Desert Palms Hotel & Suites

The honest review

Desert Palms Hotel & Suites sits within a 10-minute walk of both Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center, and it earns its place on a budget shortlist mainly through two practical wins: a free hot breakfast buffet every morning, and suite configurations built for larger families rather than the standard two-queen box most budget hotels default to. The Kalahari Family Suite — two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps up to 8 — is a genuinely useful option for multi-generational trips or families with more than two kids who'd otherwise need to book two separate rooms elsewhere.

Most rooms and suites include a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker as standard, and select suites step up to a full kitchenette — meaningful savings across a multi-night stay when combined with the free breakfast. The lobby leans into the family audience with books, toys, and a running scavenger hunt for kids, a small touch but one that signals the property knows its audience.

What it isn't: there's no headline kid amenity like a waterslide or splash pad — the heated pool and hot tub are pleasant but standard-issue, not a draw on their own. This is a hotel that wins on breakfast economics and room configuration for larger families rather than on-site entertainment. For families who want to save real money on food across a 4-5 night trip and need room to spread out, it's a strong value pick; families chasing pool-based entertainment should look at Howard Johnson's water playground instead.