Howard Johnson's Anaheim551

We stayed at the HoJo from May 9th to the 16th. We selected it after reading the reviews here on TripAdvisor. When we arrived check-in was quick and painless and the staff was very courteous and polite. The front desk is still operating out of a temporary location but if they didn't tell you that it was temporary you likely wouldn't know the difference. We were booked into building number 2, room 2405. The room was clean and well appointed. We had no issues whatsoever with the room. I have read that some of the rooms have decor that is somewhat dated but we did not find this to be the case. Our balcony overlooked the "quiet pool" and it had plenty of shade from the tall trees in the courtyard. The rooms ring the pool with the hallway being a buffer between you and the freeway. If you stood in the door to our room and looked out you looked across the hall and through a window onto the cars whipping by below but we did not hear any freeway noise at all! The cleaning staff did a great job and we always found our room ready even when we hit the park early and were back at noon for a dip in the pool. There are pop and ice machines on each floor. The grounds were meticulously maintained and overall the facilities seemed to be in good repair. Both pools were clean and at a pleasant temperature. We utilized and enjoyed them both. The one time that the pool towel supply had been depleted we notified the desk and it was refilled five minutes later. The main pool splash zone is in my opinion directed at the younger set but my kids (8 and 10) were in the pool the whole time and didn't seem to mind. One night we even watched the fireworks while relaxing at the pool and hot tub. The lobby store is well stocked with anything you might need, granted it's not a grocery store but there is one a quick cab ride away. We walked to and from the parks everytime. I fully expected to utilize ART but we never felt we needed to. At the most it took us ten minutes to get there and I even carried the 8 year old on my shoulders back to the hotel from New Orleans Square... so it's an easily manageable jaunt. The staff as I said is very friendly and helpful. I popped into the lobby to inquire as to the cost of a cab to the MIdievil Times (which I highly recommend, it's pricey but worth it) and J.J. at the desk recommended a reasonably priced town car service. When he asked me when I planned on going I told him that I hadn't called them yet to make a reservation. By the time I left the lobby ten minutes later he had me all set up with reservations and car service and it went off without a hitch. I was impressed... the kids were impressed by the show... J.J. made me look good! You can spend a lot more for other hotels (Disney Properties) in the area that might give you a few added perks but I'd recommend this hotel to anyone looking for clean, reasonably priced, well appointed accomodations. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat and the kids gave it the "Two Thumbs Up" seal of approval. Being that the whole reason for going was for the kids then I'd say it all added up to a perfect stay!!!!