Staying at the Hilton Garden Inn - Tell me about it...

[simba_one]

So we finally booked our SoCal holiday for next Summer last Friday and we are going to be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn in Anaheim/Garden Grove. As always, we booked through Virgin Holidays so of course used our Frequent Flyer discount!! We wanted to stay at the Hyatt like last year but it was fully booked the dates we wanted - July 29 through August 19. They looked a week either side of our dates and the closest they could offer us was August 10 through August 31. That's later than we usually go and it's the day after my birthday and I love having my birthday out there so we went for the HGI for the dates we wanted. Have to say I'm a little upset we won't be staying at the Hyatt but there's more to a holiday than the hotel you stay in. And I'm sure the HGI is just as nice - maybe not AS nice. As much as I love Virgin Holidays, I'm kinda annoyed at them - there's like one hotel for each budget so if the hotel that fits with your bidget is fully booked, like the Hyatt is for us, then you have to compromise. Just shows how popular (and fabulous) that hotel is. They could at least add a few more higher star hotels to choose from. Oh well...

So go on... get me excited about the HGI. Ever stayed there? What's it like? Good points, bad points...?! No detail too small!!!

 

[simba_one]

Anyone?!? I posted the same question on a Disneyland Board and one of the replies I got has worried me slightly...

"You may want to check out the reviews on Tripadvisor.com

However, since you've already booked, you may want to avoid reading any reviews. Nothing like knowing you're going to be disappointed with the hotel before you even get there!"

Is there anything major to be worried about?! It looks like a great hotel (no Hyatt but I hear that's going down hill lately anyway?!) so I'm just putting it down to someone who stays on-site all the time not thinking much of it - compared to one of the DLR hotels. Or just general snobbyness?!

Anything you can tell me to restore my faith would be appreciated.

 

[albianne]

I have no personal experience with the Hilton Garden Grove but friends of ours stayed there last summer and loved it, they said they would stay there again when they go back to DL Our friends are what I consider to be real neat freaks (We have a seasonal camping stall next to them and often see my friend dusting the outside of her 5th wheel LOL) anyway if there was any problem with cleanliness at the Hilton I would have heard about it. Don't fret about a negative review, it might have been a isolated incident.

 

[simba_one]

I have no personal experience with the Hilton Garden Grove but friends of ours stayed there last summer and loved it, they said they would stay there again when they go back to DL Our friends are what I consider to be real neat freaks (We have a seasonal camping stall next to them and often see my friend dusting the outside of her 5th wheel LOL) anyway if there was any problem with cleanliness at the Hilton I would have heard about it. Don't fret about a negative review, it might have been a isolated incident.

at the dusting!! At least I know its nice and clean now. Thanks!!!!

 

[Ella1]

Simba1,
the Hilton looks nice as our coach used to call in there en route to the Hyatt last year. Still not booked ours yet, waiting for Xmas day!!...lol.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Thanks Ella!! I'm kicking myself for never having a snoop in there last year now. And we used to cut through the bushes in their car park all the time when we used to walk back from dinner or whatever. Does look nice though. Hopefully I'll get a room at the rear of the hotel on the left hand side so I have a good view of the Hyatt.

I bet you're counting down the days. I hope you get the discount and what you want on Xmas Day!! We just didn't want to risk it. I'll be kicking myself again on Xmas Day though 'coz I bet the 15% discount will be there and the HGI will be available for the dates we booked. Didn't wanna chance it though.

 

[Ella1]

We are going to take a chance for Xmas Day as we have other plans up our sleeves including flying with other airlines and staying at the Holiday Inn or the Crowne Plaza.
I'm sure you will find it every bit as nice as the Hyatt and you'll be in the same area.
Love Ella

 

[got2travel]

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Nov 2004. I had decided to make a last minute weekend run to see the holiday decorations. Since my usual picks were full, I risked Priceline, deciding to go as cheap as possible.

I was pleased with the HGI. The room was really nice, very clean, and had a coffee pot, fridge and microwave. There is a complimentary shuttle that is shared by 2 other hotels in the area, Embassy Suites and ?? (can't remember the other one). The shuttle was every hour I think, maybe even 30 minutes. I'm used to staying within walking distance, so I was a little put off at having to be on a schedule, but still glad that I didn't have to drive in myself.

Every afternoon there were complimentary cookies out, and at all hours, there was complimentary coffee in cups with lids so you could take it on the shuttle with you. I'm used to have a free continental breakfast, so I was a little disappointed that there was not one here. There was a breakfast buffet but we chose not to eat at the hotel.

Overall, I was happy with the HGI. I just had some minor disappointments that had nothing to do with the hotel itself, just little things that I'm used to having when I'm visiting DL.

 

[simba_one]

We are going to take a chance for Xmas Day as we have other plans up our sleeves including flying with other airlines and staying at the Holiday Inn or the Crowne Plaza.
I'm sure you will find it every bit as nice as the Hyatt and you'll be in the same area.
Love Ella

Cool!! Keep me updated... Which HI are you looking at?! The one behind Dl or HI at the Park? I guess the one behind Dl?! That's the one we were thinking about staying in for the first two weeks. The rooms look real nice. And it's close.

