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Best 185,000 Bonus Offer: Marriott Brilliant Card
Earn 185,000 Bonus Marriott Points after you make $6,000 in eligible purchases on your card within the first 6 months of account opening. The offer ends on October 2, 2024.
I was trying to decide between the Hilton Los Angeles Universal City or the Sheraton Universal Hotel for our trip back to the Universal Studios for some thrilling rides and fun.
I was looking for a hotel within walking distance of the Universal Studios theme park in California. Both hotel rates are comparable, but I had a Marriott Free Night 50k Certificate that I was looking to use before it expired, so I decided to go with the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
Here’s a detailed review of the elite benefits and the Junior Suite we stayed in at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
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| Sheraton Universal Hotel Junior Suite |
| Table of Contents [show/hide] |
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Location
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| Universal Studios Hollywood Within Walking Distance of Sheraton Universal Hotel |
The Sheraton Universal Hotel is one of the closest and within walking distance of the Universal Studios theme park in Burbank, California. You can walk to the park’s entrance and the Universal City Walk from the hotel within 8-10 minutes, depending on how fast you walk. Here’s a mini instruction for you:
- When you exit the Sheraton Universal Hotel entrance door.
- Turn left and keep walking until you reach the elevator.
- Take the elevator to the second level.
- Turn left, cross the road and walk around the garden area towards the street.
- Some signs will point you to Universal Studios or the Universal City Walk. Simply follow the sign.
If walking is not your thing, a free Universal Studios shuttle can also take you there. They stop by the hotel, and you can ask the valet guys at the front of the hotel if you have any questions.
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| Complimentary Universal Studios Shuttle at Sheraton Universal Hotel |
Room Upgrades
I decided to use one of the Marriott Suite Night Awards I earned from reaching Marriott Platinum Elite status. I was provided the options of a Junior Suite or a 1 Bedroom Suite. The Junior Suite cleared five (5) days before arrival.
For what it is worth, I read TripAdvisor reviews from other Marriott elite members staying at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, and the complimentary room upgrade is really hit and miss. Therefore, I decided to use one of the Marriott Suite Night Awards.
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| Junior Suite |
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| View from the Junior Suite |
Junior Suite Room Review
Early check-in was not possible. The Junior Suite wasn’t available for early check-in, so we dropped our bags with the bellhop upfront and spent all day at the Universal Studios.
The Junior Suite is a good size room, but it’s designed strangely. The Junior Suite comes with ample space to store things and move around.
There’s a long sofa between the entryway and the bedroom. The bed is comfortable, but the pillows are either too soft or too fluffy for my liking. There’s also a work desk next to the bed.
We arrived at night because we wanted to enjoy the Universal Studios theme park all day after dropping off our bags at the hotel in the morning. The entry to the couch and bed lacks enough lighting.
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| Junior Suite Room |
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| Bedroom |
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| Work Desk by the Bed |
We love the big window with a view of the hill, trees, and the hotel’s swimming pool.
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| Junior Suite Room View |
Sheraton Club Lounge
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| Sheraton Club Lounge |
The Sheraton Universal Hotel has a club lounge for Marriott Platinum Elite and above. The Sheraton Club Lounge was open and operating. So as a Marriott Titanium Elite member, I got access to the Sheraton Club Lounge for complimentary breakfast, appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages. You can purchase alcoholic drinks in the lounge and charge them to your room.
Food at Universal Studios is expensive, so having access to the Sheraton Club Lounge can save you money, especially if you travel as a family. You can read the full review of the Sheraton Club below.
Sheraton Club Lounge hours are below:
- Monday – Friday
- Breakfast: 6:30am-10am
- Saturday – Sunday
- Breakfast: 7am-10:30am
- Daily
- Evening service: 6pm-9pm
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Welcome Amenity
I received 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as a welcome amenity.
It wasn’t clear to me at check-in what welcome amenities at this Sheraton brand. I got to speak to a nice manager there to find out later on that as Marriott Platinum Elite and above elite members, you have three choices:
- 1,000 bonus points
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two
- Unlimited coffee drinks at the onsite coffee stand
Remember that as a Marriott Platinum Elite and above elite member, you have access to the Sheraton Club Lounge, where you can enjoy buffet-style breakfast, but the options may be too limited for you. In that case, you can opt for the daily breakfast as your welcome amenity if you’d like. This is according to what that manager told me. I decided to go with the bonus of 1,000 points and had breakfast inside the Sheraton Club.
Food & Beverage Credits
No food and beverage credits offer at Sheraton Universal Hotel.
Breakfast
As previously mentioned above, if you are a Marriott Platinum Elite and above, you have a couple options for a complimentary breakfast for you and an additional guest:
- You can receive daily free breakfast for you and one guest as your welcome amenity choices, OR
- You can enjoy an unlimited buffet-style breakfast inside the Sheraton Club Lounge.
Dining
We did not dine at the onsite restaurant at Sheraton Universal Hotel because we could access the Sheraton Club Lounge. The hotel has three (3) dining options:
- The California’s
- The Reel Pool Bar
- In the Mix
- More Dining Information
Resort Fee
No resort fee.
Parking
Parking is available for both self and valet at Sheraton Universal Hotel.
- Self is $32 plus tax
- Valet is $40 plus tax
Housekeeping
The housekeeping service is available. We only stayed 1 night, so we did not get to use the service.
Elevator
The elevator at the Sheraton Universal Hote can be problematic. Some may be waiting around during busy hours in the morning when everyone is up and trying to get to the Universal Studios theme park early before it opens. We waited for the elevator and ended up using stairs instead to go down to the lobby from our room on the 7th floor. So keep that in mind.
Internet/Wi-Fi
Internet or Wi-Fi at Sheraton Universal Hotel is free for every guest.
Bottled Water
There is two bottled water provided in the room.
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| Complimentary Bottled Water |
Late Checkout
I was surprised when the front desk offered me the 4 P.M. late checkout without requesting it. The 4 P.M. late checkout is part of my Marriott Titanium Elite benefits.
Late checkout is always subject to availability. Sheraton Universal Hotel has a lot of guestrooms, so if available, I am sure they can accommodate your late checkout request, especially if you are Marriot Gold Elite and above.
Spa
There are no spa treatment services at Sheraton Universal Hotel.
Fitness Center
Yes, available.
Swimming Pool
There’s an outdoor heated swimming pool and a hot tub.
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| Swimming Pool at Sheraton Universal Hotel |
Contact
- Website: Sheraton Universal Hotel
- Phone: 1-818-980-1212
- Email: [email protected]
How You Can Stay at Sheraton Universal Hotel For Free?
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Best 185,000 Bonus Offer: Marriott Brilliant Card
Earn 185,000 Bonus Marriott Points after you make $6,000 in eligible purchases on your card within the first 6 months of account opening. The offer ends on October 2, 2024.