Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California have always had a large number of area hotels to consider. Until recently, however, there have been very few properties that check all the boxes for travelers who want a more luxurious Disneyland vacation experience. Until now! Several new higher end hotels have opened in the past couple of years. I stayed at one of the most highly anticipated of these new hotels on a trip for Disneyland's 2021 reopening. That hotel was the Radisson Blu Anaheim, which has recently rebranded (under the same management) to become The Viv Hotel, Anaheim, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott. I returned in fall 2022 for a tour of the rebranded property.
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim sits squarely in the middle of the affordable luxury category. The property is modern, with pops of bright color and nods to all things Disney in the decor throughout the common areas. The hotel opened briefly during the fall of 2020, and reopened in April 2021 along with Disneyland itself.
Given what I saw and experienced during my visits, The Viv Hotel, Anaheim has a lot going for it and a lot to offer the vast majority of travelers. Even though it doesn't have the perfect location, it more than makes up for that with all its other amenities and advantages.
Here are all the essentials you need to know about the The Viv Hotel, Anaheim, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott as you consider hotel options on a Disneyland vacation.
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Marriott Tribute Portfolio Basics
If you aren't familiar with the Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel collection specifically, there's probably a good reason for that. The Tribute Portfolio collection was a brand that originated with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2015, which was acquired by Marriott the following year. There are just over 100 properties worldwide in this category, so even Marriott aficionados may not have encountered one. Its closest cousin under the Marriott umbrella is probably the Autograph Collection.
The Tribute Portfolio brand offers upscale accommodations without completely blowing most travel budgets. The Viv Hotel, Anaheim is no exception to that rule. But it also adds to the usual brand offerings, taking specific cues from its Disneyland location in the unique perks it offers.
Because many Disneyland guests visit with kids, The Viv Hotel, Anaheim has even more room types that work for families compared to similarly luxurious hotels. Of the 226 rooms in the hotel, 136 of them include a bunk bed!
And knowing that all Disneyland travelers want a little Disney magic where they stay, the hotel adds Disney touches to its modern styling. Look specifically for some partially blue Stormtroopers upon entry from the parking garage as well as wall hangings with Disney Lego minifigs.
Even the elevator lobby is thoughtfully Disney inspired, with one half painted black and one white, representing the dark and light sides of the Force for Star Wars fans. The lobby has a life-size Viewfinder Disc highlighting local sites and Disney characters.
Where is The Viv Hotel, Anaheim Located?
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim is located at 1601 S. Anaheim Boulevard, just on the other side of I-5 from the Disneyland resort. It's situated in an area that is undergoing a lot of development, so there aren't a lot of other hotels or restaurants in the immediate vicinity. The surrounding area is well lit and felt very safe though, even without a lot of other business activity.
If you read this blog's Disneyland coverage regularly, you probably already know that I usually advocate staying within very close walking distance of the parks. (Related: Best Hotels within Disneyland Walking Distance.) The property isn't quite within what I'd consider comfortable walking distance, especially after a day logging 20,000+ steps within the theme parks. If you do choose to walk it, plan on about 25 minutes to the Harbor Boulevard pedestrian entrance.
But absolutely do not let the location dissuade you. This is one hotel I'd definitely make an exception for when it comes to my normal walking distance preferences. Other than the Disneyland Hotel or Disney's Grand Californian (and to a lesser extent, the new Westin Anaheim Resort), there are simply no hotels within easy walking distance to offer these kinds of comparable accommodations or amenities in the Disneyland area. And of course, the Disney owned hotels at least come at a much steeper cost. The Viv Hotel, Anaheim brings the same level of luxury at a fraction of the price (like sometimes ⅓ or even ¼ the cost of the Grand), making it a real value in this hotel class. (But more on price later though....)
That said, the only type of traveler who might not find this location ideal is some families with babies and toddlers. If you have little ones and like to return to the hotel for their mid-afternoon nap, the lack of a walking distance location or an easy baby/toddler transportation option could outweigh the other advantages the hotel has for families.
What's the Best Way to Get to Disneyland from The Viv Hotel, Anaheim?
So if you can't walk to the theme parks, what are your best transportation options? And what are the pros and cons of each? Here are three choices.
