Walking distance high end hotel?

cruisehopeful

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 25, 2015
Messages
4,840
I think the answer is no, but are there any higher end hotels that are convenient walking distance to the parks as in about a block or so? I can't bring myself to book any of the popular Harbor hotels. I just don't think I'd be happy there. Currently booked at Homewood Suites Garden Grove, but would like the convenience of walking back and forth to hotel without it taking up too much time.

GCH is over $600./night for the nights I am looking at. I can't talk myself into paying that much. If it were a 5 star experience, I'd probably do it, but it's essentially a typical hotel experience with cute themeing. Unfortunately, it seems to be a popular spring break week for the weekend I am looking at. A part of me thinks I should just change my plans to a week or so earlier so I can get the mini Gay Days rates at GHC. Figured I'd ask if there are any hotels that I don't know about already.

EDIT TO ADD: Is there a restaurant attached to the Howard Johnson?
 
If you are looking for a high end I agree you wouldn't be happy with the motels on Harbor. Within walking distance your best bet would be the Grand or Disneyland Hotel but if your not liking their prices you might try the new Marriott. It's not really high end, but it is new, very clean and within walking distance.

If changing your plans and doing the Grand works I would do that but while the Hotel has wonderful amenities the rooms are on the small side and needing a bit of a renew. If your most comfortable staying at higher end places it will work but isn't going to live up to say a Ritz but it would be a step up from a Marriott or Hilton and the locations can't be beat.

I'm pretty picky about rooms and like you prefer high end Hotels. We stay mostly at the Disneyland Hotel and it works just fine, just remember you are paying for the location, but the rooms are still fine and I think you would be comfortable. I'm really excited about the new upscale resorts they have announced, especially the new onsite one. I think it is a much needed addition. I would get on you tube and look at the more recent reviews when your choosing.

Good Luck!
 
What is walking distance? in the under a mile range, you have the following Full Service Hotels near the Convention Center.

Sheraton Park

Hilton

Marriott

Red Lion

As for the corner of Harbor and Chapman in Garden Grove, you hace the Hyatt as the only Full Service Hotel.

Homewood Suites is a limited service Hotel.

Hojo's is the landlord for Mimi's Cafe right across the street from the Hotel
 
I am not familiar with this brand. Do you know anything about it?
Homewood Suites is a limited service Hotel.
Yes, but it's like free for me since I have lots of Hhonors points. Plus the breakfast and the full kitchen are helpful in other ways. It's pretty inconvenient for going back to the room during the day or if I just need to change clothes or something.
Hojo's is the landlord for Mimi's Cafe right across the street from the Hotel
I'm really not very familiar with HoJo, but the pics on the website look good. At least their website makes it look a lot better than the others I've been looking at in the same area.
 
Last edited:

"higher end" is relative, but as far as what's there, I would say the Marriott courtyard, residence inns, and possibly the sheraton on Katella. The Residence Inn on Clementine is older, but they have bilevel 2 bed suites, and an awesome breakfast. The brand new RI is more modern looking. We're Marriott associates so I'm not sure what rack rate is, but I think it's around 150-200 a night for the studios, more for the suites. Fairfield Inn is not particularly nice but it's adequate for being directly across the street from the entrance and you get Marriott service.
 
I am not familiar with this brand. Do you know anything about it. I'm really not very familiar with HoJo, but the pics on the website look good. If we have access to food, that helps a lot. The prices seem fixed, though. If I don't enter a code, I get the same price as if I use the AP code or the Disboard code or the AAA code, which I find a bit odd. At least their website makes it look a lot better than the others I've been looking at in the same area.

HOJO is short for Howard Johnson. The new Courtyard by Marriott is right next door and does have a small eatery in the lobby.

I think there may also be a newer Homewood Suites that is closer than the one in Garden Grove (not positive though). If your using HHonors points there is also a full service Hilton on Convention that isn't that far (I wouldn't walk it but many do).
 
