Elegance And Whimsy Collide At This Disneyland Hotel And Restaurant In Southern California

I am one of those people who wants to go everywhere and see everything. I love experiencing new places, but getting up and flying halfway around the world is not always feasible, so I feed my wanderlust by discovering new places and experiences closer to home. I recently had the opportunity to stay at The Viv Hotel in Anaheim, CA, and to enjoy dining at the hotel’s fantastic Top of the V restaurant with my mom, and I discovered somewhere worth returning to.

The Viv Hotel is a designated Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor hotel just minutes from Disneyland and California Adventure.

Disney is as iconic as Hollywood in Southern California. What makes The Viv Hotel special is that it is full of playful Disney-inspired details while at the same time maintaining a modern, elegant atmosphere.

Some details are obvious, like the life-size Stormtroopers in the hall. Others are presented as stylish wall art, like the simple but huge display of Disney LEGO mini-figures.

And then there is the oversized old-school Lite-Brite (if you know, you know) with a roller-coaster design. Still others are quite subtle, such as the elevators - those on the *light side* are white inside while those on the *dark side* are black! (I admit, I didn’t notice, but was tickled when it was pointed out to me.)

When we arrived and checked in with the friendly staff, we were assigned a beautiful room with a view of the theme parks (and the sunset). We were there on a winter weekday, but if you book a weekend or summer stay, you can enjoy the famous Disneyland fireworks right from your room!

I had requested an ADA-accessible room to make things a little easier for my mom, and we were both impressed with features that many hotels don’t have, from many grips and handles in the spacious bathroom to the nice shower bench to a pull-down closet bar for wheelchair convenience.

We relaxed in our clean room for a bit, then decided to explore a bit before dinner. We headed to the top floor to check out the beautiful rooftop patio, which is part of the Top of the V restaurant. It has tons of tropical green plants, comfy seating, heaters, and even a fire pit, all with panoramic views.

Next to the patio is the adults-only pool and spa, a little oasis for those either not traveling with a family or just wanting a quieter, kid-free experience.

After working up an appetite, we were seated by the window at Top of the V, the upscale top-floor restaurant. We had a beautiful sunset view and watched as the lights came up at the theme parks.

There are more subtle Disney influences in the restaurant - a colorful carpet that represents the fireworks and the pretty lighting over the stunning bar and kitchen areas that were designed with Tinkerbell’s fairy dust in mind.

Let me tell you, even if you don’t stay overnight, this upscale restaurant is a must-try. Top of the V has a Spanish theme with cured meat and cheese plates, Pintxos (small tapas plates), Paella bowls, and main courses of meat and seafood.

We ended up ordering a couple of Pintxos - the Baby Squash Box and garlicky-buttery shrimp. Both were *chef’s kiss.* For our mains, my mom ordered the Iberia Pork Chop and I had the Galician Beef Striploin. Both were worth going back for, but I have to say I have not had pork chops like that anywhere - I highly recommend them.

Of course, we had to order a couple of cocktails for our girls’ night out, and, no surprise, they were wonderful.

The restaurant has two desserts on the menu: a burnt Basque cheesecake and Crema de Chocolate - sort of somewhere between a mousse and a pudding with crunchy Marcona almonds and fresh caramelized oranges. If you find yourself at Top of the V, you should probably try them both (pictures do not do them justice).

There is another restaurant and bar on the ground floor, Valencia’s at the Viv, which flows from inside out to the deck next to the main pool. We’ll have to try it next time!

The main pool is family-friendly and beautiful, with plenty of lounge area and private cabanas along one side.

In the morning, we grabbed some delicious Lavazza coffee and a couple of breakfast sandwiches from Melody’s Market in the lobby. It is part grab-and-go cafe, part coffee bar, and part gift shop.

I would have loved to stay a little longer, but it’s a good sign to be left wanting a little more, right?

Whether or not you are going to the Disney theme parks - and for that matter, whether or not you are a Disney fan - this place does not disappoint. Have you had a chance to visit or stay at this hotel? If you are wondering where to stay in Anaheim for a family-friendly or adults-only getaway, consider booking a stay at The Viv Hotel. Or, if you want an elevated dining experience and something a little different, check out the menu and reservation information at Top of the V.

This is one of the best hotels in Anaheim but just one of the many exceptional hotels and resorts in Southern California - check out more of our favorites here!