Pros

  • Close to Universal Studios and excellent amenities add value
  • Comfortable guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers
  • Some units offer spectacular city views
  • Multiple dining and bar options are on-site
  • Heated outdoor pool/whirlpool with free cabanas
  • Well-equipped fitness center with cardio and weight-training machines
  • Business center with multiple computers and free printing
  • 35,000 square feet of meeting space for up to 1,000 people
  • Free shuttle to Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk
  • Self-parking and valet are available on-site
  • The concierge desk sells tickets to Universal Studios
  • Pets are welcome with a surcharge (a con for some)
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Cons

  • Rates can spike quite high at times
  • Dated decor in guest rooms
  • No in-room microwaves
  • Breakfast isn't included in rates
  • Wi-Fi is free only for Hilton Honors members
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Bottom Line

The upper-middle-range Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City is located in the heart of Los Angeles, just a short walk from Universal Studios Hollywood, making it convenient base for tourists. It's also popular for meetings and private events. Its 500 guest rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, but they feel a bit dated. All come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and robes. Marble bathrooms are more modern, and have Peter Thomas Roth products. Features are a major draw, with a lovely outdoor pool area with private cabanas, a beautiful restaurant, a fitness center, and a free Universal shuttle, but Wi-Fi is free only for Hilton Honors members, and breakfast costs extra. Rates can spike at times; travelers looking for a budget stay nearby can consider Nite Inn at Universal City. 

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Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

Scene

A large and modern hotel with an impressive, renovated lobby and restaurant

This 24-story hotel with a dazzling glass exterior buzzes with activity year-round, drawing tourists visiting Universal Studios and those attending corporate and social events. A 2016 renovation of the lobby created a bright and modern space, with light cascading in through multi-floor windows. There are vibrant accents and marble floors and walls, plus plush leather furniture that entices guest to sit and relax. Café Sierra, just off the lobby, was also renovated and is a highlight of the hotel, housed in a spectacular, polished steel and glass atrium. Its weekend seafood buffets draw big crowds, including lots of locals.

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Location

Within a short walk of Universal Studios Hollywood

The Hilton is situated on a hill overlooking the Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk complexes, where a world of dining, shopping, and entertainment options await. It’s a five-minute walk to the Studios’ main entrance and about 10 minutes on foot to CityWalk. Guests also can take a free Universal shuttle that stops at the hotel. The Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood Walk of Fame are about 10 minutes away by car, while Warner Bros. Studios is an 11-minute drive in the opposite direction (north). Staples Center and other destinations in downtown Los Angeles take about 20 minutes by car, while Venice Beach is a 40-minute drive. Depending on traffic conditions, Bob Hope Airport is 20 minutes by car, while Los Angeles International Airport is a 45-minute drive. 

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Rooms

Comfortable with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms, but dated decor

Guest rooms were given a refresh 2016, with new carpet and wallpaper, but decor still has a dated look overall. There are white duvets, and reddish-brown wood furniture that includes headboards and glass-topped desks with office chairs. Brightly-colored, Impressionist-style artwork adds needed pops of color. Units are bright and have large windows, many of which offer panoramic views of Universal Studios, the Hollywood Hills, or the Los Angeles skyline. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, robes, slippers, safes, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs. Wi-Fi is free only for Hilton Honors members. Executive-level rooms add free continental breakfast. 

Standard rooms aren’t overly spacious but they're comfortable, and even Double-Queens have upholstered armchairs, roomy benches, and small oval tables. Larger Corner rooms include queen sleeper sofas, and Suites have more attractive, contemporary decor. 

Modern bathrooms are a highlight. There's excellent lighting, tan marble vanities and floors, and they contain shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Peter Thomas Roth products. Suites have elegant bathrooms, with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. 

Rooms are relatively quiet, given their location near major freeways and busy attractions.

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Features

Multiple on-site dining options and a fantastic pool, but fee for breakfast

This full-service Hilton offers all the amenities you’d expect to find in an upscale hotel, other than perhaps a spa. Café Sierra serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with American, Chinese, and Continental options. Breakfast includes hot and continental buffets, as well as an a la carte menu. The Coffee Corner serves espresso drinks along with to-go items like sandwiches and salads. The Lighthouse Lounge in the lobby features craft cocktails and live music. Poolside bar and food service includes a light menu of casual classics. Room service is available 24 hours. 

