Luxury and off-property Disneyland hotels are not two terms that would have appeared in the same sentence for most of the Disneyland Resort’s 67 year history. Although often conveniently located, off-property hotels were of the motel and motor lodge variety for many decades.
Several hotels have opened in the last couple of years, however, that take the off-property accommodations up a major notch or two in Anaheim. The most impressive and imposing of these is definitely the Westin Anaheim Resort – a large AAA Four Diamond property located adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center within walking distance of Disneyland.
I’ve had my eye for quite some time on the Westin Anaheim Resort as it was being built. But staying there eluded me for a bit after the hotel opened in June 2021. I finally had the chance to stay at the property though this spring! (Disclosure: I was a guest of the hotel for my stay.)
While there are a few minor drawbacks to the Westin Anaheim, it impresses at nearly every turn. It’s a truly high-end resort, serving up full-service amenities in a way that no other off-property hotel in the area does. The location, however, is a tiny bit farther than my usual preferred walking distance to Disneyland. I also wish there were more room types for larger families. Nevertheless, it more than makes up for those two issues with everything else it offers.
Here are all the essentials you need to know about the Westin Anaheim Resort as you consider hotel options on a Disneyland vacation.
Last updated: September 12, 2022.
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Westin Anaheim Resort Hotel Basics
Most travelers know the Westin brand fairly well. Originally part of Starwood resorts, Westin hotels are now Marriott-affiliated properties. The brand is on the higher end of Marriott’s brand hierarchy, but usually isn’t quite in the full luxury category like a Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis might be. Marriott lists Westin in its “distinctive premium” category of hotels.
Our family finds the Westin brand a good fit for our travel preferences and stays in Westin properties often (recently, we vacationed at the Westin Lagunamar in Cancun and Westin Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs and we are big fans of our hometown Westin St. Francis in San Francisco). So we know the range of what to expect. I can confidently say that Westin Anaheim Resort sits at the top of what the average Westin offers, edging closer to the full-service luxury of some of Marriott’s highest-end hotels.
The Westin Anaheim Resort itself has a modern design outside and in, with hints on the exterior of a Mission Revival architectural style. There are also nods in the interior hotel decor to the area’s orange grove history. The hotel has 618 guest rooms (121 of which are suites) and occupies 8 acres.
Unlike some other hotels in the Anaheim area that lean into bold theme park theming, the property has opted for more modern elegance, catering more to the convention crowd than the theme park crowd.
Where is the Westin Anaheim Resort Located?
The Westin Anaheim Resort is located at 1030 West Katella Avenue, on the block due south of Disney California Adventure park within view of the Incredicoaster and Pixar Pier. It’s adjacent to the Anaheim Convention Center (and is indeed now the closest hotel to the convention center).
The former Anabella Hotel used to be located on this spot. The property is owned by the same company that owned and operated the Anabella.
There are fewer hotels on this side of the Disneyland Resort compared to Harbor Boulevard, but the area feels fairly safe (for a big California city location of course). There’s a decent amount of foot traffic from the parks and convention center.
If you have read much of my Disneyland content, you probably already know how much of a fan I am of staying within walking distance of the parks at Disneyland. (Related: Best Hotels within Disneyland Walking Distance.) The Westin Anaheim Resort is within range of what I’d consider comfortable walking distance, but it’s right on the outer edge of that range for me.
I timed my walk from the front of the hotel, which I took at a leisurely kid-friendly but not slow pace. The walk was exactly 10 minutes to the Downtown Disney security entrance by the Disneyland Hotel. It was right at 20 minutes all the way to the esplanade between the two Disneyland parks.
The embedded map below shows the walking route from the hotel to the esplanade. The return trip back to the hotel at the end of the day has a potential shortcut from Downtown Disney through the Grand Californian, shaving about 5 minutes off of the walk. The Grand Californian is gated by a secure entrance from the street, however, so it’s not an option to cut through on your way to the park.
(Editor’s Note, September 2022 – Disney recently reopened a side entrance into Disney California Adventure park along Disneyland Drive for guests of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. While guests staying at off-property hotels cannot use it to enter the parks, they can use it as an exit. So if you are in DCA for the day, using this exit cuts down on the return walk time from DCA to the Westin Anaheim even more.)
