Offering private access to California Adventure, this is the better of the three Disney hotels and the most impressive. That it is less than 10 years old helps, too. Its Craftsman-style architecture and delightful but expensive cuisine complement the unique guest quarters and relatively attentive service. Despite its flaws—its popularity means it rarely quiets—this is easily Anaheim's "Belle of the Ball."
Built to a grand, traditional scale, the sprawling green and brown building rises six stories from stands of trees, shrubs and wildflowers, all of which shield guests from the bustle beyond. Motorists enter through a guarded gate, turn their cars over to valets at the beamed porte cochere, and stroll through stunning stained-glass doors into the lobby. (Parking is included in the mandatory daily resort fee.)
In keeping with the Arts and Crafts theme, the grand lobby features designs inspired by nature (and Frank Lloyd Wright). The soaring beam ceiling rising four stories dwarfs the plush sofas below. A massive stone archway plays mantel to the roaring hearth, and graceful art-deco chandeliers and torcheres cast a soft glow. Floral carpeting blends almost seamlessly with similarly patterned marble floors, and commissioned paintings adorn the walls. A pianist plays Disney favorites during check-in, the corner TV room broadcasts Disney films to children in a room appointed with miniature Arts and Crafts-style furniture, and young and old gather around the huge fireplace for bedtime stories.
Disney characters Chip and Dale preside over the Storytellers' Cafe, a large restaurant adorned with details from California-inspired stories and with Elbert Hubbard epigrams. Less formal folk favor the self-service cafe poolside. The lovely Napa Rose is Disneyland Resort's first foray into fine dining, a venture guided by chef Andrew Sutton, formerly of Napa Valley's Auberge du Soleil. Wine-country cookery meets its match in more than 200 vintages, all served amid vaulted ceilings, stained glass, firelight and views of Grizzly Peak. The adjacent lounge serves drinks inside and around the fire pit on the cozy patio. The second lounge near the lobby pours drinks as well.
Outside, the central courtyard holds three pools: a massive themed pool with a waterslide, a quiet pool for adults, and a Mickey-shaped wading pool for tots. Keep in mind that the construction project next door (a new wing is being added) does little to provide a relaxing environment. Lifeguards help to create a safe and fun environment, but hearing them over the trucks' back-up alarms and banging can be a stretch.
However, when the expansion is complete, it will increase accommodations by more than 30% and will include the first Disney Vacation Club villas in Anaheim, bringing the total number of hotel rooms from 745 to 945. The project also includes a rooftop deck for viewing fireworks, a new swimming pool and 300 underground parking spaces. Completion is scheduled for 2009.
A second courtyard evokes a forest mood, with crickets chirping from speakers stashed in the pines and winds blowing courtesy of the monorail that periodically whisks along its treetop rails. Two whirlpools are also on hand. The health club offers workout equipment, massage, steam rooms and saunas. The spa was closed at inspection in early 2008, but it should be open soon under the aegis of Mandara Spas, a well-respected name in pampering.
Guests enjoy direct access to California Adventure and to the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district. They also have early access to California Adventure and Disneyland.
Meeting space can handle groups of up to 1,500, a boardroom offers exquisite surroundings for high-powered powwows, and the staffed business center proffers assistance. As is the case in all Disney hotels, the only animals allowed in the hotel are of the cartoon ilk.
Perhaps the hotel's biggest flaws are its dearth of elevators, though the baths are of the mid-range variety. Also, long walks to guest quarters frustrate many; traveling at peak times from your room to the lobby (or vice versa) is akin to commuting in rush-hour traffic, including incidences of road rage.
The mostly average-size accommodations continue the Arts and Crafts look with color schemes of brown, gold and sage green that harmonize 
with the reproduction Craftsman furnishings. Desks, high-speed Internet access (complimentary), safes big enough for laptops, big new flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, and robes are in all. Local calls are free.
The large baths feature mostly dual marble vanities, magnifying mirrors, hair dryers and forest-print shower curtains. Portable cribs are stowed in every closet, and balconies front every room. Views are of the courtyards, Downtown Disney or California Adventure. Sixth-floor premium rooms add priority check-in, DVD players and access to a staffed lounge. The best rooms have balconies.
Turndown is offered. Room service runs nonstop. Pets and smoking are now prohibited.
This well-conceived hotel is the area's most expensive and elegant option, but service and accommodations, however nice, fail to match the standards outside of the Magic Kingdom (read: the real world). This place comes close to the elaborate theme hotels at Disney World in Florida, but a little more fairy dust and elbow grease is in order. For adults with architectural interests, this is the place to stay, and it is likewise the top option for families who want a stylish Disneyfied and even somewhat dignified oasis convenient to the amusement parks.
