Looking for a little advice on this one. I have already stayed at Grand Californian, Disneyland, Candy Cane, Best Western Park Place. Trip in July. This year I am looking to stay a little further away in a suite hotel. Myself, wife and two 8 year old girls, so kid friendly. I have a car, and don't mind the ART. Price is not a major object, I am looking for a nice hotel with a good pool and nice rooms. Currently have reservations for both the above. The Marriott chain is no longer an option, as I am one of the travelers they lost with the no-smoking policy (never around the kids). Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. :)

We have stayed at the Homewood three times in the past five years and have been very happy with their hotel. We especially like the fact that dinner is included Monday-Thursday (spaghetti and meatballs, tacos, chicken and mashed potatoes as well as a saladbar, milk, pop, wine and beer), as well as their buffet breakfast. I believe the pool area has just recently been renovated, so I am not sure exactly what that will be like, since we were last there in March/08.

We have not stayed at the Embassy, so can't help you with that decision, but we can fully support the Homewood Suites.

i have stayed in both and i most definately perfer and recommend embassy. no one can beat their free breakfast!!! everything for their breakfast is made to order (try their omelettes... BEST EVER!!!). theyre rooms are bigger too. their pool is ok... its inside. i have enjoyed all my stays there. and theyre breakfast area is really kid friendly. you feel like your in a rain forest. its really neat. they also have a reception at night where you get free drinks (including alcohol for the adults), nachos, popcorn, pretzels, etc. i highly recommened it.

I'll second that on the Embassy, we love it, have stayed there for conventions for work before.

On the smking thing though... you can't smoke indoors anywhere in CA now (except your own home - mostly), can you still smoke inside hotel rooms? I thought they all went 100% nonsmoking years ago?

I would nudge you toward Embassy also. :)

Thank you all for the responses. It is appreciated.

DizneyMommy - Even in CA (I live there) it is still up to the hotel/chain. Hilton still has smoking rooms, Marriott does not. Bad habit I know, but that is as it is. I had always preferred Marriott for my business travels, and loved staying at Residence Inns, but thier policy changed my affiliation to Hilton.

To all, thanks again.

I have stayed at both and both are very nice. I agree with the others though that if money is not really an issue, Embassy is nicer. The rooms are bigger and the breakfast is WAY better. That being said, I usually stay at the Homewood since there are just two of us! :p