Sheraton Universal, Los Angeles area [Master Thread]
Jan 15, 2018, 3:00 pm
#107
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Just a quick update on the lounge situation here: The lounge is currently under renovation, and a temp lounge is set up. My parents stay here frequently, and just completed a stay. They said that the over-crowding in the temp lounge was very bad, especially at breakfast. The good news is that the regular lounge is scheduled to re-open next week.
Jan 17, 2018, 12:19 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
Personally, I would drive, assuming you can time it correctly. I would suggest timing your drive to leave the LA area about 9:30 or 10am, to avoid rush hour, if doing the drive during the week. If on a weekday: If you cannot leave until the afternoon, then fly!
Just a quick update on the lounge situation here: The lounge is currently under renovation, and a temp lounge is set up. My parents stay here frequently, and just completed a stay. They said that the over-crowding in the temp lounge was very bad, especially at breakfast. The good news is that the regular lounge is scheduled to re-open next week.
Hopefully the lounge will be opened by the time we get there. Do your parents know anything about discounts on studio tix? I missed out on the AMEX Offer b/c the tix required a specific day of which I couldn't commit to at the time.
Thanks for everything!
Jan 17, 2018, 8:51 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
We will be staying 1/21-24 (24th a weekday). I had put in for the 4PM Plat late checkout, but since you said different being that I planned to drive (seemed to cost too much vs flying). If we could sightsee along the way, no problem, but doubt that being that it will be all highway. Any idea of how long the drive is with and without the rush hour?
Hopefully the lounge will be opened by the time we get there. Do your parents know anything about discounts on studio tix? I missed out on the AMEX Offer b/c the tix required a specific day of which I couldn't commit to at the time.
Thanks for everything!
Hopefully the lounge will be opened by the time we get there. Do your parents know anything about discounts on studio tix? I missed out on the AMEX Offer b/c the tix required a specific day of which I couldn't commit to at the time.
Thanks for everything!
My parents don't visit Universal Studios when they come. The Sheraton Universal is the second closest SPG property to Hancock Park, where their grandchildren live...and the only SPG property with a lounge. If you have an AAA membership, they may offer discounted tickets. Or, try the Warner Bros. studio tour. It doesn't have rides or shows, but it's a great backlot, and will be cheaper than Universal Studios. It's pretty close to the Sheraton.
i hope the lounge has re-opened by your arrival! If not, try to avoid peak breakfast time!
Jan 17, 2018, 10:56 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 53
Leaving at 4pm, you're likely to encounter gridlocked traffic for the entire 100-mile (give or take) drive, and it could take 4 hours. I would suggest maybe spending the afternoon in Old Town Pasadena, having an early dinner, and hitting the road around 7PM. The traffic should start to subside around then, and you should be able to make most of the drive at a decent pace.
My parents don't visit Universal Studios when they come. The Sheraton Universal is the second closest SPG property to Hancock Park, where their grandchildren live...and the only SPG property with a lounge. If you have an AAA membership, they may offer discounted tickets. Or, try the Warner Bros. studio tour. It doesn't have rides or shows, but it's a great backlot, and will be cheaper than Universal Studios. It's pretty close to the Sheraton.
i hope the lounge has re-opened by your arrival! If not, try to avoid peak breakfast time!
Jan 17, 2018, 11:24 pm
#111
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,198
We will be staying 1/21-24 (24th a weekday). I had put in for the 4PM Plat late checkout, but since you said different being that I planned to drive (seemed to cost too much vs flying). If we could sightsee along the way, no problem, but doubt that being that it will be all highway. Any idea of how long the drive is with and without the rush hour?
Hopefully the lounge will be opened by the time we get there. Do your parents know anything about discounts on studio tix? I missed out on the AMEX Offer b/c the tix required a specific day of which I couldn't commit to at the time.
Thanks for everything!
Hopefully the lounge will be opened by the time we get there. Do your parents know anything about discounts on studio tix? I missed out on the AMEX Offer b/c the tix required a specific day of which I couldn't commit to at the time.
Thanks for everything!
Feb 2, 2018, 9:07 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
Leaving at 4pm, you're likely to encounter gridlocked traffic for the entire 100-mile (give or take) drive, and it could take 4 hours. I would suggest maybe spending the afternoon in Old Town Pasadena, having an early dinner, and hitting the road around 7PM. The traffic should start to subside around then, and you should be able to make most of the drive at a decent pace.
My parents don't visit Universal Studios when they come. The Sheraton Universal is the second closest SPG property to Hancock Park, where their grandchildren live...and the only SPG property with a lounge. If you have an AAA membership, they may offer discounted tickets. Or, try the Warner Bros. studio tour. It doesn't have rides or shows, but it's a great backlot, and will be cheaper than Universal Studios. It's pretty close to the Sheraton.
i hope the lounge has re-opened by your arrival! If not, try to avoid peak breakfast time!
The lounge was open and I took photos and am in the process of learning how to post them. This was a breakfast and evening financial point being that I learned that you need at least a week in LA in order to see/do a few different things such as trying to do a day in LAX. I also combined this stay w/ the AMEX Offer.
