We are going to stay at the Residence Inn, in Garden Grove this June for the first time. It appears to have a little kitchen which looks nice. I was planning on cooking a few meals to help out with out dining costs. Feeding two teenagers can get expensive in the restuarants. Anyway, has anybody stayed there recently and used the kitchen? I am trying to find out what kind of cookware, specifically cooking utensils they provide. I need to figure out what things I should bring with me. I was planning on cooking speghetti, tacos, probably grilled cheese. If anybody can help with the information would be great.

Also how is the breakfast in the morning? I here mixed reviews between food not being replaced often enough or there isn't anywhere to sit. I am sure it will be busy in June. Would it be better to cook that meal as well? I know what your thinking cooking and vacations don't go hand in hand. But I am thinking of it more as camping just in a nice hotel room. I think the best part is not spending $50 on each meal.

We have a kids suite and I understand there are 2 bathrooms. Are these full baths with a shower in both?

We had the 2 bedroom suite there a couple of years ago. Our room had 2 complete bathrooms, and we didn't use the kitchen, but it looked to be pretty complete. My husband and teen son went down to the breakfast and were less than impressed after our stay at the Embassy Suites South. They said the choices were pretty limited and there were too many people there at the same time. At the Embassy Suites, we had complete breakfasts that were very nice. I liked the room much better at the Residence Inn, but the breakfast is much better at the Embassy Suites. If you are just using the room as a fancy campout, I think you'll be quite pleased.

I have not stayed at that specific Residence Inn, but RI is very good about staying similar. You will have plates for 4 usually (I bring paper plates) and service for 4 (but there are regular forks and salad forks usually...) You will have 4 mugs, and about 8 glasses (2 sets of 4). There should be a large pot (for spaghetti) because we made Rice Krispie treats once. There will be a couple smaller pans and a couple fry pans. They will have spatulas and mixing spoons. Basically, think back to your first single apartment, and the basics you had. Bring dishwasher soap. (Just a few, we bring the gel packs, easier to pack.)

We usually stay at the one on Clementine. The breakfast is great there. What we do sometimes it go get a couple plates of eggs, meat, biscuits, various rolls, come back to the room and make breakfast burritos. The breakfast is usually very good.

The Kids Suite is usually the penthouse style. The lower floor is the family room/kitchen/dining/kids room with 1 bath. Upstairs is the "Master" bedroom and a bathroom.

We have stayed here a few times and loved it! The kitchen has things like pots & pans, spatula etc. However, the plates and glasses etc. are limited, I think there is only 4 of everthing. This may vary room to room.

The two bathrooms are full bathrooms, shower, tub, etc.

Personally, I really like the breakfast. We do not go during busy times so we really didn't have to deal with the crowd issues. It's a lot more than most hotels serve imo. Every day has a different entree, like pancakes, french toast etc. On a daily basis you will usually find: mixed fruit, dry cereals, yogurt, make your own waffle stations, eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, mini muffins, english muffins & bagels. There might be more but this is what I remember. If you don't want to deal with the crowds, get there early grab a plate of food and bring it back to your room.

Have a great trip!

If you don't want to deal with the crowds, get there early grab a plate of food and bring it back to your room.

Have a great trip!This is what we do on most days. Every day, they will have either bacon or sausage also.

Fond memory - Last trip, MickeyDogMom waking me at 4am to find out when they started breakfast. (She had skipped dinner and was starving.....)

The Kids Suite is usually the penthouse style. The lower floor is the family room/kitchen/dining/kids room with 1 bath. Upstairs is the "Master" bedroom and a bathroom.


LOL, I think we were posting the same info at the same time :). This residence inn is a bit different. The kids suite at Garden Grove is all one level. You walk into a family room & kitchen, to one side is a kids room with bunk beds & bathroom and to the other side is the Master suite with bathroom. Hope this made sense.

Thanks guys for all the info. I had seen some pictures of the kids suite but wasn't sure about the 2nd bath. This will be nice because I have a teen daughter, and well you know how that goes.

We've stayed here on our last two trips and are staying here again in less than two weeks and we absolutely love it. The breakfast saves you a bundle and my mom and I were really impressed because they offer some healthier choices like fruit and yogurt as well as the tradional eggs,meat, pancakes etc. We always find the rooms clean and spacy and have used the kitchen several times on each trip and found it to be more than adequate both times. Plus the social hour monday-thursday can often serve as a whole meal. Sometimes the offerings at this were better than others but overall it's a great deal as well.

