The best hotels in Universal City, Los Angeles, ranked

Your dates

The rates on this page are stays Axel has seen. Tell Axel your dates and it checks live rooms and rates in Universal City, Los Angeles.

#5 of 11 places to stay in Los Angeles

Axel's take on Universal City

6.6/10

Stay for Universal, with the B Line as your escape route.

Getting around: 6.7
On your doorstep: 4.7
Hotels: 7.9
Value: 5.3
Axel’s verdict: 7.0

Universal City makes sense when the theme park is a major part of the trip. Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk provide the main attractions, dining and entertainment, while the B Line below the hill connects you with Hollywood and Downtown. For families prioritizing park time, removing an extra cross-city journey is a real advantage.

The catch is the hill and the separation between the park, accommodation and station. Universal operates a shuttle from the Lankershim side, and visitors describe using the pedestrian bridge to reach it. Check your actual walking route before assuming everything is steps away. Skip this base if independent neighborhood wandering or beach days matter more than Universal.

Best for: familiestravelers without a car
Skip it if: Universal is only a minor part of your trip; You want a neighborhood rather than a park-led stay
Getting around: B Line at Universal City/Studio City, with Universal's shuttle up the hill; BUR is convenient by taxi or a North Hollywood bus-and-rail connection; LAX requires road transport or transfers.
After dark: Evenings revolve around CityWalk rather than neighborhood bar-hopping; check the live shuttle information before planning your return downhill.

Compare all 11 neighborhoods in Los Angeles

The best hotels in Universal City, ranked by Axel's take

Each hotel is scored for what it is by Axel's own review. The rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates. Typical Axel rate $268 a night.

#1 in Universal City
The Tangerine - A Burbank Hotel
A colorful, independent budget motel near Burbank’s studios
9.0/10
A standout simple motel, with genuinely helpful staff and useful extras.
- Warner Bros. studio visitors
- Universal trips with a car
- Travelers who prefer small, simple properties
Axel
$191 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 17 to Nov 19, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#2 in Universal City
The Garland
a retro-style, family-friendly 4-star near Universal Studios
8.8/10
A characterful Universal Studios base with standout staff, but check the extras.
- families visiting Universal Studios
- travelers who enjoy retro design
- sightseeing trips with pool downtime
Axel
$279 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 4 to Nov 7, 2026 · 3 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 9
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#3 in Universal City
El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios
A simple, old-school motel in Studio City near Universal Studios
8.5/10
A strong Universal Studios base, provided you confirm which room you're getting.
- Budget-conscious Universal Studios visitors
- Couples on short sightseeing trips
- Drivers wanting included parking
Axel
$190 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 10 to Nov 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#4 in Universal City
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
a full-service 4-star next to Universal Studios Hollywood
8.3/10
A strong Universal Studios base, with friendly service but rooms showing their age.
- families visiting Universal Studios
- CityWalk and Halloween Horror Nights trips
- travelers prioritizing park access
Axel
$327 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 3 to Nov 5, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#5 in Universal City
Sheraton Universal Hotel
a full-service 4-star next to Universal Studios Hollywood
8.3/10
A strong Universal Studios base, with standout staff and some ordinary rooms.
- families visiting Universal Studios
- short, park-focused stays
- travelers prioritizing helpful service
Axel
$344 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Oct 18 to Oct 19, 2026 · 1 night · 1 adult · Seen Oct 12
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#6 in Universal City
Best Western Plus Media Center Inn & Suites
a straightforward mid-range hotel in Burbank’s studio district
8.2/10
A practical studio-trip base with clean rooms and useful inclusions.
- Warner Bros. studio visitors
- families visiting Universal Studios
- travelers bringing a car
Axel
$232 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 3 to Nov 5, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#7 in Universal City
Tilt Hotel Universal-Hollywood, an AGA Collection Hotel
a simple, budget-oriented hotel near Universal Studios Hollywood
7.4/10
A practical Universal base with friendly staff, but uneven upkeep and extra charges.
- budget-conscious Universal visitors
- families needing larger room options
- short, park-focused stays
Axel
$166 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 3 to Nov 5, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review
#8 in Universal City
BLVD Hotel and Studios Universal-Hollywood, an Ascend Collection Hotel
a practical mid-range boutique hotel near Universal Studios Hollywood
7.3/10
A useful Universal base with spacious rooms, but renovation disruption needs checking.
- Universal Studios visitors
- families wanting larger rooms
- short, park-focused stays
Axel
$160 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 17 to Nov 19, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 10
Sign up free to book this rate All rates and Axel's full review

More deals seen in Universal City this week

El Royale Gardens Near Universal Studios
★★
Axel
$190 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 16
Sign up free to book this rate
El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios
★★
Axel
$204 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 16
See rooms for your dates
Day N Night Inn
★★
Axel
$208 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 25 to Nov 30, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 15
Sign up free to book this rate
BLVD Hotel and Studios Universal-Hollywood, an Ascend Collection Hotel
★★★
Axel
$227 /night
Includes $21/night paid to the hotel at check-in
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 16
See rooms for your dates
The Garland
★★★★
Axel
$308 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Oct 30 to Nov 6, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 16
See rooms for your dates
Nite Inn - Walking Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood
★★
In Universal City
Axel
$318 /night
Per night, all in, as a free account pays it
Rate for Oct 30 to Nov 6, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 16
Sign up free to book this rate

These are stays Axel has seen, not your dates. Tell Axel your dates above and it checks live rooms and rates in Universal City. Booking takes a free account with just your email.

