westcoastman
Sep 19, 05, 9:24 pm
For what it is worth here is my ratings of the chain hotels in Central Orange County. I can adjust this based on feedback. I have spent extensive nights (hundreds) in these properties over the past few years.
1) Hyatt Huntington Beach – This new resort has the greatest amenities from any chain hotel in the area. Across from the beach. Property is very spread out with lots to explore. Decent Regency Club. $10 internet. Parking: $20 Valet only.
2) Westin South Coast Plaza – With its nicely appointed dark wood and warm furnishings it is remarkable similar to a luxury downtown hotel. Powerful shower. Their wonderfully signature “Heavenly” bed seems more ordinary now with each new remodeling by a competing property chain. Magnificent waterfall behind the lounge and courtyard as you walk into the property. Decent fitness club. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $14 Self/$18 Valet
3) Hyatt Irvine – Remodel did wonders for this property. The lounge and restaurant are vastly improved. Beds are much better in the cushy modern style. Excellent fitness room. Starting to show a little wear but still in pretty new shape. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking $12 Self/$16 Valet.
4) Hyatt Regency Newport Beach – Nice resort that has seen substantial renovations to its property and restaurants. It has three pools. Average fitness room. While the rooms have much improved since the remodel it still has not achieved the high caliber that this resort really should have achieved. SNA shuttle. Parking: $12 Self/$18 Valet
5) Marriott Irvine – Much improved since the last remodel. Beds are improved in the cushy modern style. The fitness club is just average. Good Concierge Club. $10 internet/unlimited long distance. SNA shuttle. Parking: $12 Self/$16 Valet.
6) Hilton Costa Mesa – Improved since the remodel. Most beds are modern and fairly comfortable. The chances are better at this property you will smell a previous smoker in a non-smoking room. Fitness room is slightly above average and open an amazing 24 hours. Standard Executive Club. Fire oven pizza bar in the lobby. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $13 Self with an $8 minimum!/ $15 Valet
7) Hyatt Alicante (Anaheim) – Vastly improved since the last remodel of the South Tower. The remodeled beds in the South Tower are modern and fat and the furnishings are new and modern as well. A huge transformation from what this tower was before. Bathrooms are marginally improved (mostly the sink and counters are new). The North Tower is also relatively up to date. There is a separate TV seating area, microwave and refrigerator in many (but not all) rooms in the North Tower. The two pools are pretty standard (one warmer than the other). Fitness room is fairly good. $10 internet. Parking: $14 Self/$16 Valet.
8) Marriott Suites Anaheim – This hotel was built in 2002. Standard “Marriott Suites” style set up with separate bedroom/living area. $10 internet. Parking: Free.
9) Residence Inn Irvine – The nicest of the Residence Inn’s in the area. Hotel style property with the standard amenities such a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
10) Marriott Anaheim – Some rooms seem better than others. Fairly comfortable rooms and pretty nice on the concierge level. Good Concierge Club. $10 internet. Close to Disneyland! Parking: $15 Self/ $22 Valet
11) Marriott Suites Costa Mesa – Much improved since the last remodel. Small suites have separate bedroom and living area. Counter/sink/refrigerators were not updated. Bathrooms seem modern and comfortable. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking $13
12) Crown Plaza Anaheim – Property is showing wear and tear despite a remodel a few years ago. Beds are fairly modern. $9 resort fee tacked on each night for this hotel. $10 internet. Parking: Included in resort fee
13) Embassy Suite Irvine/SNA – Average Embassy suite style rooms. The standard Embassy musty atrium smell. “Made to order breakfast” and complimentary evening liquor. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
14) Crown Plaza SNA – Standard Crown Plaza with a very comfortable modern feeling. Putting green. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $10 Self/$11 Valet.
15) Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana – Decent rooms, nice looking lobby. Nothing to really to get too excited about though. It did have free internet for the Hilton elite. Parking: $9 (sometimes open parking gate)
16) Wyndham Costa Mesa/SNA – Over the past couple of years wear and tear has brought down the quality just a bit but the rooms are far superior to any of the Holiday Inn’s and most of the 2˝ star hotels in the area. The "Zoom Shop" is a very large and unique vending machine that sells the normal snacks and drinks along with cameras, i-pods, walkmans, etc. Internet/long distance is free with Wyndham by Request (may not be valid with Priceline). SNA shuttle. Parking: $13 Self (open parking gate requires dashboard pass)
17) Hilton Anaheim – This property is showing its wear but still is the center of Anaheim Convention Land. $10 internet. Close to Disneyland! Parking: $11 Self/$17 Valet
18) Hilton Irvine/SNA – Pretty average rooms that are a bit nicer on the Executive Floor. Executive Club did have complimentary liquor. $10 internet. SNA shuttle (Across the street from SNA). Parking: $9 Self/$12 Valet
19) Residence Inn Fountain Valley – Rooms are pretty average. Beds are just your standard mattress. Better than Costa Mesa but next to the freeway. Some rooms have fireplaces. Standard amenities such as a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
20) Hilton Suites Anaheim Above average room with a comfortable bed. Close to Anaheim stadium. Complementary breakfast for some guests. Parking: Free
21) Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim – Comfortable rooms in the “Courtyard by Marriott” mold with similar “limited” services. Free internet. Parking: Free
22) Courtyard by Marriott Santa Ana South Coast Metro – The basic “Courtyard by Marriott” rooms. Beds are pretty standard. Lounge has average afternoon happy hour with reduced priced drinks/appetizers. If the location works for you. Free internet. Local shuttle. Parking: Free 23) Courtyard by Marriott Fountain Valley – Decent basic rooms with standard “Courtyard” décor. Free internet. Parking: Free
24) Holiday Inn Buena Vista – Recent full remodel modestly improved the room décor. Lobby is stylishly classical for a Holiday Inn. Pool is quite sufficient for family use and bordered by foliage. Beds seem new but they should have acquired a more premium version. The Executive 4th Floor is slightly better for those that qualify and serves breakfast for its Priority Club Platinum members in its 4th floor lounge 6:30 am – 9:00 am. Wednesday features a complimentary social hour for Priority Club members. Free internet. Parking: Free.
25) Residence Inn Costa Mesa – Some rooms are slightly below average unless they have had a recent remodel. Some rooms have fireplaces. Standard amenities such as a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
26) Anabella Hotel Anaheim – Formerly a collection of multiple properties so some rooms are (supposedly) much better then others. Unfortunately, I got one that is way down on my list. Close to Disneyland! Parking: Free
27) Desert Palms Hotel – Remodel falls short of creating any vast improvement but still acceptable. Outside remodel is very nice though. $5 resort fee. Close to Disneyland! $10 internet. Parking: Free
28) Atrium Hotel Orange County Airport – Least favorite hotel in Irvine. Rooms are not very modern (and that is putting it nicely) but the lobby looks nice. Only parts of the hotel have been remodeled and I never have seen it. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $9 Self
29) La Quinta Inn SNA – Motel style rooms where some are more scarier then others. While some rooms seem to be frequented by chain smokers. Close to the soon to open Hooters. The continental breakfast is pretty basic. Free internet! SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
30) Homestead Studio Suites Orange County Irvine Spectrum – Hotel rooms leave much to be desired. More like a motel. Very basic kitchen. Lobby closes at night. Hotel feels compelled to post signs warning guests not to perform illegal activities in the hotel. Internet is $4. Parking: Free.
The following are not rated since I have not visited these hotels, yet – Four Seasons Newport Beach, Fairmont Newport Beach, Marriott Newport Beach (not since the remodel), Marriott Suites Newport Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Irvine/SNA, Doubletree Club SNA, Sheraton Anaheim, Doubletree Orange, Residence Inn Anaheim, Embassy Suites Anaheim South, Embassy Suites Anaheim, Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.
