Top Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood

Looking for the best on-site hotel within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood, accommodations a short drive away in Burbank/Glendale, or a centrally-located option in Downtown Los Angeles connected to the park via the Metro Red Line? We have you covered, with our favorite hotels nearby and conveniently located in LA.

The first bit of good news is that there are no shortage of options. If you want an on-site hotel at Universal Studios Hollywood, you have a few options. Nearby, there are several hotels that are a short Uber (or free shuttle) ride away. Then there’s the Metro Red Line, which is a subway running between Downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood. Metro Red Line has stops in or near the Civic Center, Financial District, Wilshire Boulevard, Hollywood & Sunset Boulevards, Koreatown, and the San Fernando Valley.

Narrowing things down a bit, we recommend checking out the Universal Studios Hollywood hotel + ticket packages offered via Get Away Today. They have several hotels from which to choose, including our overall favorite hotel among all options: The Garland. It’s a great resort-style property with charming old Hollywood personality, great rooms, and posh amenities. If you’re struggling with where to stay and just want our ‘quick and easy’ answer, The Garland is it.

As this is a blog about Disney, many of you reading this are probably approaching Universal Studios Hollywood as a side trip from Disneyland. If that’s the case, and you’re only spending a single day in the Los Angeles area to do USH, we recommend simply commuting from wherever you’re staying in Orange County (Read our Reviews & Rankings for Hotels Near Disneyland for recommendations there.)

However, we do not recommend spending only a day in Los Angeles. It’s a great city, with a ton to do whether you’re a couple or a family. Things like Griffith Observatory, the Getty and Getty Villa, the Miracle Mile, Space Shuttle Endeavour, and other of our Top 10 Things to Do in Los Angeles all merit experiencing. Suffice to say, we recommend at least 3 days in LA, and that necessitates a split-stay between Orange County and Los Angeles.

With that said, here are our top picks for hotels near Universal Studios Hollywood…

The Garland

Named after actress Beverly Garland, this is a newly reimagined and reinvented hotel that still maintains its iconic Hollywood sensibility. The Garland is situated on a seven-acre property and is a true resort; a lush oasis that’s conveniently-located to Universal Studios Hollywood among other points of interest in Los Angeles. The Garland is our strong recommendation for those who want a relaxed vacation experience, and would like to take advantage of what their resort has to offer. (By contrast, the Sheraton and Universal below are more business-oriented tower hotels.)

The Garland features hip dining, chic decor, plus trendy pool and park spaces. However, none of this is pretentious or intimidating. It’s all perfectly approachable (and appropriate) for families, which is not true of its posh counterparts. The guest rooms are also great and the pool is really nice (featuring “dive-in movies” during the summer). The Garland also offers complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Hollywood and the Metro Red Line station, meaning easy access to Los Angeles without having to drive! Click here to book discounted rates at The Garland.

Sheraton Universal

The Sheraton Universal is a sleek and modern hotel located within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk. Sheraton Universal recently completed a top-to-bottom refurbishment that gave a veritable facelift to its common areas, which now are perfectly befitting of a Hollywood hotel, with a stars/stargazing motif and a fun old Hollywood vibe.

More importantly, the guest rooms at Sheraton Universal have been totally redone. These were previously quite tired, vestiges of a different era. Now, they have a chic and contemporary style accentuated with a splash of old Hollywood flavor thanks to photos and other touches. These new rooms feature the classic Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds. Read & see more photos in our full Sheraton Universal Hollywood Review.

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

Also located on-site in Universal City within a short walk from Universal Studios Hollywood, the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is another tower hotel that’s very similar to the Sheraton Universal. Prior to the Sheraton Universal’s overhaul, we would’ve given the edge to the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.

Now, the Sheraton is our preference between the two. If you have status with Hilton or find a better rate here, there’s no reason not to book the Hilton instead–the two hotels are very comparable, the Sheraton is just the fresher of the two. (Scores on crowd-sourced travel rating sites might suggest otherwise, but look at the most recent–Sheraton has a lot of negative reviews that are 2+ years old due to its tired look–that’s obviously not applicable now.)

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

This is our “commuter” option, located in the heart of Hollywood but still very convenient to Universal Studios Hollywood via the Metro Red Line (or even Uber). Tower rooms are posh and well-appointed, but if you’re splurging on the Hollywood Roosevelt, we recommend opting for a Cabana. (Otherwise, look to a cheaper alternative in the same area.)

We recommend the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in large part due to its history. The hotel has played host to countless famous guests, including Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Clark Gable. It’s also a star in its own right, serving as a backdrop for a variety of films and television shows. Due to all of this, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and its equally-famous pool are Historic-Cultural Monuments by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission.

Other Recommendations

Finally, other nearby options that are a short shuttle, walk, or Uber ride away include BLVD Hotel & Spa, El Royale Hotel, and Tilt Hotel Universal/Hollywood. There are also a number of convenient, iconic options in Los Angeles, including the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Normandie, and Sportsmen’s Lodge. When booking in Los Angeles, be mindful of neighborhoods, parking costs, and resort fees.

Another solid option is renting a house in or around Los Angeles via Airbnb. For home rentals, Burbank and Glendale can be better options than Hollywood/Los Angeles if you’re looking for the best value and size. Alternatively, neighborhoods like the Hollywood Hills and Los Feliz are smart picks if you want something “cool” and memorable. We love those areas and would recommend splurging on them over Burbank and Glendale.

If you’re preparing for a Southern California vacation, check out our other planning posts, including our exhaustive Guide to Universal Studios Hollywood. Need advice for LA? Read our Ultimate Los Angeles, California Planning Guide. Visiting other SoCal theme parks? Consult our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide and Knott’s Berry Farm Planning Guide.

Your Thoughts

What is your preferred hotel when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood or Los Angeles? Do you like to stay here the park, or favor something in DTLA? Any particular hotels, neighborhoods, etc. you’d recommend? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

5 Responses to “Top Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood”
  1. Prince October 17, 2023
  2. Aaron December 9, 2022
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  3. just james December 5, 2019
  4. Dr. Enrique Jimenez November 20, 2019

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