The Westin Anaheim Resort is a brand new luxurious resort close to Disneyland and Disney California Journey. It’s one a number of AAA 4 Diamond resorts inside strolling distance of the theme parks. This assessment options room photographs & video, ideas on facilities, and professionals & cons of reserving at this resort versus its rivals. (Up to date March 24, 2024.)
Let’s begin with location, because the Westin Anaheim Resort scores some critical factors there. In the event you visited Disneyland Resort in the previous couple of years, you may’ve seen a big crane behind Pixar Pier in Disney California Journey (DCA). This brought on some comically-absurd “rumors” about what was secretly being constructed that may make even a bus driver blush.
If truth be told, that crane was for building of the Westin Anaheim Resort, which was being in-built plain sight on the opposite facet of Katella Avenue, proper subsequent door to the Anaheim Conference Middle. Amusing anecdote apart, this underscores the Westin Anaheim Resort’s nice location–it actually overlooks DCA, which means some visitor rooms and the rooftop have nice views.
Sadly, that doesn’t translate to proximity to the parks in sensible phrases. Which means that if you wish to stroll to Disneyland or Disney California Journey, you’re a couple of 15-17 minute stroll. Regardless that Pixar Pier is proper there, the stroll to the parks is longer than you may count on.
Except for the Katella and Harbor Boulevard intersection, it’s a comparatively straightforward stroll. (Sadly, the Westin is on the “unsuitable” facet of Katella–however not by a lot.) Strolling is way sooner than driving or ready on a bus or Uber/Lyft from the Westin to Disneyland. You may also stroll to Downtown Disney in about the identical period of time by heading the opposite route.
As of Spring 2024, we’ve now stayed on the Westin Anaheim on 4 totally different events–for a traditional keep, in addition to Halloween, Christmas, and the Disneyland Half Marathon. We’re hoping to remain right here once more for the D23 Expo, too.
Suffice to say, the Westin Anaheim has change into one in every of our go-to resorts close to Disneyland for a variety of causes and our opinion of the posh resort has advanced over that point as properly. Accordingly, we wished to return again to refresh this assessment.
The largest change since our first keep on the Westin Anaheim is that we’ve now accomplished a theme park view room. As in comparison with our ‘dumpster view’ room (see under), this was an evening and day enchancment.
Whereas we positively wouldn’t all the time pay the premium pricing for a theme park view room as it could price over $100 per night time additional on sure dates, it’s positively good for laid-back journeys the place you’re not spending your entire time within the parks.
The rooms with the balconies are particularly good–there’s nothing fairly like having fun with your morning espresso within the crisp California air or having a nightcap whereas watching the lights on Pixar Pier. Even nicer nonetheless is being upgraded to one in every of these rooms because of having Marriott Bonvoy standing! (Positively don’t financial institution on that free improve taking place–it’s a well-liked resort that does guide up.)
In fact, not each view has an ideal view of Pixar Pier and Disney California Journey. Throughout our first keep, our room was on the other facet of the resort and missed a parking storage, backstage entry to the Anaheim Conference Middle, and a few dumpsters.
We additionally didn’t have a balcony, which was actually superb given the view. To every their very own, however I don’t sometimes wish to savor the scene of dumpsters and parking constructions for hours on finish. Since then, not each keep has had a theme park view…however they’ve all been higher than this!
One other factor we’ve come to understand is the stroll from the Westin to Disneyland Resort. As famous above, you can’t get to the parks by means of Pixar Pier. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to exit Disney California Journey by means of the the brand new Pixar Pier Lodge pathway, which shaves chunk of day off the stroll and makes it about 10 minutes. However that’s leaving solely since this pathway is gated and requires a Disneyland Resort room key to enter (ditto the Grand Californian).
We’ve likewise come to understand the stroll down Disneyland Drive and thru Downtown Disney. Regardless that it’s roughly the identical distance as Katella and Harbor, this route is all the time extra nice. It additionally has a fewer different upsides–sometimes shorter bag test strains, it feels safer at night time, and extra of the stroll is thru Disney property.
None of this used to matter as a lot to us, however now that now we have a child, we’re positively extra cognizant of all of it. Sarah says she would like a 15-20 minute stroll from right here by means of Downtown Disney than a ten minute stroll alongside Katella and Harbor at night time. (This offers the Westin a big benefit over the in any other case comparable JW Marriott for us.)
