The best vacation rental near Universal Studios Hollywood is one that puts you a short drive from the park but lets you leave the crowds behind every evening. Valley Village, Studio City and North Hollywood sit right beside Universal City, and that is where we are: The Inn at The Enchanted Manor is a private, storybook guest house 4.9 miles from Universal Studios Hollywood, with a saltwater grotto pool waiting when you get home.
Where to stay near Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood sits in Universal City, on the San Fernando Valley side of the Hollywood Hills. That geography matters when you choose where to sleep. Most visitors default to one of three options, and each suits a different kind of trip.
- Hotels on the hill. The big hotels right beside the park are about convenience: you can walk or shuttle in, but you pay for that location and share pools, lobbies and elevators with hundreds of other guests.
- Hollywood. Staying over the hill in Hollywood keeps you close to the Walk of Fame and nightlife, but you trade it for busier streets and more traffic on the way to the park.
- The Valley neighbourhoods. Studio City, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake and Burbank are the quiet residential pocket just north of Universal. These are real neighbourhoods with tree-lined streets, local restaurants and homes, which is exactly where a vacation rental makes the most sense.
If your trip is mainly about one long park day, a hotel on the hill is hard to beat. If you are staying several nights, travelling as a family or group, or want Universal to be one part of a bigger Los Angeles trip, a private rental in the Valley usually gives you more space, a kitchen and a calmer base for the price of a hotel room or two.
What to look for in a vacation rental near Universal
Not every listing that says "near Universal" is actually convenient. Before you book anywhere, run through this checklist.
- Real driving distance. Look up the mileage to the park entrance yourself, and think about which side of the hills the rental is on. A place in the Valley a few miles away is usually a simpler drive to Universal than one that looks close on a map but sits over the hill.
- Freeway access. Universal sits along the 101. A rental minutes from the 101 and the 405 lets you reach the park, the Westside and the beaches without crawling through surface streets.
- Parking. Many LA rentals have no parking at all. Ask exactly where your car goes overnight.
- Sleeping layout. "Sleeps 6" can mean one bedroom and a pile of air mattresses. Ask what the beds actually are and who they suit.
- A kitchen. After a day of theme park food, a proper kitchen for breakfast and easy dinners saves money and keeps everyone happier.
- Somewhere to unwind. A pool, a fire pit or simply a quiet garden turns a busy sightseeing trip into a holiday.
- Clear house rules and fees. Check nightly rates, minimum stays, cleaning fees, deposits and the cancellation policy before you commit.
The Inn at The Enchanted Manor: 4.9 miles from Universal
Our home is at 5235 Goodland Avenue in Valley Village, on a quiet cul-de-sac with the LA River behind the house. It is 4.9 miles to Universal Studios Hollywood, minutes from the 101 and the 405, and easy to reach from both Burbank and LAX airports. Georgia Durante, a former precision and stunt driver and the author of The Company She Keeps, spent 25 years remodelling her home into the manor and still lives on the property, so there is always a host close by.
The Inn is the private vacation rental within the manor. It has a large living room with a fireplace and two down couches, a queen Murphy bed with a plush mattress, and a full kitchen with fridge, stove, oven, microwave, blender and coffee maker, with coffee and tea provided. Our favourite room is the octagonal breakfast room, with French windows on every side and two skylights, looking out onto the pool and the outdoor fireplace.
For families and small groups there is more. The Secret Room is a finished attic hidden behind a bookcase, with four twin beds, reached by a ladder, so it is best for older children and agile adults rather than very young kids, older guests or very tall adults. The Great Room, with its stone fireplace, adds another 1,000 square feet. With both opened, the Inn sleeps up to six guests.
You also get premium cable, a DVD library, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, ceiling fans and laundry, and for little ones a crib, high chair, toys and games. A private chef and a masseuse can be arranged if you want to make the trip extra special.
Coming home to the grounds
What really sets the Inn apart from a hotel near Universal is what is outside the door. The manor sits on more than 18,000 square feet of grounds. There is a saltwater lagoon-style grotto pool with no harsh chemicals, three waterfalls, and a raised Jacuzzi, with nine light colours for the pool and spa after dark. There is a thatched gazebo bar with a refrigerator, sink and barbecue, a lava-rock fire pit, a tri-level deck, an outdoor shower, and a private patio with an outdoor fireplace, plush couches and its own BBQ. At night the trees glow with fairy lights, which feels a little like walking in dappled moonlight.
