Originally Posted By Lizzie We are looking at a couple of hotels for our next trip. The first one is the Desert Inn and Suites. This one because of the indoor pool, breakfast, and you can get a room with two queen beds and pull away couch. The other is Howard Johnson, but is it too far away, and is December going to be too cold to use the outside pools. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks
Originally Posted By nemopoppins I thought the Desert Inn was fine but a lot of people on this site positively hate that place. You'll probably get some of those posts here. If you're going during a cold time of year, say before March, don't count on enjoying the pool because it's indoors. It is still cold in there because the windows are open to the weather. My kids didn't mind but I was freezing. I too think Howard Johnson's is far, but a lot of people say the walk isn't bad and they really like the place. Since there are so many motels closer (the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Harbor), I'd try one closer. I've never stayed at the Best Western Park Place Inn but a lot of people rave about it. Along with Desert Inn, I've stayed at Park Vue Inn and Anaheim Plaza and I was satisfied with all. Anaheim Plaza is a little further away but still within walking distance and it has a nice pool, outdoors.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ <-- One who absolutely HATES Desert Inn. Filthy, awful staff, awful parking, committed credit card fraud against several friends.
Originally Posted By MOLLYSMOM The Disney traveler from Washington State casts one vote for the BWPPI.
Originally Posted By busycamom We stayed at the OC Hyatt the last time we were there. It was the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in. The hotel was very nice too, LOL. The shuttle was easy and the drivers were friendly. We hated the BWPPI and Howard Johnsons was too far of a walk although their rooms are nice. We have also stayed at the Crowne Plaza which was very nice.
Originally Posted By momofbuzzfan The Park Vue Inn is RIGHT at the crosswalk on Harbor. The pool is outdoors, but my kids and husband went swimming one morning last November. As long as they were in the water they were warm and had a great time. I wore a coat and was comfortable to watch from the patio. It is not luxurious at all, and they free breakfast is pretty skimpy (they were remodelling the breakfast room so maybe they will add more), but we enjoyed it for the price. We were thinking of switching last minute to the Desert Inn and Suites because of the pool, and it was also cheap and close. But we didn't thanks to the awful things written about it on these boards. I think somewhere under DL Trip Planning there is an entire thread about that place.....I was thankful to find it.
Originally Posted By ams I had the exact same dilemma. I had rooms booked at both, but decided on Hojo because of all of the great reviews. I've read that the walk is only 7 minutes which isn't bad. I could use the exercise!! We are going in 3 1/2 weeks so hopefully I made the right decision.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 HoJo's is HUGE steps up in quality compared to Desert Inn and Suites in my opinion. I struggle with the walk on late nights but I have bad knees. You always have the option of taking ART or driving over and parking in Mickey and Friends. Both are no big deal to do.
Originally Posted By No Waiting in Line We like the Carousel because the price is good and it is the closest walk to the parks we have found. Ho Jo's just seemd to far away. I hate shuttles!
Originally Posted By drawbridge Big NO vote on BWPPI. Depressing place. Camelot/Carousel are both good. But really Hojo is only a 2-3 minute walk past these 2 places and the quality/service can be worth it IF its important to you. For a budget place Tropicana and Park Vue are decent and just as close as BWPPI. Last time got a rate of $72 at Park Vue includes a limited breakfast - cant beat that. Did not have problems with Desert Inn but read enough complaints here that I would not risk it again
Originally Posted By mater4 Stayed at Desert Inn last year and it was ok for a cheap motel. However the rooms seem a little outdated and the continental breakfast consisted of donuts and danishes that looked stale.We went somewhere else for breakfast. The staff were not eager to meet our requests. Not to mention the parking which is very small spaces. We are staying at Hojos next week. I chose Hojos for the good reviews. We also don't want our new truck to get dinged in a tight parkig lot.
Originally Posted By ncnike7 I didn't mind the Desert Inn, I even kind of liked the continental breakfast! If it wasn't for their parking policy we'd stay there again when we go in May.
Originally Posted By cinderella143also >>We stayed at the OC Hyatt the last time we were there. It was the most comfortable bed we have ever slept in. The hotel was very nice too, LOL. The shuttle was easy and the drivers were friendly.<< We still talk about the beds there!!! They were super comfy!!! We also thought the shuttle was great and everyone was really friendly! We also like the Candy Cane Inn. It is so cute and clean, the staff is really nice. Their shuttle is also superb!!! (And their breakfast is really good too!)
Originally Posted By love DL We stayed at HoJo last year and really enjoyed it. We did not mind the walk nor did the kids 5 and 8. Sometimes late we took the ART back just because it was an option. We are staying here again in May for two nights before switching to DLH. I hope you enjoy your stay..
Originally Posted By karlutz We are booked into the Anaheim Plaza. i hope it will be ok. we do have 2 small kids and grandparents and are hoping the walk really isn't more than 10 minutes, as there has been conflicting reports!
Originally Posted By nemopoppins The walk has to be less than 10 minutes unless you are a snail. The Anaheim Plaza is right near the car entrance to the parks on Harbor.
Originally Posted By luvindisCruiser We love the Candy Cane Inn, the rooms were nice, not too big,though. The breakfast was great ! And, the walk was not bad at all, and we had 2 five yr. olds !!!! Will stay there again. BWPPI, is nice just for the fact that it is right on the crosswalk, but it seems more expensive than the others. I am considering Park Vue, because of location and price for next time.
Originally Posted By Tinkerbellmama We stayed at BWPPI this summer and liked it. We had the Kids Suite, which has the living room area and the kids had a separate closed door room with bunks and then we had a Queen bed. It was clean and comfortable. My only complaints were the breakfast was just all sugary unfilling stuff and more minor was parking issues if you came back late at night (but they would let you park blocking cars and you give them your keys incase) and they used flat sheets on the mattresses...I wonder if many hotels do that? So not outstanding, but it was fairly good for the value we got.
Originally Posted By MakingMemories Does anybody have any recent first-hand experience with the Alpine Inn on Katella Ave? We are booked there for a couple nights this upcoming week at a super rate...but I can't help thinking "you get what you pay for!". This was sort of a last minute trip we put together and the first 15 hotels we tried had no rooms available, so we grabbed this one. Anyway...my main concern is cleanliness, but I was also wondering how far it is to walk to the Maingate. Any information is greatly appreciated!
Originally Posted By PirateFitz We are stayin at the Anaheim Plaza inn this year due to location and price. I have heard mix reviews on this hotel.
