Coast Anaheim Hotel To Become Sheraton Park Hotel

[Opus1guy]

The Coast Anaheim Hotel (formerly the Westcoast Anaheim, formerly The Inn At The Park, and formerly who knows what else), is getting a major renovation and re-flagging as the second Sheraton hotel in the Anaheim Resort area. With this investment (and the addition of the many room and property enhancements listed in the following Press Release...including the wonderful Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds), this could turn out to be a much improved Disneyland Resort option. With the already great views of the fireworks from the North facing side of the tower.

A truly choice under-developed piece of real estate may finally get it's due.


Coast Anaheim Hotel in Southern California to Be Reflagged as Sheraton Park Hotel

Hotel's $32 Million Extreme Makeover to Feature Smart, Stylish New Look

Tuesday September 27, 10:00 am ET

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2005--Western Hotel Properties, LLC, announced today a franchise agreement with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT - News). Following an expansive $32 million renovation, the 490-room Coast Anaheim Hotel will be reflagged as the Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort in the spring of 2006. The sprawling 11-acre property is located adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center and one block from Disneyland®.

More at:

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050927/275650.html?.v=1

[Opus1guy]

Bumping this thread from last year with an update that I was just told today the current expected opening date of this new Sheraton is June 1, 2006. But they're still not accepting reservations from the General Public yet, so one could surmise they aren't 100% confident in that date yet. Although I guess that could equally mean they could open sooner too.

They do have a limited web site up and running though, but not much content yet:

http://www.sheratonparkanaheim.com/index-1.html

As a further update, in another recent thread it was announced that this hotel would be home to a new Morton's Steakhouse.

Also, since the Yahoo news link in the original post is dead now, and to further update this thread...here's that same Press Release from back in September, hosted by another web site:

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=hot&script=410&layout=6&item_id=761499

I've been at the property several times recently, and I have to say it's looking pretty good! :)

[tod]

What happens to the Sheraton north of the Resort?

--t

[Opus1guy]

What happens to the Sheraton north of the Resort?

Current plans have it remaining the Sheraton Anaheim. And it's undergoing a major refurbishment right now itself. But it's remaining open during their phased remodeling.

While having these two Sheratons is such close proximity to each other will likely cause occasional confusion...it's not at all an uncommon occurrence to have more than one of the same hotel brand in the same city and/or very close to one another. I know of several cities that have multiple Sheratons. In Hawaii for example, they have several different Sheratons that are just across the street or a few doors down from each other! Cab drivers are always asking, "Now just which Sheraton exactly are you staying at?" ;)

New York's just another example, where you have the Sheraton New York and the Sheraton Manhattan right across the street from one another. Often guests arrive and actually don't know which one they have their reservations at! :)

[Burnt Toast]

We're going to have a new Disney Desk at this new Sheraton Park as well! Yay!

[SeansMom]

Any idea how the room sizes might compare? The current (old) Sheraton has some pretty big rooms, which we've always enjoyed. I wonder if they are sticking to the same room size as the former Coast Anaheim or if they gutted to do the refurb???

[Malcon10t]

Any idea how the room sizes might compare? The current (old) Sheraton has some pretty big rooms, which we've always enjoyed. I wonder if they are sticking to the same room size as the former Coast Anaheim or if they gutted to do the refurb???They are not gutting it, it is remainin open during the refurb. They are putting in the Sweet Sleepers though.

[TLKbroadway]

Yay finally! I actually noticed it a few months ago. I stayed at the coast two years ago and wasn't impressed. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done.

[Opus1guy]

Any idea how the room sizes might compare? The current (old) Sheraton has some pretty big rooms, which we've always enjoyed. I wonder if they are sticking to the same room size as the former Coast Anaheim or if they gutted to do the refurb???

And...


They are not gutting it, it is remainin open during the refurb. They are putting in the Sweet Sleepers though.

I think maybe we're getting a bit confused between the two hotels already!

