We were attending an event at the Sportsmens Lodge and decided to stay right at the hotel. I found a good internet rate of $119 a night. If you take some time and search around, you should be able to find a lower rate than what they offer on their website.
Our room was on the 3rd floor of the right hand building. Because we had the lower rate we were in a parking lot view room and I could tell this one had not yet been one of the lucky ones to be renovated. It was very clean and the mattresses seemed very very new. They were a little bit firm for my liking, but better than old and sagging. There was nothing special about the room. 2 double beds, desk, 2 chairs, tv, dresser, bath with tub. Room was quite large though. It did have a balcony, but since we overlooked a dumpster (that often people were seen digging through), we didn't use it. I would have loved to be on the pool side in a nicer room, but you get what you pay for. We were barely there anyway, so it did not matter to us at all. There was a coffee maker and a blow dryer. Hint: Bring your own blow dryer - this one barely did anything and took me 3 times as long to dry my hair.
It wasn't the room we loved though. It was the atmosphere and the pool, the location, and the little cafe. If this review was based on the room alone I would give it 2 out of 5. The walls are pretty thin and we were woken up at 5:30am while the neighbors showered, but somehow all of this didn't seem to matter because we loved the atmosphere of the hotel so much.
The pool was HUGE. photos do not do it justice. I had no idea just how big this pool was. You could put 100 people in this pool and not feel cramped. Our own community outdoor pool is about 1/3 the size of this, and I consider it to be a fairly decent size. Also, it was warm and like soup! It must cost them a fortune to heat this thing! I was expecting it to be freezing cold, but it was like swimming in warm soup! There is also a jacuzzi in a gated area surrounded by bushes and is very private. There are tons of reclining sun chairs and also tables and chairs with umbrellas. There was a pool bar and always fun music playing.
Another thing we loved was the little cafe. The prices were extremely reasonable (and room service was the same prices plus 1.95 fee). We could eat for under $10 per person for lunch/dinner and $6 a person for breakfast. The kids meals were 4.95 and included a drink. The food was always delicious. Try the french toast! Best I have ever had. They have 9.95 blue plate specials (things like turkey, roast beef, meatloaf, chicken,etc...) which was meat, choice of potatoes, veggies, soup or salad AND dessert (pies, ice cream, pudding). This is an incredible bargain in Studio City at a hotel! The meals were huge and I never finished everything.
We were using public transit for this trip and there are bus stops right out front. You could catch one of 3 buses that went up Ventura either way. We used it to go to the metro station at universal city, and then down to Hollywood. Only took about 20 mins total. We also took it to Laurel Canyon, then caught the 218 bus down to the Grove (fun place to visit and shop).
We never waited more than 10 mins for a bus, even on Sunday.
The internet was great for the first 3 days. The 4th day they were having problems with their server and I could not connect for more than 5 mins and would get booted off. I was able to have that charge removed at the front desk (its 9.95 a day for wireless, which is a bit of a rip off, but what can you do).
The hotel is all very old hollywood and lots of memorabilia around. It is not the 5 star four seasons, but it isn't a days inn. It has a resort feel and you truly feel you are on vacation. The pathways and gardens are nice for walking around.
We did use the salon and found it quite reasonable. I did notice the manicures were $17. We called ahead about 3 days and were able to book an appt for hair.
They also have a free shuttle to Universal. You have to book it ahead of time. We didn't know this, and thought it just ran all the time. We went down and asked about it and the guy was so nice, and offered to take us right away, even though he just returned. He said they usually only run until 7pm, but he was working until 10pm, and just to call him directly for a pick up.
The airport 'shuttle' is now the airport 'taxi'. They call you a cab and give you a voucher. I ordered a cab for 11:30 and it didn't arrive until 11:50. So order it for 15 mins earlier than you need it.
Beside the hotel is a strip mall with a subway and a few other food places. Also a hair and nail salon. Across the street is Ralphs supermarket.
If you are looking for a vacation resort type feel and a great pool, access to good reasonably priced food, this is the place for you. I will never stay anywhere else again when we go to that area.
If you are looking for a high rise hotel with all the sparkly fancy rooms, flat screen tvs, limos pulling in and out all the time,etc... than this is not the place for you.
Don't hesitate to bring your family here! You will love it!
hotel reviews