Our Family Stay at the Holiday Inn Buena Park

June 17, 2017 Margalit Sturm Francus

The Holiday Inn Buena Park is a good option for families seeking budget-friendly lodging in the Anaheim area. The property is close to shopping and dining venues as well as local freeways all helpful amenities for travelers.

Buena Park, California is a beautiful area, and the local budget-friendly Holiday Inn is a sure family favorite. The Holiday Inn Buena Park at 7000 Beach Boulevard sits right off the freeway, providing travelers with easy access to transportation as well as next to several eateries and entertainment venues. Moreover, one only has to drive for less than a mile to get to the nearby Knott’s Berry Farm theme park!

We Loved

The Central Location
Free Shuttle service to theme parks
Well stocked sundries store
Free wifi

We Didn’t Like

The Crowded Parking

Our Arrival

Before we arrived, we called the property and requested a feather free room due to allergies. We also requested a quiet room as our son with autism is noise sensitive.

When we arrived at 2:30 PM the check in line was relatively short, and the process was quick. Also, though the room was already ready ahead of time the person at the front desk called housekeeping to ensure staff took all feather pillows out of the room. They also checked to ensure the bed linens had not been next to feather pillows. We appreciated this extra care!

Décor

The hotel lobby area was well lit and spacious, much like other properties in budget chain hotels. The furniture was brown and tan with brightly lit green panels lighting the check in area. Overall the area was clean and functional for travelers.

We saw a lounge bar area off the lobby, where patrons could enjoy a quick drink and snacks from the hotel restaurant. Our son loved their free popcorn.

Fellow Travelers

The week we visited, the hotel was predominantly filled with business travelers. However, the staff informed us that many families stay during the summer months.

Our Room

We noticed the spaciousness of the room as the first thing when we walked in the door. They use the space wisely with plenty of storage options between the closet and the dressers. The closet, of course, featured a nicely sized safe for storing valuables.

Our room boasted two queen sized beds with white fitted sheets. Across from the beds, we had a desk with a lamp, ideal for anyone who needs to do work on the go. The room was cooled by a wall air conditioning unit which was somewhat noisy so we turned it off at night. We found plenty of electrical outlets throughout the room so everyone could charge their devices.

Between the far bed and the door leading out to the patio we had a blue chair with a lamp and a table. This area proved to be an excellent place to relax after a long day. On the table, we found the staff had welcomed us with two bottles of water.

The hotel does offer several different room options with different amenities. The Deluxe Double King, for example, boasts two king sized beds and a microwave. I particularly enjoyed their patio room options, where guests can take a room poolside and get lovely views on their patio.

The interesting thing is that visitors can choose between firm or soft pillows! I love this fact as everyone in my family has different options on which pillow is best for them.

Our Bathroom

Our bathroom was surprisingly spacious with beautiful white marble flooring. Our room had a standing shower with a showerhead that wasn’t handheld, but it was inside a glass enclosure. The shower featured Asprey toiletries with shampoo, conditioner, and soap wrapped in a hand towel. What I particularly liked about the shower was the small shelf near the bottom where one could put their foot while showering.

Our bathroom also featured a separate bathtub across from our shower. While the shower did not have a grab bar, the bathtub did, which is important.

The commode was in a separate room, which ideally allows multiple members of the family to use the toilet and shower at the same time. There was ample space so nobody would feel crowded.

Finally, we had double sinks in our bathroom, which is again perfect for multiple family members who need to get ready in the morning.We found several white towels stowed away under the sink. the sink, we had several more toiletries, including mouthwash and a shower cap. A mirror surrounded the double sinks, and we also saw a small round mirror with a circle of light around it, perfect for catching those small details.We loved the hairdryer with a highlight incorporated in it was a great idea.

Dining

Our Holiday Inn featured an excellent restaurant called the Ventanas. We enjoyed their excellent and attentive service. They always refilled my son’s refillable drink when it was ready.

The hotel does have room service for those who can’t or don’t want to leave their rooms.

There are plenty of local food options nearby outside of the hotel. Guests can go to Fuddrucker’s next door for a good burger.

Amenities

The hotel does boast a nicely sized, heated pool with a nearby Jacuzzi. They also have an onsite fitness center with the essential treadmills, weights, and bikes. Moreover, the hotel also has complimentary wifi throughout the property.

Cost

Pricing starts at $119 per night. They offer a few packages online, include a Romantic package, and visitors can also book tickets to local theme parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios online with the hotel.

Autism Travel Tips:

Parents should check out Ventanas Restaurant menu online. They make every effort to accommodate guests that have food allergies.
As with any hotel, when arriving in the room, everyone should give it the once over. Parents should ensure there are no cords that they will need to VELCRO out of the way.
The room had a patio door which may present a safety challenge for parents with younger kids. Guests should ask the staff to lock the door if they are concerned about their kids.
As mentioned before the room has a wall air conditioning unit that noise sensitive patrons may find problematic. Parents can either turn it off or pack ear plugs.