They wouldn't offer any ticket discount but were going to give the same rate as Universal Studios online. I didn't buy them at that moment. I waited a day to see if Universal Studios might send me a promo being that I signed up w/ them. Checked them out the next day to see if anything and found that they had lowered their rates and the Concierge admitted later (of course) that this could happen anytime daily. Ended up saving about $60.
Feb 2, 2018, 10:02 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
The worst internet. Even worse is that I got trapped on the lift at the 9th FL.
Feb 2, 2018, 10:15 pm
#114
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
Driving from Universal City to Cabazon at 4pm?? You're an hour or more just down the 101 to the 10 and through downtown - another two hours more just to Pomona, and then another 90 min to 2 hrs out to Cabazon - you do not want to start this drive after 1pm. Just curious, why Morongo Casino? It's not exactly one of the nicer options and is really somewhat crappy. I would only go there for the nearby date shakes at Hadleys. I would say Pala is much nicer down near Temucula (the same 3-4hrs drive at 4pm), but you're right on the 15 and can drive up to Las Vegas very easily from there.
Isn't Temecula where they have boxing? If so, this is where I'm trying to go next. Does the Pala have any connection to this, boxing wise? And how far is Temecula from PSP?
How far is the drive to Las Vegas?
Feb 2, 2018, 10:23 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 643
Do not stay here. The hotel is currently a dump and management is the worst I have ever experienced at a hotel. We were in a remodeled room on the 18th floor. The shower did not work. The sink did not work originally although they fixed that after a call about both issues-never fixed the shower. The AC was very inconsistent. The fridge did not work. The elevators were broken and people got stuck in them or had to use the freight elevators. The new pool deck is extremely dangerous and we witnessed multiple wipeouts. The water was turned off for two hours each afternoon (at least they have added that piece of information to the renovation email since our stay).
We used points for two nights and paid for the third night. The hotel has refused any compensation and keeps directing us to contact corporate. Corporate keeps saying the hotel is addressing the issues. Apparently a delivery of chocolate covered strawberries during our visit was deemed sufficient. The hotel finally emailed us after 3 weeks of promises and the email was broken English with incorrect punctuation and only an offer of an upgraded room next one we stay there.
I have stayed in plenty of hotels under construction and never had issues like this. I have never complained about a hotel in all my travels. This is altogether different. Absolutely appalling in the condition of the hotel and how the hotel and Starwood have dealt with the issues.
We used points for two nights and paid for the third night. The hotel has refused any compensation and keeps directing us to contact corporate. Corporate keeps saying the hotel is addressing the issues. Apparently a delivery of chocolate covered strawberries during our visit was deemed sufficient. The hotel finally emailed us after 3 weeks of promises and the email was broken English with incorrect punctuation and only an offer of an upgraded room next one we stay there.
I have stayed in plenty of hotels under construction and never had issues like this. I have never complained about a hotel in all my travels. This is altogether different. Absolutely appalling in the condition of the hotel and how the hotel and Starwood have dealt with the issues.
Jan 15, 2019, 3:37 pm
#117
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 371
. Planning to hit Universal Studios in a few months along with a young adult, I like the walkability factor for this location but I feel like the W Hollywood would be far more comfortable for just a bit more of a price
Jan 15, 2019, 4:40 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: OGG
Programs: AA Plat, A List Pref, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 356
Honestly, it was perfect and I'm glad we stayed there. The lounge was a little busy in the AM but the access really was worth it. I hate waiting for busses, taxi's or uber. It wasn't the nicest place I've ever stayed but far from the worst. If we went back we would definately stay their again.
Jan 15, 2019, 7:22 pm
#119
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 22
I'd avoid the W Hollywood if staying over on a Fri/Sat night. The walls are incredibly thin and I was frequently woken up at 2AM by people coming back to their rooms after a night of hitting surrounding clubs & bars. This occurred over several stays so it wasn't an isolated incident. I've stayed at the Sheraton as well (currently there as I type) and it's an ok property. The rooms are nicely furnished, no noise per se from neighboring rooms and the Sheraton has a pretty good breakfast spread. The only downside is the Internet is capped at 5Mbp/s for everyone with no option to upgrade.
Sep 28, 2019, 6:05 pm
#120
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: FAT
Programs: AA LT GLD, AS 75K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 181
Recently completed a stay at the Sheraton Universal. A few thoughts.
- $30 per night for self-parking is pretty steep
- Shuttles provided to Citywalk/Universal Studios, but it's walkable (although uphill) from the hotel
- No upgrade offered
- Breakfast in the lounge was adequate, if a little lacking - some pastries and breads, powdered eggs, fruit, granola bars, and juices. Great views from the lounge though.
- Fitness center was hidden in the back corner of the courtyard with a decent amount of treadmills, elliptical, and free weights. Not much gym traffic on a Wednesday morning
- Asked for a crib in the morning before leaving for the park, however, had to ask again upon return as it still had not been delivered
- Two of the three main guest elevators are temporarily out of order, however, two service elevators are provided. You'll have to make a decision on which set of elevators you'll want to wait for as the call buttons are not coordinated between the two sets.
- Overall: 3/5 stars - rooms were comfortable as per the level to be expected from a Sheraton hotel, however, the service levels and the overall experience leaves a lot to be desired, especially from a higher end brand