New Sheraton Park: Pretty much a gut job, but the rooms are the same size as when it was the Coast. Due to the basic framework of the building...there's no room to increase the room size. But the new rooms are very nice and feature the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds.

Old Sheraton Anaheim: A phased remodel and remains open during refurbishment. They aren't adding the Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Beds because the Sheraton Sweet Sleepers were already installed almost 2 years ago there! The basic huge 525 sq.ft. standard room size will remain the same (the largest standard room size in Anaheim). Just additional general room improvements and improvements to the public spaces and restaurants and such. And a complete redo of their heating and air conditioning system.

[Opus1guy]

Second-Hand Update:

I had an invite to stay a night and preview this hotel, but I had to leave town at the last minute on business. :(

So, I gave my stay to one of my associates who stayed there 3 nights ago, and I just now got off the phone with him. We didn't get into specifics, but he gives this new Sheraton a big thumbs up. He said he especially liked the Club Lounge on the Club Level.

I know that's not much in the way of details, but thought some of you might want to know. I hope to be able to finally stay there myself very soon. It's now bookable online with rates as low as $119 on some dates, but looks like $149 seems to be the low-end norm on most dates:

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1569

...and I'm sure via other internet sites as well.

[LLevy]

So- anyone know if they have their own shuttle to the park?

LL (who thinks it should either be a very close hotel, or have their own shuittle after discovering that the anaheim shuttles are unreliable and take a long time.)

[Benihodge]

This is pretty cool news about the Sheraton taking over the Coast Hotel, I stayed there in 2004 and had a blast and think it needed a make over.:cool:

[Opus1guy]

So- anyone know if they have their own shuttle to the park?

LL (who thinks it should either be a very close hotel, or have their own shuittle after discovering that the anaheim shuttles are unreliable and take a long time.)

Sorry to disappoint, but it is serviced by the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttles..."C" Route.

The hotel is "C1" on this map:

http://www.rideart.org/ART-Map.pdf

Though it is very much within walking distance, IMHO.

[leota's necklace]

So- anyone know if they have their own shuttle to the park?

LL (who thinks it should either be a very close hotel, or have their own shuittle after discovering that the anaheim shuttles are unreliable and take a long time.)

If you are referring to the ex-Coast: I have heel spurs and two bum knees, and I always found the Coast to be an easy walk home. You just take the tram as far as it will go, then walk through the parking lot and cross the street. Easy-peasy, and frankly, preferable to me over waiting for a shuttle with a bunch of grouchy people.

[Opus1guy]

First-Hand Hotel Review Time! :)

Greetings from the new Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort, where we've been enjoying a great day of fun in the sun!

Wow! Things sure came together here in the last month. When I was here a month ago for progress tour...I thought they'd never made the June 1 opening. But they did a great job finishing things off and the hotel is open for business and looks great.

They went over budget and have spent 40 million on the re-do of this property. About the only thing I can find that's not finished yet is the brand new fitness center which is a from-the-ground-up new little building that's still under construction. But everything else is ready to go.

The lobby looks great. It's big and has nice furnishings. The lobby bar is really nice, IMHO.

When I checked in and was told I had been given a room on the Club Level with a Disneyland Resort view...I asked if they still piped in the fireworks soundtrack to the guestrooms via the TV like they used to. One of the other ladies overheard my question and came over and said, "Wow. You must have stayed here back when Disney owned the hotel as 'The Inn at the Park." Yep. I had many times. Anyway they don't pipe the music to one of the TV channels anymore, but she said the view of the fireworks is spectacular. I may be able to verify that in a few hours from now, if we come back here straight after dinner.

Self Parking is $12 per night for hotel guests.

The room is extremely nice. All new. Even the sliding glass door casements are new. Nice view of mainly California Adventure, with Tower of Terror being the big landmark. Very nice dark woods in the furniture, with beige wallcoverings. Nice artwork. Pop-up electrical outlets right in the desk. Nice fixtures. New and quiet A/C and heat. Complimentary Wayport high speed WiFi (clocked 1.4mbps) in all guest rooms and public spaces.