LOL, I think we were posting the same info at the same time :). This residence inn is a bit different. The kids suite at Garden Grove is all one level. You walk into a family room & kitchen, to one side is a kids room with bunk beds & bathroom and to the other side is the Master suite with bathroom. Hope this made sense.That does make sense. At the Clementine, they have a similar unit, but call it the 2 bedroom unit. (Only with 2 queens.)

I've stayed here a few times now in the past couple years.
The breakfast is better than other RI's i.e. Vegas which was sparse. I've noticed though that at Clementine, they've had some replenishing issues occasionally. You can take the food back to your room if you can't find a place to eat. They have an overflow eating area outside on the patio.
The kitchen has a full size range and microwave and apartment sized fridg. and full size dishwasher. The pots and pans aren't quite All Clad, but you'll get a few pots and pans, a collander, utensils: one of each, spatula, can opener, corkscrew/bottle opener, large spoon, chopping knives, wood spoon. I'd think you could easily cook taco meat and grilled cheeses, although I don't remember if they have a non-stick skillet. You could always call and ask about that one.
We bring dish soap and dishwasher detergent, although at the Vegas RI they supplied that, but I haven't had that happen at Clementine yet.
You'll have silverware, plates and mugs for 4 and sometimes I've had 6-8 drinking glasses.
Have fun!

Thanks poptart. I was thinking about bringing my own skillet. I didn't even think about the can opener. Not having to bring a colander will be nice. I have been making a list of possible things to bring, but trying not to bring the whole kitchen. We stayed at the Hampton Inn with a kitchen about 6 years ago. I brought a lot of supplies that time because I didn't know what to expect. They had the basics. My biggest problem at the time was lack of spices. Thanks for the tips about the dish soap and dishwasher soap. I guess that means I should bring a sponge too. Do they have kitchen towels?

Is social hour like a happy hour? It sounds like they have some food or snacks. Are they serving alcohol as well, i.e. wine or beer?

They have dish towels (I think 2) and wash clothes. We've always been supplied with dishwashing detergent, but I generally bring some in case they forget. And we have always had great maids. They generally do all the dishes and then we just empty the dishwasher. In the evenings, the social hour is alcohol free.

They have one fabric dish towel and usually a roll of paper towels. Salt and pepper are on the table, along with coffee packets and sometimes microwave popcorn and hot chocolate. Pack a sponge, I do.
Hmmm.....I seem to remember beer and wine at the Vegas RI dinner buffet, whatever they call it. I have called ahead though to see what's on the "dinner" menu; they put out a monthly calendar.
Did you know they'll do your shopping for you before you arrive? Just call ahead with your list.

Don't depend on the Manager Happy Hour to be a meal replacement, it varied on on our 7 night stay, no MHH on weekend or Holiday, so we only had three nights, chicken wings, liquid cheese sauce over chips and liquid cheese sauce over fries. We ate the fries one night and wings the other night. What I did do was BBQ burgers and used them as meals during the week. I found breakfast to be great and is the deciding factor in our stay at Maingate VS Motel 6. Having traveled a bit, the breakfast is a 15.00 meal at some of the Marriots we have visited. With fruit, protein and grains, it is worth the value and health compared to McDs. Though not sure how the new mall across the street will offer meals for breakfast or Dinner.

I haven't stayed at the Residence Inn near DL, but at others, I've gone to the front desk to ask for additional place settings. With a family of four (or more), the dishes, silverware and glasses don't go very far. They have been extremely accommodating and provided me a cafeteria tray with four additional place settings (including cloth napkins) all "shrink wrapped" up nice and neat. That way, you are not constantly washing dishes.

Definitely bring you own sponge and the dish soap/dishwasher detergent are good ideas too.

I also find that a small tip to the maids each day goes a long way in them taking good care of your housekeeping needs.

If you don't mind the cooking while on vacation, this is a great way to save lots of money on meals, which I feel are pricey throughout DLR for what you get. Spend the money on all the "fun" foods available at DLR. See this thread for many suggestions:

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=99280

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks Matterhorn. Only about a month away and I can't wait. :D