- Uber/Lyft: Taking a ridesharing service is my top pick for transportation. The ride from the hotel to the official Harbor Boulevard dropoff spot is just $7-8 pre tip. This means a family can get to and from the parks for under $20 daily using ridesharing. Be sure to see my guide to Uber and Lyft with kids for my suggestions on car seats and tips for families.
- Anaheim Resort Transit (ART): ART has a dedicated pickup and drop off spot at the hotel. Local service was just re-launching during my stay, so I didn't get the chance to try ART. Ask the hotel front desk for specific details, as routes and rules do change. ART's 1 day passes are $6 for adults and $2.50 for children/seniors. A family of 4 will essential break even in cost (though likely not in time) riding ART vs. taking a rideshare. You'll come out a little ahead though with the 3 day pass ($15 for adults, $3.50 for children) or 5 day pass ($25 for adults, $5.50 for children).
- Driving & Parking: If you have your own car, then you can drive to the parks and park in a Disney lot for $30 a day. This choice costs more money and can also be time consuming when factoring in a parking shuttle or walking from the parking decks to the parks. Plus, you'll also be paying for parking at the hotel ($35 a night for self-parking) so this isn't a good choice if you are someone flying in to Disneyland who doesn't need to come with a car.
What Room Types are Available at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim?
I was able to tour all the room types at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim during my stay. There are a lot of options with different layouts at various price points, accommodating a wide variety of travel preferences. Those include:
- King Room: Sleeps 2, one king bed, extra seating area with bench seating, 1 sink vanity, shower in bathroom
- 2 Queen Room: Sleeps 4, two queen beds, 1 sink vanity, shower in bathroom
- King 2 Twin Bunk Room: Sleeps 4, one king bed, two twin bunks, extra seating area with bench seating, 2 sink vanity, shower over tub in bathroom
- 2 Queen 2 Twin Bunk Room: Sleeps 6, two queen beds, two twin bunks, 2 sink vanity, shower over tub in bathroom
- 1 Bedroom King Suite: Sleeps 4, 1 king bed, sleeper sofa, living area, 2 sink vanity, shower over tub in bathroom plus separate shower, partially separated toilet area
- Premium 1 Bedroom King Suite: Sleeps 4, 1 king bed, sleeper sofa, living area, 2 sink vanity, shower over tub in bathroom plus separate shower, separate door to toilet area
Within each of these types, some rooms will have a standard view and others will have a theme park view. The options are laid out clearly on the hotel's website.
I stayed in a 2 queen, 2 twin bunk room. These rooms sleep up to 6 people, which means they have more than enough space for a family of 4 like mine. Now that my kids are getting older, having them sharing a bed is a recipe for sibling struggles. Bunk bed suit families well - as long as you can work out which kid gets the top bunk!
The little extras in the layout showed that a lot of thought and expertise went into making the rooms work for modern travelers. Charging ports and outlets were everywhere. There is a reading light for all 6 spaces in the room - one on either side of each queen bed and one above each bunk. Storage and drawer space was more than ample, even for a family all unpacking suitcases for several days.
Other in room amenities of note included:
- Robes & slippers
- Mini-fridge (note that there is no freezer compartment)
- Coffee maker
- Iron & ironing board
- Safe
- Hairdryer
The bathrooms are spacious and bright. My room type had two sinks, plenty of counter space, and a makeup/shaving mirror. Individual toiletries on the vanity were bar soap, lotion, and a shower cap. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were mounted on the shower wall in reusable containers. The hotel didn't skimp on towels pre-stocked in the room (one of my personal pet peeves is having to call for extra towels right away because there aren't enough for a family of 4!). The entire bathroom was behind a solid sliding door, ideal for blocking light and sound from the rest of the room if you have little ones with earlier bedtimes.
The bunk rooms like the one I stayed in have a shower over tub, which many families will prefer for bathing younger children. Standard rooms have a large glass door shower. Probably my only (very minor) complaint about the room was that the tub was pretty narrow. And because the shower curtain was on a rod that didn't curve to give more internal space, it made the shower a little bit of a tight fit for adults.
How Much Will a Stay at The Viv Hotel, Anaheim Cost?