The bathroom vanity is really nice in it's dark woods and wood cubbyholes. The 3-part mirror swings out at various angles, which is nice for the sides and back of your head. In room safe. Flat panel TV with S-Video and component inputs.

I'm told the furnishings are pretty much the same on all floors but on the Club Level you get a higher thread count Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed (though all floors have the Sweet Sleeper) with a bit nicer duvet (wonderful bed!), robes, and a few more room amenities. Plus you get access to the Club Lounge which is very nice and is open all day, but serves comp breakfast from 6am to 10am, and then evening munchies and cocktails from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The Club Lounge faces the pool side of the hotel...not the Park side. Wonderful furnishings in there as well as a comp flat screen computer with internet. Key Card required in the elevators to the 12th and 14th floor (12th and 13th actually...that superstition thing, you know).

Business travelers will really like this hotel. As will tourists. Rooms aren't a bad size, really. Lot's of space.

Throughout the hotel they have some great old photos of Disneyland. Many look like tourist photos rather than professional ones, and they are great to go around and look at. There's the glass elevator on the pool side too.

Haven't eaten at the any of the restaurants yet. But "Molly's" reminds me of the old Monorail Cafe. They have a nice selection of old Disneyland photos too. Morton's Steakhouse is under construction in a totally separate building out at the south end of the property, and should open later this year.

The pool and pool area look great! Great landscaping. The bar is very nice and well stocked (hic!). ;)

What am I leaving out? I don't know. If I think of anything else, I'll post back later.

Here's a link to some Hot Fresh video I just shot about an hour ago:

http://members.aol.com/opus1guy/uploads/sheratonanaheimhi.wmv

It's a pretty big file...over 20mb and about 4 minutes long. It's in Windows Media Player format, which is already on most PCs and Macs can get it free too from Microsoft's web site. Because it streams at 778kbps...you might want to wait for it to download completely first, to avoid "skips." Or Windows users: Right click on that link and select "Save Target As" to download it to your computer.

The video near the end is of the Club Lounge.

Great property now. Highly recommend it.

I'll have some still photos of the room up either tonight or tomorrow. Gotta get ready for happy hour in the Club Lounge and then dinner. All work and no play and all that...don't 'ya know? ;)

[SeansMom]

Nice clip, Opus, thanks! I especially enjoyed the elevator ride :).
If anyone is interested in booking a package I noticed AAA has both the Sheraton's as an option. If we hadn't already booked at GCH, I'd have considered this a great option. We've always enjoyed the "other" Anaheim Sheraton, and this one looks great as well.

[Disney Vault]

Thats looks very nice. If I was ever going to stay off property that would be were I would stay.

[Opus1guy]

Adding to the above review:

Just returned to our room from the Club Lounge. Great spread of complimentary hot and cold hors d'vores. And very yummy, I might add. The chicken satay skewers were especially good. :)

Complimentary cocktails consist of a nice selection of beers and wines, and all your standard "well" booze drinks. Fancy drinks or "call" booze...they've got it all, but that will cost you regular bar prices. Bar is tended.

Great and friendly service. We very much enjoyed it. And very glad to even see this service as so many hotels are either charging for cocktails in their Club Lounges these days...or boarding up their Club Lounges altogether.

[Opus1guy]

Rushed back to the hotel from dinner just in time to watch the fireworks from our balcony. They just now finished.

Awesome! Forgot what a good view this tower gives. Can even see the Matterhorn and Tink and all the Castle fireworks and pinwheels. And the booms really catch in the balcony alcoves. Missed hearing the soundtrack, but still a good show from here.

We've had a great Disney day and we haven't even entered Disney property once today (but we are headed over now).

