TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

We recently stayed at this property, and while the majority of the staff were wonderfully friendly, our experience was marred by inconsistent front desk communication and operational hiccups. Prior to arrival, we requested a King room via the Marriott app, which was confirmed. At check-in, however, the initial agent informed us a King was unavailable and assigned a Queen. When we brought up the app confirmation, she reassigned us to a King, but handed us a room with a severely compromised layout. Instead of the wide picture window advertised online, it featured a tiny, off-center window tucked behind a massive blank wall, leaving the room dim and boxed-in (see pic). Thankfully, a second agent demonstrated true hospitality (shout out to Cassie!) When shown a photo of the layout, she was genuinely shocked, warmly acknowledged our Platinum status, moved us to a standard King room, and generously applied a $50 property credit for the trouble. Special shoutout as well to the valet and housekeeping teams, who were amazingly welcoming throughout our entire stay. Unfortunately, a few other issues missed the mark for a JW Marriott: Late Checkout Friction: When we simply asked if a late checkout was possible, we received an outright denial. Only after we pushed back and reminded them of our Platinum late checkout benefit did they grant a modest 12:00 PM checkout, framing it as a "one-time courtesy" rather than standard elite recognition. Executive Lounge: The evening food selection was disappointing—appetizers were picked over, poorly replenished, and served lukewarm/cold. While the second front desk agent saved our trip, management needs to address front desk training on benefit recognition and room transparency

We arrived with a confirmed Suite Night Award upgrade through Marriott. At check-in we were placed in a standard room and told the upgrade had never been confirmed. We raised it more than once during our stay and the responses we received changed every time. They claimed Marriott corporate removed it, then they claimed we removed it (which isn't even possible!!) When we called Marriott directly, they confirmed the opposite: someone at the property had cancelled our confirmed upgrade. On top of that, the hotel initially did not return our Suite Night Awards, and it took Marriott’s involvement to get them credited back. (And that is still outstanding) What stood out most was the response — or lack of one. No apology, no alternative upgrade, no points, no attempt of any kind to make it right. Mistakes happen in hospitality; how a property handles them is what separates a good hotel from a bad one, and this one failed on both counts. If you’re looking for somewhere genuinely good in this area, I’d point you to the Westin down the street. We’ve stayed there several times and it has been excellent every visit.

Ideally located for Disneyland whilst only a 15 minute walk this hotel is located in a quieter street avoiding all the hustle and bustle of hotels nearer Disneyland. The staff were great the rooms clean and there were plenty of places to use the daily room credit.We loved the pool area as it offered plenty of shade to avoid the sun. All in all a great stay which offered great value and wouldnt hesitate to return.

This is an updated review. I will add the original review at the end as I address some specifics, to which JW actually responded saying something that essentially was a sorry but didn't really address all the things (they have to read all the complaints and honestly this is how they are choosing to do business). Anyway, I wanted to be more comprensive, but fair, with this expanded review. I haven't been this inspired to write a super long review in some time, lol. One thing I noticed also was how hard the staff worked to justify all the charges - I heard so much explaining about it to other customers/guests to justify costs. I felt bad for them, honestly. Here you go: Pros of staying at JW Marriot Anaheim: - The bathtub is nice. - If you like soft beds and very soft pillows, you will like this - If you want to see the park from afar, you can - The rooftop was a good experience all around. The staff was professional, I got a reservation to see the fireworks which was lovely, and I enjoyed the free wine mostly because the waitress was cool about the experience - If you want to use your AMEX hotel credit, this hotel qualifies - We enjoyed room service (pls note that the 18% gratuity is added to that bill automatically). I thought it was quite delicious. - The breakfast buffet was fine. Be sure to inquire if you have to pay for breakfast and how much it costs so you can be aware. - The starbucks staff downstairs were always nice and drinks were spot on - Valet parking staff were always polite and hardworking - If you are a bonvoy member you'll get regular internet for free Cons of staying at JW Marriot Anaheim: - this hotel is about a 25 minute walk to the park in all actuality. That feels far after a long day at the park or if you have littles. I passed all those much closer hotels daily which was terrible haha If you are going for Disney, stay closer. Seriously. You will love being closer to the park. - I honestly thought having a pool right outside the windows of the lobby bar was not cool for a family friendly hotel. I'd be uncomfortable if my children were swimming there. People are on the stools drinking just right across the pool area in the lobby. - I personally disliked the soft bed and flat pillows. - If you love how dark hotel rooms can be, get ready cos the room I was in did NOT have black outs. The light comes in through the side of the curtains although there were two very dark type of curtains. The light still came in. I was on the 9th floor so no idea if this is how it is in all rooms but that was my experience. - The fees went up significalty for this hotel's 'destination fee' which I didn't know until after I was reading other reviews. Not worth it. Seriously, the hotel is just NOT some luxurious mystical place to blow all your money. It is extremely average. If you have the money were none of these charges matter, please know that you could stay in a similar quality hotel with more charm. - Essentially the only thing you can use hotel credits for is the cost of food. So, even if you have an AMEX credit, you can only spend it at the hotelf or their food. The food costs so much that you will use it easily, IF you actually want to eat there. [Previous review: Well we just got here and already I’m here writing this little sad tale. Parking is (with taxes) $80! That’s crazy. There is no option for self park. :( The resort fee is $40 PLUS tax. As a Marriot member, I already get free internet, the Wine in the evening are taster size (so you buy more after the free hour?) and group yoga isn't my thing so basically I’m getting $20 to spend on coffee in the morning (when hotels can just give you free lobby coffee). So really I’m just paying more for amenities that should already be free for guests. Also you may be fooled like I was: there are NO balconies unless you are in the presidential suite. And they won’t let you use their luggage racks. It’s not that I don’t like bell people to help it is that I often don’t have cash on arrival or let’s face it sometimes I like to do my own thing with my luggage. That’s annoying. Front desk person was fantastic and put us in what I guess is an upgrade (I booked with Amex HG) but looks just like any other hotel room. She was super sweet. Anyhoo, I’ll update once I check out. Don’t stay here - there are some fantastic hotels with free parking and no extra nickel and dime-ing if you are booking in advance. I’ll be writing AMEX as well although they probley don’t care about a few extra hundred dollars a night, sadly.]

Honestly- this hotel is exceptionally overpriced for what it is. We are platinum members, stay in a lot of Marriott’s etc… but this was really average. As an example, I get out of the car - a bellboy barely speaks to me takes my bags, but just walks off with them, doesn’t talk to me, takes them out my uber… stores them in another room. I call after him to come back ( my phone is one of the bags)… ignores me. I’m left with both children wondering where he has gone and where the check in ( it’s upstairs). Eventually we work it out. The room is fine, it’s extremely overpriced for what it is, but ok. The next morning at 8:30am (!!!) someone is knocking rapaciously on the door we tell them three times to leave and housekeeping says “ oh I’m just checking whose in what room”… I’m not paying 700 bucks a night to tell someone to leave my door at 8:30am, to chase my bags, or to ask where the check in is. I think the location being so close to Disneyland and the conference centre is what makes this a thoroughly uninviting stay… but don’t bother