The best hotels near Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is surrounded by some of Los Angeles’ most iconic and well-known hotels. Among them, you’ll find everything from budget-friendly options to trendy LA hot spots, but one thing they all have in common is their proximity to the Universal Studios theme park.
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With the recent addition of Super Nintendo World to Universal Studios’ lineup of movie-based attractions and its long-running “World-Famous Studio Tour” that takes guests through 13 city blocks chock-full of sets and special effects straight off the big screen, there are more reasons than ever to visit.
Here are 11 hotels close enough to Universal Studios Hollywood that you’ll feel like a VIP on your next visit to LA.
From the Sheraton Universal Hotel, you can walk to Universal Studios Hollywood in less than 10 minutes, but the hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle if your feet are a little too tired to make the journey at the end of the day. Guest rooms are sleek and modern, with art featuring familiar Hollywood landmarks, many of which you can see from your room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
All of the hotel’s 466 guest rooms have in-room coffee makers provisioned with Starbucks coffee to fuel your theme park adventures, as well as minifridges and couches from which to enjoy the stunning city views. Premium rooms have balconies that overlook the heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and suites offer additional space for families or larger groups.
Additionally, the hotel has a fitness center, dining locations like California’s for breakfast and dinner and a seasonal pool bar called The Reel, where you can sip while you swim.
Pricing starts at $193 or 41,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
When it comes to hotels, you cannot get closer to Universal Studios Hollywood than the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City.
The hotel sits adjacent to the famed theme park where you can “ride the movies,” so you can easily walk or take the hotel’s free shuttle back and forth. The hotel is so close to the park that you can take a midday break and return for an evening at the parks or at Universal’s CityWalk for dining, shopping and entertainment.
Guest rooms are clean and simple, with all-white bedding, marble bath fixtures and framed photos of iconic LA locales.
The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City also has a fitness center, an outdoor pool with an adjacent bar and grill, a coffee shop, a lobby lounge with live piano music and an outdoor restaurant with views of the Hollywood Hills.
Pricing starts at $190 or 59,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
The Tangerine is a 31-room motel-turned-boutique-hotel that refuses to blend in. Rooms are decorated with colorful wall murals and contemporary art. You’ll find pops of the hotel’s namesake shade of orange in your room and around the exterior.
Guest rooms have minifridges, coffee makers and flat-screen TVs, among other amenities. They can comfortably sleep between two and four guests.
You can grab a complimentary coffee and local baked goods in the lobby before heading to Universal Studios and take a dip in the heated outdoor pool at the end of a long day. You can even save more than $50 on theme park tickets when you purchase them through the hotel.
Pricing starts at $179 per night.
As one of the first hotels on the Sunset Strip, the Andaz West Hollywood, originally known as Gene Autry’s Continental Hotel, has welcomed LA's elites through its front doors since the mid-1960s. Luckily, the property rolls out the red carpet for all guests who stay there, even those who are just looking to spend a few days riding coasters and eating turkey legs only 5 miles away at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The recently renovated rooftop pool has a full-service lounge and panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and the LA skyline, while the Riot House Restaurant serves an ever-changing seasonal menu and harkens to the hotel’s rock 'n' roll past. The 24-hour Riot House Market can get you going with a green juice or help you wind down in the evening with local libations. There’s also a fitness center with Peloton bikes, yoga mats and other fitness equipment.
Guest rooms are modern and polished, with walnut-colored furnishings, plush white bedding and comfortable workstations. Suites play into the hotel’s rock 'n' roll roots with colorful artwork, mix-and-match furniture and standout accent pieces.
Pricing starts at $240 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
The Loews Hollywood Hotel is located just one block from Hollywood Boulevard’s most-visited tourist destinations, including the Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
There are a fifth-floor rooftop pool, a fitness center, a FedEx business center, an on-site restaurant and a bodega for on-the-go snacks and drinks, among other facilities. The Loews Loves Families program provides complimentary video games, board games and baby bath amenities for kids, too. Additionally, the property participates in the Loews Loves Pets program, so your pet will feel like a star with room service, specialized bedding, treats and more (for a pet fee of $100 per stay).
Each of the hotel’s 628 guest rooms and suites is outfitted with chic gray-scale decor with violet and orange accents, stylish Eames chairs, embroidered robes and high-end bath products from Julien Farel. The hotel’s Universal Studios Hollywood package includes tickets and accommodations at a discounted rate.
Pricing starts at $270 per night.
The Kimpton Everly Hotel is an IHG property located only 3 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, meaning you can earn or redeem IHG One Rewards points during your theme park adventure.
