We recently spent a night at the refurbished Knott’s Hotel! There’s a lot to like about the changes the hotel has made, but there are some things we have on our wishlist for this revitalized facility. There are a lot of photos for you below, along with our thoughts of the new Knott’s Hotel!
We paid for this stay on our own to ensure we would have the same experience as every other guest; Knott’s was not notified about this visit.
Checking In To The New Knott’s Hotel
The new lobby is gorgeous and while finishing touches are still being added, there are lots of nods to the history of the park and the berry farm. The chandelier is meant to represent the canning jars used to package and sell boysenberry jam.
As you move from space to space, it’s an eclectic mix of everything from rustic farm to modern to kitschy. We really appreciate the historic details added to the hotel—a nostalgic nod that is really fun to explore.
There was a major focus on creating nods to the heritage of Knott’s Berry Farm. For example, this dimensional boysenberry artwork is made up of Mrs Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant menus.
Walter and Cordelia Knott’s wedding portrait is a great example of the (intentional) merging of old and new.
The entire hotel is also filled with classic photos from the park.
Knott’s Hotel Rooms
The rooms themselves are quite the upgrade from their previous motel look. Most of the renovation’s attention appears to have been focused on bringing the main room layout into the 21st century—for example, multiple USB-C ports are available.
Knott’s intentionally removed desks to free up space in the room, stating that many guests didn’t use them. Instead, they have a free-standing table that can be slid next to a chair to use as a desk or TV tray. It’s a smart repurposing of space that helps the rooms feel a bit larger.
My photographer, Scott Attula (who took all the lovely photos you’ve been viewing), noted that when he stayed at the hotel in 2021, the television was small and of poor quality, complete with a brick of a TV remote. This is no longer the case. Large new flat-panel TVs are now mounted to the wall. Very nice.
There’s also a nice assortment of artwork in the rooms. The collection of farm images sets an appropriate mood. But here too, the old mixes with the new as the matting and frames are modern, even though the artwork is retro-inspired.
There was also an assortment of vintage (likely reproduction) plates on the wall. A lovely touch we hope remains as it will be tempting for guests to try to remove these.
Most rooms have an updated vanity as well. The renovation struggles more with the small 1970s bathroom sizes – Knott’s squeezed what they could into the small space, but the layout in some rooms is cramped.
Select rooms include a wet bar, but the original hotel designers achieved this by placing the room’s storage closet inside the bathroom. It’s certainly understandable that this was not changed as it would be expensive to make structural modifications, but it also results in a strange dichotomy that feels like elements of the room are still stepping a bit too far into the past.
Every room comes with boysenberry amenities such as soap, lotion, and shampoo. A unique and thoughtful touch at the hotel’s average daily rate (which even includes custom packaging). The signature boysenberry-vanilla scent was created especially for the hotel (items can be purchased in the lobby gift shop).
The larger rooms with the wet bar also have two beds and a couch that pulls out into a bed. Lots of sleeping space for families.
Knott’s Hotel Event Space
The old tennis courts have been removed in exchange for rentable event space and a refreshed California Courtyard. This is a fantastic space for parties, weddings, and special events. It would be great if Knott’s offered al fresco dining here when it is not rented.
Knott’s Thirty Acres Kitchen
The Knott’s Hotel has a new full-service restaurant, Thirty Acres Kitchen (a reference to the thirty-acre berry farm), and an attached “The Pantry” that serves Starbucks. The Thirty Acres bar also wraps around to the lobby.
The overall design of the Thirty Acres Kitchen is also a mix of modern and kitschy farm aesthetics.
The restaurant’s chalkboard wall is a nod to Cordelia Knott who served chicken dinners out of her kitchen and wrote the menu on a chalkboard.
The restaurant has a room that opens up to a sizable breakfast buffet.
Knott’s Hotel Berry Place Gift Shop
The hotel store has been refreshed and now carries a mix of Knott’s Berry Farm merchandise as well as a selection of Knott’s Hotel branded items. Naming the store after the original Knott’s berry stand is also fitting and small selection of Boysenberry food and snacks are the perfect touch.
Knott’s Hotel Missed Opportunities
But there are a few areas that contrast with the lovely lobby, restaurant, and rooms. Some amenities were not refreshed at all or are completely broken. Entering the hotel gym felt like stepping back into the 1970s, complete with (inoperable) sauna and steam room. We hope this area is still on their plans to renovate in the near future.
There’s also a very dated and sad-looking laundry room.
The pool deck also feels tired, with old sun-faded signage.
The kids’ splash pad really needs to use newer play equipment. There’s so much potential for a berry-themed water wonderland, but yellow pipes will have to do for now.
The old hot tub sits in a corner of concrete walls. Some vines on the walls, a gazebo over the tub, and some potted plants would make this space feel more like a resort and less like a 70’s motel.
We would love to see refreshed amenities to account for the removal of certain offerings, such as the tennis courts. However, we hear that cabanas are forthcoming for the pool area as the renovation wraps up, so perhaps the pool will still get the refresh it deserves. Fingers crossed.
Discount Theme Park Tickets & Travel
Snag the latest Knott’s & Disney travel deals from our partners at Get Away Today!
Check out the latest offers for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney Cruise Line, including new low hotel rates, extra days and nights for free, special perks, and limited-time opportunities… including special limited-time Disneyland ticket offers!
- Book Knott’s Hotel & Berry Farm Tickets – HERE
- Book Discount theme park tickets, hotels, and exclusive packages – HERE
(MiceChat works with Get Away Today to provide you with the best theme park travel deals. When you purchase from our travel partner, you not only get great rates and service, you also help support MiceChat. We sincerely thank you for your support!)
Boysenberry Dreams
Overall, there’s a lot to like about the new hotel, but we do wish Knott’s had extended the refurbishment beyond the restaurant, rooms, and lobby. Important amenities such as the pool, fitness center, and laundry still need some boysenberry magic.
Related Reading…
The Boysenberry Festival has been extended for 2024:
EXTENDED! Boysenberry Bonanza: Knott’s Boysenberry Festival Guide!