Westin or Hojo - safety question

[SFMommy]

We have reservation for 4 nights (3 park days) in late May. It will be me, DH, DD16 and DD's friend. It will be the first time that we will be traveling with a friend and we are anticipating that our DD16 & friend will do their own thing and be on their own schedule. As in, they will probably stay to close down the parks every night while DH and I are already back at the hotel in our PJ's.

I have hotel reservations at both Hojo and the Westin. Which would be a safer walk for two 16 year old girls at night? Ideally we would stay on-site. But the prices of the DLH and GCH are out of our budget. The PPH is an option (we have stayed there before). But the price-point is about the same as the Westin. Considering there are no on-site benefits at the moment and the PPH does not have one restaurant or coffee shop open, plus the recent bad reviews of the state of the hotel...I'm not inclined to spend my money there.

We do not want to stay at one of the exterior corridor motels nearby. We are looking for a little more of an upscale stay to celebrate DD's 16th birthday. We would stay at one of the renovated buildings at Hojo and the Westin is new.

What would you choose over the Westin and Hojo, specifically for safety? Or should I reconsider PPH?

Thanks!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I have no experience with the Westin but have stayed at Hojo many times. I would be comfortable with two 16-year olds, male or female, walking back late at night if they crossed Harbor at the crosswalk at the Disneyland entrance and walked along the side of the street with the other hotels and restaurants. I (female) have walked back to Hojo with my husband or alone many times at night over the years on either side of Harbor, but I generally felt more comfortable walking on the more active side of the street when I was by myself. My sons also walked back on their own in their teens and had no incidents to report. Whether they crossed the street and walked on the side I asked them to, we will never know.

 

[smartlabelprint]

My vote is for hojo. Once DH and I made a wrong turn behind the resort. It was so deserted back there compared to Harbor. Is there a chance you could stay closer? I thought I read that the hojo owners also own the courtyard Marriott theme park entrance. I’d be more comfortable with 2 teens walking there.

 

[tink89]

I have not stayed at either, but the hojo does get many great reviews, but since you mentioned upscale and 16th bday I would say Westin for sure.

 

[pharmama]

Totally safe walking to the Westin. It's very close to the corner of Katella and Disneyland drive and we did not feel any part of the walk felt deserted or sketchy. It's basically the walk to the PPH plus an extra maybe 3-5min depending on how long you have to wait at the signal at Katella. I like the Hojo a lot but for an upscale feel I think you will be disappointed there. Westin is much nicer.

 

[DharmaLou]

I go solo and stay at HoJo and have never felt unsafe.

 

[DLgal]

Split the difference and pick the Coutryard theme park entrance.

 

[SFMommy]

Split the difference and pick the Coutryard theme park entrance.

Yes, I would love to have that hotel as an option! Unfortunately, the total cost is $1,000 more than Hojo and $500 more than the Westin.

 

[SFMommy]

I have no experience with the Westin but have stayed at Hojo many times. I would be comfortable with two 16-year olds, male or female, walking back late at night if they crossed Harbor at the crosswalk at the Disneyland entrance and walked along the side of the street with the other hotels and restaurants. I (female) have walked back to Hojo with my husband or alone many times at night over the years on either side of Harbor, but I generally felt more comfortable walking on the more active side of the street when I was by myself. My sons also walked back on their own in their teens and had no incidents to report. Whether they crossed the street and walked on the side I asked them to, we will never know.

Thank you! I appreciate the tip on which side of the street to walk on. I hadn't thought of that!

 

[SFMommy]

Totally safe walking to the Westin. It's very close to the corner of Katella and Disneyland drive and we did not feel any part of the walk felt deserted or sketchy. It's basically the walk to the PPH plus an extra maybe 3-5min depending on how long you have to wait at the signal at Katella. I like the Hojo a lot but for an upscale feel I think you will be disappointed there. Westin is much nicer.

Good to know! My DD is used to walking to the PPH, so that is a bonus.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Yes, I would love to have that hotel as an option! Unfortunately, the total cost is $500 more than Hojo and $1,000 more than the Westin.

The Howard Johnson is more than the Westin? I'd absolutely pick the Westin in this case. The Westin is a luxury hotel that prices 300+ per night while the Howard Johnson is more of a 150+ hotel that occasionally gets overpriced due to its proximity to the parks.

 

[SFMommy]

The Howard Johnson is more than the Westin? I'd absolutely pick the Westin in this case. The Westin is a luxury hotel that prices 300+ per night while the Howard Johnson is more of a 150+ hotel that occasionally gets overpriced due to its proximity to the parks.

No, I was referring to the Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance.
Hojo is least expensive, then Westin, then Courtyard. I realize that I wrote my numbers wrong in my response!

 

[Guy in Fargo]

I've stayed at both. Westin in early December.

Both walks are quite safe.

My family is staying at the hojo over Easter and my two oldest 16yo daughter and almost 15 yo son will almost surely be walking back alone one or more nights. I have no concerns. I wouldn't have any at the Westin either assuming they're walking on harbor and not Disney drive.

BUT, I'm not a fretful parent.



We chose the hojo as we have younger kids who should enjoy the water. The Westin is a beautiful hotel and would stay there if pools didn't matter.

If you've already got the Westin reserved I'd keep it.

 

[RedVines2001]

I think either would be fine. The Hojo walk is shorter and has more people late at night. As someone mentioned the west sidewalk is always a good option. Never done the Westin walk at night but when I stay at PPH or GCH and look down Disneyland Dr I always see people walking towards Katella. For what it's worth I'd take either of those walks over any downtown SF street at night.

 

[pokee99]

I'm trying to decide between the Westin and the Hilton Garden Inn, for similar reasons. My daughter is also 16 and I was hoping we could stay somewhere fancy. It's crazy that a new upscale resort is cheaper than a Courtyard hotel! Uggģhh!

Anyone know if minors can access the rooftop lounge at the Westin to watch the fireworks? That would make the decision easier for me.

 

[OThopeful35]

We stayed at HOJO in November 2021 (our 1st ever DLR trip!) for 4 nights. We felt safe walking from the park at night. There were always people walking in the front of us or behind us leaving the parks as well. I don't think it was ever one night when it just us walking.