Radisson Suites Hotel Anaheim – Buena Park

This former Embassy Suites resembles a Spanish villa, with a red tile roof, whitewashed walls, and heavy wood entrance doors. Inside, the three-story lobby is impressive, with three-story arches that partially expose the corridors and lovely terra-cotta tile floors accented by white and blue Spanish tiles. Dark wood beams run along the vaulted ceiling, and a three-tiered, circular chandelier in black iron hangs above the center of the room. Skylights cascade natural light on the space, where tropical plants thrive. 

Fans of tropical foliage are in for a treat when they enter the spectacular courtyard full of exotic flowers and towering palms that shade the pool in the center. Fountains dot the sunny space and there's plenty of seating. There's also a glass elevator that overlooks the courtyard. All in all, it's an elegant property, but it feels far less family-oriented than other hotels in the area.

The hotel is located on busy Beach Boulevard in Buena Park, bordering Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City waterpark. The entrances of both attractions take about 10 minutes to reach on foot, with several restaurants along the way. There's a Starbucks only two minutes away and an Indian restaurant right next door. Medieval Times restaurant takes four minutes to reach on foot and Pirate’s Dinner Adventure takes six minutes. A pharmacy, a Walmart, and the Buena Park Downtown mall, with a cinema complex, are all within a short drive of the hotel, and there's a hotel shuttle to Disneyland Park, which is about 15 minutes away depending on traffic. Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim Convention Center, and the Honda Center also are approximately 15 minutes away by car. Newport Beach and Sunset Beach are about 25 to 30 minutes away. The John Wayne Airport takes 25 minutes to reach by car without traffic, while LAX takes closer to 40 minutes. 

Shades of brown and beige dominate the tasteful decor in these spacious two-room suites, which encompass over 500 square feet each and have either a king bed or two queens. Solid drapes and bed skirts in a darker brown are echoed in the patterned carpet and blend nicely with yellow walls and bright-white bedding. But rooms are sorely missing a shot of color and personality, and the decor is rather forgettable on the whole. All units have living rooms with beige armchairs and sleeper sofas plus wet bars with tan granite counters, microwaves, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges. Standard amenities include a flat-screen TV in each room and a safe, and some have robes and slippers. VIP upgrades are available that include robes, slippers, and snacks. French doors have wood slats that can be adjusted to allow more light into the rooms. Many of the rooms overlook the interior courtyard and those facing Beach Boulevard get some street noise. Bathrooms are medium-sized and have roomy tan-granite vanities, beige tile floors, and shower/tub combos framed by beige tiles and accented by red-and-blue Spanish tiles.

Guest reviews of the general maintenance and cleanliness of the rooms are decidedly mixed. Numerous past guests have reported a litany of issues, with the most frequent complaints being about soiled carpets, musty smells, air-conditioning maintenance problems, and bathrooms in need of better cleaning. Management has scheduled for renovations to begin in late 2016, with plans to replace the carpets, drapes, and artwork, among other things. 

While both leisure and business travelers will find this hotel’s amenities attractive, its features are not geared as much toward Disney families as other hotels in the area. However, the Radisson does offer a free shuttle service to Disneyland and other nearby theme parks including Knott’s Berry Farm. Parking is also free, as is property-wide Wi-Fi. 

Flora, the on-site restaurant, offers a buffet breakfast, though it's not included in standard room rates. The restaurant/bar also serves lunch and dinner, focusing on Californian cuisine, with Tex Mex, Italian, and Asian Pacific influences. Outdoor seating is available in the hotel’s lush courtyard. The gift shop also sells snacks and drinks in addition to souvenirs and sundries, and vending machines are available on each floor. 

The fitness center looks out onto the sunny tropical foliage in the courtyard and offers free weights and several cardio machines. There's a kidney-shaped, heated outdoor pool and adjacent whirlpool at the center of the beautiful courtyard, which is also used for weddings. The hotel offers event space as well for up to 400 people. Two computers stations in the lobby with internet access and a printer serve as the business center. Coin-operated guest laundry facilities are on site, and valet dry-cleaning and laundry are also available.