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Hotel & Room Review: Hilton Los Angeles Universal City


Elegant, Approachable and Staffed by Personable, Efficient People

Revised 4/2021

Dear Polite Traveler,

Three words come to mind as I reflect upon my recent visit to the Hilton Universal: Wow!  Just wow!  For me, all hotels will be unfairly measured by this one.  It’s that good.  

The hotel is huge with 24 floors and fantastic city, mountain, and park views.  Our room was on the 21st floor – more on that later.  Each large, airy room on the main floor is breathtaking and takes advantage of many glass ceilings.  Multiple seating areas await those who wish to sit with a book or simply meditate.  

Note: Follow CDC and county guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary.


Somewhat in the middle of the main floor are a large bar—the “Atrium Lounge” with various seating options available—and the Café Sierra restaurant.  The bar provides a generous happy hour price with plenty of beverage and food options.   I enjoyed the house wine, while my hubby chose beer.  Both were reasonably priced and of excellent quality.  

Included in this hotel are multiple conference rooms, a fully equipped gym, and a pool worthy of glamorous starlets.  I racked up quite a few steps on my Fitbit just wandering through the hotel.  

Best of all for those visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, this hotel is in walking distance.  I’m well over 60 and had no trouble walking there within 10 minutes.  If walking is not your thing, there is a complimentary shuttle available daily. 

What is included in the “free” breakfast?

Typically, a free hotel breakfast is limited and lackluster, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this isn’t the case here.  Guests have a choice of free continental breakfast, a $22 – per person – menu credit, or to pay slightly more for a freshly cooked option.   I perused the buffet and found it to be exactly what I wanted, but the menu had the standard choices—well under the credit.   Check out the pictures of the breakfast buffet.  Yes, that is a “Donut Wall” in the pictures and the pastries are as delicious as they look. 
I must also add that our waiter, José, was attentive and a special person—very nice. 

Restaurant or belly up to the bar?

Our original plan was to try the restaurant since the menu looked promising, but no.  Since our days were full of fun and a whole lot of walking, we tend to arrive at the bar exhausted with just enough energy to order our happy hour beverages and some downright delicious starters.  Yes, we were tired but one of the biggest reasons for eating at the bar was the staff.  A special shout-out to bartender extraordinaire Robyn and server Violeta, I miss our conversations and company. 

The charcuterie plate ($23) was massive and enough for four people.  We nibbled on the leftovers later in the evening each night.  Other nights we tried the flatbread with bell peppers and mushrooms and portabella mushroom sliders.  The sliders were my fav.  

Our corner room on the 21st floor

Did I say “Wow!” before?  Well, that applies here.  I was pleasantly surprised to find such a luxurious room.  In fact, I didn’t want to leave it, even though the draw of a park I dreamt of visiting was calling my name.   The video speaks volumes but doesn’t show the few items missing.  There was no microwave, but it can be delivered if requested.  Other than that, the room had more than I expected—including a lighted magnifying mirror and makeup table. 





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