Want to stay as close as possible to Super Nintendo World and the other exciting attractions of Universal Studios Hollywood? We’re continuing our ongoing series of Los Angeles-area lodging reviews with a look at the Hilton Universal City hotel, straight from the upcoming Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2026.
Until Universal Studios Hollywood opens its planned on-site resorts, the Hilton Universal City (located at 555 Universal Hollywood Dr.) is the closest hotel to the theme park gates, which are just a brief (but very steep) walk or shuttle-bus ride away.
If you’ve ever stayed in a Hilton, you know what to expect from this by-the-numbers corporate chain hotel. Public areas—which include an outdoor koi pond and glassed-in atrium—were originally opulent but are showing their age.
The rooms are large but awkwardly designed, with worn furnishings and inadequate lighting. The luxurious bedding and stunning views of the valley are the best things about the dated guest rooms, which also suffer from noisy plumbing and a lack of USB ports.
Watch a full tour of a standard king room at the Hilton Universal City in the following video:
The lobby restaurant and room service are extremely pricey; head to CityWalk instead for an affordable meal. Like the similarly priced Sheraton that’s a few steps farther down the hill, you get no benefits in the park for staying here.
Hilton Universal City is expanding with an 18-story tower that will add 395 guest rooms, along with a restaurant and bar, spa, and rooftop pool deck, along with a 3-story parking garage and new lobby that connects to the existing 24-story tower. The completed property will total 696,000 square feet and 890 guest rooms.
We rate the Hilton Universal City 4 stars out of 5.
Have you stayed at the Hilton Universal City? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
For all there is to see and do at Universal Studios Hollywood, check out The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland by Seth Kubersky with Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa, and Guy Selga Jr.
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