HoJo is really nice- really popular, great pool and really low rates. For me, I like to be in the parks or DTD and really only use the hotels for sleeping so pools and amenities aren't a big thing for me. I try to be b/w Disney Way and the McDonald's(you can see it on the google map.) I really like the BW Anaheim Inn, but if you like pools, their's is a little small. The Ramada Maingate at the Park has a nice pool. Next month, I'm staying at the BW Park Place Inn & Suites. The rooms look really big and the rooms, AAA price for the DL 1/2 are $98, so I can let you know when I get back. They even do 21 day advanced purchase and the rooms go down to $87, but you pay right when you book and no cancellations. The down side is they charge for parking, but the upside is that they are right at the big crosswalk and entrance to DL, so it'll literally take you 2 minutes to walk to the parks.
The resort hotels are also really nice, but right now, the prices are high and will go down in a couple of months. Paradise Pier is the furtherst away from the parks, but not far like WDW, you can still walk to the parks. The DL Hotel is at the end of DTD, but you can catch the monorail and it takes you right into DL. The Grand Californian is the closest to the parks, in the middle of DTD. However, they have their own separate entrance into DCA which is nice.
The DL Hotel is right at the race staginging/start/finish and is just finishing a big remodel. The themes are different areas in DL. PP is the cheapest of the 3 and 1/2 block from the DL Hotel, and they have a beach theme. The Grand Californian is the most expensive, and done in a Californian Bungalow/outdoor theme.
After registration opens next month, check gettravel.com. That's the website where you can get discounted park tickets and hotels and they'll have the link on the race page. Personally, I've found that, b/c I'm like you and love to book hotels early
and I have a AAA card, it's cheaper to book the hotel on my own except for the resort hotels. They have good prices for those 3.
Hope that helps! If you have any more questions, let me know!
