During our recent trip to California my wife and I checked into the Knott’s Berry Farm hotel for a few days of rest and fun.
This was our third time covering the hotel as we made in our base of operations for E3 2018 and last year we stayed for an evening ahead of our stay and coverage for the D23 Expo.
This time out our plan was for three days of rest and enjoying the park, hotel and surrounding area around our end of year travel coverage.
Our visit got off to a rough start due to heavy rains which caused Knott’s to close for the day. While our check in was very friendly; we did have to wait for a bit but thankfully the room was ready earlier than expected.
While we have stayed at the hotel and knew what to expect; I had to remind myself that there are no refrigerators or microwaves in the room and so food and drinks do require a bit of planning. The hotel does offer coffee and tea in the room and ice and soda are available at vending machines throughout.
The hotel offers a nice pool area as well as a workout area with a sauna but sadly the rain and cold weather limited our options and I took advantage of some of the workout gear as time allowed.
There is also a store that sells all sorts of souvenirs and sundries for those in need.
The hotel does offer the great Amber Waves restaurant which features a bar and impressive menu. We have eaten there in the past and I opted to get some take away on Friday evening but sadly ended up with an evening of stomach issues thanks to either the Sour Cream or Guacamole. This is a shame as the food was good and the stomach issues marred an otherwise enjoyable stay.
The hotel is close to the park and it is a very easy walk to the main gate and you will pass by several shops as well as the bakery, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Restaurant, and other dining options along the way. There are also numerous dining and retail options close by to enjoy.
The Wi-Fi and cable options in our room were good and our room was also clean and comfortable aside from the bed which was a bit too stiff for our liking after years of enjoying Memory Foam at home.
The rain was constant through most of our visit and it did limit our amount of time in the park but thankfully we were able to enjoy what we could when the weather cooperated even if it meant missing much of the seasonal evening activities.
The hotel had many events going on during our stay as many groups used the conference rooms for parties, training, and gatherings which did at times put a strain on parking.
I would suggest looking into an Annual Pass as members who have one and book through the hotel directly enjoy free parking as well as discounts on food and items in and around the park and hotel.
One of the nice things about the hotel is that it is clean and comfy and yet has a worn aroma and vibe to it. Some may find this off-putting but like the musty scent of some of the shops near the park; this gives me a sense of history to the locale and shows how despite changes, the area does keep ties to the past. This is a not shiny glass and steel modern facility but rather a facility that has endured over the years and continues to offer a quality yet no frills stay at an affordable price.
Sadly due to the weather and illness; we spent far more time in the room and hotel than we would have liked or planned to, but at least the friendly staff and comfy rooms allowed us a lazy and relaxing respite aside from the long wait to check out.
