What is the best close good neighbor hotel?

[BensWife]

DH and I have rented points for a villa at the Grand Californian for our 10th anniversary (just DH and me). We have our reservations all set. However, we were thinking about adding a day to do some "California" stuff - like going to the beach or to LA or something. We would need to add one night somewhere else and then move to the GC. That gives us the chance to try out a close Good Neighbor hotel we have never stayed at. I want to go back sometime in 2015 with our kids, and even though I would love to stay on property again, I wouldn't mind trying to save some money and stay off property. I want pretty close. What is the best close good neighbor hotel?

Priorities:
Clean (a total must - I have bad allergies to mold & lots of other allergens)
Comfortable beds
Close
Quiet - wall not too thin - I am a light sleeper
Breakfast would be nice, but not a huge deal

 

[WDW_Diane]

DH and I have rented points for a villa at the Grand Californian for our 10th anniversary (just DH and me). We have our reservations all set. However, we were thinking about adding a day to do some "California" stuff - like going to the beach or to LA or something. We would need to add one night somewhere else and then move to the GC. That gives us the chance to try out a close Good Neighbor hotel we have never stayed at. I want to go back sometime in 2015 with our kids, and even though I would love to stay on property again, I wouldn't mind trying to save some money and stay off property. I want pretty close. What is the best close good neighbor hotel?

When we stayed at the Annabella a few years back, we liked its location across the street from DCA. May stay again next month if the trip visiting DL for a Day works out. I would suggest you take a look at Trip Advisor too.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

It would help if we knew your priorities. Is clean and basic fine, or do you want something a bit fancier? Do you want/need free breakfast? Is distance the priority, or is price, or something else.

I've only sated on Harbor. My recommendations are the Tropicana and the Best Western Park Place Inn. I really like the BWPPi, but the decor is definitely dated. Both are super close, and my family found them to be comfortable.

 

[sherilaine]

Best and pretty close, those are two very subjective terms.

My question is are you going to be going to DLR from this hotel or will you be only doing off site things? If you will be going to the beach/LA then it does not matter how close you are, unless you want to be able to walk from your offsite hotel to the GCH.

If you are going to do off site stuff and then take a cab to the villas and then begin the DLR experience, then I'd suggest staying a bit further away where you can get a much nicer hotel for cheaper than onsite. Across the street from Disney is normally expensive for the actual quality you are getting because you are paying for location.

I would recommend tripadvisor and google maps to be able to read reviews of the hotels and see where they are located.

Have fun planning!!

 

[momjeeps]

We chose BWPPI. I will be posting my review at the end of March.

I'm OK with dated, as long as its clean and close. And we can't get any closer. Ha Ha

 

[Malcon10t]

Everyone has a view of what is "good". So many like Desert Inn and Suites, but I found their beds and pillows impossible to sleep on. My preference runs to Hojo's (premium rooms), Fairfield, Candy Cane (premium), Hilton, Embassy Suites....

 

[MillauFr]

I'm sure that everyone would agree that the Candy Cane Inn is the "best" good neighbor hotel.

 

[sherilaine]

I'm sure that everyone would agree that the Candy Cane Inn is the "best" good neighbor hotel.

That is very funny - if anything is for certain, it is that no one seems to agree on hotels on this board.

 

[MillauFr]

That is very funny - if anything is for certain, it is that no one seems to agree on hotels on this board.

Yes it was a cheap attempt at humor. Seems like each hotel must have something good about them since the parking lots next to them all seem to be full. Yes our family does like the Candy Cane. My son loves to say hi to Edd every time we are there. I think he enjoys Edd almost as much as the characters at the park. They only knock on the Candy Cane is that the rooms are small. Everything else is great, very clean, close to the park, free breakfast, free parking, excellent staff.

 

[Midnightred]

Hojo would get my vote, very clean and comfy, and Mimi's Cafe is next door, you can get a mimosa for breakfast!

Midnightred

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I'm sure that everyone would agree that the Candy Cane Inn is the "best" good neighbor hotel.

 

[misdizadict]

We have stayed at Howard Johnson quite a few times and it is our favorite off site hotel! If you are traveling with little ones they will enjoy the pirate pool during the warm months. It is about a 10 min. Walk and if you are an annual pass holder you receive a 20% discount. It's very clean and there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

 

[Darvans]

I would also say Hojo, which is where I am posting from . This is our 3rd time staying here and we have always been very happy with it. They do not have a restaurant, but Mimi's is across the street, there food is excellent and well priced. You can use the ART if you need a shuttle, but the walk is only 10 min or less so we usually just walk. I've heard good things about the Best Western too but have never stated there myself.

 

[seagodess]

I have only stayed at 2 so far, going to be 3 soon. The Sheraton and Fairfield Inn, soon Sheraton Garden Grove. Both were very nice. The rooms at the Sharaton were bigger and I think had very comfortable beds. However I liked how close Fairfield was to DL and there were a lot of food choices close buy, plus the little mini mart inside the hotel was a life saver.

 

[aboveH20]

When we stayed at the Annabella a few years back, we liked its location across the street from DCA. May stay again next month if the trip visiting DL for a Day works out. I would suggest you take a look at Trip Advisor too.

What she said.

My senior son just moved to West Hollywood and went to DL this past weekend. They got a deal at Annabella through Orbitz. His suggestion is to walk through the Grand Californian resort lobby on your way out and then keep your eyes closed for the five minute walk to the motel. Open your eyes when you get to your room and you'll think you're still at the Grand Californian.

He said it's nothing speical, but has location, location, location.

 

[KCmike]

Without a doubt its got to be Fairfield Inn. We've stayed at several on Harbor and this is our favorite for the reasons you've stated. No breakfast though. McDonalds is in the parking lot right in front.

 

[Kristina4109]

I've got two different answers depending on something. Are you looking for a hotel that you'll want to spend time at, enjoy the pool, etc.? Or, are you looking for a nice comfy bed in a quiet room and a place to shower?

If you're looking for a hotel you'll want to spend time at, I LOVE the Howard Johnson Anaheim. It's got pretty grounds, a fun themed pool, and is a short walk to DL. We never had a problem keeping our car parked there after we checked out. No onsite restaurant, but you can walk to Mimi's and others.

If you're planning on spending all your time on Disney property and just want a nice comfy bed, we LOVE the Best Western Park Place Inn and Mini Suites. Directly across the street from the pedestrian entrance to DL. I was very surprised at how quiet the rooms were. Free buffet breakfast across the way - nothing fancy, but adequate and FREE. They do charge for parking and we have had to move our car after check out time. Pool is lame, but like I said, if you're not planning on swimming in it anyway, who cares?

When we don't splurge for a Disney hotel, those are our two "go to" hotels.

 

[gokdog]

Without a doubt its got to be Fairfield Inn. We've stayed at several on Harbor and this is our favorite for the reasons you've stated. No breakfast though. McDonalds is in the parking lot right in front.

We stayed at the FFI last summer and had a great time, they also have themed rooms, if that is your thing and the lobby and parking were pretty easy.

Additionally we found the pool a tad small, but acceptable and enjoyed our stay.

The walk distance certainly is not a problem, but that section of Harbor gets a little busy and has many street vendors, interesting people ect... was no big deal for us, but to each his own.