Everyone deserves a break from the stresses of daily routines. How about a Disney staycation? Work and school wears us down and it’s important to experience fun activities with the family as well as time to relax and recharge. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be far from home! Discover the best hotels in Anaheim with their own unique experiences to make your stay extra memorable.
1) Wellness at the Westin
The Westin Anaheim Resort is a newly built hotel that opened its doors to guests in June of 2021. The AAA 4 Diamond hotel took the place of the popular Anabella Hotel, which was torn down to make way for the Westin in 2017. The Anabella, as beloved as it was, needed to be revamped due to its limited amenities compared to the surrounding hotel/lodging options.
Located at the heart of Anaheim’s Resort District, it sits in close proximity to various destinations such as the Disneyland Resort, Disney’s California Adventure, Anaheim Convention center, Angel Stadium, and the Honda Center. It’s the only other 4 diamond rated hotel besides Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel.
Unique experience: Westin Caters to your Wellness
The Westin Anaheim Resort emphasizes their care for the wellness of all visitors, aiming “to be the preeminent wellness brand in hospitality, empowering guests to regain control and enhance their well-being when they need it most.” The Westin Well-Being Movement is composed of 6 pillars: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. Each of these pillars are paired with different amenities and services that the Westin believes will have their guests leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Sleep Well: Every hotel room will have Heavenly® Beds, the hotel’s branded mattresses, box springs, and bedding. Sleep well Menus featuring sleep enhancing superfoods that make for perfect bedtime snacks and available for in-room dining. Finally, the naturally soothing Sleep Well Lavender Balm completes the preparation for a restful sleep and blissful rise in the morning. Heavenly® dog beds are also available at select hotels.
Eat Well: The Westin wants you to indulge and enjoy food without it wearing you down before your days full of fun activities. They provide healthier food options for adults and kids alike. An Eat Well Menu for kids, Westin Fresh by the Juicery, Crafted at Westin and Jing Tea are available for all guests. Other dining options include The Tangerine Room, Puesto Mexican Cuisine, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.
Move Well: On-site WestinWORKOUT 24/7 fitness studios complete with free weights, TRX functional training equipment, and cardiovascular equipment. What makes this gym especially unique is that guests are provided with Peloton bikes and even a recovery/massage station after those intense workouts (or all the walking at Disneyland.) Don’t workout indoors? Don’t Worry! RunWESTIN is the program for you. Journey through the 3 or 5 mile running routes on your own or in a group, led by Run Concierge at select locations. Their Pool and Spa is also a great place to stay active and recover.
Feel Well: No one does bath amenities like the Westin. Heavenly® robes and towels are available in adult and kids sizes, along with Heavenly® towels. Their white tea scented bath and body set is a staple, and let’s not forget about the rain shower head!
Work Well: The Westin understands that their location also attracts business personnel that need to conduct meetings and events, and they want to make sure you have time to relax in between busy planning. Their clutter-free meetings make it easier for your work to go as smoothly as possible, leaving enough time for you to relax and enjoy the guest amenities. The Bright Breaks Program features energizing activities such as stretching, exercise, and meditation, as well as nourishing food and drinks to keep you at the right working level.
Play Well: The Westin wants its guests to have a great time exploring the city they reside in. With their Westin Family program, you can get a Travel Journal and Local Activity Guide to help spark the creativity and wonder for the whole family and Westin Weekends extends breakfast hours and late check out so that families can start their mornings at their own pace.
Halloween Happenings:
Check out the Blossom Cafe and Market, currently featuring some scary cute treats to go along with the tasty drinks.
The Spooky Hollow Drink: enjoy the “smoky taste of Union Mezcal with the sweet and spicy tang of Tajin” before it disappears October 31st! Available at Bar1030 in the lobby or RISE! Rooftop Lounge.
Sleepy Hollow Chocolate Display: can you believe this display is made out of CHOCOLATE? Check out the display that took over 120 hours and 9 pastry chefs to make while you enjoy your sleepy hollow cocktail.
Should you book here?
Vacations are about the escape, too! The Westin Anaheim Resort gives you a whole other experience besides the trip at the park. The Westin is not only a great option for families, but it also Book at The Westin Hotel if the hotel experience is as important to you just as much as the reason for your stay.
