Are you looking for a full guide and review on the Sheraton Universal Hotel?
Well, look no further!
When visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, there are quite a few options to choose from if you plan on staying nearby in Universal City to enjoy the brand-new Super Nintendo World!
Most people tend to not know where the best place to stay is around Universal Studios Hollywood or even what options are available.
I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, one of the hotels that is actually near Universal Studios Hollywood (a 7–8-minute walk from the park’s entrance).
This AAA 4 diamond starred has by far the best customer service I have had this year!
Today, we will be going over the following:
- Location
- Amenities
- Room Types
- Review and Overall Experience
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO. Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.
Where exactly is Universal Sheraton Hotel Located?
The Sheraton Universal Hotel is located at 333 Universal Hollywood Drive in Universal City, California.
Universal Studios Hollywood is also located in Universal City and opened on March 15, 1915.
This hotel is perfectly located right next to Universal Studios, being only a short walk away from the park’s entrance.
How far is Sheraton Universal Hotel from Universal Studios Hollywood?
The walk from the Sheraton Hotel to Universal Studios Hollywood in its entirety is less than 7 minutes.
For those using ECV or a wheelchair, I do not recall seeing a way to get up the stairs with an accessibility walkway, so be sure to ask the front desk if there is one or another entrance for you.
How do I get from the Sheraton Universal Hotel to Universal Studios Hollywood?
When I asked for the bellman for directions, I had to:
- Take an elevator to the top garage level
- This led me through the courtyard of the Hilton Hotel
- I then went up a short hill
- Up some stairs over the parking entrance to the park
- I finally arrived right at the security gate to the park and CityWalk
This was truly perfect for me as a solo traveler as I would not have to use a ride share to get to the park.
Keep in mind if you are taking ride share to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), as the price can range from $30-$90, depending on the time of day.
Get up to 21% off of your Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets with Groupon TODAY!
Amenities at Universal City Sheraton Hotel
To start, the hotel offers Wi-Fi in your room and in the lobby.
This is great if you want to take in the amazing sights and sounds that the lobby offers while you get your work done or enjoy a drink at the lounge.
You can use the hotel’s complimentary and up-to-date fitness center and enjoy the terrace pool.
Is the pool heated at the Sheraton Universal Hotel?
Yes the pool at the Sheraton Universal Hotel is heated and is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s outdoors and offers plenty of towels are provided for guests.
Nearby is a whirlpool hot tub perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploring the park or the surrounding area. A list of activities in the surrounding area can be found here.
More fun amenities at the Sheraton Hotel in Universal City
You will have access to superb concierge services, as well as daily housekeeping, room service and a convenience store.
I found the store in particular extremely helpful when I realized I’d left my travel toothpaste at home!
How much is parking at the Sheraton Universal Hotel?
The Sheraton Hotel at Universal Studios Hollywood has parking available with the following rates:
- Daily: $39.60
- Hourly: $10
- Valet: $55
Electric car charging is available with the parking fee having a plus 10% tax. Complimentary charging for valet is available also.
Just remember that these prices for parking can change at anytime.
Does the Sheraton Universal have free shuttles to Universal Studios Hollywood?
Yes, the Sheraton Universal Hotel does have complimentary park shuttles that start at 9:30 a.m. and run every 30 mins. They can be caught at the front of the hotel.
Save up to 65% off exploring the attractions in Los Angeles with Groupon TODAY!
Dining Options at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
A big draw for me that I was impressed with was the dining options! Universal City’s Sheraton Hotel has these 3 dining options:
- The California’s
- Reel Pool Bar
- In the Mix Lobby Lounge
I had the pleasure of enjoying The California’s for breakfast and In the Mix for a cocktail.
In the Mix Lobby Lounge
My friend and I stopped at In the Mix when we returned from an event for a quick drink before heading up to retire for the evening.
Here you can find unique dishes and specials at In the Mix.
Plus, you can sample a fine selection of vodkas while you chat with friends and colleagues after work or a day at Universal Studios Hollywood.
They are open from 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily, although I assume hours vary as we arrived at 11 p.m. and it was open until midnight.
The specialty cocktails match the theme of the area, Universal Studios film history and homage to the film industry.
I tried “The Set Designer,” which had Tito’s Coffee Infused Vodka, Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Espresso and Condensed Milk.
This was my first time trying an espresso cocktail and I enjoyed it immensely! It was very smooth, rich and classy.
The menu consists of regular cocktails, mocktails, beers, ciders, wines and an excellent selection of small and large meals to choose from.
The California’s Restaurant
For Breakfast the next morning, I went to the bottom level, where the pool is located, to “The California’s.”
The signature restaurant serves regional American fare.
You can reserve a table for a casual lunch or a relaxing dinner in a welcoming atmosphere with top-notch star service.
Excellent Customer Service
From the second I arrived to the moment I left, I received phenomenal service from every staff member.
I was constantly checked on and when I asked for recommendations, I was given a breakdown of the menu’s highlights.
