Hello, padders! I know posing a question like this will get a myriad of answers, but I am looking forward to the various thoughts about an upcoming trip.

I'll be coming to DLR with my friend and her 2 kids, as well as my 2 kids, in August. (Yes, we are crazy) No hubbies. They are in a PhD program and money is quite tight. A fairy godmother has purchased the 4 day PH's for them (we have AP's this year), and I'm trying to figure out where to stay.

We really need a suite, so all 6 of us can share one "room" to save on $. I have searched about "best suites" and know many of you like Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Staybridge, Carousel. They all have some pluses and minuses. I would really like to be close enough to walk, they youngest will be 5 - oldest 9. Also, this is their first (and possibly ONLY for a very long time) trip to DL. I was thinking very seriously about Residence Inn, trying to convince myself that we would go back for dinner that we would cook, to save money. Then, I thought, "would we really want to do that?" It is cheaper, I think, to stay at the Carousel, in a suite, and closer.

So.....share your wisdom! ;)

Thanks!
Jennie

I think you just answered your own question! If being within walking distance of DL is primary in your search for a suite hotel, then Carousel is a good option.

Walking distance isn't an issue for me, so I prefer to stay at the Homewood because I like the food that is included with the price of the suite (breakfast every morning and dinner M-Th). The cost saving of eating at the HS is more important to me than being across the street from DL.

Wherever you stay, enjoy your trip!! :)

The Residence Inn Maingate is the closest extended stay suite hotel, about 9/10th of a mile from the lobby to the Main Entrance Plaza (walking). There are also some other hotles in the same block that offer free meals. They also come with a full kitchen, so you could cook and eat some meals at your convience. The Residence Inn will take your grocery order and get it delivered (thru Albertson's) while you are in the park, and it should be in your fridge when you return.

The DoubleTree on Harbor recently opened, just south of the Convention Center area.

Both of these locations are popular at TripAdvisor.

If your biggest draw is walking distance, definitely check out the Desert Inn and Suites, on Harbor. It is literally right across the crosswalk from the DL entrance. From hotel to park turnstiles is probably a five minute walk (if that).

It's not a place that's big on thrills, but it definitely does the trick. It's clean and comfortable, and did I mention - close! :) They have rooms that can sleep up to ten people, so there should certainly be something that will suit your needs. You can often catch some very good deals.

The downside in this case, is that there is no kitchen so you won't be able to cook your own meals if you wanted to do this. There is a fridge and a microwave, however, so you could stock up on some snacks and whatnot to cut down on costs. A "continental breakfast" is included, although it really doesn't offer all that much - toast, danishes, fruit, coffee and juice - but it is something that could easily tide you over until an early lunch.

Good luck with your planning and enjoy your upcoming trip!

ETA: Here is a link (http://www.anaheimdesertinn.com/room_suites.htm) to the Desert Inn's website with a listing of their suite configurations. Just scroll down and you'll see the four different options.

My first choice in your situation would be the Desert Inn. Next would be Carousel. (Remember, Carousel only allows 1 car per suite and charges too.) What is your price range?

My first choice in your situation would be the Desert Inn. Next would be Carousel. (Remember, Carousel only allows 1 car per suite and charges too.) What is your price range?

Well, I don't have a "price range" really in mind. Inger and I will split the room cost 50/50, and I want to make this as easy (read inexpensive) as possible, while still staying in a decent spot.

I also just realized (DUH! :rolleyes:) that it will be much hotter in August than I have ever experienced, and we'll surely want to go swim during the afternoon hours, which might lend me to weigh toward Residence - if we're there to swim, we could eat early dinner, and then head back. I guess it is good that there are so many choices, huh? :)

We will just have my one van, but thanks for the reminder about charging for parking. $10 per night? I'll factor that in.

MissMouse - how are the beds at Desert Inn? Is the fridge regulation tiny dorm size, or the slightly taller size?

Keep your thoughts rolling, all. I really appreciate the suggestions so far.

