LA/Universal Area Hotels Recommendations Please

[ErinsMommy]

We're doing a Disneyland/Universal trip late August. Flying into SNA 8/26 and staying until 8/29 or 8/30 (likely 8/29) likely staying at Park Vue.

Then we're heading toward Universal to spend one day there, then do some sight-seeing/relaxing in the Hollywood area for remainder of stay until we leave on 9/3 out of LAX. Question is where do we stay on the Universal/Hollywood part of our trip? A friend suggested we don't want to stay in Universal area because we'll only be in Universal for one day and may want to instead stay in a Santa Monica area hotel with a view and breeze off the ocean, while staying close to the Hollywood area to do the sight-seeing/relaxing we want to do.

Thoughts??

 

[Lumpy1106]

If your plan isn't to spend time at the beach I wouldn't spend a whole lot extra to stay there. I'd opt instead for the major chain hotels (Hyatt, Westin, etc) on Century blvd. near the airport. You could even return the car early and save a day on the rental that way. There's not much you'll want to do outside of your hotel there but if all you are going to do is sleep, why pay for the parking (or the car)? All have shuttles to the airport.

If you do want to spend time at the beach I'd head south to Redondo (Portofino is excellent!). Santa Monica can be iffy, DON'T stay in Venice Beach! Warning about Hollywood too - it's dirty and disappointing so unless you have something specific you want to see there (and no, I don't really count the walk-of Fame) then you might want to re-think your time there.

 

[ErinsMommy]

We're thinking we want to spend a day or two doing the general touristy stuff - Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, Griffith Observatory, Mulholland Drive, Rodeo Drive, The Grove, some shopping, and maybe spend a day on the beach or poolside.

 

[Ken2Blitzkrieg]

Ive stayed at the Hollywood Orchid Suites a few times behind the koadk theatre in Hollywood but i think it closed during covid .. but the Hollywood Celebrity Hotel is still there in the same street and gets good reviews also you can get the Metro up to universal only one stop

 

[ErinsMommy]

thank you!

 

[Ross Kratter]

We're thinking we want to spend a day or two doing the general touristy stuff - Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, Griffith Observatory, Mulholland Drive, Rodeo Drive, The Grove, some shopping, and maybe spend a day on the beach or poolside.

If the Hollywood and Beverly Hills sights are of great importance to you, the Loews Hollywood Hotel is in a great location for this, as is the Godfrey Hotel. I stayed at the Godfrey in November and really enjoyed it. It’s brand new and beautiful.

 

[ErinsMommy]

If the Hollywood and Beverly Hills sights are of great importance to you, the Loews Hollywood Hotel is in a great location for this, as is the Godfrey Hotel. I stayed at the Godfrey in November and really enjoyed it. It’s brand new and beautiful.

Thank you. I'm from the NY area and personally would always tell people NOT to stay in NYC (too much hustle/bustle and "city life"). I'm afraid by staying in Hollywood I'll be in that similar environment and looking for more a relaxing view/environment and travel to/from the points of interest/sights. If that makes sense?

 

[DLgal]

Thank you. I'm from the NY area and personally would always tell people NOT to stay in NYC (too much hustle/bustle and "city life"). I'm afraid by staying in Hollywood I'll be in that similar environment and looking for more a relaxing view/environment and travel to/from the points of interest/sights. If that makes sense?

The Universal Hilton and Sheraton have that vibe. They are also very close to all those things you want to do. Like, 5-15 minute car trips. I'd stay there.

 

[ErinsMommy]

The Universal Hilton and Sheraton have that vibe. They are also very close to all those things you want to do. Like, 5-15 minute car trips. I'd stay there.

Which vibe? Relaxing/quiet or busy/hustle bustle?

 

[DLgal]

Which vibe? Relaxing/quiet or busy/hustle bustle?

Relaxing/quiet. The hotel is up on a hill and gets some really nice views from some rooms. You can easily walk into City Walk for a safe, nearby shopping/dining area, or just hop on the freeway to quickly be in the Hollywood area. I would NOT personally stay anywhere along Hollywood Blvd. The whole area is gross.

We stayed at the Hilton Universal for 3 nights last August while we played LA tourist (I'm local, but my friend flew in from out of state for a long weekend). It was a good base for doing all that stuff. We did Universal, the WB studio tour, Hollywood Blvd, The Grove/Farmers Market, Beverly Hills/Westwood, the Hollywood sign, drove Mulholland, drive by the Disney studios in Burbank, etc. We didn't bother with the beach this time. Neither of us are fans of LA beaches and I live close to Newport Beach.

 

[Chemist]

Which vibe? Relaxing/quiet or busy/hustle bustle?

Just got back from the Hilton at Universal Studios.
It was lovely. Easy walk to the park. (Note: long waits at all the sit-down chain restaurants in Universal City. Major staffing issues.)

The hotel itself has a nice pool and was a comfortable place to hang out our afternoon before the park.
Can't tell about driving anywhere, as we went to Universal after visiting family in Orange County.

 

[ktlm]

We stayed at the Hilton Universal and it was an easy spot to uber or drive around to the Hollywood area, Warner Brothers Studio, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills etc. At their recommendation we took an Uber for the actual Hollywood area itself to avoid parking issues. We drove most of the other places ourselves.