The whole being in the same area as the Hyatt makes me feel a lot better. It's a nice little corner area with open space behind it so it's nice and peaceful. I'm sure I'll love it.

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Nov 2004. I had decided to make a last minute weekend run to see the holiday decorations. Since my usual picks were full, I risked Priceline, deciding to go as cheap as possible.

I was pleased with the HGI. The room was really nice, very clean, and had a coffee pot, fridge and microwave. There is a complimentary shuttle that is shared by 2 other hotels in the area, Embassy Suites and ?? (can't remember the other one). The shuttle was every hour I think, maybe even 30 minutes. I'm used to staying within walking distance, so I was a little put off at having to be on a schedule, but still glad that I didn't have to drive in myself.

Every afternoon there were complimentary cookies out, and at all hours, there was complimentary coffee in cups with lids so you could take it on the shuttle with you. I'm used to have a free continental breakfast, so I was a little disappointed that there was not one here. There was a breakfast buffet but we chose not to eat at the hotel.

Overall, I was happy with the HGI. I just had some minor disappointments that had nothing to do with the hotel itself, just little things that I'm used to having when I'm visiting DL.

The extras which lowered your stay at the HGI won't effect me at all - I don't think - so it should be an enjoyable stay. And as you say they are just little things that different people like to have but the overall hotel sounds nice so I'm happy now!! Thanks for that. And the fact that it's not that close to the Resort I'm OK with too... we drive all the time so won't be a problem. And the times we do walk will be a nice change.

Was it quite open and light though? It looks like it from the inside photos I've seen. I just have a thing with hotels being dark and gloomy now. Ever since staying in the hell hole that is the HI Fishermans Wharf in SF - where they drag your luggage to your room through the street!!!!! Funny now but not when you're there. Lol. And the corridors were soo dark and not very inviting. I hated that. A simple thing like bright hallways make a hotel so much nicer - IMO.

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
Having been pricing quite a lot of places, we are now thinking of the Hilton Garden Inn as you get a free breakfast and it's close to Target and all the good restaurants.
It seems a very nice hotel and very good price, as theres going to be 6 of us altogether, the free breakfast will be a huge saving for us.It's between there and the Hyatt, but no breakfast at the Hyatt.
Not long now till Xmas day!!!...lol
Love Ella

 

[tiggersis]

I stayed at HGI last May. I really liked it. The rooms were clean and the staff was very friendly. The Hyatt behide the hotel has with a starbucks and a Pizza Hut, which we used one night. We loved the shuttle because it saved us parking money. Hope you have a wonderful stay!!

 

[simba_one]

I stayed at HGI last May. I really liked it. The rooms were clean and the staff was very friendly. The Hyatt behide the hotel has with a starbucks and a Pizza Hut, which we used one night. We loved the shuttle because it saved us parking money. Hope you have a wonderful stay!!

Thanks so much for the info!!! We'll definitely be taking advantage of the Starbucks and Pizza Hut over at the Hyatt - LOVED it last year. And I'm sure I'll have a fantastic stay!!!!

Hi Simba,
Having been pricing quite a lot of places, we are now thinking of the Hilton Garden Inn as you get a free breakfast and it's close to Target and all the good restaurants.
It seems a very nice hotel and very good price, as theres going to be 6 of us altogether, the free breakfast will be a huge saving for us.It's between there and the Hyatt, but no breakfast at the Hyatt.
Not long now till Xmas day!!!...lol
Love Ella

I have to say the placement of the hotel is excellent. I would never stay nearer the resort I don't think. Yeah, it's [where the Hyatt and HGI are] far away from the resort but that's nice. Thinking about it, I couldn't imagine staying in one right next to the resort because the noise would be too much.

And I checked the other day and the Hyatt is gone for your dates. I think. I checked June 30 for 17 days and it was gone. But the HGI does look nice. Very different from the Hyatt though. More classic. The Sheraton Park will be nice too though. It was the Coast but Virgin have it available now as the Sheraton Park Hotel. And the Coast had balconies with either pool or Dl park views. We were thinking about it but as the hotel isn't finished yet we didn't want to take a chance on it being nic like the Coast used to be. Knowing us it'll be absolutely lovely and we'll wish we had booked there though. Lol. But, it is right next to the resort so I dunno. The balconies was wat would have made us go for it though.

Not long till Xmas Day indeed!!! I'm excited and I'm not even going to be booking anything.

And if you do go for the HGI you'll definitelyhave to let me know what everything was like when you get back as we'll e going a week after you get back!! You'll have to let me know how it goes either way but especially if you stay at the HGI. I just wish it had a better official website. I just keep looking at the same pictures.

