The project includes refurbishing 93 rooms into a polychromatic environment. Image courtesy Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort & Water Playground

R.D. Olson Construction has started the third phase of renovations at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground in Anaheim, Calif. The work will renovate 93 rooms and rebuild several exterior areas while the 302-key hotel remains open.

Located near Disneyland, within one of Southern California’s major hospitality markets, the project includes the reconstruction of four buildings. Each renovated room will receive updated finishes and layouts influenced by the property’s mid-century design. The renovation includes converting ten rooms into one-bedroom suites, creating a new room category for the hotel.

Four new bridges and walkways will improve access across the seven-acre property.

Another major component involves demolishing and rebuilding the hotel courtyard. The redesigned space will include additional landscaping, a new fountain, and a swing. The project also calls for a new elevator serving the four reconstructed buildings.

Other improvements include translucent panels, multicolored concrete, and terrazzo-style finishes in various areas of the property.

R.D. Olson Construction said it will coordinate construction to limit disruptions to guests while the hotel operates through the work. The current phase is expected to continue over the next year.

The renovation is part of the hotel’s broader “HoJo Anaheim Reimagined” initiative, which aims to reshape the property as a walkable California garden resort. The plan combines the hotel’s mid-century architectural character with updated landscaping, water features, and guest amenities. The latest phase continues that effort by adding greener outdoor spaces, refreshed circulation routes, and new architectural finishes across the seven-acre property.

Bill Wilhelm, president and CEO of R.D. Olson Construction, said continued hotel renovation requires contractors to address changing guest needs after a property opens.