Ayres Hotel Anaheim

There's a certain sameness to all the resorts dotting the lanscape around Disneyland in Anaheim. I understand that the theme park is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world, and as such, even hundreds of hotels wouldn't be enough to cater to the never-ending flow of visitors. Even so, at some point, the whole scene becomes one giant tourist trap, catering to kids and families and offering all kinds packages with Disney specials and such.

There's not that many things to do in Ahaneim which are not in some way or the other connected to Disney. Very upscale stuff, all this, and in such lean times (recession and all), what you need is a middle range hotel which offers location, comfort and a homey feel which seperates it from the Hiltons and the Marriotts. Enter the Ayres Hotel Anaheim. First, while all the other resorts and luxury hotels are chain hotels totally in sync with Disney as all American hospitality providers, the Ayres is a distinctly European themed boutique hotel with its own unique identity - a lobby with marble flooring, a central fireplace and Italian oil paintings.

Even though the hotel looks vast from the outside if you include the grounds, it has only a 126 guest rooms and 7 suites. This enhances the perception of the Ayres as an independent hotel offering personalized service to each guest, not to mention the fact that this makes the rooms comparatively large. It doesn't hurt, of course, that the hotel is located minutes away from everything of importance in Anaheim. And that includes the Honda Center, the Grove, Angel Stadium and Knott's Berry Farm. Its about 10 minutes away from Disneyland. Amenities offered include a spacious parking lot, compimentary breakfast and an evening reception, high speed internet, business center with meeting and conference space, a heated pool and a whirlpool spa, fitness center, self-laundry facilities with a washer and dryer, and valet laundry.

The rooms, again, speak of a slightly personal touch, with a view of the city parking lot or poolside area, are equipped with a mini-kitchen with refrigirator, wet bar and microwave and coffee maker, workdesk area, satellite television with HBO, wi-fi and high speed internet, and a full private bathroom with vanity. Much larger than the standard boxes you get at tourist traps, clean and furnished with extremely comfortable beds - Triple sheeted with feather pillows. And the noise level inside the rooms is very low, inspite of the hotel being situated close to train tracks. Room rates start at $129 plus taxes.


Info: Ayres Hotel Anaheim - 2550 E. Katella Ave Anaheim CA 92806; (714) 634-2106; www.ayreshotel.com/anaheim/