JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort: A Happy Place Steps Away from Disneyland
Close to Disneyland, JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is a family-friendly, heavenly hotel, conveniently located on Anaheim’s Garden Walk, a shopping and restaurant district.
The resort-style hotel reigns over a broad esplanade, lined with restaurants, shops, a nightclub, a bowling alley, and Formosa, a Taiwanese cultural space with vendor stalls, mahjong games, and shopping. Upon check-in, guests are greeted by refreshing elixirs, mimosas, and balloons for the kids.
With an outdoor pool surrounded by cabanas, an award-winning restaurant, an indoor/outdoor lobby bar, convenient valet parking, and a rooftop cocktail bar, the hotel is located only 15 minutes away from Disneyland’s entrance.
Why You’ll Love It
Not just for kids, the hotel has plenty of adult amenities to please the grown-ups. The rooftop cocktail bar has the feel of a speakeasy with access only through a separate elevator reached through the garden.
Once you reach the highest floor, the rooftop area has a bar, lounge chairs, plenty of patio heaters, firepits, and tables. There, you can relax with views of Disney and enjoy the nighttime fireworks displays away from the crowds.
Accommodations
The guest rooms are airy and brightly lit, outfitted with wide windows showcasing views of Disney’s attractions. There’s also a large lounge sofa, desk, refrigerator, and comfortable beds to sink into.
Some family rooms have bunk beds and a play area with tents for the little ones. The bathrooms have long, spa-like bathtubs and showers.
Coming back from Disney at night, the entire resort is lit up, creating a homey feel after a long day. The friendly staff greet each guest as if they’re visiting relatives, making sure their needs are taken care of.
Disneyland
A meandering walk into the hotel’s lovely butterfly garden, through the promenade, down an escalator, and a quick left brings visitors to Harbor Boulevard where the front entrance to Disneyland brings people to the main entryway, beating the lines and getting us to the front of the queue while others are waiting for hotel shuttles, ride share drop-offs, and looking for parking in pricey garages.
As anyone who has been to Disney knows, you’ve hit a gold mine when you’re within minutes of the security line and the park entrances for California Adventure Park or Disneyland Park.
JW Gardens
Pacing yourself in Anaheim is a must if you want to reach for a relaxing respite in the land of perpetual happiness. The early morning walk through the hotel’s butterfly garden made me want to leave the amusement park and come back for the daily 3 p.m. tour of the outdoor space.
A staff member led us through the various beds of flowers, succulents, and herbs on the tour. Outdoor sculptures are scattered throughout the pollinator garden.
Monarch butterflies flutter through the milkweed and rows of colorful flowers. She explained how butterflies were endangered and the hotel serves as a safe refueling stop along the migratory path of the butterflies.
At the end of the tour, she handed us packets of milkweed seeds so we could create our own butterfly sanctuary and play our part in saving butterflies.
Meetings & Events
The garden also serves as a beautiful backdrop for weddings and events. On the property, there are 17 event rooms, spanning over 41,600 square feet, capable of accommodating 1,500 people. The Arbor Ballroom itself is 13,600 square feet.
Insider Tips
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out time is at 11 a.m.
In-room Wi-Fi is available to hotel guests and Marriott Bonvoy members receive complimentary in-room Internet access when they book direct.
Valet parking is available daily for $69 and electric car charging stations are available.
Amenities include a fitness center, yoga and zen room, outdoor swimming pool, rooftop bar, and JW Gardens.
For those seeking a fun enhancement during their stay, book the Family Bunkbed Suite, which offers comfort for adults and a dedicated, playful bunk bed area for kids.
The resort offers various events, live music, activities, and more. Check their upcoming schedule here.
Flexible enough for families, adult-only trips, and large gatherings, the JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort wears many hats—not just Mickey Mouse ones.
For more information and to book a stay at JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort, call (714) 294-7800 or visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @jwmarriottanaheim
1775 South Clementine St, Anaheim, CA 92802
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[Photos courtesy of JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort]
Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.