Which Hotel Out of These SIX?

[Boo Bear]

Ok I've decided to probably cancel my DLH reservation for July 16-17. Keep in mind that I'm staying as a single for one night so I don't need a suite. This is to celebrate my 25th birthday. Please keep in mind that I'm going to get an AP soon so if you could help me factor any discounts (other than AAA) or parking/transportation issues to and from the parks that would be absolutely amazing! I've researched rates, photos, and ratings and have come to these six choices. Which would you choose and why?

• The Anabella
• Crown Plaza
• Sheraton Park Hotel
• Marriott Hotel Main Tower
• Howard Johnson
• Fairfield Inn

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Boo Bear
I would pick Howard Johnson or Fairfield as first and 2nd on my list. Hojos is awesome, as I'm sure you've heard because you read these boards. Customer service is great. Fairfield seems to have a very good rating on Trip advisor and is a slightly closer walk to the resort crosswalk. Both of these hotels are very near decent restaurants i.e. Mimi's and Millie's. Also, there's McD's and further down the walkway closer to the crosswalk a very overpriced Ihop and Denny's. Mimi's & Millie's are the best in terms of price and food quality, and again conveniently located to the hotels. Mimi's portions are so huge that you could eat twice and reheat the leftovers in your microwave at Hojo. OMG, their raisin bread is to die for, and their Clam chowder on Friday nights, yummy!FYI, Hojo doesn't have an onsite reataurant, so no room service. I've read conflicting reports about people being able to order room service Pizza from Pizza Hut at FI. Hojos has a number of off site restaurants that will deliver food to your door if needed. It's in the hotel info handbook in the room. Not having room service is only a bad thing if you've not eaten all day in the park and all the restaurants are closed by the time you get out of DL. Denny's is 24 hours. There are much better Ihop and Denny's just a bit further up and down Harbor if needed, and you'll have your car, so this shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Crown Plaza has a very good review on Tripadvisor.com, but I haven't stayed there. I am currently debating doing priceline to save a few bucks at one of those convention type hotels. There's a thread on micechat that talks about using priceline in Anaheim. http://micechat.com/forums/so-cal-hotel-reviews/81895-how-use-priceline-your-advantage-anaheim.html Crown Plaza is I think one of those 3.5 star hotels. If one books 3.5 stars and up, one can often get rooms at one of those hotels for $50 a night. But then you have to add in fees like parking, resort fees and I'm not sure but they probably charge hotel room tax too? If so, those hotels may still be a better option than paying full price at one of the motels on Harbor, however, you will have to shuttle in on ART. (add in another couple of bucks...) Some of them have their own shuttle, but not all.

Unfortunately, with the Harbor Hotels/motels you are paying for location, so you'll often get an older, well used room unless they say (or you've heard) that they've been recently renovated. At least we know Hojo's has been recently renovated, and their customer service can't be beat. I believe I read that Hojo's offers AP rates of 20% off room rates but you must show your AP at check in or something like that.

 

[Boo Bear]

Wow thanks DisneySuiteFreak! Keep them coming!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Wow thanks DisneySuiteFreak! Keep them coming!

No problem! I just realized, you'll have your car and with your PAP, if you choose to Priceline a room that's further away, you could just drive to DL and park in the structure for free! Can't beat that! Take the tram from the parking structure though, 'cause it's a pretty long (unnecessary) walk, especially at the end of the day.

 

[SeattleTink]

Hello Boo,

Well, since price isn't in the deciding factors on your poll I picked the Fairfield.

I have stayed at both HoJo's and the Fairfield and I like them both equally. The only edge the Fairfield has is location. It is closer to the crosswalk.

If HoJo's was cheaper I would not hesitate to stay there.

I'm all about making "fiscally sound" decisions....any money I can save on a room allows me more spending money in the parks.

 

[pixiewings71]

Are you going with the Premium AP? If so I'd go a little farther away and try for the Crowne, but remember that you'll have to pay the resort fee on top of your Priceline bid.

I've got ressies at the HoJo in July and unless I can find something for under $100 a night I'll keep those but I'm going to try to Priceline it myself and see what happens. Another FYI, if the HoJo releases the super good Ent Rates for July and you have a ressie already you can call and switch it over. That's really what I'm hoping for, that's what happened for us last year.

 

[pixiewings71]

fyi, I did vote for the HoJo.

 

[Boo Bear]

Are you going with the Premium AP? If so I'd go a little farther away and try for the Crowne, but remember that you'll have to pay the resort fee on top of your Priceline bid.

I've got ressies at the HoJo in July and unless I can find something for under $100 a night I'll keep those but I'm going to try to Priceline it myself and see what happens. Another FYI, if the HoJo releases the super good Ent Rates for July and you have a ressie already you can call and switch it over. That's really what I'm hoping for, that's what happened for us last year.

Yes I'm going with the Premium AP. I'm so torn I can't decide!

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm excited for you!!!! Woo Hoo for PAPs! LOL Well, try for the Crowne using Priceline or something like that, set your price at $50 and just know you'll have to pay the $12 resort fee. Driving from there isn't too bad and they also have a free shuttle so you wouldn't have to drive. Rooms are nice too. Otherwise check that map that Bumber posted yesterday and see what you like from there. I know the Motel 6 and Super 8 on Katella have really good prices for July, I've been looking at those myself. They are very basic hotels but if all you need is a place to sleep and shower they are great.

 

[Boo Bear]

With the overwhelming HoJo response I went ahead and booked there for my birthday trip. $95 per night beats the $279 DLH rate by a long shot! Thanks everyone!

 

[PigletGurl]

Fairfield FTW!