5 Fun and 5 Swanky Hotels Close to Disneyland

Disneyland trip planning comes with its fair share of challenges. However, hotel planning should not be one of them. Or, at the very least, not be a stressful endeavor.

It’s true that around the Disneyland Resort lies an abundance of choices in accommodations. Some are small-budget friendly while others come with a hefty price tag.

The opus then becomes: what budget are you working with and what type of hotel do you want to stay at? Are you looking for a place that’s fun and more affordable, or do you have a champagne taste and budget?

In Anaheim, choosing a hotel can be overwhelming. The best course of action will be to decide whether you’d like a swanky resort or a more fun-filled hotel, set your budget, and go through all the possibilities. Numerous ones are also considered Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels. These are properties officially approved by Disney, consisting of four categories: Moderate, Deluxe, Superior, and Suites. With our list, we offer five fun and five swanky hotels, all close to Disneyland, and with varying rates, styles, and amenities.

The most fun, unique, and well-themed overall, the Castle Inn and Suites remains a big hit with families and those who enjoy something out of the ordinary. This Moderate Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel resembles a medieval castle both outside and inside, in its style, paint scheme, and decor.

The lobby features a mock stone floor, a large candle-lit chandelier, coat of arms flags, intricate furniture, a throne (suitable for photo ops), a beautiful stained glass window, and even a suit of armor. Rooms have similar style and decor featuring castle art, large bathrooms, and amenities like Keurig machines and extra pillows. The hotel also has a simple pool, hot tub, and sunning area.

One of the best aspects of the Castle Inn and Suites is that the fun theming doesn’t come with a steep price. Nightly rates average around $230 for standard rooms and $350 for larger suites. Located at 1734 S Harbor Boulevard, it’s about a 12-minute walk to Disneyland, and a six-minute drive. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for that fun and reasonable combo, without needing the closest proximity.

Park Pass has an excellent tour of the Castle Inn & Suites on YouTube.

Considered one of the most elegant hotels near Disneyland, the Westin Anaheim Resort has a luxurious feel, but with lower rates than one might expect. Upon arriving at this Superior Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, guests will immediately feel as if they’re transported somewhere else- perhaps even the Las Vegas Bellagio Hotel, as both were designed by the same architect.

The rooms feature the epitome of luxury with cozy beds and extra-large bathrooms with separate tubs and showers, lighted mirrors, bathrobes, and more. Plus, you can’t beat the gorgeous views of Disney California Adventure. The hotel itself has a modern, sleek, and upscale vibe with marble floors, swanky bars and restaurants, a wine wall, and a large pool with fountains. The Club Level experience, though at an extra price, includes unlimited access to food and drinks, and an outdoor deck with spectacular view of the fireworks.

Nightly rates average between $300 and $500, with occasionally higher prices. Located on 1030 W Katella Avenue, walking isn’t an option (unless you don’t mind a 20-minute walk), and it is a short 10-minute drive to Disneyland.

Check out the video from Park Pass that offers a comprehensive guide to the Resort.

Those looking for a hotel where the fun lies in the atmosphere and amenities look no further than the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. While during the majority of the year, the hotel’s style remains simple but nice, seasonally it is another story. During Halloween, the hotel goes all out with family-friendly spooky decor such as large inflatable pumpkins, paper bats, autumn leaves, and ambient lighting. At Christmas, you’ll see lovely wreaths and garlands, Christmas trees, white lights, and hanging snowflakes. Check out these videos from SoCal Disney Dad and Park Pass for glimpses of this decor.

The rooms provide guests with clean and comfortable accommodations, Disney-themed art, two-sink bathrooms, pull-out sofas, a mini-fridge, and a microwave.

The real “fun” selling point for the Courtyard Marriott is the exceptional Surfside Waterpark, a large play area with splash pads, water slides, a kiddie pool, and waterfalls. Separate reservations are needed to enter the waterpark but are typically easy to obtain. For guests with young children, this colorful and extensive water playground sets the hotel apart from the competitors.

As a Deluxe Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, it’s in proximity to the parks. Located at 1420 S Harbor Blvd, it’s only a 3-minute drive or 10-minute walk.

Modern luxury meets natural beauty describes the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort, a Superior Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel. The style and decor combine elements such as glass and metal to create a unique and striking look throughout the entire hotel. The pool area includes cabanas, a fire pit with cushy chairs, and outdoor showers, making it a more luxurious space. The restaurants also add to the upscale feel, particularly Tocco Ferro Italian Chophouse with its mid-century modern design and elevated cuisine.

The rooms feature sleek, updated bedrooms and bathrooms and terrific views of Disney California Adventure and fireworks. Guest rooms include desks and extra seating, while suites can have bunk beds, living areas, and large tubs. The most unique element is their garden where they grow their own herbs and vegetables. The serene space also provides a calm respite and private entrance to the nearby Garden Walk.

The rates don’t disappoint either for a fancier hotel, with the average running between $200 and $400. With only a four-minute drive to Disneyland, a stay here guarantees a plush and, indeed, swanky experience, a cut above the rest.

Similarly to the Courtyard by Marriott, the Howard Johnson by Wyndham belongs in the “Fun” category for its colorful theming, seasonal decorations, and whimsical water playground. Each floor features a different Classic Disneyland attraction poster, while each room’s style feels reminiscent of 1950s pop art with bright colors of turquoise, red, and yellow. This includes turquoise walls with palm frawns designs.