For wellness, the heated outdoor pool is spacious and surrounded by beautiful landscaping. It has several free cabanas and a 17-person whirlpool, too. There's also a well-equipped fitness center, with several Precor cardio machines, free weights, and weight-training machine. 

The hotel’s 35,000 square feet of event space includes a ballroom that can host 1,000 people. There's also a business center has multiple computers, but Wi-Fi is free only to Hilton Honors members. Tickets to Universal Studios are sold at the concierge desk, which also offers valet dry cleaning and laundry. Valet and self-parking are available, but it's a bit pricey. Other perks include a free shuttle to Universal Studios that stops at the hotel, and a gift shop and jewelry store in the lobby. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.

See More Features

Things You Should Know About Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

Also Known As

  • Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City

Address

555 Universal Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles, California 91608-1001, United States

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City

Scene

A large and modern hotel with an impressive, renovated lobby and restaurant

This 24-story hotel with a dazzling glass exterior buzzes with activity year-round, drawing tourists visiting Universal Studios and those attending corporate and social events. A 2016 renovation of the lobby created a bright and modern space, with light cascading in through multi-floor windows. There are vibrant accents and marble floors and walls, plus plush leather furniture that entices guest to sit and relax. Café Sierra, just off the lobby, was also renovated and is a highlight of the hotel, housed in a spectacular, polished steel and glass atrium. Its weekend seafood buffets draw big crowds, including lots of locals.

See More Scene

Location

Within a short walk of Universal Studios Hollywood

The Hilton is situated on a hill overlooking the Universal Studios and Universal CityWalk complexes, where a world of dining, shopping, and entertainment options await. It’s a five-minute walk to the Studios’ main entrance and about 10 minutes on foot to CityWalk. Guests also can take a free Universal shuttle that stops at the hotel. The Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood Walk of Fame are about 10 minutes away by car, while Warner Bros. Studios is an 11-minute drive in the opposite direction (north). Staples Center and other destinations in downtown Los Angeles take about 20 minutes by car, while Venice Beach is a 40-minute drive. Depending on traffic conditions, Bob Hope Airport is 20 minutes by car, while Los Angeles International Airport is a 45-minute drive. 

See More Location

Rooms

Comfortable with mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and marble bathrooms, but dated decor

Guest rooms were given a refresh 2016, with new carpet and wallpaper, but decor still has a dated look overall. There are white duvets, and reddish-brown wood furniture that includes headboards and glass-topped desks with office chairs. Brightly-colored, Impressionist-style artwork adds needed pops of color. Units are bright and have large windows, many of which offer panoramic views of Universal Studios, the Hollywood Hills, or the Los Angeles skyline. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, robes, slippers, safes, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs. Wi-Fi is free only for Hilton Honors members. Executive-level rooms add free continental breakfast. 

Standard rooms aren’t overly spacious but they're comfortable, and even Double-Queens have upholstered armchairs, roomy benches, and small oval tables. Larger Corner rooms include queen sleeper sofas, and Suites have more attractive, contemporary decor. 

Modern bathrooms are a highlight. There's excellent lighting, tan marble vanities and floors, and they contain shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and Peter Thomas Roth products. Suites have elegant bathrooms, with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. 

Rooms are relatively quiet, given their location near major freeways and busy attractions.

See More Rooms

Features

Multiple on-site dining options and a fantastic pool, but fee for breakfast

This full-service Hilton offers all the amenities you’d expect to find in an upscale hotel, other than perhaps a spa. Café Sierra serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with American, Chinese, and Continental options. Breakfast includes hot and continental buffets, as well as an a la carte menu. The Coffee Corner serves espresso drinks along with to-go items like sandwiches and salads. The Lighthouse Lounge in the lobby features craft cocktails and live music. Poolside bar and food service includes a light menu of casual classics. Room service is available 24 hours. 

For wellness, the heated outdoor pool is spacious and surrounded by beautiful landscaping. It has several free cabanas and a 17-person whirlpool, too. There's also a well-equipped fitness center, with several Precor cardio machines, free weights, and weight-training machine. 

The hotel’s 35,000 square feet of event space includes a ballroom that can host 1,000 people. There's also a business center has multiple computers, but Wi-Fi is free only to Hilton Honors members. Tickets to Universal Studios are sold at the concierge desk, which also offers valet dry cleaning and laundry. Valet and self-parking are available, but it's a bit pricey. Other perks include a free shuttle to Universal Studios that stops at the hotel, and a gift shop and jewelry store in the lobby. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.