Review: Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground
The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground offers an ideal base for families looking to experience the magic of Disneyland, located just a short walk away. This comfortable and charming hotel provides families with modern rooms, fun amenities, and excellent service—all for a reasonable price compared to others this close to Disneyland. This is our comprehensive Howard Johnson Anaheim review.
Location
Proximity to attractions:
The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel is perfectly located within walking distance of the Disneyland entrance, making it incredibly convenient for families eager to make the most of their time at the theme park.
Transportation:
Getting around Anaheim from the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel is fairly easy. The hotel has ample parking facilities available for guests who drive, and there are numerous car hire options in the district. The hotel is a convenient shuttle stop & waiting area for all airport, tour and resort trolley busses. For local transport, Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) is a convenient shuttle service to many attractions.
If Disneyland is the sole reason you’re here, it’s easy enough just to get around on foot and/or grab an Uber/Taxi for the few times you wish to go further afield.
Accommodation features of the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
We stayed in a deluxe room featuring two queen beds and a view of the pool. The room was spacious enough to accommodate our family comfortably but was fairly average in size in that it wasn’t too small and wasn’t noticeably large. The room was modern, with nice Disney touches in the decor without it being over the top.
Amenities:
Families staying here will appreciate the thoughtful amenities, such as the heated pool and water playground, which kept our kids entertained during downtime. The well-kept grounds of the hotel made our stay pleasant, with plenty of space to relax. As an added bonus, the WiFi was free and worked fantastic.
Safety features:
The hotel provides excellent security features, with key-coded access to the buildings, rooms, pool and waterpark. There are also lifeguards on duty in the pool area and water park, ensuring safety and that the pool doesn’t get crowded.
On-site fun:
One of the highlights of the stay was the water playground, which was a hit with the kids. The heated pool was also a great spot for some afternoon relaxation, and the entire pool area was well-maintained. Beyond the water activities, the hotel has a giant chair on the grounds that made for a fun photo opportunity. It’s little touches like this that make the stay memorable for kids and parents alike.
Dining options at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
Family-friendly dining:
The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, which is something to consider if convenience is key, especially after a long day at Disneyland. However, Mimi’s cafe and restaurant is right across the road and boasts an extensive menu (including a kid’s menu) and good old-fashioned dining service. Other eateries can be found within walking distance of the hotel.
Kitchen facilities:
The room did not feature kitchen facilities but did offer a microwave, a coffee maker and a small fridge.
Staff and service at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
The staff at Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel were incredibly welcoming and accommodating to families, making our stay stress-free. Their friendly demeanor and willingness to assist truly made our first impressions a positive one.
Value for money at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
Value for money:
Considering its proximity to Disneyland and the quality of amenities, the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel is reasonably priced and offers great value for families. The pool, water playground area, rooms and grounds are well maintained, contributing to an enjoyable experience without any hidden costs and the WiFi was free and dependable.
The overall value makes it an excellent choice for those travelling with kids.
Overall experience
Positives:
The proximity to Disneyland, the well-maintained water playground, the heated pool, and the welcoming staff were standout features. We really appreciated that the rooms were spotless and modern.
Negatives:
The absence of an on-site restaurant was a drawback, as it would have been convenient after a long day at Disneyland, especially with tired children in tow. However, this could easily be overcome with UberEats.
Do we recommend the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel
We highly recommend the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel to families looking for a value hotel and a comfortable stay close to Disneyland. It’s especially ideal for families with young children who will enjoy the water playground for fun and quiet rooms for downtime afterwards.
One of the most memorable moments for us was discovering the giant chair on the hotel grounds—perfect for a fun family photo! The kids loved it, and it’s little details like this that made our stay a bit special.
Ratings:
Location
Rooms
Cleanliness
Dining (Mimi’s Cafe & Restaurant)
Staff & service
Value for money
Family-friendly
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