So how much can you expect to spend on these room options? As any regular Disneyland visitor knows, prices for hotels fluctuate quite a bit depending on the seasonal events and holidays at Disneyland. Prices at the Viv Hotel, Anaheim are no different.
When this hotel was brand new and under the Radisson Blu name, it wasn't on the radar for a lot of travelers. As a result, there were some screaming deals to be had. Now that travel has returned more to normal and the hotel is under the Marriott umbrella, prices are a bit higher. There are still quite a few sweet spots, however, for what the property offers
Generally speaking, standard rooms currently can often be found for $220-260 a night before tax. Expect to pay anywhere from $20-30 more per night for the rooms with the bunks that can sleep larger families. Keep reading below to find out how to save money and find all special deals.
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim Pools & Amenities
So looking beyond the rooms, the hotel continues to shine. The pools are a major highlight. And there are two of them!
The first is the rooftop pool. It's adults only, creating a quieter space for travelers who wish to escape other people's kids for a while on a Disneyland vacation. The rooftop area also has a large hot tub and comfy cushioned swings for extra seating.
The second larger pool is on the ground level off of the lobby. It's open to all guests at all times of day. The area includes plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas for rent, a small splash pad for kids at pool's edge, and a hot tub. The Oasis Pool Bar offers poolside drink and food service.
I didn't spot any lifejackets at either pool so I'd recommend bringing your own if you have a little one who is a non-swimmer (we travel with the Puddle Jumper for my son when he was younger). The pool areas are of course very safely gated from the rest of the property.
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim Restaurants
While a lot of Anaheim area hotels have pretty sparse dining offerings, The Viv Hotel, Anaheim has a number of quality choices that set it apart.
The star of the dining scene is Top of the V, the hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant. There is plenty of stylish indoor seating as well as outdoor spaces located around fire pits. Both areas have prime views of the theme parks - perfect for evenings when fireworks light up the sky over Disneyland.
Food at Top of the V is Spanish, with plenty of dishes like paella and tapas to share with friends and family while enjoying a cocktail. The restaurant has been very popular since its opening, drawing locals as well as as guests of other nearby hotels. Definitely make a reservation so you don't miss out during your stay. It's a bit more of an adult scene and I enjoyed it with friends, but kids are welcome too. There is a kids menu offered, but many dishes might be a little adventurous for the pickiest of eaters.
The other large restaurant on property is Valencia's at the Viv. It is on the ground level off the lobby and spills into the adjacent poolside area. The restaurant features Baja California style cuisine and is usually open daily for breakfast and dinner as well as lunch on weekends.
In the lobby, there is also a spacious coffee bar, Melody's Market, with some seating. I spotted pastries and breakfast sandwiches for a quick bite in the morning, as well as a wide variety of snacks and drinks.
There is also a stylish gift shop, Main Street Mercantile, in the lobby as well with more snacks and plenty of Disney souvenirs.
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim Booking Discounts & Deals!
Interested in booking The Viv Hotel for your own vacation? I have two ways for Trips With Tykes readers to snag a great deal.
First, you can book through Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today where discounts are almost always available. For 2022 stays, Get Away Today offers two room types, both with either a standard or a theme park view: 2 queen 2 twin bunk like I stayed in and 2 queen standard rooms. Be sure to apply the code Tykes10 for an additional $10 off vacation packages if you are booking discounted Disneyland park tickets through Get Away Today too.
Alternatively, book directly through the Marriott website. While Get Away Today's pricing tends to be less expensive on most dates, know many of this site's readers have their own reasons for preferring to book direct (like elite status, points earning, or a different cancellation policy). So do what works for you! And remember that if you do book your room directly via Marriott's site, you should absolutely still book your park tickets through Get Away Today to save off of the Disney rack rates.
Final Thoughts on The Viv Hotel, Anaheim
So will I bring my family back to the The Viv Hotel, Anaheim? So much yes! This hotel demonstrates that it's possible to serve both the discerning traveler on an adults-only vacation as well as family travelers at the same property. The property strikes a balance perfectly in a way few hotels do. And it does it without costing an arm and a leg.
Disclosure: The Viv Hotel, Anaheim (known at the time as the Radisson Blu Anaheim) and Get Away Today provided complimentary 2 night accommodation for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own.
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