We recently visited Anaheim for the Fit Expo and had the opportunity to stay at both the JW Marriott Anaheim Resort and the Westin Anaheim Resort during the same trip. If you are heading to Disneyland or the Anaheim Convention Center and deciding between these two high-end properties near the parks, here is our honest, side-by-side comparison of the rooms, club lounges, pool areas, and overall amenities to help you make the right call.
Both hotels sit within easy walking distance of each other and of Disneyland, and both carry a luxury price tag. So the real question is not whether you will be comfortable either way (you will be) but rather which property actually delivers the experience that matches what you are looking for. For us, the answer was pretty clear by the time we checked out.
Westin Anaheim Resort
Located right next to the Anaheim Convention Center, this property feels incredibly new and leans heavily into a true resort vibe. It ended up being our overall favorite of the two.
The Lounge & Dining: The club lounge is exceptional. Outdoor seating with a direct view of the Disneyland roller coasters, incredibly friendly staff, and they even let you grab food to take back to your room. The real highlight though is the complimentary champagne offered around 9:30 PM right as the Disneyland fireworks begin. Standing on that outdoor balcony, glass in hand, watching the fireworks light up the sky is genuinely one of the best hotel experiences we have had in California. For dining beyond the lounge, the Tangerine Room and the RISE Rooftop Bar offer fantastic on-property food and a relaxed, stylish atmosphere.
Resort Amenities: The pool area is beautiful and lush, surrounded by palm trees with a hot tub and a laid-back resort atmosphere. The fitness center is one of the best we have seen at any hotel in this price range: massive high ceilings, full Matrix equipment lineup including heavy dumbbells and a barbell station, a boxing setup, and massage guns. If working out while traveling is important to you, the Westin gym alone is reason enough to book here.
Booking Tip: We booked one night through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) and one directly through Marriott. The FHR night came with a $100 food and beverage credit (which covered nearly our entire Tangerine Room dinner), free breakfast for two, and late checkout. If you have an Amex card with FHR access, this property is genuinely one of the best spots to use it.
Parking: Valet is around $39 to $49 overnight and includes complimentary EV charging.
The Drawbacks: The beds were a bit too firm for our liking, and the very fluffy pillows made for a more restless sleep than we would have liked. If you are a stomach or side sleeper who prefers firmer pillow support, just pack your own or request extras at check-in. Our room also did not face the theme parks directly, so if a Disneyland view matters to you, make sure to request one when you book.
JW Marriott Anaheim Resort
This five-star property offers a more relaxed, chill atmosphere with a stronger emphasis on room comfort. It is the better pick if you prioritize sleep quality and easy access to off-property dining options.
Sleep Quality: The clear winner when it comes to getting a good night's rest. The beds are incredibly comfortable, the bedding is luxurious, and we both slept soundly without any interruptions. If you are visiting Disneyland and planning to walk 15,000 steps a day and need to fully recharge at night, the JW Marriott rooms are noticeably better for that purpose.
Room Features: Our Executive Level room had the longest, most incredible bathtub we have ever seen in a hotel room, paired with high-end Aromatherapy Associates bath products. The bathroom alone felt genuinely 5-star.
Off-Property Access: On-site dining is mostly limited to the main Italian restaurant (Tocca Ferro) and a Starbucks, but the hotel connects directly to the Anaheim GardenWalk mall. That connection is more useful than it sounds: easy walking access to plenty of affordable outside dining options including Asian cuisine, K-BBQ, dessert shops, and more. If you are traveling with picky eaters or on a tighter food budget, that mall connection actually makes a real difference.
Marriott Perks: We had access through Vincent's Platinum Elite status, which also came with a hidden perk no one at the front desk mentioned: Platinum members get a free coffee every day at the on-site Starbucks. A random guest tipped us off. Always worth asking. Overnight valet also includes free EV charging, which is a huge bonus if you are driving an electric vehicle.
Parking: Valet is more expensive at $60 a night.
The Drawbacks: The club lounge is essentially just a basic balcony setup with disappointing food. The evening hors d'oeuvres felt more like basic airport lounge snacks, and the desserts had an odd aftertaste. Unless you have free lounge access through Marriott status, do not pay extra to add it. The pool and fitness center also feel more like a standard conference hotel than a true luxury resort, especially compared to what the Westin is offering right next door.
Head-to-Head Breakdown
| Category | JW Marriott | Westin Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Winner | Good but firm |
| Club Lounge | Basic | Exceptional |
| Fitness Center | Standard | Outstanding |
| Pool | Average | Resort-quality |
| On-Site Dining | Limited | Great (Tangerine, RISE) |
| Off-Site Access | GardenWalk Mall | Convention Center area |
| Amex FHR | Not available | Available |
| Valet Parking | ~$60/night | ~$39β$49/night |
| Fireworks View | Balcony view | Lounge + champagne |
Pros & Cons
JW Marriott Pros:
- Best beds and sleep quality of any hotel we stayed at in Anaheim
- Spectacular bathtub in the rooms
- Free EV charging with overnight valet
- Mall connection for easy off-site dining variety
- Free daily Starbucks for Platinum members
JW Marriott Cons:
- Club lounge food is genuinely disappointing
- Pool and gym feel standard for the price
- Most expensive valet parking at $60/night
- Limited on-site dining beyond Tocca Ferro
Westin Anaheim Pros:
- Fireworks viewing from the club lounge with complimentary champagne
- Exceptional fitness center
- Beautiful resort-style pool
- Amex FHR eligible (huge value)
- Friendlier, more attentive staff throughout
- Lower valet pricing with complimentary EV charging
Westin Anaheim Cons:
- Beds are on the firm side
- Not all rooms face the theme parks
Our Verdict
Both are great luxury options near Disneyland, but we lean toward the Westin Anaheim Resort. It feels newer, has a superior lounge experience, better on-site dining, a much better fireworks viewing setup, and a legitimately impressive gym. The fact that it is also Amex FHR eligible makes the value proposition even stronger.
If sleep comfort is your absolute top priority and you want direct mall access for easy and affordable meals, the JW Marriott is the better choice for you specifically. The beds really are that good. But for the full resort experience, the atmosphere, the lounge, and the amenities as a complete package, the Westin wins this comparison.
One last note: both hotels are worth visiting at least once if you are a hotel nerd. Staying at both back-to-back, as we did, gave us a really clear picture of where each property shines and where it falls short. If budget allows, do what we did and split your trip between the two.
Want to dig deeper? Read our full reviews: JW Marriott Anaheim Β· Westin Anaheim Β· Westin Club Lounge & Tangerine Room food guide.
