Our Family stay at the Anaheim Marriott

August 5, 2017 Margalit Sturm Francus

Located at 700 West Convention Way, the Anaheim Marriott is a short hop away from the Convention Center. The hotel is within walking distance of the Disney theme parks and less than fifteen-minute drive the Anaheim Ducks Stadium.

What Makes it Family Worthy?

The Anaheim Marriott’s proximity to shopping entertainment and dining venues make it a sound choice for families. Though prices vary depending upon convention schedule; room rates overall are lower than properties closer to Disneyland’s main gate.

The rooms offer a two double bed layout which makes them better suited for smaller families with young kids than larger ones traveling with teens.The staff did point out that the hotel was going to be undergoing a remodel soon. It would be nice if during the upcoming renovation they added Queen sized beds instead of full sized in the rooms.

Our Arrival

We did call ahead and ask for a feather free high floor room due to our son’s autism and allergies. The attentive front desk staff made sure we got the accommodations we requested.

We arrived at the Anaheim Marriott at 10 am, several hours earlier than the assigned 3 pm check-in time. So our room was not ready. After welcoming us warmly, the staff helped us store our luggage. As platinum Marriott members we got access to the free breakfast at the concierge level. It hit the spot and helped us rejuvenate after our long car ride.

As platinum Marriott members we got access to the free breakfast at the concierge level. It hit the spot and helped us rejuvenate after our long car ride.

Decor

The hotel’s lobby decor is Asian Modern with elegant touches of dark woods and metallics.The beautiful golden spherical light fixture greets guests as they walk through the door. Its vast presence on the ceiling sets the tone for the entire lobby, along with the massive brick wooden colored columns. Also, the area features many upholstered tan sofas perfect for relaxing in and tables for those looking to catch up on work.

Our Room

Our room on the 17th floor boasted two double beds. The size of the beds would make a second room necessary for a larger family. As we entered the room, we saw a moderately sized closet on the right as well as a mini beverage counter with a coffee maker. The flooring in the room; dark brown and tan carpet along with the dark yellow wall reminded us of the 70’s.

We appreciated that the air conditioning vent was located away from the beds since our son has many sensory challenges. Furthermore with the help of the room A/C control we could keep the temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which he likes best.

Over to the left of the room after past the bathroom, the room had the two double beds. Both double beds had an upholstered tan headboard that matched the club chair in the corner.Between the beds, there was a small nightstand.On it stood s a glass based standing lamp and an alarm clock.

Right across from the beds there was a chest of drawers covered by a granite counter top.The room’s T.V. set sat on top.The chest held a mini cooler perfect to keep leftover foods and snacks.
Alongside the cabinet was a rectangular dark wood writing table accompanied by a mesh office chair.

Our room had a small balcony with two chairs and a small table.We enjoyed the Disney nightly fireworks from the comfort of our balcony since our room faced the Magic Kingdom.

We noticed that the sliding door leading to the balcony had two locks. The first was factory incorporated while the other had been added later. Unfortunately, both were at the same height which was low. The second lock needed to be higher up.In fact, a safety lock with a removable key would make the balcony even safer.

Our Bathroom

The bathroom size was comparable to other bathrooms we have seen in mid sized properties around Anaheim. The bathroom included a sink commode, and tub and shower combo. The bathtub tiled in white and separated by a fabric curtain was spiffy clean.

The tub/ shower didn’t come with a hand -held showerhead. Instead, it boasted a fixed one which may be challenging for some parents wishing to bath younger kids. The tub did have a grab bar! As we later discovered it was white and hidden well behind the white shower curtain.

Room Amenities

Apart from Marriott’s free Wi-Fi for platinum members, we got free water bottles for our daily usage. The room had several outlets to juice up our multiple electronic devices. Apart from the traditional wall outlets it had outlets in the chest of drawers and the standing night stand lamp.

Other amenities included robes and complimentary slippers.The bathroom toiletries included a shower cap, shampoos, soaps, and lotion.

The Pool and Fitness Center

The pool at the Anaheim Marriott features two areas- a covered area and one outside. The hotel offers towel service but no life guards. The weekend we stayed it was not very crowded.

The fitness center is moderately sized with ample equipment to get a good workout. As we were busy walking around Disney’s D23 Expo the entire weekend, we never got a chance to use it.

The Concierge Lounge

The room on the 18th floor has ample views of the area and is relaxing to sit in a while enjoying a quick bite. We stayed over the weekend when it was only open for breakfast.

On weekdays the lounge also features appetizers along with an honor bar for guests in the late afternoons.

Dining

nFuse is the property’s onsite Bar and Kitchen. It offers an ample breakfast buffet as well as la carte options.

Seating in the restaurant is varied. There is a private area for a larger party and indoor and outdoor seating (next to the pool) as well.

The buffet includes typical American choices like cheeses, cut up fruits, meats (bacon, ham, sausage) and an omelet station. Furthermore, it serves pastries, cereals, and waffles for those who crave sweets. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the breakfast buffet had a special gluten free section.

For those that want something on the go, the property has a Starbucks Coffee shop and a pizza joint.

Cost

Base price for the Anaheim Marriott can vary depending on the convention schedule. On the lower end, rooms start at 120$ a night which is much more budget friendly than comparable hotels in Anaheim. Guests should bear in mind that, there is a separate charge for parking.

Autism Travel Tips

For families with autism, safety is a constant concern. Currently, the sliding door to the balcony is a problem. We hope that once the hotel remodel happens, all rooms will have balcony doors with keyed locks.
Families using the pool should be aware that the property doesn’t provide life guards. So, it is up to parents to decide how and when their kids can use the pool.
The hotel is a leisurely 20-minute walk from Disneyland’s main entrance. Guests who can’t or don’t wish to walk can use the trolley. The trolley stops in front of the hotel 9one of several stops) and takes guests to and from the parks. The cost is $5 for a day pass.
The hotel doesn’t provide anti slip bath mats or night lights. Parents should pack both if their kids need them.
During our stay, our son had a meltdown. The head of security was both professional and compassionate. We were impressed and grateful at how she handled it and helped calm him down.