The Westin Anaheim Resort is clearly geared toward conventioneers and particular occasions company. That a lot is evident from its location, but additionally the clientele, facilities, and areas. With out fail, we additionally all the time see weddings–plural–taking place every time we keep right here. We really like that in regards to the Westin, it imbues it with a palpable sense of happiness. A lot better than company leaders in lanyards!
There are additionally vacationers visiting Disneyland staying right here, however the Westin positively doesn’t have the identical vibe as different resorts close to Disneyland.
The totally different target market may also be felt all through the Westin Anaheim Resort.
Household-friendly resorts in Anaheim go for extra “sturdy” furnishings and finishings, and infrequently are extra utilitarian and useful in nature. In contrast, the Westin is excessive finish by means of and thru, with sophistication and additional consideration to element all over the place you look.
That is not to say that the Westin Anaheim Resort is a poor selection for households or kid-unfriendly. That’s not the case–there have been loads of households with babies right here throughout our keep. The target market is simply totally different, and with that comes a distinct environment.
In different phrases, the Westin is completely appropriate for households, even when it’s not catering on to them. This resort is sweet for households wanting posh lodging, not ones geared toward kids. It’s one in every of solely a handful of resorts in Anaheim that places adults first, relatively than youngsters. If you would like the other, virtually wherever else will probably be a greater choice.
About the one resort close to Disneyland that’s corresponding to the Westin is the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort (pictured above), which is one other AAA 4 Diamond property. Even the Grand Californian and Disneyland resort are very totally different than the Westin.
You will get an thought of how the Westin stacks as much as the competitors in our Disneyland Lodges Opinions & Rankings submit, which covers the 50+ resorts at which we’ve stayed in Anaheim. A extra concise useful resource is The place to Keep at Disneyland–that additionally weighs staying off-site versus on-site.
In a single regard, the Westin Anaheim Resort outshines each different resort close to Disneyland: eating. There’s no fewer than a half-dozen stand out eating places on the Westin, every bringing one thing distinctive to the desk.
For environment and massive views into Disney California Journey, there’s RISE Rooftop Lounge. This bar has quite a lot of seating choices round fireplace pits overlooking Incredicoaster and Pixar Pier. You may also catch imprecise views of World of Coloration or Disneyland’s fireworks from afar.
On the foyer stage is the Westin’s signature restaurant, the Tangerine Room. This location toes the road between stylish and informal, with a menu of recent Californian dishes celebrating native, seasonal substances from Anaheim-area suppliers and an intensive world wine record.
The trendy foyer lounge at The Westin Anaheim is Bar 1030. This options cocktails, specialty teas, small bites, and light-weight Californian fare. If there’s an occasion in Anaheim or on the resort–which is just about all the time–you’ll be able to depend on Bar 1030 being filled with attendees.
If you wish to dine poolside, there’s Bella’s Splash Pool Bar. Another choice is Blossom Market & Cafe, which serves up espresso, juices, and smoothies together with seize and go gadgets like sandwiches and salads.
The Westin Anaheim is one thing of a mixed-use facility, with a few further eating places flanking its entrance entrance. Whether or not these are a part of the resort or not is a matter of perspective. Regardless, these are Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Puesto Mexican Restaurant. We’ve but to dine at both, however each have garnered rave critiques from pals. (Fleming’s is a sequence, so maybe you’ve dined there in one other metropolis.)
There’s additionally a poolside bar which, clearly, signifies that there’s a pool.
The pool itself is unremarkable, which is according to different resorts within the space. Maybe there’s an Anaheim ordinance of which I’m unaware that pool areas at resorts within the metropolis have to be a disappointment. (I’m joking–there are a handful of resorts with extra bold pool areas.)
The pool seating space is significantly extra spectacular, with quite a lot of comfy lounge chairs and different seats.
There are additionally personal cabanas you can hire for $250 per day. I’m positive these will probably be common sooner or later, however it was mildly amusing to see these when there was actually not a single different particular person round. Actually your complete pool was our “personal” area, no $250 upcharge crucial.
One other amenity is the wonderful health heart with (actually) dozens of brand-new exercise machines, which is among the many finest in Anaheim. We used this for about an hour every day of our keep, and there have been a grand whole of ~4 different individuals in there throughout this time. I believe that when conventions are on the town, the utilization fee is a bit increased.
The resort additionally makes an attempt to enchantment extra to households with its Westin Household program. There are little extras given to youngsters, and the resort has a self-guided scavenger hunt in addition to a each day schedule of family-friendly actions (we noticed a pool social gathering–I’m undecided what else there’s).
