Unlike their counterparts in Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood There is no official on-site hotel. There are dozens more Hollywood Hotel There are a few to choose from, but only a few are within walking distance of Universal Studios Hollywood or offer transportation to Universal Studios Hollywood. Among them, the Sheraton Universal Hotel is one of the most recent.
Related: Universal Studios' first high-speed outdoor roller coaster to open in 2026
In addition to its convenient location, this AAA 4 Diamond hotel offers several dining options and a coffee shop, so you can refuel before heading to the parks or relax with a delicious meal after a long day. Enjoy the cool Southern days in the pool. As California temperatures soar (or take a dip in the hot tub on a chilly night), comfortable rooms with expansive views allow you to recharge and hit the park again the next day.
I know this because that’s exactly how I spent my time recently while staying at the Sheraton Universal Hotel during a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. Here's everything you need to know before booking your stay.
What is Sheraton Universal Hotel?
The Sheraton Universal Hotel was built in 1969. Although it has since undergone renovations, it still retains much of its classic Hollywood charm, with a palm-tree-lined driveway, crystal chandeliers and marble cladding in the lobby and chic lounges where you can relax. See and be seen. In both the public spaces and guest rooms you'll see vintage photos of Universal Studios, which is one of my favorite pieces of decor.
Despite its proximity to Universal Studios Hollywood, I wouldn't classify it as theme park hotel. Aside from a concierge desk to help purchase tickets and some fun touches like a Mario-themed “Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on the door, you won't find anything that screams “I'm at a theme park.”
How much does the Sheraton Universal cost and how to book
Rooms at the Sheraton Universal start at about $200 per night, but average closer to $250 to $300 per night. If you prefer to exchange Marriott Bonvoy Points are required upon check-in, and you can expect to pay between 39,000 and 76,000 points per night.
In addition to standard rooms with one king, two queens or two double beds, this hotel also offers “family rooms” with a sofa bed and a king bed, and lounge access. Club level rooms as well as porch rooms and spacious suites with direct access to the outdoor pool.
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You'll need to use one of these when booking Sheraton Universal Hotels Credit cards that earn the most points on Marriott staysand possibly provide automatic Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status to obtain value-added benefits. These include:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatically become a Platinum Elite member; 25 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card: Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatically become a gold elite member; 15 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card: Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatically become a gold elite member; 15 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Earn 6 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; automatically become a gold elite member; 15 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Earn 6 points for every US$1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatically become a Silver Elite member; 15 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Earn 3 points for every US$1 spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; automatically become a Silver Elite member; 15 elite stay points can be used for upgrades each year.
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Rooms at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
I booked a standard room with a king bed, but upon arrival found out I had been upgraded to a “family room” with a king bed and a sofa bed. It's just me and my husband, so we don't have need Sofa bed, but it did mean our room was a bit more spacious and we had somewhere comfortable to sit in addition to the bed.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
I loved the floor to ceiling windows with the view of the Hollywood Hills. The sunrise view from my room was beautiful.
The bed and other furniture were comfortable, but parts of the room looked like they had seen better days. The seating area, tables and wall panels all show some wear and tear. In other words, the room felt clean and “lived in”.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
Upon entering the room there is a closet with a safe, iron and ironing board. There is a mini fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, an ice bucket and two complimentary glasses of water.
There is a cabinet and a few drawers for storage, but if I were visiting with kids, storage space would be lacking.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
The bathroom is bright and clean and the shower has refillable 'Warm Oak' Gilchrist & Soames products. There are refillable bottles of hand sanitizer and lotion near the sink with the same scent, as well as a hair dryer. The bathroom had a large countertop and several shelves, which impressed me more than the storage space in the bedroom.
What did we eat at the Sheraton Universal Hotel?
Sheraton Universal has several dining options, most of which we enjoyed during our stay.
before going Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nightswe had dinner at In the Mix next to the lobby. The truffle fries ($10) were hot and crispy, and the chicken tacos ($17) were delicious and came with a smoky dipping sauce. I skipped the cocktail, opting for the tried-and-true IPA, but I watched the bartender make a Halloween-themed margarita that had a brown sugar rim and red pepper “corners.” I love that this hotel gets into the spirit of Halloween Horror Nights.
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Tara Chiffey/Key Person
The Universal Perk cafe in the hotel is very useful for my morning Starbucks drink and The night after returning from Halloween Horror Nights. The event lasted until the early hours of the morning and by the time I got back to the hotel I was hungry and needed cold water. There is a grab-and-go counter next to the café where you can self-scan your items 24 hours a day.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
I also enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast buffet ($30 per person) at The California, the hotel's main dine-in restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was in a rush to get to the airport so I forgot to take pictures, but they had the standard buffet of bacon, eggs, sausage, oatmeal, and pastries, as well as made-to-order omelets and waffles.
Sheraton Universal Hotel Facilities and Activities
When you visit the Sheraton Universal Hotel, you'll likely spend most of your time exploring Universal Studios or other attractions and studio tours around Universal Studios. However, the hotel does have a pool and hot tub so you can relax and enjoy the California sunshine during your break.
There is plenty of seating and umbrellas around the pool if you want a little shade. The hot tub is standard size, I'd say big enough for six to eight people. If you want to hang out with friends and family outdoors, there's also a poolside lounge where you can enjoy drinks and snacks and play table games like a fire pit and foosball table.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
The hotel also has a 24-hour gym. Unlike many hotel gyms, this one is quite large with ample cardio and strength training equipment. There was also plenty of room for me to lay out a mat and work out with the hotel’s free weights.
If you book a room with lounge access, the hotel also has an Executive Club Lounge, which serves a free continental breakfast each morning and hors d'oeuvres in the evening.
Tips for staying at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
Here are some tips to make the most of your stay at Sheraton Universal Hotels:
- Some rooms do have views of Universal Studios Hollywood, but the hotel cannot guarantee theme park view rooms. I recommend making your request after booking and discussing with the front desk upon arrival for the best shot.
- Universal Studios Hollywood is within easy walking distance of the hotel, but they also offer a free shuttle service to and from the park. The shuttle bus picks up and drops off at the hotel's front door approximately every 15 minutes.
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Sheraton Universal Hotel. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
- Universal Studios Hollywood is less than a 10-minute walk away. Just follow the walkway from your hotel to Universal Studios Hollywood and follow the posted theme park walkway signs.
- The hotel is within walking distance of the Red Line subway, which takes you to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl and other area attractions.
Accessibility
During my stay the hotel seemed to have a good range of accessibility facilities. Some rooms are wheelchair accessible, and the hotel also has hearing-accessible rooms.
The pool and hot tub are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and all public areas are wheelchair accessible.
bottom line
In fact, when you visit Universal Studios Hollywood, you probably won't spend much time at the hotel. You're more likely to go to a theme park or visit a studio. The Sheraton Universal proved to be a great value for money. I'm within walking distance of Universal Studios and don't have to go far to get my morning coffee or a quick dip in the pool.
I have also stayed Hilton Los Angeles/Universal Studios Next door though, I have to say I prefer that one. I booked a room with a guaranteed theme park view, which felt newer and had similar full-service amenities. Of course, all of this comes at a price, so if budget is the deciding factor, I would recommend the Sheraton Universal due to its location.
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