Best Western Surf City

Despite its Surf City name, this Best Western has a rather traditional look, with an English Tudor-style exterior and a formal-looking lobby, but the vibe is friendly and casual. The flags from several countries flying outside the hotel announce that it hosts a diverse mix of tourists, mostly couples and families, who come from all over the world to experience Disney and the SoCal life. Several large trees and potted tropical plants dot the tidy front lawn. Inside, the lobby features a matching set of beige upholstered armchairs and a sofa, with intricately-carved, light-wood arms. The red Oriental rug gives the space the look of a parlor, but its grandeur feels a bit awkward next to a rack of brochures and self-serve coffee and tea. Off the quiet lobby is the small breakfast room, which can get crowded. 

The Best Western is located on busy Beach Boulevard, with the Pacific Coast Highway and Huntington Beach less than a 10-minute drive away. The Huntington Beach Pier is an eight-minute drive from the hotel, and Sunset Beach and Newport Beach are 12 and 15 minutes away, respectively. There are a couple of restaurants that are less than a three-minute walk along the road, and the Newland Shopping Center, which includes restaurants and a supermarket, is a two-minute drive. Depending on traffic, Disney is about 30 minutes away, and the Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Honda Center, and Knott’s Berry Farm are all around a 25-minute drive. John Wayne Airport is an 18-minute drive, and LAX is around 45 minutes.

Best Western Surf City's 62 rooms are traditionally decorated with matching reddish-brown wood furniture finished in brass hardware. The effect is tasteful, if dark and old fashioned. Striped carpeting and bright aqua armchairs liven up a look a little, but the beige-colored walls, red bed runners, and gilt-framed artwork give a standard chain-hotel look. Work desks are either paired with black office chairs on casters or straight-backed chairs. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and free bottled water. Standard Rooms come with one king bed or two queen beds. In some rooms, tan granite vanities sit outside the bathrooms. The simple bathrooms have white-tile floors, beige walls, and acrylic shower/tub combos. King Suites have larger bathrooms with glass-enclosed, walk-in showers placed next to two-person whirlpool tubs. Their vanities are also smaller and topped with tan marble. With exterior corridors on a busy street, rooms pick up noise during the day, but they quiet done at night. Most rooms have views of the street, pool, hotel grounds, and surrounding commercial buildings. 

This hotel’s features are geared mainly toward vacationing families and couples who want to be close to the beach without the beachfront expense. Room rates include a hot breakfast buffet that includes eggs, potatoes, and meats. Free water and coffee are available in the lobby all day, and vending machines sell snacks and drinks. The outdoor pool has an adjacent whirlpool and lots of loungers and umbrella tables surrounding it. (Note: A kindergarten is located near the pool, so it can be a bit noisy during recess.) Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the business center has a computer station with internet access and a printer. Valet laundry is available, and a coin-operated laundry room is on-site. Parking is free.