1) Hyatt Huntington Beach – This new resort has the greatest amenities from any chain hotel in the area. Across from the beach. Property is very spread out with lots to explore. Decent Regency Club. $10 internet. Parking: $20 Valet only.
2) Westin South Coast Plaza – With its nicely appointed dark wood and warm furnishings it is remarkable similar to a luxury downtown hotel. Powerful shower. Their wonderfully signature “Heavenly” bed seems more ordinary now with each new remodeling by a competing property chain. Magnificent waterfall behind the lounge and courtyard as you walk into the property. Decent fitness club. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $14 Self/$18 Valet
3) Hyatt Irvine – Remodel did wonders for this property. The lounge and restaurant are vastly improved. Beds are much better in the cushy modern style. Excellent fitness room. Starting to show a little wear but still in pretty new shape. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking $12 Self/$16 Valet.
4) Hyatt Regency Newport Beach – Nice resort that has seen substantial renovations to its property and restaurants. It has three pools. Average fitness room. While the rooms have much improved since the remodel it still has not achieved the high caliber that this resort really should have achieved. SNA shuttle. Parking: $12 Self/$18 Valet
5) Marriott Irvine – Much improved since the last remodel. Beds are improved in the cushy modern style. The fitness club is just average. Good Concierge Club. $10 internet/unlimited long distance. SNA shuttle. Parking: $12 Self/$16 Valet.
6) Hilton Costa Mesa – Improved since the remodel. Most beds are modern and fairly comfortable. The chances are better at this property you will smell a previous smoker in a non-smoking room. Fitness room is slightly above average and open an amazing 24 hours. Standard Executive Club. Fire oven pizza bar in the lobby. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $13 Self with an $8 minimum!/ $15 Valet
7) Hyatt Alicante (Anaheim) – Vastly improved since the last remodel of the South Tower. The remodeled beds in the South Tower are modern and fat and the furnishings are new and modern as well. A huge transformation from what this tower was before. Bathrooms are marginally improved (mostly the sink and counters are new). The North Tower is also relatively up to date. There is a separate TV seating area, microwave and refrigerator in many (but not all) rooms in the North Tower. The two pools are pretty standard (one warmer than the other). Fitness room is fairly good. $10 internet. Parking: $14 Self/$16 Valet.
8) Marriott Suites Anaheim – This hotel was built in 2002. Standard “Marriott Suites” style set up with separate bedroom/living area. $10 internet. Parking: Free.
9) Residence Inn Irvine – The nicest of the Residence Inn’s in the area. Hotel style property with the standard amenities such a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
10) Marriott Anaheim – Some rooms seem better than others. Fairly comfortable rooms and pretty nice on the concierge level. Good Concierge Club. $10 internet. Close to Disneyland! Parking: $15 Self/ $22 Valet
11) Marriott Suites Costa Mesa – Much improved since the last remodel. Small suites have separate bedroom and living area. Counter/sink/refrigerators were not updated. Bathrooms seem modern and comfortable. $10 internet. SNA shuttle. Parking $13
12) Crown Plaza Anaheim – Property is showing wear and tear despite a remodel a few years ago. Beds are fairly modern. $9 resort fee tacked on each night for this hotel. $10 internet. Parking: Included in resort fee
13) Embassy Suite Irvine/SNA – Average Embassy suite style rooms. The standard Embassy musty atrium smell. “Made to order breakfast” and complimentary evening liquor. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
14) Crown Plaza SNA – Standard Crown Plaza with a very comfortable modern feeling. Putting green. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $10 Self/$11 Valet.
15) Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana – Decent rooms, nice looking lobby. Nothing to really to get too excited about though. It did have free internet for the Hilton elite. Parking: $9 (sometimes open parking gate)
16) Wyndham Costa Mesa/SNA – Over the past couple of years wear and tear has brought down the quality just a bit but the rooms are far superior to any of the Holiday Inn’s and most of the 2˝ star hotels in the area. The "Zoom Shop" is a very large and unique vending machine that sells the normal snacks and drinks along with cameras, i-pods, walkmans, etc. Internet/long distance is free with Wyndham by Request (may not be valid with Priceline). SNA shuttle. Parking: $13 Self (open parking gate requires dashboard pass)
17) Hilton Anaheim – This property is showing its wear but still is the center of Anaheim Convention Land. $10 internet. Close to Disneyland! Parking: $11 Self/$17 Valet
18) Hilton Irvine/SNA – Pretty average rooms that are a bit nicer on the Executive Floor. Executive Club did have complimentary liquor. $10 internet. SNA shuttle (Across the street from SNA). Parking: $9 Self/$12 Valet
19) Residence Inn Fountain Valley – Rooms are pretty average. Beds are just your standard mattress. Better than Costa Mesa but next to the freeway. Some rooms have fireplaces. Standard amenities such as a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
20) Hilton Suites Anaheim Above average room with a comfortable bed. Close to Anaheim stadium. Complementary breakfast for some guests. Parking: Free
21) Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim – Comfortable rooms in the “Courtyard by Marriott” mold with similar “limited” services. Free internet. Parking: Free
22) Courtyard by Marriott Santa Ana South Coast Metro – The basic “Courtyard by Marriott” rooms. Beds are pretty standard. Lounge has average afternoon happy hour with reduced priced drinks/appetizers. If the location works for you. Free internet. Local shuttle. Parking: Free 23) Courtyard by Marriott Fountain Valley – Decent basic rooms with standard “Courtyard” décor. Free internet. Parking: Free
24) Holiday Inn Buena Vista – Recent full remodel modestly improved the room décor. Lobby is stylishly classical for a Holiday Inn. Pool is quite sufficient for family use and bordered by foliage. Beds seem new but they should have acquired a more premium version. The Executive 4th Floor is slightly better for those that qualify and serves breakfast for its Priority Club Platinum members in its 4th floor lounge 6:30 am – 9:00 am. Wednesday features a complimentary social hour for Priority Club members. Free internet. Parking: Free.
25) Residence Inn Costa Mesa – Some rooms are slightly below average unless they have had a recent remodel. Some rooms have fireplaces. Standard amenities such as a breakfast, kitchen and weekday social hour. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
26) Anabella Hotel Anaheim – Formerly a collection of multiple properties so some rooms are (supposedly) much better then others. Unfortunately, I got one that is way down on my list. Close to Disneyland! Parking: Free
27) Desert Palms Hotel – Remodel falls short of creating any vast improvement but still acceptable. Outside remodel is very nice though. $5 resort fee. Close to Disneyland! $10 internet. Parking: Free
28) Atrium Hotel Orange County Airport – Least favorite hotel in Irvine. Rooms are not very modern (and that is putting it nicely) but the lobby looks nice. Only parts of the hotel have been remodeled and I never have seen it. Free internet. SNA shuttle. Parking: $9 Self
29) La Quinta Inn SNA – Motel style rooms where some are more scarier then others. While some rooms seem to be frequented by chain smokers. Close to the soon to open Hooters. The continental breakfast is pretty basic. Free internet! SNA shuttle. Parking: Free
30) Homestead Studio Suites Orange County Irvine Spectrum – Hotel rooms leave much to be desired. More like a motel. Very basic kitchen. Lobby closes at night. Hotel feels compelled to post signs warning guests not to perform illegal activities in the hotel. Internet is $4. Parking: Free.
The following are not rated since I have not visited these hotels, yet – Four Seasons Newport Beach, Fairmont Newport Beach, Marriott Newport Beach (not since the remodel), Marriott Suites Newport Beach, Courtyard by Marriott Irvine/SNA, Doubletree Club SNA, Sheraton Anaheim, Doubletree Orange, Residence Inn Anaheim, Embassy Suites Anaheim South, Embassy Suites Anaheim, Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort.