Selecting the perfect hotel for your vacation is always a tough job. I know I’m not the only one who stays up late browsing Booking.com and checking reviews on TripAdvisor. We need to find the ideal location, ensure the rooms are clean and comfortable, check if breakfast is included, and, of course, consider the price. It’s a lot to handle, but we’re here to help.
Choosing the perfect hotel for a theme park vacation might be even harder! If we are heading to California, there is a good chance that we are visiting both Universal Studios and also Disneyland, or maybe we even want to check Six Flags or go to San Diego to visit Sea World. So many options!
We are going to focus on the hotels near Universal Studios, and the good news is that Universal is about 40 minutes away from Disneyland, so even if you stay near Universal Hollywood, you can also plan in advance (that means waking up early) if you want to visit Mickey Mouse.
What are the Perks offered by Universal Studios Hollywood Hotels?
This is one of the most important factors to consider when booking a hotel. Unlike Universal Orlando, there are no hotels owned by Universal in California. However, Universal does have partnerships with several hotels in the region.
The main perk you’ll receive is a free shuttle service available at some of these hotels, while others are within walking distance. Unfortunately, unlike Universal Orlando, there are no additional perks such as early park entry or special fast passes included with your stay. The only perk for partner hotels in California is the free shuttle, so keep this in mind when booking your accommodation.
List of Universal Studios Hollywood Partner Hotels
We will now list each Universal Studios Hollywood partner hotel, including their distance from the theme park, prices per night, Booking.com overall rating, and any exclusive perks they offer, such as a free shuttle service to and from the park. Prices are for a single night in early March 2025 for two guests. Keep in mind that these prices can vary significantly, but they should give you a good idea of what to expect.
Featured Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels
- The Garland ($250, 1.5 miles away from Universal Hollywood, Complimentary Shuttle to and from Universal Studios available, rating: 8.9)
- Sheraton Universal Hotel ($360, 1 mile away from Universal Hollywood, Complimentary Shuttle to and from Universal Studios available, rating: 8.4)
- Hilton Los Angeles - Universal City ($290, 1 mile away from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.3)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in Burbank
Burbank is a neighborhood located about 3-6 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood. It’s a fan favorite among guests due to its reputation as a safe area with plenty to see and do. There are a few partner hotels in this area as well. Let’s take a look at some of the Universal partner hotels located there.
- Coast Anabelle Hotel (3 nights for $777, 2.5 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.9)
- Hotel Amarano ($290, 2.5 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.7)
- Safari Inn, a Coast Hotel (3 nights for $600, 3 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.6)
- Hampton Inn & Suites Los Angeles Burbank Airport ($190, 5 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.5)
- Hilton Garden Inn Burbank Los Angeles ($220, 4 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.3)
- Residence Inn Los Angeles Burbank/Downtown ($210, 4 miles from Universal Hollywood, breakfast included, rating: 8.3)
- Springhill Suites Los Angeles Burbank/Downtown ($275, 4 miles from Universal Hollywood, breakfast included, rating: 8.3)
- Courtyard Los Angeles Burbank Airport ($310, 4 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.2)
- Best Western Plus Media Center Inn & Suites ($260, 3 miles from Universal Hollywood, breakfast included, rating: 8.0)
- Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport ($240, 4 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 7.9)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in West Hollywood
- Montrose at Beverly Hills ($310, 7.8 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.6)
- Le Parc at Melrose ($350, 7.8 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.4)
- Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites ($180, 6.2 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 6.7)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in Hollywood
- Loews Hollywood Hotel ($310, 2.5 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.6)
- Tilt Hotel Universal ($190, 1 mile from Universal Hollywood, breakfast included, rating: 7.0)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in North Hollywood
- Lexen Hotel North Hollywood ($200, 3 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.6)
- Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood ($250, 3 miles from Universal Hollywood, breakfast included, rating: 8.3)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in Sherman Oaks
- Best Western Plus Carriage Inn ($140, 7 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 8.1)
Universal Hollywood Partner Hotels in Glendale
- Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale & Executive Meeting Center ($215, 7.5 miles from Universal Hollywood, rating: 7.6)
What is the best Universal Hollywood Partner Hotel?
So, if you had to choose between The Garland, Sheraton, and Hilton, which one should you pick? It’s a tough decision, but here’s our recommendation: I’d go with The Garland. While both the Hilton Los Angeles and Sheraton are fantastic options with the advantage of being within walking distance of the theme park, The Garland is more affordable and generally receives excellent reviews for its outstanding service and rooms. The Garland also offers great on-site dining options, a fun swimming pool for kids, and a shuttle service to and from Universal Hollywood.
That said, the Hilton and Sheraton are also excellent choices, with many guests online leaning toward the Hilton. A notable perk of the Hilton is its short 8-minute walk to the theme park, allowing you to easily return to your hotel to rest before heading back to Universal. However, one downside is that food at the Hilton can be very expensive, so you might find better value dining at Universal CityWalk.
Another good choice is the Safari Inn in Burbank. This historic hotel boasts great ratings, very clean rooms, and is located just 3 miles from Universal Hollywood. The Hampton Inn & Suites, also in Burbank, is another excellent option and is likely the best choice for those on a budget.