Jennie

PS (I've tried to figure out for weeks what "ETA" means.....):confused:

PS (I've tried to figure out for weeks what "ETA" means.....):confused:

ETA = Edited to add. Sorry!

Thanks for the clarification! I'm new to this acronym business! :rolleyes:

if you need a suite with a kitchen you might check with the tropicana as well they have several nice ones.

The Residence Inn Maingate on Clementine (its the closest) has a great breakfast (scrambled eggs, a meat, fresh fruit, waffles, somedays pancakes others french toast, biscuits and gravy, cereals, yogurts, juices, coffee, milk, hot chocolate) every morning. They have a light dinner Mon - Thurs. We have never partaken simply because we have usually been on the ART tram. I would suggest the LARGE 1 bedroom unit (ask for the one in Building 7.) It is close to the tram pick up, it has a nice balcony you can watch the fireworks from if you don't go one night, it is near the pool and tennis/basketball court for the kids (and laundry room). If you have an air mattress, bring one. It has 2 queens and a pull out sofa. You and the other mom can take over the bedroom and let the kids have the family room area with the sofa and air mattress!

Also, check out the Carousel View Suite. And the pool is on the roof, I would recommend it over the Desert Inn pool. We loved the View Suite. It is large with 4 beds. It has a micro and fridge. And it is close to Mickey D's for cheap eats. I *think* it would be cheaper than RI.

We are big fans of the family suite at the Camelot (very close walk, right next to McDs.) There is a lot of space... but only one bathroom. It's 2 good sized hotel rooms adjoined. One room has 2 queens, tv, armoire & dresser, small table & chairs and the bathroom- counter is outside the shower/toilet room and the counter is large! The other room has a king or queen w/a sofa sleeper, arm chair, TV, armoire/dresser, etc. This room also has table w/4 chairs that you can actually sit down and eat at as well as a small micro & fridge, an additional sink and counter space (and a cupboard.)

We've done 2 adults and 4 kids in this suite... and 4 adults and 3 kids in this suite and never felt crowded. There's room for strollers & car seats too. :) And some floor space to play.

There's a roof top pool, which is not huge but it is very kid friendly because it isn't very deep anywhere... like 3-4 ft tops and there is a hot tub. Perfect fire works view from here as well. There's a continental w/the basics: cereal, milk, muffins, croissants, apples/bananas, mixed fruit, juice & coffee. We've found it to be well staffed but haven't really eaten in the breakfast room as it is small and we have the nice table in our room.

This is a motel for sure... outside entrances etc. But it's always been clean and the front desk staff friendly. I've typically gotten the best rates by calling the hotel directly although this past summer I did well on Expedia (but that was a standard room not the suite.)

Good luck!

nvmom

I second the opinion on the Camelot Inn. We had the family suite for our last trip in October and it was quite satisfactory for the money. I did not care for their continental breakfast, but I had already packed cereal and cereal bars, milk and fruit to stock the fridge. Our favorite suite is the Residence Inn on Clementine but my 2 year old wants to walk everywhere all the time and we stay in DTD really late so the transit doesn't work for us, therefore, I decided on the Camelot. I suggest an upper floor (5th) room, you will have a view and be on the same floor as the pool. It is not as fancy or as large as the residence, but it is quite adequate. The walk is literally 5 minutes, it is awesome. Also, there is a Quizno's on your way to the park and McDonald's is right next door. Plus, just a little bit down by the HOJO's is Mimi's Cafe, you can't go wrong there.

I like the Camelot also. The Family Suite is great. We quit staying there when the prices jumped, so haven't been there in maybe 2 years.

I enjoyed the suite at Park Vue. For me being close was the primary concideration and it is right across the street, second was price and the price was great. It has more than a kitchennette, less than a full kitchen. The down side is that the pool and grounds are really not good at all.

I am also a fan of Residence in Maingate. I know it sounds like a long walk, but it really isn't bad. We walk 50% and tram it 50% of the time. The breakfast is a huge perk.

