Anyone have any suggestions for a nice hotel in the Universal Studios area. Also any website suggestions for booking one?.

Which are you talking about-- the REAL, ORIGINAL Universal Studios (a real live working movie studio with theme park attraction added on) in Hollywood, California, or the MGM/Universal theme park that they plonked in the middle of Orlando, Florida?

You'll get more replies if you let us know which one.

Bet it's Florida. When I clicked on the Florida in the topics box this question showed up in the #1 position!

I recently stayed at the Pacific Royal (or is it Royal Pacific?) and loved it. It had just been given 4 stars by AAA and was truly beautiful. It is very close walking distance to Islands Of America, Universal, and Universal City Walk. The best thing about staying on property is that you don't have to wait on line for the rides. Your hotel key is a special pass.

This advice is only good for Florida.

I have also stayed at the Royal Pacific and thought it was very nice. An easy walk to everything and it is nice that you don't have to wait in lines at Univeral Studios or Islands of Adventure.

I wanted Royal Pacific but got outvoted by the Kids who chose Hard Rock, also walking distance and with the pass for rides. There is also the Portofino there. Hard Rock has a waterslide, Portofino is fanciest and Royal Pacific is the one that is tropical.
PS I hated universal studios california.

If you do not want to stay onsite; right across the street from the entrance to Universal is Amerisuites. It's on Caravan Drive and my husband and I checked it out and it is very nice. Includes a full breakfast too. If you want to save money; this is the place. It also has a shuttle that takes you to Universal (save parking fees). It's a great deal.

We did 6 theme parks in 5 days recently. Alot of walking! We stayed at the Swan/Disney and Royal Pacific/Universal. We really enjoyed the Royal Pacific. Staff was very nice, layout was great and man loved the no wait at both theme parks. They had to close the pool at RP so we ferried? over to Hard Rock and used their pool. Hard Rock was very nice but more expensive than RP. You can't co wrong with Royal Pacific IMO.

I find it interesting that most people are only mentioning the Royal Pacific hotel at Universal Studios. Although it is a nice hotel (4 stars), I would consider it the least desirable of the three onsite hotels at Universal. My choice would tend to be with either the Hard Rock or Portofino Bay. I think that I would choose Hard Rock if I was bringing children or teenagers because of the lively atmosphere and underwater music in the pool. However, if I was just going with a significant other for a more relaxing vacation I would choose Portofino Bay, desgined after a waterfront villa along the Italian coast.

I've stayed at all three and the Pacific Royal was my hands down favorite.

We're staying at the Portofino Hotel in September and I chose this hotel because I can't afford the real thing in Italy, ha ha. But the rooms are not that cheap, so I hope it's worth it....

To Gail - I had just been to Italy a few months before I stayed at the Portofino at Universal - and really felt back in Italy! It is lovely - and we got in on a special, but have been back again just because it is so unique and we love not having to wait in line - that is only if you stay in a hotel on site. Enjoy!

nicenancy-Great to hear that about Portofino. I'll just pretend I'm in Italy, ha ha.... Thanks for the reply...