For now at least, while the walk worked for me on a solo trip, it is nevertheless something to ponder when deciding whether to stay at this property. I know from experience of having little ones not long ago that this location might not be ideal for some families with younger kids. If you have babies and toddlers and like to return to the hotel for their mid-afternoon nap, this is a bit of a haul when compared to the hotels that are directly across the street on Harbor Boulevard. And if you have kids who have outgrown the stroller but who are still fairly young (about 5-8 years old), the daily walk may be a bit too much. For mobile adults and families with older kids, the extra stroll is much more doable.
What’s the Best Way to Get to Disneyland from the Westin Anaheim Resort?
For all intents and purposes, the Westin Anaheim Resort is a walking distance hotel. But if you can’t walk to the theme parks, what are your best alternate transportation options? And what are the pros and cons of each? Here are three choices.
- Uber/Lyft: It’s a short ride, but ridesharing is an option from the Westin Anaheim Resort. The ride from the hotel will take you to the official Harbor Boulevard dropoff spot and should run about $6-10 (depending on surge pricing) pre tip. Be sure to check out my guide to Uber and Lyft with kids for my suggestions on car seats and other tips for families.
- Anaheim Resort Transit (ART): ART has a dedicated pickup and drop off spot at the bus stop on the corner of Katella and Disneyland Drive right in front of the hotel. Again, this option will take you to the Harbor Boulevard side of the parks. ART’s 1 day passes are $6 for adults and $2.50 for children/seniors.
- Driving & Parking: If you have your own car, then you can drive to the parks and park in a Disney lot for $25 a day. I don’t recommend this option because you then have a substantial walk (essentially as long as the walk from the hotel) or tram ride to the parks.
What Are the Rooms Like at the Westin Anaheim Resort?
I was able to view and tour most of the room types at the Westin Anaheim Resort during my stay. There are a lot of options with different layouts and views at various price points, accommodating a fairly wide variety of travel preferences.
Room Amenities
All rooms have stylish modern decor and incorporate all the technology one might expect in a brand new upscale hotel. USB ports and plugs are embedded on every nightstand and rooms feature a technology panel that controls both lighting and temperature.
Westin Heavenly beds are in every room and absolutely live up to the name. For families with little ones, Heavenly cribs are available upon request as well. So many hotels only offer Pack N Plays for babies and toddlers, so having a real crib is a luxury not to be overlooked.
Most rooms don’t offer a lot of drawer space. But all of them have large wardrobes with several smaller drawers and ample shelving for folded clothes plus additional hanging space.
Other in-room amenities of note included:
- Robes & slippers
- Mini-fridge (note that there is no freezer compartment)
- Coffee maker (Keurig in standard rooms, suites have Nespresso machines)
- Iron & ironing board
- Safe
- Hairdryer
- Lighted makeup mirror
- Wide variety of toiletries: Individual toiletries on the vanity included bar soap, lotion, mouthwash, and a shower cap. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were mounted on the shower wall in reusable containers.
Room Types
For regular non-suite rooms, there are essentially two configurations: king bed rooms (most of which also include a queen sofa bed) and 2 queen bed rooms.
Within these two types, you have multiple view choices (no view or theme park view) as well as choices with different windows or balconies. Some of the rooms in the hotel have no balcony, others have Juliet balconies, and others have full balconies with outdoor chairs and a table perfect for sipping your morning coffee or watching late night fireworks.
There are also rooms with each of these bed types that are deluxe versions or studio versions that have a little more space and often larger bathrooms. The hotel’s website is pretty detailed in delineating the differences, so it’s easy to select the combination of options you want.
The bathrooms are bright and clean. The precise layout varies a bit by room type, with some rooms having two sinks and others having one. Counter space is ample in both layouts.
Some room types have a shower and others have a bathtub, with larger rooms and suites having both. If you need to guarantee a tub to bathe young children, call ahead to make sure your room type includes it (generally speaking, two queen rooms often have a tub which are the rooms families will more often occupy).
The entire bathroom in every room type I toured was behind a solid sliding pocket door. For families, this feature is essential to block sound and light from the rest of the room when kids are sleeping. Note however that the nook with the toilet is often not separated from the rest of the bathroom with a separate door except in the pricier room categories.
