What's the Deal with HoJo??

[Lorajo]

I just upgraded my reservation from a reg room to a kids' suite for $30 extra a night (high season time).
Excited.

 

[AustinTink]

Wow, after reading all the glowing reports about the Hojo, I was so excited to make our first reservation today. I called and was completely turned off to the idea of staying there. The man on the other end was so rude and had such a nasty attitude and demeanor.

I did not make the reservation. I have to think this one through further.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Wow, after reading all the glowing reports about the Hojo, I was so excited to make our first reservation today. I called and was completely turned off to the idea of staying there. The man on the other end was so rude and had such a nasty attitude and demeanor.

I did not make the reservation. I have to think this one through further.

If you called today, you most likely spoke to someone at the main reservations line. You need to call the local number and ask for in house reservations. I believe they are open from 8AM or 9AM M-F, with shorter hours on Saturday. I have gotten passed through to the main reservations line before and my experience was that they are not very pleasant and don't have a clue about the entertainment rate that the Anaheim Hojo offers.

I would try again tomorrow and ask for in house reservations. I have talked to Lorealle, Jessica, Desi and one other person that I can't remember her name right now. They are very helpful.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Wow, after reading all the glowing reports about the Hojo, I was so excited to make our first reservation today. I called and was completely turned off to the idea of staying there. The man on the other end was so rude and had such a nasty attitude and demeanor.

I did not make the reservation. I have to think this one through further.

I agree with KaylasMom. The people actually IN Anaheim are wonderful. But unless you call during normal business hours (and not at lunch) you will get sent to the people at the 800# who aren't as friendly and know nothing about the Entertainment or Disboard discounts.

 

[AustinTink]

And, this is why the DIS rocks!!!! You guys really know your stuff. I'll call back tomorrow. Thanks so much!

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I booked HOJO's last year for our trip to DL in Feb/09, based on the very strong reccommendations of this forum, and have been hooked since. What I love about HOJO's:

1: Their housekeeping staff keep the rooms immaculate, and they are very courteous and friendly.
2: The grounds are kept up on a daily basis.
3: The kids love the Pirate play area. I like it as it has a hot tub that is actually hot, and has loungers for you to sit, and watch the kids enjoy the pirate play area.
4: The gift shop in small but is fully stocked with breakfast items, snacks and cheaper souvies that are in the parks.

Everyone that we encountered during our stay was very courteous, friendly, and very professional. I will be staying there again for my solo trip to the mouse in Oct, and during that time, plan on booking HOJO's for our family's surprise trip to DL in Feb/11. The kids still talk about how much fun they had in the pirate play area, and can't wait to go back again.

 

[ShellyMouse]

here is my exp. so far with hojo....(our 1st stay will be this november)

read all about them here, compared them with the other hotels, have the ent. book to use discount....so i booked the kids suite with in-house ressies. the girl was great!! couldnt have asked for anyone more friendly and knowledgable. telling me about everything around there, happy to take her time and answer all my questions....just left me even more excited about our trip.

then last week my sister says they cant go with us, so i needed to call and switch to a regular room. i called the in-house #, and they were at lunch, so i thought it would be ok to talk to the other ressie people to just switch room-type......she was awful....no personality, in a hurry to get off phone...she just acted like she didnt have time for little ol me....but she changed it and we were done. i checked my email later that day, and no new confirmation email....so i call back, after hours for in-house, so i talked to reg ressie guy....tell him the deal, explain that i really want a new "copy" of my ressies with the changes....and he sends it to me, no big deal...but again, no personality.....


i will only talk to in-house again, but im still very very excited about staying there!!

op, just do your research here on the DIS, and you will be just fine! they wont steer you wrong!

have a great trip!!

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

I agree with KaylasMom. The people actually IN Anaheim are wonderful. But unless you call during normal business hours (and not at lunch) you will get sent to the people at the 800# who aren't as friendly and know nothing about the Entertainment or Disboard discounts.

You know I think you guys are on to something about the 800 number. We just got back from a Disneyland trip, and did try to book rooms at HoJo's. We've never stayed there before but decided to look up their rates online and saw that they were offering a really great $59 special for AP holders and for our specific dates!

http://www.hojoanaheim.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=29

We tried the main line but the office hours were closed, so we were redirected to the 800 number, and the lady didn't have a clue as to what we were talking about and basically told us that we were mistaken and what we saw must not have been related to HoJo. Turns out there were no vacancies for our dates so it was pointless to try and explain things to her.

But good advice, next time we will try the main line.

 

[jory29]

Ditto to all of the great things everyone is saying here on the boards - also - they have an inroom safe large enough to hold laptops, cameras, passports, etc. I love that feature!!

They will soon be getting wireless net throughout the entire hotel. (Currently they offer free wired net.)

NO resort or parking 'hidden' fees.

LONG TERM staff - housekeeping seems to stay constant, for a number of years we've been going, and yes, they do a thorough, awesome job!!

Keurig coffee WITH travel cups to go!

Fridge and Microwave in every room, I think.

Beds, yes, super super comfortable and sheets and pillowcases smell so clean.

The shop on premises has so many goods you can buy, it's awesome! VERY well stocked.

They happily accept Von's Delivery orders BUT it should be known now that if alcohol is in the order, you may or may not be able to have it delivered if it arrives if you are not there to sign it. There are recent postings on this on these boards.

10% annual pass holder discount in the store.

Free computers to use in the lobby building if you don't bring your own.

The walk is farther than only a few hotels, AND if you plan on stopping at McD's for a cheap snack at the day's end, McD's is right on the way, and works well for us to do that.

Customer service is very friendly there, more so than we have found anywhere else in the area.

 

[Ariel224]

I am in the process of booking our trip and seriously considering this! My ony problem is: kidsuites are not coming up as a booking option at all. Am I too close to my dates (Nov) so they're all gone or are the kidsuites something thta have to be booked directly? I'm getting a great rate popping up using the Mousesavers code but I'd really prefer a kidsuite so the kids are in separate beds andseparated from us, if only a little. Do the Hojo's kidsuites have a partition? TV in the kids area?

On the website reservation tool, they will not be listed as a "kids suite". They list them as a "king suite." In order to distinguish them from the "regular" king suite, you will need to read the description of the room. It will reference the bunk beds and pirate theme.

The kids' room and parents' room are actually 2 separate rooms with a closing door between them. Each room has its own bathroom. I can't honestly recall if there was a TV in the kids' room or not, sorry.

 

[jory29]

On the website reservation tool, they will not be listed as a "kids suite". They list them as a "king suite." In order to distinguish them from the "regular" king suite, you will need to read the description of the room. It will reference the bunk beds and pirate theme.

The kids' room and parents' room are actually 2 separate rooms with a closing door between them. Each room has its own bathroom. I can't honestly recall if there was a TV in the kids' room or not, sorry.

Yes, there is a TV in the kids suite, and it is a flat panel, as well as the one in the bedroom with the King bed.

 

[SamuraiFiction]

Just stayed at the HoJo Jul 24-26. I concur with all comments so far. Great stay and will stay again. Our experience:

- Two Queens, plenty of sleeping space for me, DW and DD2 in one bed, my mom and DS5 in the other. Very comfortable beds and freeway noise was negligible.

- Both fridge and microwave in room. Took me a few seconds figure out how to turn on the fridge. Basically look for the temperature control knob inside the fridge. I turned it about halfway and that seems to keep eveything adequately cold. The microwave was weak, but it did the job.

- Used the safe for my laptop. Plenty of room in there and easy to use.

- Free wi-fi easy to set up, but it's usecured so just be aware of that.

- We had a room on the 5th floor facing the park. Great view of Matterhorn.

- Pirate water park was great for the kids, although DD2 was too small to play on the big pirate ship. DS5 LOVED IT.