The Water Playground, Castaway Cove, is pirate-themed, and features a small wading pool, splash pad, and water slides attached to a pirate ship play structure. The separate pool area is also quite nice with a vintage vibe, including white and yellow striped umbrellas. Also, don’t forget the Hotel’s fun novelty photo-op: the giant Adirondack chair.

Besides undeniably belonging on the fun list, the Howard Johnson is one of the most affordable hotels that’s located across the street from the Disneyland Resort. This Moderate Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel is located at 1380 S Harbor Blvd, with an easy walk to Disneyland that only takes about ten minutes. Likewise, the nightly rates average around $272, sometimes as low as $124.

The Element Hotel combines simple elegance, extraordinary design elements, and unique room options that help it stand out. From the moment guests enter, they’re greeted with glittering orbs hanging from the ceiling and adorning the walls, meant to reflect bubbles. While the dining area is simple, the large windows give the space a light and airy vibe, while the complimentary breakfast remains an excellent perk.

The various room options take the hotel to the next level, making it ideal for families and large groups. Studio Suites have two queen beds and a sofa bed, while family suites include a king bed, sofa bed, bunk bed, and long entry table with extra seats. They also have 1-bedroom suites with two queens, bunk beds, a sitting area, and a full kitchen. Many rooms also feature stunning views of the Disneyland Resort.

With a Clementine St. location, it’s best to take the four-minute drive rather than the at least 20-minute walk. However, being one of the fancier hotel options, it feels natural to expect quality rather than theme park proximity. For a detailed look at this Disneyland Good Neighbor Suites hotel, check out videos from Fresh Baked and Park Pass.

The Viv Hotel could also be called the Pop Culture hotel with its array of Disney, Star Wars, Lego, and other cool decor. Adorning the walls include large View Master slides, a wall of mini Lego Figures, and candy-themed and Lite-Brite-inspired artwork. The thin tube lighting and paint-splattering carpet are also eye-catching, adding to that fun element.

Not to forget the outdoor areas, the rooftop adults-only pool is quiet and serene, and the rooftop bar features ample seating and great views. The first-floor family-friendly pool area has a bar, splash pad, chairs that look like Star Wars tie-fighters, and games like ping pong.

The rooms are well lit and cushy, some with bunk beds that kids will love. The Viv (and Superior Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel), although technically in our “Fun” category, also has a few “Swanky” aspects, especially the Top of the V restaurant. This upscale rooftop eatery features floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views and Spanish cuisine.

Although walking to Disneyland would be out of the question, the Viv is still within a short driving distance at only five minutes. Additionally, nightly rates average around $200 for standard rooms, but can go as high as $500+ on a handful of nights. Pro tip: these high prices generally coincide with local conferences and conventions, so if you can avoid traveling those days, I’d advise it.

The Delta Hotel Anaheim Garden Grove holds a distinction unlike any other hotel on this list. Another Superior Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, it’s considered more upscale accommodations, but that more luxurious vibe comes at a fraction of the cost. While the fancy quality of the Delta is not as impressive as the Westin or JW Marriott, the Delta still sits high on discerning travelers’ lists.

One reason remains the price. For standard rooms, the lowest rates can be as low as $129 and rarely go past $200. Larger suites are naturally more, but these pale in comparison to comparable hotels. Despite the upscale accommodations, the lower rates are likely due to being further from Disneyland, with the driving taking around 12 minutes. Still, if distance doesn’t matter, the lower price may be worth it for many travelers.

The only official Disney hotel on the list, the Pixar Place Hotel had to be included in the “Fun” category for its theming and decor. A massive step up from the previous iteration, the Paradise Pier Hotel, the Pixar-themed resort is a dream for fans of these animated films.

The lobby and first floor feature a giant Luxo ball, Pixar lamp, and a mobile with various characters. Sometimes, you can catch a piano player resembling Joe from Soul tickling the ivories with jazz tunes. Outdoor areas feature fun games like shuffleboard and corn hole, a hot tub, large pool, Nemo splash pad, and water slide.

Each floor is themed to a different Pixar film, with an elaborate mural showcasing movie highlights. Guests will have the fun surprise each visit with which floor they’ll be staying on. These include Toy Story, Monsters, Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, WALL-E, Inside Out, Luca, Up, Brave, Cars, Ratatouille, and Coco.

As the most expensive hotel on the list, the average nightly rate is between $460 and $625 for a standard room. So, travelers will have to decide if the fun theme and on-property location is worth the price.

Located at 1800 S Harbor Blvd, the Hyatt Regency has the sleek and modern feel that many guests desire, and is only a short six-minute drive, or 15-minute walk, to Disneyland. While the rooms are simply decorated, the hotel’s overall design and various amenities make it an excellent choice.

The lobby features a beautiful atrium-style design with some rooms with balconies overlooking the area below. The first floor also includes two restaurants, the fancier Vita Italian Bar & Grill, and the more casual Citrus Grove Deli. Categorized as a Superior Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, the Hyatt Regency also features two pools, fire pits with surrounding chairs and s’mores kits, and an impressive Sports Deck, located on the South Tower’s third floor. Here, you’ll find basketball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, giant checkers, and corn hole.

Consequently, the Hyatt Regency could be categorized as both swanky and fun. All in all, whichever hotel you choose, an amazing stay beckons everyone who longs for the best Disneyland vacation ever.