, flight, hotel, and disneyland 6 day hopper tickets. Staying 8 nights and total cost per person was right under $1000.00. HOJO's hotel was NOT one that Southwest uses, but Fairfield Inn was. I think we will be very happy there and will be able to walk to almost everything from Disney, dining and shopping!

 

[23bw]

No love from me for the FFI. Sorry.

I tried to like the FFI but just couldn't stay there. Because of the motel style corridors, you can't open your room window for fresh air without hearing people walk by outside the room. Even with the window closed, you can still hear noise from the walkway and the parking lot. The bedding and bathroom are in good shape but everything else in the rooms is dated. Our room had a partially broken TV, old fixtures, window style A/C, dirty carpet, and an overwhelming stench of must/deordorizer. And we happened to be on the 3rd floor so each time we used the elevators, we had to walk by that noisey cafeteria style room hosting the Pizza Hut, arcade games, and self service laundry machines. It felt like I was back in a college dorm! Taking back stairs isn't any better. In the back of the FFI there were about a dozen carts of dirty linen waiting to be laundered. That area felt like the bowels of a commecial laundromat.

My kids play on the floor and touch just about everything new to them. So this place was really unacceptable for us. And with 2 young kids in tow, it's a long walk down Harbor Blvd. Any Disney magic absorbed in DLR is quickly sucked out of you as soon as you step foot on Harbor Blvd. By the time you have reached the FFI from Disney gates, you'll feel lucky you made it without being panhandled or robbed. When I'm on vacation with the family, I don't want to see or experience any of this stuff.

This place might be acceptable if I only wanted a place to shower and sleep such as a business trip. Might be acceptable too if my kids were older.

The cost to stay here isn't cheap either. For a few bucks more each night, there are much nicer places to stay.