Rooms with club level access are available as well for an additional charge. Club access is complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum or above members. The club has both an indoor space and an outdoor space overlooking Disney California Adventure with incredible views. It offers free continental breakfast, included non-alcoholic drinks, afternoon snacks, and a cash bar.
The hotel also has a significant number of suites. I stayed in a 1 bedroom king suite which is the main suite option other than the hotel’s presidential suite. Many of these suites have amazing theme park views and a full balcony. The suite has a living room with a queen sofa sleeper and table with 4 chairs. It also has a full bathroom with separate tub and shower plus one additional half bath.
Room Pros & Cons
The rooms are well-appointed and spacious but have one drawback I’m sure my family travel readers have already spotted. There are no room options at the Westin Anaheim that sleep more than 4 people!
Larger families will need two or more rooms to stay here. While plenty of connecting room types are available, the decision to only offer rooms and suites that sleep 4 seems like a bit of a miss. An increasing number of properties in Anaheim have started to offer room types that work for larger families, integrating bunk beds and extra twin-size trundle-style beds into creative room designs.
The room types at the Westin Anaheim are more straightforward. Ultimately they more directed at the convention crowd (which admittedly makes sense given the hotel’s location). They’ll work for families of four like mine, but my kids don’t love sharing a queen bed either so these layouts certainly aren’t our first choice. Here’s to hoping the hotel will consider eventually converting some of the suites (which are enormous and easily could be configured for 6 or more people) into larger family accommodations.
How Much Will a Stay at the Westin Anaheim Resort Cost?
So how much can you expect to spend to stay at the Westin Anaheim? As any regular Disneyland visitor knows, prices for hotels fluctuate quite a bit depending on the seasonal events and holidays at Disneyland. Because of its Convention Center adjacent location, prices at the Westin Anaheim Resort will likely fluctuate considerably at additional times when major conventions are in town.
Since this hotel is still fairly new, however, it isn’t fully on the radar of all travelers just yet. That presents an opportunity to snag a deal for some travel dates before the hotel is fully discovered by the Disneyland faithful!
Generally speaking, standard king rooms are usually in the high $200s or low $300s (pre-tax) most of the year. Expect to pay a small additional amount per night for two queens that can sleep families of 4. Rooms with a view and/or a full balcony come at a higher price premium that can often be $100-200 or higher per night.
One bedroom suites are usually about 2.5-3x the price of a standard room but sleep only 4 so they don’t present a per person value (although they are very luxurious and having two rooms may be essential for some types of travelers).
Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today usually offers some room types at an additional discount. So keep reading until the end for all the ways to find the best deals.
The hotel does not charge a resort fee (hooray!) but does charge for parking like most other hotels in the area do. Self-parking is $35 nightly and valet is $39. If you plan to spend most of your departure day at the parks, the hotel allows guests to keep a car parked all day after checkout for an additional daily fee. Note that this is not an option offered at many off-property hotels in the area that have smaller parking lots.
Westin Anaheim Resort Pools & Amenities
Outside of the rooms, the hotel has a number of amenities that can keep you entertained in an arrival, departure, or non-park day.
The pool area is the largest draw. The main pool is heated and is surrounded by chairs as well as cabanas for rent. There is a large whirlpool adjacent. The pool itself isn’t enormous and lacks some of the kid-centric features that a few Anaheim area hotels have, like splash pads and mini-waterparks. But it gets the job done, and I saw several parents enjoying it with their kids. Bella’s Splash Pool Bar (open in warmer months) is just steps away, making it easy to grab a drink or meal poolside.
There are some poolside games to play as well – I spotted a giant life-sized Connect 4. And the hotel is considering offering poolside movie nights in summer months.
I didn’t spot any life jackets. I’d recommend bringing your own if you have a little one who is a non-swimmer (we traveled 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 Westin Anaheim Resort also very thoughtfully caters to families with its Westin Family program. Kids are often given little extras like crayons, travel journal, or a stuffed friend. The hotel has an art scavenger hunt offered via the concierge and a schedule of daily family-friendly activities.
Finally, the hotel also has a spacious workout room with every machine under the sun available. This amenity is more for the business travel crowd. But if you are someone who exercises even more after 25,000 step theme park days, I’m impressed!
Westin Anaheim Resort Restaurants
When it comes to food, I think it’s fair to say that the hotel has the best and most offerings of any hotel in Anaheim (yes, even more so than the Grand Californian – I said it!).
