Which hotel for hotel snobs?

[wls23]

K...so I'll be traveling to Disneyland for one night with my dd,6, my cousin and her dd,6.

My cousin and I have both travelled rather extensively for business and have become hotel snobs. We are struggling finding a hotel that is right for us. We would prefer to stay on proper at either grand Californian or Disneyland hotel but the prices are too high. So, for other folks like us, hotel snobs that is, where do you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance,
Wendy

 

[smiles33]

If you are a true hotel snob (4+ star hotels and above), I don't think you'd be satisfied at all with the off-site hotels within walking distance. They are all 2-3 star hotels or motels with exterior corridors.

If you can't afford GCH, then you'll likely need to drive further out to an equivalent 4 star hotel. But that comes at a cost in terms of time wasted (see HydroGuy's rules re: staying within walking distance so you avoid the parking/shuttle time sink). I'm not familiar with the nice hotels other than GCH. Personally, I stayed at DLH a few years ago before the remodel and was disappointed. Felt like only a 3 star hotel at 4+ star prices.

 

[wls23]

Thanks smiles

I'll be interested to hear what others think as well

You're summarization is exactly what I thought. That ultimately any offsite hotel will be a disappointment.

 

[specialks]

I agree with the PP that you really need to stay at the GCH or possibly the DLH to be happy. You won't find any true 4* hotels nearby. I would think a few possibilities would be the Hyatt Orange County (not in walking distance but has shuttle) or the Anaheim Marriott (again not in walking distance and no shuttle). Keep in mind you'll pay for parking (same as GCH or DLH) but also have to pay for WiFi (free onsite Disney).

 

[kddisney502]

Totally agree with previous posts. The GHC is the way to go.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I freely admit to being a hotel snob, and I have stayed at a good many of the motels across the street, but mostly stay at Disneyland Hotel or Grand Californian. I have found two hotels that are good for a hotel snob that are off property and a much better price than DLH or GC. These are:

Doubletree Suites Anaheim (not the one in Orange, the one in Anaheim)
and
Hyatt Orange County

These are your very nice, upscale, 4 starish hotels that are super comfortable and a bit swanky. I love the Doubletree Suites. Hyatt has it's own shuttle, but you must pay 4.00 per day to ride it. Doubletree Suites doesn't have it's own shuttle--you will be taking Anaheim Resort Transit.

 

[KCmike]

Gotta go Grand Californian. DLH is nice but doesn't have that deluxe feel to it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Another vote the the Grand, I have stayed at many Manadrin Orientals and the Grand has it hands down.

Jack

 

[goofyfordisney]

Since you're only going for 1 night - I would splurge and stay at GCH . It's just great!

 

[BayGirl22]

Sheraton Park on Harbor? I know its only a Sheraton, not a Westin, but at least its a notch up from the others and within adult walking distance.

We have the same dilemma. DH and I both travel for business and hate to spend our vacation in a motel. We're still going back and forth on staying on site or not. Add to it that sharing 1 room with 2 kids is a PITA and it gets either really complicated or really expensive.

 

[HeyItsNickCA]

Stay at the Hilton if you can't stay at GCH. The Hilton is a very nice hotel.

 

[smiles33]

We have the same dilemma. DH and I both travel for business and hate to spend our vacation in a motel. We're still going back and forth on staying on site or not. Add to it that sharing 1 room with 2 kids is a PITA and it gets either really complicated or really expensive.

I would totally get a suite instead of 1 room at GCH, especially if you have kids. I've waxed poetic about HoJo's Kids Suite all over this board already, but truly, it is an unbelievable deal. I've stayed in very nice $400+ hotel rooms (pre-kids, on business, and most recently for our 10th anniversary) so it's not like I don't know how luxurious a hotel can be. For me, the best hotels have amazing beds, really nice bedding (no nasty polyester coverlets), are spacious, and quiet. I avoid hotel restaurants unless it's truly a reputable gourmet restaurant so I don't care that HoJo doesn't have on-site restaurant or room service.

I was very happy with the HoJo Kids Suite. It's true I didn't expect the same amenities of a $400 room since I only paid the Entertainment rate of $99, but it's worth $200/night easily IMHO, and possibly even $300 during high season. The carpet, furniture, bedding, towels, etc. were all much nicer than what I'd consider for most 2-3 star hotels. I'm not claiming it's 4 stars, but I'd urge you to reconsider your reluctance to find suites off-site.

 

[Argento]

For a hotel snob at Disneyland? Accept no substitutes, the GCH. Nothing else compares.

 

[LisaT91403]

I, too, am a hotel snob. I have stayed at GCH twice, and have been comfortable both times. But it's not The Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, or St. Regis. I don't want to get flamed for saying that, but it's my opinion. To me, GCH from a comfort and amenities standpoint, is comparable to a very nice Hyatt, Westin, etc. But there are other advantages to staying there -- that's for sure!

If the price is right, I'd suggest the Grand Hyatt Orange County. The shuttles run on time, and are reasonably price ($4/person/day). They have a 2-bedroom suite that you could probably share with your cousin.

 

[nana50]

As one hotel snob to another of course the two onsite (not pp) are the best. However I like the Anaheim Hilton and towers also and it is very close. You can find some good deals there also. My kids loved it there for years. Now we always stay onsite. If you are a snob like me, do not do the HOJO. I found it just o.k. and very outdated and tired looking. To me, just a motel not a hotel. Some people wax poetic about it, but I was disappointed.

 

[Desert Dwellers]

I'm a bit of a "hotel snob." On our vacations the last few years we've stayed at the Loews in several different cities, a couple different JW Marriotts, a Ritz Carlton and the Beverly Hilton. I've stayed at the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel. For our June 2012 trip, I wanted to save money so we stayed at the Paradise Pier. I was completely pleased with the PP. Sometimes I think the PP doesn't get enough love.

 

[Eeee-va]

My mom and I both thought the Red Lion was as nice as our non-view room at the Paradise Pier, and it's a lot cheaper. Probably not good for true hotel snobs, though (my mom's just a slight hotel snob). No bellhops that I know of. It's a bit of a walk, and I won't argue it's anything near as nice as the Grand Californian...but very modern-looking rooms that I think make it look a little classier than it is.

 

[SA mom]

Sheraton Park on Harbor? I know its only a Sheraton, not a Westin, but at least its a notch up from the others and within adult walking distance.

Totally agree. We stayed there last month. It feels more upscale than a Sheraton and if you stay Club Level, you will feel pampered. Service was outstanding. They even include a mini bath puff with the toiletries.

 

[wls23]

Thanks everyone.

I was finally able to score vgc. As a dvc owner I had been searching for availability but everything was booked.

That was until last night when I was able to score a 1-br

Thanks again!

 

[elaw]

Gotta go Grand Californian. DLH is nice but doesn't have that deluxe feel to it.