Looking for a hotel near Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights? Here’s my honest review of El Royale Hotel, plus tips on where to stay.
We’ve stayed at this hotel two years in a row now for Halloween Horror Nights, so I feel like I have a pretty solid read on it at this point.
And I’ll be honest, it wasn’t one of those hotels I found and immediately thought “this is perfect.” It was more of a practical choice that ended up working really well for what we needed.
When you’re going to Horror Nights, you’re not spending a ton of time at your hotel. You just need something that’s easy, close enough, and comfortable enough to come back to after a long night.
So if you’re trying to figure out where to stay near Universal Studios Hollywood without overpaying, here’s exactly what our experience was like staying at El Royale Hotel.
Table of Contents
- Where to Stay for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood
- Why We Chose El Royale Hotel
- El Royale Hotel Location (Near Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Booking El Royale Hotel (Price + Tips)
- El Royale Hotel Room Tour + What to Expect
- Is El Royale Hotel Good for Halloween Horror Nights?
- Pros and Cons of Staying at El Royale Hotel
- Final Thoughts on El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios Hollywood
Where to Stay for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood
If you’re planning a trip to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, where you stay actually matters more than you think.
You’re going to be there late. Like… very late.
Between lines, walking, and just being out all night, the last thing you want is a stressful or long trip back to your hotel.
You basically have three options:
- stay within walking distance (more expensive)
- stay very close (short drive or Uber)
- stay a little further out (more affordable)
We’ve done the “short drive” option the past two years, and honestly, it’s worked out really well.
Why We Chose El Royale Hotel
We’ve officially stayed at El Royale Hotel two years in a row now for Halloween Horror Nights.
And please don’t get confused like we did. There are two hotels. El Royale Hotel and El Royale Gardens. They are next door to each other and owned by the same team. But the two hotels are very different – I’ll get into that later.
For Horror Nights, we knew we needed something:
- affordable
- close enough to Universal Studios Hollywood
- clean (this is non-negotiable for me)
And this hotel checked those boxes.
When I say this hotel is “old Hollywood”… I mean it.
It’s old. Hahaha.
Like… we definitely joked a few times that it felt like it could be the set of a scary movie. Which honestly fit perfectly since we were there for Horror Nights.
The “old” side is the El Royal Hotel side, and the newer and upgraded rooms are at the El Royal Gardens.
El Royale Hotel Location (Near Universal Studios Hollywood)
Address:
11117 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA
One of the biggest reasons we booked this hotel is the location.
It’s about a 5–10 minute drive to Universal Studios Hollywood, depending on traffic.
Close enough that getting back late at night isn’t a hassle, but far enough that you’re not paying premium “right next to the park” prices.
There’s a great taco spot near the hotel and a coffee spot if you’re looking for dinner before Horror Nights or a quick coffee the morning after.
Booking El Royale Hotel (Price + Tips)
We booked through Hotels.com, and it ended up being around $240 for the night.
There were three of us, so it came out to about $80 each, which felt like a really good deal for the location.
A few tips if you’re booking a hotel for Halloween Horror Nights:
- Book early – prices go up fast during HHN season
- Compare prices across platforms (Hotels.com, Expedia, etc.)
- Look at total cost with parking included
El Royale Hotel Room Tour + What to Expect
Let’s talk about the actual stay.
The rooms are simple. Nothing over-the-top. But honestly… they did the job.
We’ve stayed at both the El Royale Cottages and Gardens and both sides felt the same level of cleanliness. The Gardens is more up to date and renovated but it is still pretty old feeling.
The rooms felt very clean but I would say both bathrooms felt older. Yes, clean but older. So they kind of just felt off. But we’ve stayed twice and will probably stay again. Definitely not anything to keep us away.
But for a place to sleep, shower, and get ready for a long night at Horror Nights, it worked perfectly.
Is El Royale Hotel Good for Halloween Horror Nights?
Short answer: yes – if you’re okay with a short drive.
For us, it was actually ideal.
After a long night at Halloween Horror Nights, the last thing you want is:
- a complicated commute
- a long Uber ride
- or spending a ton on a hotel just to be closer
This was an easy drive back, super manageable, and honestly felt like the perfect middle ground between convenience and price.
Pros and Cons of Staying at El Royale Hotel
Pros:
- Affordable compared to closer hotels
- Very close to Universal Studios Hollywood
- Clean rooms
- Good option for groups splitting cost
Cons:
- Older property (you’ll notice it)
- Not a luxury stay
- Slightly eerie vibe (but it is Horror Nights! hahaha)
Final Thoughts on El Royale Hotel Near Universal Studios Hollywood
Would I stay here again?
Honestly… yes. We already have. Twice.
It’s not the kind of hotel you book for a luxury stay.
But for Halloween Horror Nights?
It actually kind of fits the vibe.
It’s affordable, close enough to the park, and easy to manage after a long night.
If you’re looking for a practical, budget-friendly option near Universal Studios Hollywood, this is definitely one to consider.
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About the Author:
Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of Anaheim and beyond!
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