Universal Studios area hotel and other things to do in LA

[chabelita545]

I am looking for hotel reccomendations within 5 or so miles of Universal Studios. We will be renting a car so don't have to stay right next door. I would prefer to be in a decent area, rather than right in Hollywood.

Ideally, we'd like shuttle service to Universal included, but don't mind driving and paying to park if it means we can stay in a nicer hotel. We usually stay at the HoJo in Anaheim and prefer the quality level and price of hotel chains like Comfort Inn, Fairfield, Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, etc.

We arrive midday on a Wednesday and will do Universal all day Thursday, then head down to Disneyland and Sea World Friday morning so a nice pool for a Wednesday afternoon swim is desirable. Also, if you have any must-dos in the area, I'd love to hear about them.

Thank you!

 

[Epek]

The Beverly Garland(?) Holiday Inn seems pretty great. They have a trolley that takes you up to USH. It's located on Vineland, probably in Studio City, maybe it's considered Universal City? Sorry for not having exact info, but I'm a local and have never actually stayed there. Family members have and enjoyed it immensely. Pool was nice, outdoors, semi heated. It's close, but not too close, and I would think it's less expensive then the on site(ish) Sheraton and Hilton.

 

[chabelita545]

Thank you. Yes, the Beverly Garland looks beautiful although it at the high end of our budget. Do you know of anything in the Sherman Oaks area, or is that too far away?

 

[Epek]

It's not a bad drive, especially taking the surface streets, and safe. Burbank would be easier, IMO, especially anything South and West of I-5. Even the non-chain motels (most of them, anyway) seem pretty okay. Not sure i can say the same for the rest of the area. Oh, there's a hotel that's across Cahuenga from USH that has just become a Clarion, I think. my cousin stayed there quite a few years ago. it was just okay, but they may have made good changes since the buyout? There's also the new BLVD hotel on Ventura Blvd in Studio City, but that may be pricey.

 

[chabelita545]

Thanks for the tips. I lived across from USH on Barham Blvd. for a year way back in 1990 and am trying to remember the area. I am sure a lot has changed since then.