<p>Has anyone stayed at the Ayres Inn in Orange? Would you recommend it? We need a base for a few nights during move-in week. I've only checked Ayres out online, seems nice.</p>
<p>Also -- fun places to eat that are very near campus. Someone mentioned a waffle house that sounds good. Any other ideas?</p>
<p>You are paying Disneyland tourist prices.
A hearty, family style coffee shop restaurant nearby is Polly’s Pies on Main.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind a 20 minute drive you can stay at the Wyndham in Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza and all the stores like Target, Big Lots,Bed, Bath, Beyond on Bristol Ave.
Right across the 405 from John Wayne Airport.
An In and Out Burger, Chick Filet and good restaurants in SCP is 1 block away from the Wyndham.
Good neighborhood, parking structure is $15.</p>
<p>Driving is something we’re hoping to avoid. Really hope to ditch the car once we arrive, since we’ll have driven 9 hours to get there, and walk, walk, walk. Also, would love to eat in some fun places where students are likely to eat, off campus…hence the waffle shop. We’ll check out Polly’s!</p>
<p>Bruxie-waffle sandwiches
Lots of restaurants down Glassell.
Yelp the places that interest you.</p>
<p>We stayed at the Ayers Inn in April. It was about $109/night. I liked it because it included a hot breakfast. It was pretty nice and very clean. We are going to try the Best Western Orange Plaza on W. Chapman Ave. next month, just to compare/try something a little closer to Chapman. It has a continental breakfast. About $90 a night. The reviews on Trip Advisor were mixed but I’ll try it once and go back to Ayers on future visits if it’s a bust.</p>
<p>Also, don’t know what rates Ayers will quote you, but we got a Chapman discount. It may be the same discount as AAA, I forget.</p>
<p>Thanks – I googled Bruxie Waffle – what a hoot! Never had goat cheese and arugula on a waffle before. Very hip. We will try it.</p>
<p>Oh yes, Bruxies (right across from Campus), is THEE place to check out, though I don’t think I’d call it a waffle “house.” It’s a walk-up window with all seating outdoors. The waffles themselves are not sweet, but are a vehicle for the various fillings of both the sweet and savory variety. The breakfast waffles with various cheese and egg combinations inside are wonderful, then you have the sweet ones like that s’mores one D really liked.</p>
<p>There are lots of little places on Glassell and around the circle and they’re fun to explore. We ate at a Japanese place, a Mediterranean cafe, and there’s that old drug store turned restaurant that also seems popular. if you pick the most crowded ones, you will get the best food for the best value. Also, we had no trouble finding vegetarian fare for D.</p>
<p>Have never stayed at the Ayers in Orange but have stayed in the Ayers in anaheim numerous times for work—very nice for the money. On trip advisor the Ayers in Anaheim is rated higher than the Ayers in Orange both are close to Chapman. Will be staying at the Ayers in Anaheim when we drop DD off. When I booked a few weeks ago they were close to capacity. If I am not mistaken we are staying 6 nights for $104/night plus tax (this was a prepaid rate directly with the Ayers in Anaheim). Polly’s is ok, but there are a lot places to eat right by Chapman (Bruxie, The Filing Station, Lucielle’s BBQ a bit of a drive but well worth it…</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>