This 216-room, pet-friendly hotel exudes understated elegance in its design and offers premium perks like a rooftop pool, an evening social hour, in-room yoga mats and custom-designed Kimpton bikes that you can take out for a spin. Sometimes, there's even a Kimpton secret password that grants you extra free goodies.
Guest rooms have views of the LA skyline and casual-chic decor that gives the space a laid-back vibe. There is no additional fee for pet-friendly rooms and amenities (including Casper pet mattresses), and pets are welcome at the nightly social hour.
On-site dining options include a casual coffee bar and restaurant, a poolside lounge and a bar with a rotating lineup of live music.
Pricing starts at $205 or 38,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
The Thompson Hollywood is located close to all the indoor and outdoor fun that Tinseltown has to offer, such as the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Observatory, Madame Tussaud’s, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Runyon Canyon and, of course, Universal Studios Hollywood. When you aren’t out on the town, the rooftop pool, terrace lounge and myriad of other inviting spaces at the Thompson Hollywood can serve as your luxury retreat.
Rooms and suites have soft Egyptian cotton Sferra bedding, large tubs with D.S. & Durga bath amenities and comfortable chairs or chaise lounges so you can rest and recharge after a day at the park.
Dining options range from a high-end French restaurant to a Palm Springs-inspired joint that serves up cold beer, hot food and live country and western music.
Pricing starts at $220 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has anchored Hollywood Boulevard since 1927, just 12 years after Universal Studios began offering behind-the-scenes tours of its movie lot. Plenty has changed for both the hotel and Universal (now a real working movie studio and a theme park), but one thing that hasn’t disappeared is the feeling that you are part of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood during your visit.
While at the Hollywood Roosevelt, you can relax in sophisticated, comfortable rooms (including suites themed to stars who have stayed at the hotel like Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable), swim in a vintage 1960s-style pool and dine in restaurants that range from a classic steakhouse called The Barish by Nancy Silverton to a prohibition-era lounge and bowling alley called The Spare Room.
Pricing starts at $254 per night.
The W Hollywood became a new Hollywood landmark when it opened in 2010. You can take in gorgeous Hollywood views from your room or the swanky pool deck, the latter of which is best enjoyed from a furnished private cabana (for a fee).
Back inside the hotel, the Living Room Bar transforms the lobby into a jazz bar on Sunday nights. After a few cocktails, the black-and-white spiral staircase that ascends from the lobby may start to resemble piano keys. The hotel also has a California-inspired restaurant called Delphine Eatery & Bar and an outdoor lounge where house DJs spin weekly sets.
Guest rooms feature W’s signature style, with pops of bright colors and graphic accent pillows. A cushioned window seat lets you enjoy the view of the Hollywood Hills, and the marble bathroom with a large walk-in shower and lighted mirror makes getting ready for your day at the parks — or a night on the red carpet — a treat. Best of all, you can find all of this only 3 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood.
Pricing starts at $230 or 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Like the movies represented in Universal Studios Hollywood’s rides and attractions, the Safari Inn is something of a star itself. The 1950s retro roadside icon has been featured in films like “Apollo 13” and Quentin Tarantino’s “True Romance.” You can see all the films and TV shows that it has starred in on the “Wall of Fame” in the hotel lobby.
Even today, the hotel retains its retro ambiance, including midcentury modern-style furnishings in guest rooms. Amenities like in-room Starbucks coffee and tea, flat-screen TVs and minifridges keep the rooms contemporary. The hotel also has suites with full kitchens and pet-friendly rooms with vinyl flooring. You can purchase a package with accommodations and tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood to save a bit of money on your theme park vacation.
The hotel also has an outdoor pool, plus a fitness room and room service. A complimentary shuttle to Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio and the Burbank Airport is available, too, so you can rest easy knowing that the bulk of your transportation needs is covered.
Pricing starts at $160 per night.
You only have to travel less than 2 miles northwest of Universal Studios Hollywood to reach The Garland hotel, but it feels as if you’ve time traveled about 50 years into the past. Inside and out, the design details and decor have majorly mod vibes (think: burnt oranges and avocado greens that are bright yet somehow inviting, as well as patterns in all the right places and a courtyard where you can watch dive-in movies or play a round of Uno with your friends).
Guest rooms have one king- or two queen-size beds and the same retro-chic ambiance as the hotel’s public spaces. Additionally, special “wellness suites” offer in-room Peloton bikes, Bowflex adjustable weights, a Mirror fitness system and a health-focused minibar. There are also kids rooms and family suites with bunk beds in addition to a variety of larger suites for those looking for more elbow room.
As far as amenities go, standouts include a swimming pool and a restaurant called The Front Yard, where guests can dine on locally inspired fare.
Pricing starts at $250 per night.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.