When planning the Disneyland section of our California holiday, choosing the right hotel proved far more difficult than expected.
Our last visit to Disneyland Resort was eight years ago, when we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. Whilst that stay was absolutely magical, this trip was different. We were planning a much longer stay in Anaheim and with six nights during peak summer staying at one of Disney’s official hotels simply wasn’t realistic.
What was important to us, however, was location. We wanted to be within easy walking distance of Disneyland, particularly as we were travelling during the height of the California summer. Being able to return to the hotel during the hottest part of the day for a swim or some downtime was something we knew would make a huge difference.
Initially, we looked at many of Anaheim’s newer hotels. The recently opened Westin Anaheim Resort sat firmly at the top of our shortlist for a while and we came very close to booking it. Then whilst researching hotels on TripAdvisor, we stumbled across The Anaheim Hotel. What immediately stood out was that this wasn’t just another budget hotel near Disneyland. Despite offering rates significantly lower than Disney’s official hotels and many of Anaheim’s newer luxury properties, The Anaheim Hotel consistently appeared amongst the highest-rated hotels in Anaheim.
The more I researched, the more it became clear that guests kept mentioning the same things: the location, the huge pool, the beautiful grounds and the excellent service. After six nights here, I completely understand why.
Ranked amongst the very best hotels in Anaheim and located only a five to ten-minute walk from Disneyland’s entrance gates, it immediately caught our attention. In fact, from the hotel entrance, you can actually see Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT towering above the Disney California Adventure park.
Six nights later, I can confidently say we made the right choice. Combining retro Californian charm, spacious grounds, family friendly accommodation and one of the best locations for visiting Disneyland, The Anaheim Hotel completely exceeded our expectations.
First Impressions
After enduring LA traffic on the drive down from our stay in LA at Universal Studios Hollywood, arriving at The Anaheim Hotel was a welcome relief from the freeways.
The first thing that struck me was the atmosphere. Whilst technically a motel-style property with external room access, the hotel embraces its mid-century roots, with colourful buildings, mature gardens, retro furnishings and towering palm trees creating a distinctly Palm Springs inspired vibe.
It is an older resort-style property, which actually works in its favour. In many ways, The Anaheim Hotel feels like a reminder of a different era of Southern Californian tourism. Before the arrival of many of the modern hotels surrounding Disneyland, large low-rise resort properties like this were common. Today, that amount of space is increasingly rare and gives the hotel a character that many newer developments simply can’t replicate.
There is simply far more space here than at many newer hotels. Wide pathways, huge pool and beautifully landscaped grounds create an environment that feels surprisingly peaceful considering Disneyland is literally across the road.
As we pulled into the entrance, I instantly loved the retro feel. The colourful building façades, towering palms and relaxed Californian atmosphere felt completely different to the busy streets outside. The mid-century architecture, colourful furnishings, mature palm trees and open green spaces all contribute to an atmosphere that feels distinctly Southern Californian.
Stepping inside, the lobby was much larger than I expected. The open plan design immediately feels welcoming and spacious, to the left is The Front Room Lounge and bar whilst the reception desks are located to the right.
What I particularly liked were the subtle Disney touches throughout the space. As an official Disneyland Good Neighbour Hotel, there are subtle nods to Disney everywhere, including retro Disneyland-inspired artwork, historic photographs, themed displays and Disneyland photo opportunities.
The other thing that stood out throughout our stay was the staff. Every member of staff we encountered was friendly, helpful and genuinely welcoming. The level of customer service was some of the best we experienced during our California holiday and for me that’s always a sign of a well run hotel.
Our Room
As a family travelling with two teenage daughters, space is always high on our priority list when choosing a hotel.
The Anaheim Hotel offers numerous room types and we had originally considered booking one of the newer premium rooms with private patios. However, with such a long stay planned, we decided on the Kids Suite and it proved to be the perfect choice.
Located on the second floor, the Kids Suite is one of the largest family accommodation options available at the hotel. Calling it spacious would honestly be an understatement.
Walking through the door, the first thing that struck me was the amount of space. At over 700 square feet, it felt more like a holiday apartment than a hotel room. The suite features a huge open-plan living area complete with a comfortable sofa, multiple televisions and a large dining table that comfortably seated our family.
In fact, one of my favourite features was the oversized dining table, which became an important part of our daily routine. Whether we were enjoying breakfast before heading to Disneyland or sharing pizzas from Pizza Press after a long day in the parks, it was fantastic having so much room.
The king bedroom area was spacious and comfortable, featuring contemporary furnishings and an enormous upholstered headboard, with plenty of sockets and USB ports to recharge devices, there was even a a retro teal rotary phone that gave the room real personality. The bed itself was extremely comfortable and provided exactly what was needed after spending twelve-hour days exploring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
The dedicated children’s area was equally impressive. Rather than simply squeezing additional beds into the room, the suite includes bunk style accommodation featuring a double bed and single bunk configuration, creating a dedicated space for families. Our teenage daughters loved having their own area, complete with a television with streaming capabilities.