Our guests tend to say the same thing. As Nerio R. put it: “Because of the beauty of the Enchanted Manor, we spent most of our time in the property itself.” And Andrew W. told us: “It was hard to believe it was actually Los Angeles.”
Families especially love it. Malaya G. wrote: “My kids didn't want to get out of the pool. They loved the secret room behind the book case.” If you are weighing other family stays, our guide to family friendly places to stay in Los Angeles covers what to look for across the city.
Rates, rules and what to know before you book
We would rather you know everything up front. These are the Inn's current terms:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Nightly rate | $575 Monday to Thursday, $595 Friday to Sunday |
| Minimum stay | 2 nights |
| Extra guests | $50 per person per night over 2 guests |
| Secret Room and Great Room | $100 per night |
| Cleaning fee | $185 |
| Admin fee | $190 |
| Refundable deposit | $300 |
| Pets | $85 fee, by agreement |
| Pool heating | Optional, $10 per hour |
| Check-in / check-out | After 3pm / by 11am |
A few house rules: the person booking must be at least 21, bookings are non-refundable once made, parties need permission, the Jacuzzi is open 9am to 11pm, and we keep things quiet after 10pm. For your security there is an alarm in the rental, and cameras are on the exterior only. Parking is easy: there is room for 12 to 15 cars on the cul-de-sac, plus open street parking.
Making the most of a Universal trip from Valley Village
Staying 4.9 miles from the park makes it easy to plan your days around how you actually feel rather than around a hotel schedule.
- Arrive early, leave happy. Head to Universal for the morning when queues are shortest, then come back for a swim while the park is at its busiest.
- Use the kitchen. Make breakfast in the breakfast room before you go, and keep dinner simple with a barbecue at the gazebo bar.
- Build in other studios and sights. From the Inn it is 7.4 miles to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, 7.2 miles to the Hollywood Sign, 8.3 miles to the LA Zoo and 11 miles to Griffith Park. If you are thinking about seeing the sign up close, read our take on whether the Hollywood Sign hike is worth it.
- Go further afield. Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive are 6.5 miles away, Santa Monica Beach is 19 miles, Six Flags Magic Mountain is 26 miles and Disneyland is 37 miles, so the Inn works as a base for a whole Southern California itinerary.
Celebrating while you are in town
Some guests come for Universal and realise the manor is also a beautiful place to celebrate. The grounds host events of every kind for up to 100 guests: birthdays, showers, engagement parties, anniversaries, reunions, ceremonies and corporate gatherings. You bring your own caterer and your own beverages, so there are no costly venue food and beverage packages. If a milestone falls during your trip, have a look at our events page as well.
Book your stay near Universal Studios Hollywood
If you want to be close to Universal but feel worlds away from it, the Inn is ready for you. See photos, amenities and availability on our vacation rental page, or call or text Georgia at (213) 999-3050 with your dates. As Georgia likes to say, our guests come as strangers and leave as friends.
Frequently asked questions
How far is The Enchanted Manor from Universal Studios Hollywood?
The Inn at The Enchanted Manor is 4.9 miles by car from Universal Studios Hollywood, in Valley Village, minutes from the 101 and 405 freeways.
How many people can stay at the Inn?
The Inn sleeps up to six guests when the Secret Room (four twin beds in an attic behind a bookcase) and the Great Room are opened alongside the queen Murphy bed.
How much does the Inn cost per night?
The Inn is $575 per night Monday to Thursday and $595 Friday to Sunday, with a two-night minimum. Extra guests over two are $50 per person per night, and the Secret Room and Great Room are $100 per night.
Is there parking at the vacation rental?
Yes. There is parking for 12 to 15 cars on the cul-de-sac plus open street parking.
Is the Inn good for families visiting Universal?
Yes. It has a full kitchen, a crib, high chair, toys and games, a saltwater grotto pool and a Secret Room with twin beds, though the ladder to the Secret Room is not suited to very young children.