...GCH is over $600./night for the nights I am looking at. I can't talk myself into paying that much. If it were a 5 star experience, I'd probably do it, but it's essentially a typical hotel experience with cute themeing. Unfortunately, it seems to be a popular spring break week for the weekend I am looking at. A part of me thinks I should just change my plans to a week or so earlier so I can get the mini Gay Days rates at GHC. Figured I'd ask if there are any hotels that I don't know about already.
Reschedule your trip and stay at GCH :idea:

Thanks for posting about Mini Gay Days, I did not realize dates had already been announced (March 18-19, 2017). This is great timing: Pirates of the Caribbean opened March 18 1967, so there will likely be a 50th anniversary celebration.
 
I like Hilton Anaheim. And we have no issues with the walk. Heck, we've walked from Hilton Garden Inn (near Embassy and the Buca di Beppo).
 
To me High End means full service, such as Valet Parking, Bell Hops, Restaurants on property, room service, etc.

Red Lion has been on the west coast for decades, though it has gone through ownership changes, etc.

https://www.redlion.com/

Yes, there are a lot of great new properties, many of them in the "limited service" catagory, and the Extended Stay sub-category (Basically Kitchen facilities including pots and pans in the room).

What that means is you pay somewhat less, but get things like a free breakfast (and sometimes other meal or even a Adult Happy Hour). But you are expected to move your own luggage (many provide carts for you to use), etc.

The low end are the Motel/Inn's.
 
Reschedule your trip and stay at GCH
Since so many hotels are already full for the weekend I want (which is my birthday), I am seriously considering this. I'd rather go when there are less people. However, mini Gay days was really busy this past year. I made the huge mistake of buying a one day ticket to DL only. Next time I went to the area, I bought an AP. I'll never be stuck with only one park every again. It was really bad.
 
For mid day breaks, look for a hotel with a shuttle or consider taxis/ride shares. For what you save staying further away vs. on site you can easily pay for extra rides to and from the park.
 
We only stay at Hilton properties since DH is diamond with them. Not sure on your exact dates but I'm seeing availability in March based on dates someone else posted for mini gay days. The DoubleTree is nice, we've stayed there twice and been really happy. You can walk to the Toy Story lot and take the shuttle, use ART, or just walk to the park, we've done all 3. I'd keep checking availability though, something will likely open up. When I first looked for our Nov dates about a month ago all I could get was the Diamond Guaratee room rate, I've since been able to get in for $215 for 2 nights and $135 for 1 night at the new Homewood. Also with Hilton check your dates by just booking one night at a time, two at a time, etc. Their system is a bit odd and you might find a room that way.
 
The new Sheraton and the Indigo (part of the IHG chain) are both very nice....but as others have said "high end" has a different meaning to different people. These two are well maintained, professional staff. Both are easily walkable to the park entrances. My personal preference is Indigo....it's more a boutique hotel so less people, plus closer to the various restaurants at Garden Walk.
 
Not walking distance, but we loved the Hyatt/Orange County. We experienced amazing service there. We stayed in an exec suite, 700sf, for less than $200. It has room service, restaurants, valets, coffee grab and go etc.
 
I stayed at Sheraton Park Hotel Anaheim.
I enjoyed it and thought it was a nice hotel.
There's a club level too if you're looking for a more "luxurious" experience.
There's a pool, hot tub, TS restaurant, convenience store with grab and go items and a Starbucks.
The Toy Story parking lot is across the street and I didn't find the walk to the parks to be bad at all.
 
None of the hotels in the area are really what can be described as "high end". If your set on getting a high end hotel, you'll probably need to find one slightly out of the main Resort area. I didn't think Homewood Suites was considered high end, though, so it may be different points of reference.

Hotels that are nicer than the motels/hotels along Harbor would be the new SpringHill Suites and Hyatt House. They're within walking distance.

Edited: Howard Johnson seems to be a great hotel (haven't stayed there), but it isn't high end if that is what you are searching for. It is also along Harbor blvd.
 
Last edited:
Forgot to mention the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove on Harbor, I would call that a high end Resort property.
 
HOJO is short for Howard Johnson. The new Courtyard by Marriott is right next door and does have a small eatery in the lobby.

I think there may also be a newer Homewood Suites that is closer than the one in Garden Grove (not positive though). If your using HHonors points there is also a full service Hilton on Convention that isn't that far (I wouldn't walk it but many do).

There is a new Homewood Suites across from the Convention Center, and next to the Toy Story Theme Parking lot.
 




New Posts









Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE







New Posts





DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom