I stayed at the Best Wester Park Place Inn, this past April and it was a very pleasant stay. We got a mini suite with two q's sofabed, microwave and frig. There was a comp. continental breakfast or strawberry pancakes included. It is the closest non-resort hotel.
The Candy Cane and Hojo's always get good review, but are a bit more of a walk. I haven't stayed at the Candy Cane since I was a kid but I'm staying at Hojo's next week.
I've also hear good things about the Park Inn International.
I've heard many mixed reports about the Fairfield, Tropicana and Carousal. I will not ever stay at the Fairfield again it was a horrible stay and the Carousal, when I stay there was just okay. I haven't stayed at the Tropicana, but I know right now they are doing extensive remodeling.
Desert Inn & Suites, not to be confused with Desert Palm(we've stayed here too and it was dark and dreary and the pool location is weird plus they are doing extensive remodeling also), is very basic but was fine when I stayed there and they have a lot of room type choices.
If you don't mind a shuttle ride I've stayed at Embassy Suites Garden Grove and Hilton Inn & Suites and Sheraton Anaheim and all were wonderful. The Embassy was the most recent stay and it was a very quick shuttle ride(5 min.)had cooked to order breakfasts and a manager's reception. The shuttles are full size buses. And of course the rooms are large and spacious.
We stayed at Best Value Inn & Suites in July and the rooms are very large and spacious but's a drive(10 min.)and just okay. I would suggest it for a large party without kids but I prefer places on Harbor.
Hotels to stay away from are:
Del Sol
Park Vue(may reports of roaches at both)
Castle Inn & Suites(moldy rooms with alot of things breaking when I stayed there)
Saga Inn(moldy rooms and wet carpets, soaking wet)
HTH
Tina