2) Magic at the Majestic Garden
As one of the top Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotels, the Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel engages your family in more Disney magic located right across the Resort. This option is perfect for Disney families that want to enhance and elongate the magic they endure.
Formally known as the Royal Coach Inn, this hotel opened up in 1969, the same year as the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland. Throughout the years and a couple of ownership changes, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the castle-like structure complete with details in the rooms, corridors, and courtyards that are straight out of a storybook. After a day full of memorable encounters with the princesses and characters they admire, your little ones will sleep soundly knowing they are staying in their own castle!
Unique Experience: The Magic Never Ends
The Magic Garden Hotel offers a lot of activities and experiences that your children will never forget. Extending their magical experience is what this hotel does best with the help of these special services.
Must-Book Castle Bunk Room: I wasn’t kidding when I said children get to sleep in their own castle! Feel like a royal family in these special, newly renovated rooms that provide a Queen-Sized bed along with the magical bunk bed. There are other rooms that vary in size and space, however this room is what the kids will enjoy the most.
Meet the Princess: If the hotel is built like a castle, then it has to have a princess living in it, too! Princess Corinne can be easily spotted in her bright blue gown, wielding her sword. This fierce and brave princess likes to personally welcome guests and makes appearances throughout the hotel’s activities. Kids can chat with her while enjoying breakfast, go to her afternoon storytelling hour, or any special, seasonal events throughout the year. For a more personal experience, Princess Corinne is also available for a visit to your room herself with the Princess Wake-Up or Tuck-In Service.
Free Shuttle To and From Disney: Leave your car at the hotel and get to the Disneyland Resort via the FREE shuttle buses to and from Disneyland, with no extra stops! The Dream Machine Shuttle operates during park hours and the schedule is posted in the lobby daily.
Other Notable Amenities
Entertainment: The Family Game Room, Video Arcade, and Billiards located near the lobby and the outdoor, heated pool and whirlpool are great for winding down when you aren’t at the parks. Check out the Magic with David Minkin Show, featuring close up magic and discounts on dining before watching this show.
On-Site Dining: The Majestic Garden gives you a few dining options ranging from a quick bite to a sit down experience. California Deli & Store offers salads, sandwiches, fruits, snacks, breakfast pastries, and ice cream as well as take out beer and wine. This spot is also great for grabbing any other Disney essentials such as ponchos, sunscreen, backpacks/bags, and all kinds of Disney gear.
The Garden Court Bistro offers a breakfast buffet as well as the breakfast items on their regular menu, hearty and energizing lunch entrees, and filling dinners before the fireworks show. Also includes a full bar, and outdoor seating to enjoy the weather. If you’d like to sit indoors, the Garden Court Lounge offers comfortable couches and leather chairs to enjoy your drinks, appetizers, and light dinners.
Hanagi Japanese Restaurant serves traditional, authentic Japanese cuisine with a fresh sushi bar. This a great option if you want to eat something unique without having to drive too far, or leave your hotel at that!
Halloween Happenings:
The Royal Boo Celebration Package: During the spooky season, guests can upgrade to this package that comes with scary good perks including free parking, free wifi and free shuttle bus to/from the parks, along with an extra large room and a trick or treat bag for the kids.
Halloween Themed Drinks: Adults can enjoy a Witch’s Brew or the Candy Corn-tini made with Citron Vodka. The other two drinks, Little Green Monster and the Kids Crazy Corn-tini, are non-alcoholic choices so that the little ones can enjoy these exciting drinks as well.
Should You Book Here?
This hotel is for the families that can’t get enough of Disney Magic. This hotel will feel like an extension of the parks and has a lot of entertainment tailored towards kids. Parents can enjoy the perks of having free transportation and the dining/drink options are suitable for the whole family.
3) Ambiance at the Anaheim Hotel
The Anaheim Hotel welcomes guests with a beautiful mid-century modern design throughout the hotel. This AAA Three-Diamond hotel is located in between Disneyland’s main gate and the Anaheim Garden Walk. You can get from your hotel room to the parks in about 15 minutes or less! Its location also allows guests to get a good view of the firework show, and the Guardians of the Galaxy Tower!