Then there was the arcade machine, which quickly became one of the most talked about features of the suite.
Before we had even unpacked our bags, the girls had discovered it. Whilst clearly designed with children in mind, I think my husband enjoyed it just as much as they did thanks to the selection of retro games on offer. It became one of those unexpected features that transformed the suite from simply somewhere to sleep into part of the holiday experience.
Practical touches were plentiful too. The room featured a large fridge, safe, plenty of wardrobe space, coffee-making facilities, air conditioning and ample storage for luggage and for an ever-growing collection of Disney merchandise from the parks.
The beds were exceptionally comfortable and provided exactly what we needed after regularly clocking up more than 20,000 steps a day in the parks. Good beds are one of the most underrated parts of any Disney holiday and we consistently woke up refreshed and ready for another early Disneyland start.
No hotel is perfect, however. Whilst the suite itself was fantastic, the Wi-Fi signal in our room was inconsistent at times during our stay. Fortunately, our EE mobile data worked perfectly throughout the property, so it was never a major issue.
The bathroom was also a little more traditional than we perhaps expected. Whilst clean, spacious and perfectly functional, it felt slightly dated compared to the rest of the suite. It featured a bath with shower over and a shower curtain rather than a modern walk-in shower. That said, I was pleased to find premium Lockwood New York toiletries, which immediately brought back memories of our stay at The Dagny in Boston.
Overall, though, the Kids Suite was one of the highlights of our stay and is a room category I would highly recommend for families, particularly those travelling with older children or teenagers.
Dining and Drinking
One of the unexpected benefits of staying in the Kids Suite was having the flexibility to choose how we wanted to dine. The large dining table and in-room fridge meant we could stock up on essentials such as milk, cereals, pastries and fruit and enjoy breakfast in our room each morning before heading to the parks.
For a family of four, this worked brilliantly. Rather than spending money on breakfast every day, we could enjoy a quick meal whilst getting ready for Disneyland. You could also have breakfast at The Front Room Lounge.
Whilst we didn’t havebreakfast at the hotels restaurants, we did make regular use of the hotel’s dining options throughout our stay.
After long days spent walking around the parks, there were several evenings when the last thing we wanted to do was look for another restaurant. On those occasions, the hotel’s casual dining options were perfect.
We enjoyed family favourites including chicken tenders, burgers and fries, often dining poolside whilst taking a break from the parks. However, the real dining highlight was Pizza Press. One of the reasons Pizza Press works so well is its flexibility. Whether you want a quick lunch between park visits, a family dinner by the pool or a takeaway pizza to enjoy back in your room, it fits seamlessly into a Disneyland holiday.
During our stay, it genuinely became part of our routine and was one of the most-used facilities at the hotel. Whether we were grabbing lunch, ordering takeaway back to the suite or enjoying a pizza beside the pool, Pizza Press became part of our Disneyland day.
Some of our favourite evenings involved returning from Disneyland, picking up a pizza and heading back to the room to enjoy it around the dining table whilst discussing the best moments from the day.
Amenities
One of The Anaheim Hotel’s biggest strengths is the amount of outdoor space available to guests. Considering its location directly opposite Disneyland, I expected the grounds to be relatively compact. Instead, the hotel feels more like a traditional Californian resort set on nine acres of lush, landscaped gardens with colourful mid century-inspired furnishings and plenty of space to relax .
This was genuinely one of my favourite aspects of the hotel. Despite sitting on one of Anaheim’s busiest roads and being only minutes from Disneyland’s entrance, the grounds somehow manage to feel peaceful and secluded. Palm tree lined pathways, open lawns and beautifully maintained gardens create an atmosphere that feels far removed from the crowds of the parks.
One of my favourite discoveries was the hammock area tucked away amongst the trees. It provided the perfect place to relax in the Californian sunshine, whilst elsewhere around the property there are lawn games, a Topgolf Swing Suite simulator and numerous outdoor seating areas.
What really sets The Anaheim Hotel apart from many nearby properties is that it feels like a resort in its own right rather than simply a place to sleep after a day at Disneyland. The expansive grounds encourage guests to slow down and enjoy the hotel itself, something that is increasingly rare amongst hotels in such a prime location.
For longer stays, the hotel also offers a number of practical facilities, including a convenience store and gift shop near the lobby, a fitness centre and self service laundry facilities. There is also a concierge service and luggage storage, which can be particularly useful on arrival and departure days when you’re trying to maximise your time in the parks.
The Pool
The centrepiece of the outdoor facilities is undoubtedly the swimming pool. The Anaheim Hotel is home to one of the largest hotel pools in Anaheim and it was hugely popular with our daughters throughout our stay. Unlike many Anaheim hotel pools that can feel squeezed into whatever space is available, this one genuinely feels like part of a resort.