I have a question though that I hope someone can answer for me. Somewhere behind Tower of Terror...what looks to me like a backstage area that backs up to the (I think) Timon parking lot...is a large red and white tent with alternating lights on the inside. Anyone know what this is? Here's a couple of snaps for reference:

http://members.aol.com/opus1guy/uploads/nitequestion.jpg

Thanks! Off to Disneyland, Downtown Disney and the Grand Californian! :)

[MickeyandMe]

The red and white tent looks like the bumper cars in Bug's Land - sorry, it's late and I can't think of the correct name of the ride.

[Opus1guy]

1:30am local time and have returned to the Sheraton Park after a great couple of hours at Disneyland.

Let me tell you...that Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed is lookin' mighty nice right about now!

Goodnight All! :)

[Disney Vault]

The red and white tent looks like the bumper cars in Bug's Land - sorry, it's late and I can't think of the correct name of the ride.
Tuck and Roll's Drive Em Buggies

I think that is a terrible name that is hard to remember

[Opus1guy]

I took my "official tour" this afternoon and have an update to my self-tour review and video clip that I posted above, as a result.

Not all rooms here are the same size. A few rooms on each floor are wider than the others and I got one of those wider rooms. Now seeing the standard King Room here I have to say it's not as big as ours. Same fine and new appointments, just not as wide. Would be fine for a couple, but not a family (especially as no roll-aways are available).

The Double Rooms would be better for families because of how they are configured. And of course if you could score one of the wider rooms...that would be better still.

Also not all the rooms have full balconies with tables and chairs. A few have a narrower standing-room-only type balcony. Something else to be aware of.

Don't get me wrong. All the rooms are super nice and the hotel in general is super. Just be aware that like at many hotels...room types can vary.

Some more info:

- All rooms have mini fridges.
- ART Automated Ticket Machine located outside
- The Disney Airport Bus stops here
- The brand new 1400 sq.ft Fitness Center should be finished within the next two months.

Also, if you don't get a Park view room, each hallway has a large window facing the Park about half-way down the hall. So you could watch fireworks from there if you wanted to. No balcony though.

The Overland Stage Restaurant was completely gutted and rebuilt. They incorporated those old doors and the old antique oak bar into the new design, but everything else is new. As is the menu. No longer an emphasis on steaks (as Morton's Steakhouse is on the way). Now a mix of BBQ and Southwestern cuisine. Looks good. Very nice decor.

Some of the best and friendliest staff here we've ever encountered. We're really enjoying the place. Hope they keep up the good work and all the "new hotel" sparkle doesn't start to fade. :)

As promised...here's some still photos.

http://pictures.aol.com/ap/viewShare.do?shareInfo=KnVVBplenSOSzAwuATbFSccQDOk rzyBxGrOxEflO7GVWGd%2bBXiXp6w%3d%3d

Click on the "View Album As Guest" button. Then click the "View" button and you'll see the photos with captions. If you "Slideshow" it, you'll see larger better quality photos, but you may have to scroll to see the caption.

Also, here's an image of the layout of the entire property:

http://members.aol.com/opus1guy/uploads/sheratonanaheimlayout.jpg

If anyone has any questions...feel free to post 'em. :)

And Thanks Disneys Biggest Fan and MickeyandMe for the answer! :)

[Wanda Woman]

On the topic of off-property hotels:

I was at the HoJo's last week and passed the Park Inn. They've changed their name to the Camelot Inn & Suites. I'm not sure if this is something new or that they're just now getting around to changing the sign out front.

[kiwifuz]

If anyone has any questions...feel free to post 'em. :)

Okay so here's a question that you might be able to answer: Is the Sheraton Park Hotel worth the approximate $60-70/night more than the Sheraton Anaheim?

I know that when we're looking to go next (definitely in Nov, possible for Sept) the "Park" is $189 & the "Anaheim" is around $120-130. Seems awfully significant to my cheap self unless there's something that makes the "Park" that much better. I can easily spend the money for the rates at the Sheraton Anaheim, the Sheraton Park Hotel just kind of makes me hesitate a bit. Close or not... hmmm