Under the same hospitality management as the Westin, you can expect the same thoughtful services that Wincome Hospitality offers their guests. The Anaheim Hotel proves this by being ranked Top 1% of Hotels Worldwide and ranked #3 out of 129 Hotels in Anaheim (TripAdvisor.com).
Unique Experience: Ambiance and Outdoor Attraction
The Anaheim Hotel’s mid-century modern and open outdoor spaces makes it a great hotel to enjoy the Southern California weather. It’s cute, colorful, and provides more outdoor space than most surrounding hotels.
Olympic Size Pool: Ever avoid the pool because it looks too crowded? If the pool is a crucial part to your vacation, the Anaheim Hotel is your best bet! It houses the largest, outdoor swimming pool in all of the Anaheim Resort District. Choose whether you want to lounge on a lawn chair or have a picnic at the tables. There is plenty of seating arranged around the pool, suitable for the large number of guests that can enjoy this exclusive amenity. The best part about the pool? It has the best view of the Disneyland Fireworks show on the whole property! Splash or lounge around by the pool rather than standing in the crowd.
Outdoor Recreation: Have a family game day/night at the outdoor recreation area complete with lawn chairs and family size lane games. You can also catch some scheduled events happening on The Green. Part of vacationing in the Golden State is enjoying the weather; there are plenty of open turf spaces for your children to play safely.
Exterior perfect for pictures/events: The colorful balconies and open spaces makes this hotel not only perfect for Instagram pictures, but also for holding special events. The Anaheim Hotel can accommodate 50 to 350 people within their banquet and meeting spaces. The Veranda garden area features a beautiful setting, with the rainbow rooms and the Guardians tower peeking in the horizon, the Cabana Room overlooks the pool area and has its private patio, and the Riviera Room is the elegant main ballroom. Consider making your wedding reception or quinceañera extra special with these beautiful venue choices, plus being so close to the parks that you’re able to celebrate at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Other Notable Amenities:
On Site Dining: The award winning Pizza Press Restaurant is located right next to the Front Room Lounge. Here, guests can create their own pizza, choosing from a variety of dough, sauces, cheeses, and toppings. Eat your creation by the pool, at any of the outdoor seating areas, or order it and have it delivered straight to your room!
The Harbor Marketplace: Located near the lobby, this hotel gift shop offers everything from apparel, toys, Disney necessities, souvenirs and prepackaged food/drinks. You can even find exclusive Disney Loungefly Backpacks sold here! The Market is open from 8-10 PM. The Anaheim Hotel plans on adding self-serve yogurt for guests to enjoy in the near future.
Halloween Happenings:
Halloween Costume Contest: The Anaheim Hotel is hosting their Halloween Costume Contest this year, and the winner will receive a one night stay including overnight parking! To learn more about the contest and how to enter, visit https://www.theanaheimhotel.com/halloween
Should you book here?
The Anaheim hotel offers guests amazing amenities for a lower cost. Not only are they a good price range for what they offer, but their location is also a huge bonus to booking here. The City of Anaheim approved the Anaheim Hotel’s plan to upgrade to a four-diamond ranking, adding more rooms, restaurants, retails, and a pedestrian bridge that connects to the Garden Walk Mall. The best part is the planned rooftop bar overlooking the Disneyland Resort.
4) Courtyard by Marriott, Buena Park
There are plenty of other activities to do in the area besides visiting the Disney parks; therefore, we wanted to give you a great option outside of Anaheim. The Courtyard by Marriott is a great stay for those of you that still want a taste of SoCal fun! This hotel is a quieter alternative than those listed above, however it is still in close proximity to Disneyland, plus the entertainment in Buena Park such as Knott’s Berry Farm and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
Notable Amenities and Dining:
Stay Active: This hotel features a heated, outdoor swimming pool where you can relax in between the fun or the business meetings. Towels are provided should guests need one. Their 24/7 fitness center is available, complete with elliptical machines, exercise bikes, stair climbers, treadmills and free weights.
The Bistro: enjoy breakfast, dinner, or quick bites at this on-site restaurant. They also offer crafted cocktails and premium wines that pair perfectly with those shareable plates. There is seating available perfect for one on one meetings or group gatherings.
Business Center: Stay productive and keep up with work away from your typical office. The Courtyard by Marriott offers computers, printer use, and quiet workspaces. The wifi is fast snd free, and there are plenty of casual or formal business meetings.
