Room Check: Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove, California

Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove in California.

Shandelle Battersby checks into Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove in California.

Location: Just 3.5km from Disneyland, one of the many accommodation options that line Harbor Boulevard.

Check-in experience: So friendly in that all-American way, which was much appreciated at 12.30am after a long-haul from Auckland to LAX.

Room: 944 on the top executive floor - a spacious king room with a sofa bed and office area, flatscreen telly with loads of channels and a swish coffee maker. Some of the rooms have bunks, making it a good option for families.

What's in the neighbourhood? If you need a alternative theme park to Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags are not far, or you can head for some of the area's beautiful beaches (Laguna, Huntington, Long Beach, Newport) or the shops (Outlets at Orange is worth a look).

Exercise: There's a gym and a large heated outdoor pool that gets sun all day. Kids can work off some of that Disney fever in the games room.

The bed: Huge, with a pillow-top mattress.

Bathroom: Shower/bath combo.

Toiletries: A basic range called Blue Harmony.

Noise: None on the 9th floor, but when I arrived in the middle of the night, lobby bar Trinitas was crammed with people staying there for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon (I am not joking, this is a thing) and also people in town for a Once Upon a Time fan expo called RegalCon being held at the hotel (still not joking). Apparently the show's many fans are also fans of tattoos, mohawks and bad piercings. I love America.

Price: About US$129 per night, and you pay a daily US$14 hospitality fee which covers parking, wi-fi and unlimited shuttle rides to and from Disneyland.

Food: All-day restaurant California Grill and coffee shop Blend, which has deli food made fresh each day. You can dine poolside.

Contact: anaheimwyndham.com

Free wi-fi: Yes.

What's so good about this place? If you're in town for Disneyland, a concierge desk in the lobby can help you with all your ticketing, transportation, and any questions. This is a great base from which to explore Southern California.

Would I return? Yes, I've enrolled for this year's Tinker Bell Half Marathon.