- I don't drink coffee, but my wife LOVED the Keurig coffee maker. Now she wants to buy one (they're really expensive!).

- The walk to the park was about 10-12 minutes from door to the gates. Not bad if you have strollers for the kids. If you cross to the park side just in front of the hotel it is an easier walk, but it may take a bit longer. Better than dealing with all the people and cars going in and out of the restaurants and motels along Harbor Blvd IMHO.

Didn't use the entertainment rates this time, but I'll certainly look for them in the future!

 

[Funball]

well simple.. ent. rate, AP rate and oh 8 min walk from park! and they dont charge a resort fee or parking fee. the rooms are clean and nice, and some rooms have a nice balcony!

 

[caimakale]

We stayed there 5 years ago (maybe things have changed since then) and we were not impressed.

When we walked into the HoJo, I was immediately disappointed. The room smelt like an old nursing home, the orange curtains, yellow bedding, and pink & blue tiled bathrooms were horrible. There was a leak in the ceiling, their two "queen" beds are actually only full size. I know because I measured. I got put in a two story building which was a joke because there was no elevator and I had to lug 10 bags of luggage up a tiny staircase (a wife & 3 daughters on a long trip=lots of luggage). The laundry room is ghetto (at least the one I seen was).

Most people love the HoJo and rave about it, which is why we booked there in the first place. But after our first (and only) experience there, we don't plan on staying there again. It may be inexpensive with the rates they offer, but when I am in my room, I want to be able to enjoy my time there and not gag over the smell or wonder if the ceiling is going to collapse on us while we sleep.

 

[melbarkwith]

We stayed at Hojo's last Oct/Nov and I have to ditto everything wonderful that everyone else has said.

In addition, to those great things - they are also super helpful and reassuring.

My middle DD had a bad fall in the pool area after a 'lovely' child fired a water cannon at her feet, and needed to go to hospital to have her chin stitched. I was shopping with my oldest DD, DH had no way to contact me and he also had our 3YO with him. The Hojo's staff organised transport for them to the hospital, and left a note in our room detailing what had happened. When DD and I returned to our room, I naturally freaked (after all, if DH took her to hospital it must be bad ). The reception staff were awesome. They were able to tell me exactly what happened, call a cab for DD and I to get to the hospital etc.

DH and I were both extremely grateful for the assistance he received when this happened. So another huge thumbs up for Hojo's.

 

[scrappychar]

I am booked there in November, but just found out they will be closed for four days of my stay (out of 10). 1) will it be warm enough to swim in November (we are canucks) and 2) is it still worth it without the pool for a few days?

Char

 

[ams1201]

I booked there because they are one of the closest 'hotels' that offer free parking and free internet. Most places around the park don't offer these. I am excited for our Nov. stay.

 

[brenda1966]

Just got back from our stay at Hojo's. We never seem to find Ent rate because we go in summer, but I usually end up at Hojo's because they are the best rate I can find at the motels right there on Harbor.

Yes, it is a bummer to have to drag your luggage up the stairs if you are on the second floor of that building -- so I was very happy when the receptionist told me she'd have the bellboy bring them up to my room. Yes!

The beds at Hojo are probably the most comfortable hotel beds I've ever slept in. I want one for home.

The buildings are old and the hallways could use some paint and new carpet, but I felt my room was in good shape and smelled just fine (and I have a super sensitive nose).

WE only got to use the splash area and hot tub once because a cold front came through, but it was fun!

Yes, there's plenty of parking at Hojo's.

 

[tdashgirl]

For that non-motel experience, we like to stay in the tall building with an elevator and interior hallways. I think it's one of the more expensive rooms - but still way cheaper than Disney! I think the HOJO has the best non-Disney pool. And yup - free parking and free internet! When we stayed at the Sheraton (for the firefighter olympics) they charged for parking and wanted money for internet. Luckily our room overlooked the Portofino and we got to hook on to their wi-fi

 

[Mindy71]

How long are the bunk beds in the kid's suites & is the sleeper very comfortable? Thanks!!