Second thoughts about the Hojo

[Tarheel girl 1975]

We are planning to stay at the Hojo for our July Disneyland trip but some of the recent reviews on Trip Advisor are giving me second thoughts. I'm seeing lots of reviews mentioning how worn the rooms are or that the beds are uncomfortable. Has anyone stayed here recently who can provide any feedback? Should we look at other options?

 

[robert_j]

I have stayed at HOJO twice before, most recently in 2015, and never had complaints.

Currently I am maintaining reservations for July in both the HOJO (kids suite) and the Marriott next door, which was not available last time I was in town. The Marriott is $500 more (for 3 nights), and for that I would get updated accommodations and a theme park view.

I keep going back and forth, but what my wife keeps reminding me is that we never spend any time in the hotel except to sleep. So a lot may depend on whether you use the room. HOJO also has free parking and a 12PM check out time, which is not for nothing.

I do remember finding the standard room with Queen bed and JR bunk bed to be a bit small. But, really, we spent so little time there that room size was not the leading priority. The kids suite we have booked for this year is actually two rooms, which puts it in the same league as the Marriott in terms of space, so we will probably just stick with HOJO. I am not persuaded that $500 + parking is worth it for updated decor.

For the same money, you can get a MSEP dining package + WOC Dessert party for a family of four.

 

[Angrose]

We really enjoyed our stay there in summer 2015. We were in a basic double room and I found the beds to be very comfortable and the rooms spacious. I think HOJO has fantastic customer service so if anything was uncomfortable about your room, I'm sure they would do whatever they could to remedy it.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I've stayed there dozens of times. The bathrooms are dated, and there is some wear beginning to show in some of the rooms again since it's been a few years since the last big refreshes for those rooms. The hotel goes through regular upkeep and maintenance though rather than being neglected between big projects, and I'm guessing building 1 is going to get a complete refresh soon since it's to close down for a period of time near the end of year. Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again this summer even before the refresh because I find the beds comfortable, the rooms clean, and the staff excellent.

 

[kirstie101]

Hojo is our preferred hotel and like the poster above me we have stayed there dozens of times. I stayed there as recently as April and January of this year and November and June of last year. The beds are more comfortable than my bed at home. The rooms themselves may show some wear (as all properties would unless just remodeled) but really not much IMO. They are always clean and look nice and well taken care of. Only one time did we ever have a complaint about our room and that was when the stopper in one of the sinks wouldn't stay up. This was quickly taken care of when we told the front desk. Some of the rooms bathrooms have these tiles with orange flowers on them but its more retro looking than old I think. Its really a nice property. They seem to take pride in it and are always working on maintaining it. We stay in either Building 1 in the park facing Queen/Queen rooms or in the smaller two story buildings that house the double/double rooms. I can't speak to Building 2 as its the only one i've never stayed in.

We're happily returning to the Hojo in July for our summer trip. And I also have a November and January trip booked there as well! My mom also comes with us on all of our trips and trust me when I tell you my mom wouldn't continue to stay there if it was run down.

 

[pharmama]

I'll bite... we stayed at the Hojo a few years back in one of the kids suites and I have to admit, I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. We have 3 kids so one of them was using the pull out chair bed and it was horrifically uncomfortable (it was bad even for a sofa bed). I tried it out to see if she was just being whiny because she wanted to be on the bunks and her complaints were justified. The other beds were OK. The space in the two rooms was nice as was having two bathrooms, something you don't usually get in other family suite arrangements. The bathrooms were definitely dated and kind of tight on counter space.

We did not use the water play area since it was December and cold/rainy. I don't think it was even open most of the time. DH and I also didn't super love the walk. It's not that far, yet somehow it seemed to take forever but that may have had to do with the weather.

 

[agamble]

I've been twice. The first time was a long time ago (before they had the water area) with my mother. We had a room in the tall building (is that building 1) and our room overlooked the Matterhorn. What a great view! The walk is definitely noticeable. It is not like staying at the Desert Inn or one of those hotels right there. However, the hotel is nicer than many of the places right across the street. But we enjoy the Desert Inn too for it's good prices and great location.

The last time was about 5 years ago. We took our oldest (at the time only) over her second birthday. The water play area was great for her age, and I think it would be great for any elementary age or younger kid who enjoys water. We stayed in one of the buildings closest to the water play area. Those rooms are the cheapest and only have full size beds.

We are staying there this July because I was able to get a decent rate and I know the kids will love the water area. We will have APs and are blocked on Saturdays, so it will be nice for them to have something fun to do. We opted for a queen room even though the building (I think 2) is further away from the play area and the parks. I am hopeful we will have a good time.