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
the Coast is due to be finished in June 2006, and it would be nice to stay in a recently refurbished hotel, but the free breakfast is a huge plus for us at the HGI. I have been inside what was then the West Coast hotel and I promised myself I would stay there one day, but a breakfast is better than a balcony I think...lol. You can see the fireworks from nearly everywhere around Anaheim, we watched them from our hotel window with the window open when we stayed at the Radisson, it was just the same as having a balcony in a way.
We will certainly let you know how it is when we get back, even if its awful we'll say its good then it doesn't spoil it for you...lol J/K it will be great.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Hi Simba,
the Coast is due to be finished in June 2006, and it would be nice to stay in a recently refurbished hotel, but the free breakfast is a huge plus for us at the HGI. I have been inside what was then the West Coast hotel and I promised myself I would stay there one day, but a breakfast is better than a balcony I think...lol. You can see the fireworks from nearly everywhere around Anaheim, we watched them from our hotel window with the window open when we stayed at the Radisson, it was just the same as having a balcony in a way.
We will certainly let you know how it is when we get back, even if its awful we'll say its good then it doesn't spoil it for you...lol J/K it will be great.
Love Ella

Hey Ella,

The free breakfast... where are you reading that? It doesn't say anything about it on the Virgin website or in the brochure (same info anyway)?!? I totally understand why you'd choose the HGI over the Coast though. More important things than a balcony. It's just watching the fireworks from up there and outside would make it even more amazing.

Now hurry up and get on your holiday already... I wanna know your opinion on the hotel!!!

I'm sure you're right though - it is gonna be great!!

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
the Virgin brochure says for stays of 5 nights or over you get free breakfast, I think it's a Virgin Bonus.
I agree about the balcony, though they do come in handy for drying the washing!!!...lol.We are getting very excited at the thought of booking now as it's been in the planning stages for so long, now we have to decide on a Las Vegas hotel, would love the Hard Rock Cafe Hotel or failing that, The Luxor, certainly not Circus Circus....lol.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Hey Ella,

Oh yeah!!! I just checked and it says kids eat free already and for stays of 5 nights or more you get free breakfast buffet!!! Great news!!! That'll save us a bit - NO, A LOT!! Although some days we get up so early that we don't feel like breaky so end up just having lunch earlier. We'll have to make the effort and eat at the hotel to save as much as we can. And we'd only be leaving really early for SW and Universal (and we'll have our AP for Universal so we can leave later and just go more days if need be - we have a good few spare days - not nights though) so I think we're gonna have to hit that buffet on Disney and sightseeing days.

So glad you decided to go for the HGI or else I'd still be calculating spending inc. money for breaky for 21 days. Lol.

Shows how all I care about is what the hotel looks like don't it?!

We were really excited when we finally got round to booking too. We had been planning for absolutely ages so finally getting paperwork through and stuff FINALLY made it feel real again.

You've decided against Circus Circus for your Vegas days now?! The Luxor does look amazing. If we were to spend more than a day there, that'd definitely be my first choice. Well, apart from the Venetian and such.

And about the balcony and good for drying the washing. We found a great laundromat across from the Hyatt last year and dried everything in there. The thought of having to have thins hanging everywhere like on our first Orlando trips wasn't very appealing. Lol.

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
did you book online with Virgin or by phone? We're not sure if the free breakfast is included in both of them.
I know the laundromat you mean, near the video shop and chinese restaurant in the little parade of shops across from the Hyatt. We went in there as well, though have to say that the washing dried hanging up in the bathroom just took a bit longer.
Circus Circus was going to be a cheap option for us, but no matter how cheap it is, its still the pits, though have to say that it is clean, just very shabby!!!
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Hey Ella,

We booked by phone with Virgin. And then took our deposit down to the head office in Crawley and paid in cash to save on the extra charges. That's a good point you make about the free breakfast... it's in the brochure but I can't see it on their website?! It says kids under 12 eat free but that's just a hotel special. Looks like you're right... you don't get the Virgin Extras if you book online?!? Might be worth checking before Xmas Day just in case other options work out better for you now?

Yeah, that's the laundromat. We had to hunt one down because of the lack of laundry at the Hyatt. It is a higher class hotel though so I can forgive them for only having a laundry service and not an actual laundry.

And I thought Circus Circus was OK? Have to admit I've never looked into any Vegas hotels in depth though. Only ever looked at the pics in the brochures and heard from people who have stayed there, etc. Having just read reviews though - it does indeed sound like the pits. A lot of people gave it 1 out of 5. Definitely go with the Luxor!!

 

[Ella1]

Hi Simba,
I have tried e-mailing Virgin to ask about whether the offer applies to online bookings but just got a "standard" letter with no answer to my question at all.
I have e-mailed again today to ask them if they will kindly answer my question as we always book with Virgin and are FV's but can quite easily book with another company that is offering free breakfasts!!!
Simple as that!!!...lol.
Love Ella

 

[simba_one]

Hi Simba,
I have tried e-mailing Virgin to ask about whether the offer applies to online bookings but just got a "standard" letter with no answer to my question at all.
I have e-mailed again today to ask them if they will kindly answer my question as we always book with Virgin and are FV's but can quite easily book with another company that is offering free breakfasts!!!
Simple as that!!!...lol.
Love Ella

Well, you told them didn't you?! I hope they reply soon and you get to finally book in just 2 days time!!!!

And I had to phone them the other day to make sure that we get two king rooms and you would have thought that I asked for a room on the moon the trouble they seemed to have sorting it out. We've never booked over the phone before though. Here's hoping the reps aren't becoming incompetent too.