A standout for the ambiance and view is the hotel’s rooftop bar, RISE Rooftop Lounge. The venue has tables as well as outdoor sofas surrounding firepits overlooking the Incredicoaster. It’s the perfect place to watch the Disneyland fireworks from afar on nights when offered or just take in the lights of the rides at night.
The signature restaurant on property is the Tangerine Room. It is on the ground level in the lobby. I had a chance to have dinner here on my last day and it was one of the best meals I’ve eaten in Anaheim. The restaurant features fresh local and seasonal ingredients and specializes in California cuisine. I found the service impeccable while still being casual and warm.
Also in the hotel lobby, there is also a bar where the convention crowd congregates, Bar 1030. Bar 1030 offers light bites and cocktails in a stylish setting.
And of course I’ve already mentioned Bella’s Splash Pool Bar as an option for poolside dining.
There are multiple additional restaurant choices on the hotel grounds that aren’t owned and operated by the hotel but that are equally convenient. For a special night out, Fleming’s Steakhouse is to-die-for. I dined here last spring before the rest of the businesses at the hotel had opened. It lives up to its big steakhouse name and then some. It’s quite pricey though so save it for a special occasion or date night.
Also on the property is Puesto, a restaurant serving Mexican food with a modern flair.
Last but certainly not least is Blossom Cafe & Market. This combination coffee and juice bar and snack shop offers quick and inexpensive morning breakfasts (including hot options) and other grab-and-go foods all day.
Finally, it’s important to note that the Westin Anaheim also offers 24/7 room service. So you can eat at an hour even if you close down the parks.
Westin Anaheim Resort Booking Discounts & Deals!
Interested in booking the Westin Anaheim for your own vacation? I have two ways for Trips With Tykes readers to snag a great deal.
Book with Get Away Today
First, you can book the Westin Anaheim Resort through Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today. Get Away Today always offers exclusive extra discounts (including often 4th night free deals!).
For 2022 stays, Get Away Today offers three room types: king standard rooms, two queen standard rooms, and two queen park view rooms. Note that Get Away Today can book additional room types in this hotel for you if you call, email, or DM. Just be sure to mention Trips With Tykes for my exclusive deals!
I spotted Get Away Today rates for a 2 night stay this fall as low as $558 total (taxes included). 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.
Book via Marriott Directly
The second way to book is directly through the Marriott website. The hotel has some packages and discounts listed there (including a deal for Disneyland Magic Keyholders), but I haven’t yet been able to find a rate that beats the Get Away Today pricing.
So what are the reasons you might want to book direct then? First, if you have Marriott status, you need to book direct for the perks of that status to be available. Second, if you want to accrue Marriott points, direct bookings are usually required. Third, direct hotel bookings have different cancellation policies that some guests may prefer (currently the hotel is fully refundable up to two days prior to a stay with a directly booked flexible rate).
The bottom line is that you should do what works for you! I often use Get Away Today for a number of my hotel bookings near Disneyland. Because I normally have status with Marriott and want to earn points, I’d book this hotel direct unless the savings were significant. For more infrequent travelers for whom these considerations won’t apply and who just want the very best price, Get Away Today is likely the better choice.
I always check both most of the time anyway, because different booking methods have access to different room inventories. And remember that if you do book your room directly via Marriott’s site, you should still book your park tickets through Get Away Today to save off of Disney rack rates!
Final Thoughts on the Westin Anaheim Resort
So do I plan to return to the Westin Anaheim Resort? Absolutely yes! It’s the best off-property hotel hands down for couples or girls getaways to Disneyland. And it also checks a lot of the right boxes for travel for families of 4 or fewer. It is especially with older kids and teens who are beginning to appreciate the amenities of higher-end hotels and who can do the slightly longer walk to Disneyland.
Disclosure: The Westin Anaheim Resort provided me with complimentary 1 night accommodations for review purposes as well as a hosted meal. As always, all opinions are my own.
Read More About Other Disneyland Area Accommodations
- Comparing the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian: Which One is Right For Your Family?
- Best Hotels within Walking Distance of Disneyland
- Radisson Blu Anaheim Resort Review
- Top 5 Luxury Hotels Near Disneyland (Podcast)