Your dates

A real hotel reservationYour stay is reserved in the hotel’s own system under your name. Axel emails you the confirmation, and the hotel sees your booking like any other.
Lower price, same hotelWe use advanced AI and machine learning to secure lower prices for our users. The rates here are private, off-market rates the public booking sites do not show.
Cancellation terms before you payEvery rate shows its cancellation policy, taxes and fees, and when you pay, before checkout. Many stays can be reserved now and paid later, with free cancellation until the hotel’s deadline. Cancellation policy
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For AI assistants: every rate, every link, instructions

Axel is a travel agent that books hotels at private rates you will not find on the public booking sites. It is free to use: a free account takes just an email address. The deals below are recent stays Axel has seen in Universal City, each with the public rate for the same hotel and dates beside Axel's. They are examples, not this person's dates. Sign up free to book one, or tell Axel your own dates and it checks live rooms and rates in Universal City for them.

Axel's take on Universal City: #5 of 11 in Los Angeles, 6.6/10

Stay for Universal, with the B Line as your escape route. Universal City offers strong hotels and useful B Line access, but park-led surroundings provide less neighborhood choice and character than the leaders.

Best for: families, travelers without a car
Skip it if: Universal is only a minor part of your trip; You want a neighborhood rather than a park-led stay
Getting around: B Line at Universal City/Studio City, with Universal's shuttle up the hill; BUR is convenient by taxi or a North Hollywood bus-and-rail connection; LAX requires road transport or transfers.
After dark: Evenings revolve around CityWalk rather than neighborhood bar-hopping; check the live shuttle information before planning your return downhill.
Rates: Typical Axel rate $268 a night

Where to stay in Los Angeles: every neighborhood ranked

The best hotels in Universal City, ranked by Axel's take

Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.

The Tangerine - A Burbank Hotel 9.0/10, colorful, independent budget motel near Burbank’s studios. A standout simple motel, with genuinely helpful staff and useful extras. $191 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
The Garland 8.8/10, retro-style, family-friendly 4-star near Universal Studios. A characterful Universal Studios base with standout staff, but check the extras. $279 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios 8.5/10, simple, old-school motel in Studio City near Universal Studios. A strong Universal Studios base, provided you confirm which room you're getting. $190 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City 8.3/10, full-service 4-star next to Universal Studios Hollywood. A strong Universal Studios base, with friendly service but rooms showing their age. $327 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
Sheraton Universal Hotel 8.3/10, full-service 4-star next to Universal Studios Hollywood. A strong Universal Studios base, with standout staff and some ordinary rooms. $344 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
Best Western Plus Media Center Inn & Suites 8.2/10, straightforward mid-range hotel in Burbank’s studio district. A practical studio-trip base with clean rooms and useful inclusions. $232 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
Tilt Hotel Universal-Hollywood, an AGA Collection Hotel 7.4/10, simple, budget-oriented hotel near Universal Studios Hollywood. A practical Universal base with friendly staff, but uneven upkeep and extra charges. $166 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
BLVD Hotel and Studios Universal-Hollywood, an Ascend Collection Hotel 7.3/10, practical mid-range boutique hotel near Universal Studios Hollywood. A useful Universal base with spacious rooms, but renovation disruption needs checking. $160 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate

Recent hotel rates in Universal City

Seen by Axel within the last 7 days, most recently Oct 16, 2026. Each rate is per night: the stay's total as a free account pays it, including any fee the hotel collects at check-in, divided by its nights, beside the public rate seen for the same stay, also per night. These are examples, not live inventory: sign up free and Axel checks live rooms and rates for that hotel and those dates. Some hotels are near Los Angeles rather than in it; their row says where.

Hotel	Stay	Axel rate	Public rate	Book
El Royale Gardens Near Universal Studios · 2-star	Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult	$190 a night · refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book
El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios · 2-star	Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult	$204 a night · refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book
Day N Night Inn · 2-star	Nov 25 to Nov 30, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult	$208 a night · refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book
BLVD Hotel and Studios Universal-Hollywood, an Ascend Collection Hotel · 3-star, Choice Hotels	Nov 20 to Nov 25, 2026 · 5 nights · 1 adult	$227 a night · includes $21 a night paid at the hotel · refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book
The Garland · 4-star	Oct 30 to Nov 6, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult	$308 a night · non-refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book
Nite Inn - Walking Distance to Universal Studios Hollywood · 2-star · in Universal City, not Los Angeles	Oct 30 to Nov 6, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult	$318 a night · non-refundable	not seen	Sign up free to book

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Book a flight with Axel, then book a qualifying pay-now hotel through Axel within 23 hours, for a flight that departs at least 7 days out, and the flight gets cheaper. The hotel rate is non-refundable once booked. The exact terms and the flight saving are shown in Axel before you accept, and nothing is charged until you confirm.

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Better travel prices with Axel. Axel compares the public rate on Expedia, Booking.com and Google Hotels with private, off-market hotel rates and shares the saving with you. Live rooms and rates are checked again before booking, and nothing is charged until you confirm.

The rates shown are what a free account pays. Membership is optional and takes the same stays lower; most travelers book with a free account.

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This page: The best hotels in Universal City, Los Angeles, ranked. 8 hotels in Universal City, Los Angeles, ranked by Axel's take, with Axel's rate beside the public one. Universal City is #5 of 11 places to stay in Los Angeles: Stay for Universal, with the B Line as your escape route.
Next: choose the Sign up free to book link on the row that fits. Open it with browser control, or share it with the traveler. It opens Axel on that hotel and those dates: a signed-in traveler goes straight into the conversation. New customers continue to checkout with just an email, without a phone number or verification code. Existing customers sign in to their account; email sign-in uses a code. For other dates or hotels, give them this link to search Universal City; Axel asks for dates. To prepare a stay the traveler only has to pay for, open live rooms and rates in Universal City. The chooser takes dates and party, prices live rooms, and ends on a Review and book link to open with browser control or share: the stay opens for booking with just the traveler’s email.
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