Surrounded by towering palm trees, landscaped gardens, plentiful sun loungers, complimentary towels and shaded parasols, the pool area provides a peaceful escape from the crowds and excitement of Disneyland. Looking out across the greenery, it’s easy to forget that one of the world’s busiest theme parks is only a few minutes away.
What impressed me most was the amount of space available. Even during busier weekends, there always seemed to be plenty of sun loungers available and the pool itself never felt overcrowded. Guests can also hire private cabanas complete with additional seating, televisions and refrigerators, although we never felt the need to do so.
The pool quickly became an important part of our Disneyland routine. Rather than spending twelve hours straight in the parks, we would often return to the hotel during the hottest part of the afternoon for a swim and some downtime before heading back for the evening.
In fact, one of the biggest advantages of staying at The Anaheim Hotel is that midday breaks are genuinely practical. Within ten minutes, we could be back by the pool or relaxing in our suite before returning to Disneyland later in the day. During a California summer, that flexibility proved invaluable and was one of the things we appreciated most about staying here.
Location
One of the main reasons we chose The Anaheim Hotel was because of its location and after six nights here I genuinely don’t think you can overstate how good it is for visiting Disneyland
Simply put, this is one of the closest off-site hotels to Disneyland California. In fact, it’s closer to the park entrances than some of Disney’s own official hotels, making it a good choice for families who want maximum convenience without Disney hotel prices.
From our room, it generally took between five and ten minutes to walk to the entrances of both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. After visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando over recent years, where buses, boats, monorails and Skyliners are all part of the daily routine, being able to simply walk everywhere was a really nice change.
As huge fans of Walt Disney World, we weren’t entirely sure how Disneyland would compare before visiting. The reality is that it’s a completely different experience and one that we thoroughly enjoyed. The parks are more compact, park hopping is easier and everything feels more connected. The Anaheim Hotel’s location perfectly complements that style of holiday.
One of the biggest benefits was the ability to come and go throughout the day. During the California summer heat, we often returned to the hotel for a swim, lunch or simply some time in the air conditioning before heading back to the parks later in the evening. It’s a level of flexibility that added enormously to our overall Disneyland experience.
Beyond the parks, the location is also excellent for dining and shopping. Anaheim GardenWalk is only a short stroll away from the back gates of the hotel and offers numerous restaurants, bars and shops, including favourites such as The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s.
We arrived from Los Angeles by car and found plenty of parking available throughout our stay. However, if your trip is focused purely on Disneyland, I honestly don’t think a car is necessary.
That said, we were glad to have one because Orange County turned out to be one of the highlights of our California holiday. Using The Anaheim Hotel as a base, we explored Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and other coastal destinations. Of all the beaches we visited in this part of California, Newport Beach was my personal favourite. Its beautiful waterfront, harbour setting and more upmarket atmosphere made it one of the standout destinations of the entire trip.
In fact, I personally preferred both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach to some of Los Angeles’ better-known coastal destinations such as Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
We also enjoyed a shopping trip to The Outlets at Orange and drove north for a fascinating tour of SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL teams LA Rams and Chargers. Even if you’re not a sports fan, the scale of the stadium is astonishing and well worth experiencing.
Ultimately, though, the real star of The Anaheim Hotel’s location is Disneyland. Few hotels allow you to enjoy breakfast in your room and then be standing in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle less than twenty minutes later. For a Disneyland holiday, it would be difficult to find a more convenient base.
Overall
Originally, we booked The Anaheim Hotel because of its proximity to Disneyland.
What we discovered was a hotel that offered far more than just an excellent location. Between the retro California charm, spacious grounds, impressive pool, family friendly Kids Suite, good dining options and outstanding customer service, it became one of the biggest surprises of our entire California holiday.
In truth, it’s probably a hotel we might have overlooked. When planning a California holiday from the UK, it’s easy to focus on the familiar names that dominate the brochures from British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays and other major tour operators. The Anaheim Hotel isn’t always the property that would grab our attention, but after six nights here, I genuinely believe it deserves to.
There are certainly newer and more luxurious hotels in Anaheim. Properties such as the Westin Anaheim Resort and JW Marriott Anaheim would traditionally be more in line with the sort of hotels we gravitate towards. However, after six nights here, it’s somewhere we would happily stay again when visiting Disneyland.
What stood out most was the consistency of the experience. Every member of staff we encountered, from reception to the restaurant and pool teams, was friendly, professional and genuinely helpful. Combined with the fantastic location, relaxed atmosphere and excellent family facilities, it created a stay that felt special from beginning to end.
For families looking for a spacious, characterful and incredibly convenient base for a Disneyland holiday, The Anaheim Hotel is a hidden gem.
Ready to Book?
Rooms at the Anaheim hotel start from around £140 when booking direct.