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Universal City is anchored by two on-site hotels, the Sheraton Universal and the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City. Both hotels are a walking distance away from Universal Studios Hollywood, and are a convenient means of staying on-site for multiday visits. Read on to learn what both have to offer.
Here’s something that you need to know: these aren’t your traditional on-site hotels that you would normally find near a theme park. While a substantial amount of guests from Universal do stay on-site, the Hilton and Sheraton also target those looking to stay in the greater Los Angeles area. In fact, a significant portion of their clientele usually stay for studio business in and around Hollywood – so don’t expect too many kids running around the hotel lobby.
So while this does bring a host of benefits (namely, a quiet, somewhat tranquil non-touristy atmosphere), both hotels do not offer any in-park perks such as free Front-of-Line passes or any special discounts for park admission. Your only advantage here would be the short distance from your room to the park which is bridged by a free daily shuttle service.
For those looking to stay more than one day at Universal, this in itself may be worth it.
While both hotels are not necessarily touristy in their own right, the Universal City Hilton does offer a more tourist-friendly atmosphere. Being slightly cheaper than the Sheraton Universal (but not by much), the Universal City Hilton still manages to include the same hotel fare – pay internet, television, parking, pets – as its neighbor down the hill.
The Hilton also offers three dining options with a full-service restaurant (we hear their buffets are pretty damn good) alongside a large banquet hall and an outdoor space usually reserved for weddings. Point being, if you’re looking for a hotel that may be more suitable for families with kids, the Hilton may be your bet.
» 3 star rating
» Complementary Bus Shuttle: Universal offers a complementary bus shuttle from the Hilton to CityWalk from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
» Park tickets: Save time by purchasing tickets from the front-desk.
» More suited for families with kids
» Usually cheaper than the Universal Sheraton
» Contact: (818) 506-2500
Upon first glance, the Sheraton doesn’t appear to be a theme park hotel. In fact, any trace of the park seems oddly removed. The lobby is very reminiscent of posh-push Hollywood, while its clientele seems to be composed of Californians traveling to Los Angeles for business. In fact, the overall hotel has a much quieter feel than the Universal Hilton – perfect for those wanting to avoid the crowds.
In terms of comparisons between the Sheraton and the Hilton, the Sheraton features a slightly higher star rating – 4 stars instead of the Hilton’s 3 – which is reflected in the Sheraton’s slightly higher price. Both feature three restaurants and all your normal room amenities (including the bit about the pets). Either way, the Sheraton may be suited for those who may enjoy a quieter atmosphere while avoiding the overtly touristy-crowd.
» 4 star rating
» Complementary Bus Shuttle: Universal offers a complementary bus shuttle from the Hilton to CityWalk from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
» Park tickets: Save time by purchasing tickets from the front-desk.
» More suited for the business crowd – quieter atmosphere
» Slightly more expensive than the Universal Hilton
» Contact: (818) 980-1212