Sheraton Universal Hotel Breakfast Buffett
While the server did recommend the buffet breakfast, I chose to keep it simple. Below are the option for the buffet:
- Waffles
- Pancakes
- French Toast
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Oatmeal
- Cereal
- Eggs
AND pretty much everything you could imagine a full breakfast buffet would have.
I got the Country Ham and Cheddar Omelet with Crispy Potatoes and Toast and a Double Espresso.
The omelet was excellent and the espresso was up to my standards as far as coffee goes.
Plus, the pricing for both dining experiences were reasonable for what i got in my opinion and i would genuinely dine at these options again.
I would particularly want to check out what “In the Mix” has to offer for lunch.
The breakfast option at the California’s restaurant is from 7:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. However, don’t forget to enjoy the amazing lunch and dinner options here as well.
Room Types at the Sheraton Universal Hotel
There are a wide variety of room options to choose from and Universal Sheraton have the following:
- Traditional Guest Room with 2 Double Beds
- The Traditional Guest Room with 2 Queen Beds
- Large Corner Guest Room with King Bed
- Premium Lanai Guest Room with King Bed
- The Premium Lanai Guest Room with 2 Queen Beds
- Junior Suite
- Hospitality Suite with 1 King Bed
- Suite with 2 Double Beds
- The Suite with 1 King Bed
- VIP Suite with 1 King Bed
Sheraton’s Premium Lanai Guest Room Review
Upon check in, I was kindly upgraded to the Premium Lanai Guest Room with 2 Queen Beds.
This gave me a spectacular view of Universal City and parts of Universal Studios Hollywood on the 20th floor on the main building.
I was extremely impressed with the bathroom, although my only complaint would be the water pressure from the waterfall shower-head.
However, I loved the body wash and lotion brand they utilize and the vanity mirrors.
The room had complimentary water bottles and a Keurig with coffee, along with cable tv and streaming services that had connection capabilities so you could watch your favorite shows on-the-go.
Plus, the beds and pillows were amazingly comfortable and there was a plenty of drawer and closet space.
The most important aspect for a room for me is the amount of outlets…
… and they had plenty within the bed frame and around the room for at least four people to use without having to swap out or share.
It should be noted that pets are allowed to stay with you. One pet 40 pounds max per room with USD 75 per room fee and signed waiver at check-in.
My Review and Overall Experience at Universal City’s Sheraton Hotel
To say I was impressed upon entering the lobby would be a major understatement.
The lobby perfectly pays homage to its movie industry roots, with film props and photos of classic and highly recognizable film stars of the golden age of Hollywood.
But the lobby manages to blend this seamlessly with a modern, upscale Hollywood style.
There was water available infused with orange and lemon for guests and there was almost never a wait for front desk or concierge anytime I went through the lobby.
The lobby had a fantastic lavender scent that I adored.
The Check-In Process
Check in went smoothly and it should be noted that the incidental hold with card is $150 and cash is $300, which is returned upon checking out.
I was able to easily find my hotel room with simple instructions from the hotel staff. Everyone was courteous and friendly, and everything was up to date and extremely clean.
Most importantly, the staff is super-efficient.
I never waited long for anything from extra towels from housekeeping to the food at my breakfast.
Arriving to My Room
My Room was opened by tapping my key to the symbol on the door.
The right side at the entrance had the spacious closet and room safe, along with an area for water, a mini fridge and the mini Keurig with Starbucks coffee.
The Bathroom
Over on the left hand side was the entrance to the bathroom which was very well lit.
The shower featured a waterfall shower head and an optional handheld one on the side.
There was body wash, shampoo and conditioner mounted on the wall of the shower and it was made so the water would fall to the sides and not soak the bathroom floor.
Plus, there was plenty of counter space and towels, a close up vanity makeup mirror and the main mirror was very wide and had enough room for at least two people to use at once.
Reviewing the Beds
The beds were both spacious and comfortable, overlooking the cityscape, and afforded extra pillows piled high on each bed.
I loved that the bed frames had multiple variations of USB ports and outlets, allowing me to charge my portable charger and phone.
There was lots of space between the beds and a nightstand for each side.
On the bed frame was a book light as well for reading at night.
There was a comfortable mini couch near the window, perfect for laying out to read, take in the views or do some work along with a small table below the television to enjoy a meal.
As far as my stay went, I had no complaints regarding it. Everything was beyond my expectations!
Get up to 21% off of your Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets with Groupon TODAY!
My Final Thoughts on the Sheraton Universal Hotel
I cannot state enough how much I personally feel that the Sheraton Universal Hotel is the absolute perfect option for anyone visiting Universal Studios Hollywood.
Between its location, immaculate customer service and excellent amenities and staff, I genuinely can’t wait to visit the park again just to stay at this hotel.
My only regret is not having time to enjoy the heated pool, which I will correct next time.
If you are coming to experience Super Nintendo World, you will want this to be where you lay your head.
Looking to get some rates? Be sure to get a request here to start setting up for your epic visit into the movies!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home. You can find her at Disney Tea with V.
(Original Article Date: May 10, 2023/Updated by Editor on March 2, 2024)