On steadiness, I’d say that the Westin Anaheim does a greater job of interesting to households than the JW Marriott. Each are nonetheless primarily higher-end conference heart resorts, however the Westin neatly tries to cater to a number of demographics, not simply enterprise vacationers.
Marriott eradicated its fastened level charts in favor of a dynamic award pricing mannequin, however the Westin Anaheim Resort was beforehand a Class 7 property. Utilizing Marriott factors, it’s roughly on par with the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, which we’d contemplate a far superior use of factors. It’s increased than the JW Marriott Los Angeles, which is far farther from Disneyland.
The Westin Anaheim is according to the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort. As in comparison with its counterparts at Walt Disney World, it’s sometimes above the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Swan & Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.
We first stayed on the Westin in the course of the fall low season, at which era the money fee made extra sense than utilizing factors. I’m barely hesitant to even submit the nightly fee ($240) for the Westin throughout our keep, since anybody studying this a yr from now…and even in per week in the course of the peak of Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons…or just about any time when conventions are taking place…might pay significantly extra.
With that stated, costs are nonetheless affordable as long as you guide an low season date when there aren’t any occasions on the town on the adjoining Anaheim Conference Middle. In the event you’re contemplating the Westin Anaheim as a part of a Disneyland trip, you’ll be able to guide a resort + ticket trip bundle by way of Get Away At present to avoid wasting extra money. Along with the bundle low cost, some resorts have ‘4th night time free’ promos. Along with their regular reductions and particular packages, it can save you an additional $10 through the use of code TOURIST at checkout.
The Westin Anaheim Resort has quite a lot of commonplace visitor room choices and suites.
The Westin Heavenly bedding is high notch, with a luxurious pillowtop mattress and head-absorbing pillows. With out query, we discovered this to be the spotlight of our visitor room on the Westin.
Past the beds, different in-room facilities on the Westin Anaheim embody Keurig machines with Starbucks espresso, a mini-fridge, robes & slippers, iron & ironing board, secure, 55″ tv, Plug-In Excessive Tech room (undecided what that is), and radio.
Bogs supply a hairdryer and particular person toiletries, together with cleaning soap, lotion, mouthwash, bathe cap, shampoo, conditioner, and physique wash.
Aesthetically, the rooms are in any other case superb.
Don’t get me unsuitable–these rooms come throughout as increased finish. There are additionally good little touches, however the Westin rooms don’t attain fairly the identical stage as these on the JW Marriott. Maybe the sophistication here’s a bit too refined for my tastes.
With that stated, my perspective on the room was way more constructive as soon as we obtained one with a balcony overlooking Pixar Pier. Who might’ve guessed that makes for a extra luxurious expertise than some dumpsters?!
The rooms with balconies on the Westin Anaheim Resort, as these are extremely distinctive and in contrast to the rest close to Disneyland.
On a constructive word, the toilet is spacious and incorporates a walk-in rain bathe in addition to a big bathtub. The self-importance is giant, lighting plentiful, and finishings are excessive finish. Together with the Heavenly beds, these bogs are one other spotlight of the Westin Anaheim.
For a greater have a look at the structure, right here’s a video tour of our theme park view balcony room on the Westin Anaheim Resort:
Finally, there’s loads to love in regards to the Westin Anaheim Resort, particularly when you’re planning on spending plenty of time on the resort, however not essentially in your visitor room (except you guide one with a view or balcony). The eating slate alone is unmatched, and different widespread areas are extremely good. Different facilities embody a formidable health heart, good pool space, and just about what you’d count on of luxurious lodging.
Then there are the rooms, that are pretty and supply quite a lot of views. Whereas the “no view” room leaves loads to be desired, it’s additionally pretty reasonably priced by the usual of luxurious resorts in Southern California. Then there are all the different upgraded room views, that are implausible and much better than something on the JW Marriott.
Lastly and maybe most importantly for us, the stroll is way more nice from the Westin Anaheim to Disneyland as going by means of Downtown Disney beats strolling alongside Harbor and Katella. After which there’s the stroll from Disney California Journey by means of Pixar Pier, which is flat-out implausible. All issues thought-about, we love the Westin Anaheim Resort and rank it very extremely on our record of the perfect resorts not simply in Anaheim, however in all of Southern California.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Lodge Opinions & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Opinions. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and tons of different locations!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever stayed on the Westin Anaheim Resort? What did you consider the resort? Highlights and/or lowlights? Doe the lodging look interesting to you, or is that this to not your tastes, preferences, or wants? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