The Market: Your one stop 24 hour convenience store where you can buy snacks and drinks before heading out or to stuff in the mini fridge available in each room. You can also buy necessities here.
NFL Fans Perks: The Courtyard by Marriott is an official NFL hotel, meaning NFL fans can have exciting perks, as well as catch the games while staying at this hotel.
Future Festivities:
“This is Where We Fan”: Courtyard by Marriott and the NFL are giving lucky fans the chance to win these amazing and once in a lifetime opportunities.
– “Fansgiving” Dinner on the 50: For the first time, Courtyard and the NFL will host an exclusive dinner at the 50-yard line of the NY Giants home field, plus a one night hotel stay.
– Super Bowl Sleepover: Be the first to wake up ready for Super Bowl Sunday after spending the night in a stadium suite overlooking the field. The winner and 3 friends will be invited for the weekend to experience and access exclusive events along with Super Bowl LVII tickets.
– VIP Tickets to 2023 NFL Draft: witness history and enjoy VIP treatment in Kansas City MO, as well as being able to announce a draft pick themselves.
– Tickets to your Team’s Away Games: Throughout the regular season, fans can win tickets to an away game of your choice, and a one night hotel stay.
Should you book here?
This option is good for families who want to explore more of Southern California’s entertainment, or those who want a quieter hotel option after a day at the Disney parks. This hotel is also quiet enough for business oriented trips, complete with the business center and meeting spaces. NFL fans will also love this option if they don’t want to miss any games while traveling.
Local Halloween Happenings
We hope you and your family get to experience the escape of your daily routine by planning your next staycation with these hotels; however, if that’s not the plan at the moment, seasonal events are happening all over Orange County. Click on the links for more details!
Irvine
- Tanaka Farms – Open 9 AM – 6 PM daily, visit the Pumpkin Patch and Fall Harvest Festival featuring wagon rides, petting zoo, corn maze, and fresh picked produce from the u-pick vegetable patch. Also discover games, kid activities, face painting, and food.
- Pretend City – Costume week, fun crafts and dance parties mixed with STEM learning. Also, on October 31st, they host a Trick or Treat Party throughout the museum.
Tustin
- Halloween Bazaar: The District at Tustin invites everyone to dress up and enjoy crafts and activities, live music, vendors, and costume contests, at no cost. Pets have their own contest, too! Join them on October 29th.
- Wonka’s Halloween Howl: On Oct. 31st, the Columbus Tustin Chocolate factory is inviting everyone to tour the factory for FREE. There will also be games, candy, inflatables, a petting zoo, and a costume contest.
- Fall Cocktail Tour at The District: Through October 31st, enjoy fall inspired cocktails at participating restaurants. Check out the lineup at this link!
Orange
- Halloween Zoo-Tacular at OC Zoo: Halloween fun that includes a scavenger hunt, trick or treating, crafts, and zoo animals. First 100 kids in costume receive a gift!
- Treats in the Streets-Orange: on October 27th, the city of Orange invites everyone to Trick or treat around the Old Towne Orange Plaza. Support local merchants, food vendors, and non-profit organizations selling food and drinks and join the Halloween parade!
- Irvine Park Pumpkin Patch in Orange: Pick your own pumpkin, ghost train and tractor rides, face painting, cookie decorating, carnival games and mazes are available until October 31st.
Stay Safe & Stay Aware
Just a few precautions to take for Halloween for Costumes and Candy
- Masks can make it hard for kids to see and breathe. Instead, try using non-toxic face paint or makeup.
- Don’t use colored or decorative contact lenses, unless they’re prescribed by a licensed eye doctor.
- Put a nametag — with your phone number — on your children’s costumes.
- Wait until children are home to sort and check treats.
- Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any of the following candies that have:
- An unusual appearance or discoloration
- Tiny pin holes or tears in wrappers
- Spoiled or unwrapped items
- Homemade items or baked goods should be discarded unless you personally know who gave them.
When in doubt, throw it out
- Tell children not to accept — and, especially, not to eat–anything that isn’t commercially wrapped.
- Parents of young children should also remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies and small toys.
- Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.
- Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking
(such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.
Be safe during this Season
In case of an emergency please contact your local Police Department