Holiday Inn Universal Studios Hollywood, C Los Angeles

Unlike some other reviewers, we had a wonderful stay at this hotel. We did read these reviews before we booked our reservations but we also know that lots of things contribute to the quality of an experience, like one's mood, state of mind, whether the kids were acting up, etc., etc., etc., so we decided to take advantage of what we thought were great rates at a great location and decide for ourselves. Besides, friends of ours had stayed at this hotel before and really raved about it. We found the rooms neat and clean and recently redecorated. We found a wonderful, large pool for the kids and my husband and I to enjoy. We loved the location. The hotel is close to every place we wanted to go. The free shuttle to Universal Studios not only saved us a bundle on parking, it saved us a lot of long walks from a massive parking structure at Universal. We will stay at this hotel again.

What a treat. The Hotel is beautifully landscaped and we really enjoyed the balconies (an increasingly rare luxury) with direct views of homes in the Hollywood Hills! The double sinks, Wi-Fi internet access, a kid's jungle gym made the hotel a total deal for the price. The bar was very LA funky and fun. Staff were very friendly. Overall - a great unique place!

I almost calcelled my reservation after reading some of these reviews. I couldn't have been more surprised, or pleased. The hotel is indeed old and dated, and has a bit of a 1975 feeling to it. However, the staff was incredibly friendly, the rooms were clean and well appointed (balcony, in-room Internet and movies, etc.), and the food was delicious.

Of course, this isn't the Ritz and doesn't pretend to be, but for what I paid, I would frankly have expected worse. I think this was a fabulous value for the money and I would gladly stay again and recommend it to my friends.

Although the room was clean and comfortable (a contrast from the hallways), the hotel appears to be built in the center of a triangle of highways. My room was on the fifth floor facing the courtyard, not the road, and I heard traffic rushing past all night long. The first morning, I called and asked to change rooms and they said the courtyard-facing rooms were the quietest in the hotel, so I stayed put. I cannot imagine any noisier.

Next time I would pay the extra money and stay at the Hilton or Sheraton at Universal Studios. Double sized beds were soft and uncomfortable, only one person could sleep in them at a time. The noise of the freeway was clearly heard in the room at all times. I requested a mini-fridge for my children's antibiotics and was told the hotel only had them in the "kids suites" and the rest had been donated. Also tried to get a "rollaway bed" and was told they had none in the hotel. Staff was only pleasant when Manager was present and overseeing them. This hotel is not worth it, pay extra and stay somewhere nicer!

A nightmare! Filthy room, surly staff and sketchy characters in the lobby...My husband and I had a good laugh after going to the website after we spent an awful night there....'a place where Hollywood stars congreagate...', etc....I cannot even imagine what kind of "stars" would be caught dead here...ones contemplating entering the Witness Protection Program?

Great experience! Friendly staff and beautiful rooms. My husband enjoyed the tennis courts and my son loved the in room wireless and video games. I layed in the california sun by the lovely pool and enjoyed prompt room service every morning. Beds verycomfortable, and the double sinks allowed no fighting for bathroom time. Free shuttle to Universal very convinent! Highly reccomend as a relaxing and fun retreat!

My family stayed at this hotel. Free shuttle to Universal Studios and a pool for my kids. The best feature was the Kidsuites...my kids loved this as much as Disneyland. Great staff. Thanks for a wonderful vacation!

Two words: "bad kharma." Filthy, dated, spooky. My room screamed 1979--the bedspread was circa Carter Administration, if that....noisy room, surly staff, if you are not visting Univeral Stuidios, I cannot imagine why you would stay here (unless you've enrolled in the Witness Protection Program.)

We were attracted to the descriptions given on the internet for this hotel. Quote: "Completely renovated in January 2003" ... "Praised as 'an affordable luxury hotel in the heart of Hollywood' by Bus Tour Magazine (April/May 2002)" ... "Scores of other Hollywood stars frequently visit the comfortable hotel..."

Our hearts sank with disappointment when we arrived at this hotel. We were very hardpressed to detect any of the "renovations". This hotel is dingy, depressing and outdated. We saw 5 rooms in two different wings, so we know they were all about the same. Room and hallway carpets were worn, blackened in some large areas, and not very clean. We requested a change of rooms because our rooms were roadside with very loud, noisy heavy traffic.

When I first opened my eyes upon awakening the first morning, I blurted out, "Man, what a depressing sight to wake up to!" My daughter & husband agreed with me about the dingy, ugly walls and furnishings of our room.

I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. It's quite unattractive and not worth its close proximity to Universal Studios.