Something I recently discovered through Marriott is their "look no further best rate guarantee". It wasn't available or at least I wasn't aware of it on our last trip in Nov. but I was able to use it for our upcoming trip in April. Here is how it works. You look all over different websites like expedia, travelocity, orbitz etc. try and find the cheapest rate you can. then you call Marriott directly, make a reservation at their going rate. You then call the Marriott best rate phone # or email (they will give the # just ask) tell them where you found the cheaper rate & they investigate it, and beat that rate by 25%. They then send you a confirmation email that says they have adjusted the rate on your reservation. I.E. I found the R.I. on expedia for $151 1 bdrm suite. I called marriott made my reservations (I think they were charging $175 ish) I then called the best rate phone number and told them I found it on expedia. The next day I got an email that said my rate has now been adjusted to $114 a night! Yipee! Thats a big savings! I hope I explained this clearly :geek:.

IMO it's worth the research! Have a great trip!

Something I recently discovered through Marriott is their "look no further best rate guarantee". It wasn't available or at least I wasn't aware of it on our last trip in Nov. but I was able to use it for our upcoming trip in April. Here is how it works. You look all over different websites like expedia, travelocity, orbitz etc. try and find the cheapest rate you can. then you call Marriott directly, make a reservation at their going rate. You then call the Marriott best rate phone # or email (they will give the # just ask) tell them where you found the cheaper rate & they investigate it, and beat that rate by 25%. They then send you a confirmation email that says they have adjusted the rate on your reservation. I.E. I found the R.I. on expedia for $151 1 bdrm suite. I called marriott made my reservations (I think they were charging $175 ish) I then called the best rate phone number and told them I found it on expedia. The next day I got an email that said my rate has now been adjusted to $114 a night! Yipee! Thats a big savings! I hope I explained this clearly :geek:.

IMO it's worth the research! Have a great trip!

You described the "Look No Further" program quite well. I had checked for our August trip, and the Marriott price for the RI on Clementine was $139 for a small one bedroom...Expedia's price was $125. I made a claim and Marriott granted us a rate of $97 per night. I thought it was a great price for peak summer times!

You described the "Look No Further" program quite well. I had checked for our August trip, and the Marriott price for the RI on Clementine was $139 for a small one bedroom...Expedia's price was $125. I made a claim and Marriott granted us a rate of $97 per night. I thought it was a great price for peak summer times!

WOW! That is a great price! Mine is the small (I now wish I would have gotten the larger one) 1 bdrm. also. I love finding a good deal :geek: :D.

WOW! That is a great price! Mine is the small (I now wish I would have gotten the larger one) 1 bdrm. also. I love finding a good deal :geek: :D.
Don't hate me, but I had the large 1 bedroom unit for $119 over Christmas.

Don't hate me, but I had the large 1 bedroom unit for $119 over Christmas.

Geez, that is Awesome! Did you do the "Best rate Guaranatee also?" I don't want to de-rail the thread but does anyone know the difference between the 2, 1 bedrooom suites? I know it's size but where do you loose it, and is it a noticable difference?

Geez, that is Awesome! Did you do the "Best rate Guaranatee also?" I don't want to de-rail the thread but does anyone know the difference between the 2, 1 bedrooom suites? I know it's size but where do you loose it, and is it a noticable difference?You lose it in the family room. The family room is long enough to add a double and a single air mattress, whereas there is no extra space in the smaller unit. Normally, they have a table and chairs in this area, but we moved the table and added air matresses. Also, the larger units have balconys that are decent size.

Make sure you check Expedia's rate for the small one bedroom compared to the rate on www.marriott.com. I just booked a room for our August trip at a better price than I got previously (so will cancel the previous reservation).

Marriott listed the suite at $134.50, Expedia had the same suite for $119.25, so Marriott is honoring their "Look No Further" guarantee with a rate of $89.43! :D