If you are not interested in the water play area I would look around and see what deals you can find. It's getting close to your trip, so you may have trouble finding a good rate. I wouldn't cancel your stay until you have something else booked. And I certainly wouldn't hesitate to stay there. I think reviews are often nitpicky, part of our internet culture where we can say what we want. HOJO is as nice as any of the other hotels right in that area. You could book at one of the new hotels if the idea of an aging place bugs you, but they often charge double and are further away.

 

[maleficent55]

I have stayed at HOJO twice before, most recently in 2015, and never had complaints.

Currently I am maintaining reservations for July in both the HOJO (kids suite) and the Marriott next door, which was not available last time I was in town. The Marriott is $500 more (for 3 nights), and for that I would get updated accommodations and a theme park view.

I keep going back and forth, but what my wife keeps reminding me is that we never spend any time in the hotel except to sleep. So a lot may depend on whether you use the room. HOJO also has free parking and a 12PM check out time, which is not for nothing.

I do remember finding the standard room with Queen bed and JR bunk bed to be a bit small. But, really, we spent so little time there that room size was not the leading priority. The kids suite we have booked for this year is actually two rooms, which puts it in the same league as the Marriott in terms of space, so we will probably just stick with HOJO. I am not persuaded that $500 + parking is worth it for updated decor.

For the same money, you can get a MSEP dining package + WOC Dessert party for a family of four.

Oh my gosh! You should so use the $ for the dining package and dessert party!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We just stayed there in April and it was fine. Beds were comfy and kids loved the water play. It's not luxurious, but I'd stay there again.

 

[tanyaegangibson]

My kids and I really love Hojo. It has a very fun, retro feel, and even though we did enjoy the new Marriott next door when we tried it out in a split stay last summer, my kids preferred Hojo because it feels to us like a warmer, more personal place. (Don't get me wrong--the Marriott is very nice, and I think we will be staying there in November with extended family.) But we chose it over the Marriott for part of my upcoming 50th bday split-stay DL extravaganza in July(the other part is at Disneyland Hotel) because it feels like "home" to us there.

 

[pennym]

Hojo has the most comfortable beds of any hotel I've ever stayed at. So if that's important, stay there you won't regret it.

 

[Midnightred]

It's been awhile since we've stayed at the Hojo but we're looking forward to staying there for 5 nights coming up in June. I read the reviews you're talking about and was wondering if those were in buildings 3 or 4. I'm not sure those rooms have microwaves and elevators. As for the tileing with the flowers, I love that! We do spend alot of time in the room and we love the rooms at Hojo! Very comfortable and cheerful!

Midnightred

 

[nutshell]

I stayed at Hojobince several years ago after all the positive reviews here. I thought it was just ok. Never been back. Since then we've stayed at the Hilton and just walk across the street to the Toy Story parking lot to catch a shuttle. I'm also hearing good things about the nearby Hyatt Place.

 

[robert_j]

Oh my gosh! You should so use the $ for the dining package and dessert party!

That's the plan! Plus, the comment above about the HOJO feeling like home is resonating with me. My wife and I stayed there on our first wedding anniversary in 2001 and then brought the kids on our 15th wedding anniversary in 2015, so there is absolutely a nostalgic quality.

 

[deetman]

Just to reiterate what others have said--I've stayed in both, and really like both (owned by the same people BTW). But free parking would do it for me--plus the service at HoJo's is GREAT! Any little problem will be addressed.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

In our beginning planning stages, I looked at all of the motels that most people seem to love on here. I wasn't a fan of the dated look of many of them. So I would probably book elsewhere if you think the dated rooms will bother you! I know that personally speaking, when we go on vacay, I prefer to stay somewhere equal to, or nicer than, my own bedroom/bathroom. That's just my personal preference though. Different strokes for different folks!

 

[rentayenta]

We stayed there once. Its highly overrated for what they charge.

 

[maleficent55]

We booked for July and I had second thoughts and cancelled

Every step at the end of the night matters to me and the little feet with me trying to keep up

It looks cute though

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just wondering, does the HoJo still have the rooms (I forget which building these were) that have skylight-type windows way up high? I remember they did 12 years ago, when I stayed there during DL's 50th anniversary. What was a big pain was that those windows didn't have any coverings so when it got light out in the early morning, the room got light. I was wondering if they still have those. I don't remember the building number, but I think the building was straight or towards the left.

 

[kirstie101]

Just wondering, does the HoJo still have the rooms (I forget which building these were) that have skylight-type windows way up high? I remember they did 12 years ago, when I stayed there during DL's 50th anniversary. What was a big pain was that those windows didn't have any coverings so when it got light out in the early morning, the room got light. I was wondering if they still have those. I don't remember the building number, but I think the building was straight or towards the left.

They do still have these. They are in the rooms on the top floors of their two story buildings. I believe its building #s 3,4,5 and 6.