Finding a place to stay near Universal Studios Hollywood and Los Angeles can be difficult, especially if you are on a budget. You want a great location that is in close proximity to everything you want to see and do, safe neighborhood and parking situation, and a space at an affordable price. My SpringHill Suites Burbank review will tell you why it is a great location for this trip and share all the details for planning your trip.
When we were planning our Los Angeles trip we originally booked a hotel in Hollywood. It seemed like the obvious choice, close to the Walk of Fame, central to everything, very LA. It was a mistake, which I get into later in this post, but it turned into finding a great family hotel for our Los Angeles trip.
Burbank turned out to be the perfect base for everything on our LA itinerary. Universal Studios Hollywood was 10 minutes away. Warner Bros Studio Tour was practically around the corner. Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Bowl, and downtown Burbank’s restaurants and shops were all within easy reach.
And unlike Hollywood, Burbank felt calm, manageable, and genuinely easy to navigate with a family of five. No valet circus, no noise at 2am, no $50 parking surprises.
SpringHill Suites Burbank specifically earned its place on our list of favorite family hotels. The free breakfast alone would have made it worth the switch but it was the spacious lobby, the pool and firepit area, the room size, and the fact that we watched a Starlink launch from the roof one night that made it genuinely memorable. Here is my honest review.
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SpringHill Suites Burbank Review- My Experience
We were so lucky to find a room at the SpringHill Suites Burbank and it was the best location for our trip to Los Angeles. As I mentioned earlier, how we ended up at SpringHill Suites Burbank was not as straightforward as I would have liked it to be.
We originally booked a hotel in the Hollywood area and upon arriving realized it was not going to be a good fit for us. Parking was an issue and the area we were in was not the safest. When staying in Hollywood be sure to do extensive research because all areas are not the same.
I felt I did my research before arriving. We chose this hotel because it offered a central location and space for our family, but as soon as we arrived I had a bad feeling about it. Always trust your gut instinct.
Within 30 minutes we made the decision to leave and find another hotel to stay at. Thankfully we found the SpringHill Suites Burbank. I hadn’t really looked at Burbank because I thought it was too far from the things we wanted to do, but it was perfect for us.
When visiting LA you will drive and be in traffic so often during the trip that no matter where you stay you won’t avoid it. The activities on our list were closer to Burbank than I originally thought and I was so happy we made the switch.
The minute we walked into the lobby the hotel staff was welcoming, there was popcorn in the lobby for the kids, and the overall vibe of the hotel was welcoming. The relief I had knowing we found a good place to stay for our family was evident as soon as we arrived.
I loved the free breakfast every morning, the covered parking garage with easy in and out access, and the resort pool that had lawn games, a hot tub, and firepit to relax each night.


Planning your full LA trip? Read our 4-Day Los Angeles Itinerary with Teens for everything we did- Warner Bros Studio Tour, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios Hollywood, and more.
SpringHill Suites Burbank Rooms
We booked a corner room that had 2 queen beds, a pull out sofa, mini-fridge, large closet, and was very spacious for our family. The rooms are basic of what you would expect at a SpringHill Suites. It is not a large resort but a great option for families looking for an affordable place to stay when visiting Universal Studios Hollywood and Los Angeles.
I had read a few reviews before we booked that complained about noise and curtains not blocking out the light, but we had none of these issues. We also felt the rooms and hotel was clean. Since we are a large family we always need more towels and they were delivered quickly.
Overall the rooms worked for our 4 night stay and I would stay there again.


Average Nightly Rate
The average nightly rate of the hotel started at $250.00 and up. There is a $30.00 nightly parking fee as well. This is fairly average pricing for hotels in and around Universal Studios Hollywood and LA.
SpringHill Suites Burbank- Free Breakfast
When traveling with kids it is always a plus to find free breakfast included with your stay. SpringHill Suites Burbank is one of the hotels near Universal Studios Hollywood with free breakfast.
This was not a basic breakfast either. There was a waffle station, oatmeal, eggs, and varied yogurts, and pastries. It was a nice way to start our day before heading to Universal or out to explore Los Angeles.


SpringHill Suites Burbank Pool & Outdoor Area
The outdoor area at the Springhill Suites offered a quiet space to relax. With a firepit, pool, hot tub, and lawn games it was perfect to hang out as a family and enjoy the hotel.
On our last day as we were relaxing in the hot tub we saw the Starlink launch. It was pretty cool to see the colors fly across the sky.


Around the Hotel
Downtown Burbank is within walking distance from the hotel, although we didn’t spend much time there. At the start of each day we would pass all the Studios: Disney, Warner Bros., Universal Studios with little to know traffic.
We didn’t plan on doing the Warner Bros. Studio Tour but after driving by it for three days we decided to try it and it became one of our favorite activities from the week. Read all about our day: Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Review: What to Expect with Teens
Visiting Griffith Observatory was a 15 minute drive, when we got up early to rope drop Universal Studios Hollywood we had a 10 minute drive, it was nice to avoid the traffic on these days.
One thing to keep in mind is the time it will take to visit downtown Los Angeles or the coast. For those days the drive was almost an hour, mostly due to the traffic. This only impacted two days of our trip and we timed our day with the traffic patterns in mind.
You will need to rent a car if you plan to use SpringHill Suites as your home base during your LA trip. The closest airport is Burbank but I suggest researching where you can find the best deals from your home airport. For this trip we flew into Ontario and out of Long Beach.

Is SpringHill Suites Burbank Worth It?
I definitely think SpringHill Suites is worth it for families looking for where to stay near Universal Studios Hollywood that includes free breakfast, on-site parking, and comfortable amenities.
We learned very quickly from our first hotel of the trip that location can make or break your trip. Just like any city there are areas that you want to stay in and areas that are not great.
The nightly rates were also a selling point when you want to stay on a budget. Check SpringHill Suites Burbank current rates.
If you want to be in the heart of Hollywood and within walking distance to the Walk of Fame this might not be a good choice for you. You should look at the Loews Hollywood Hotel, it is pricier but a great location for being right in Hollywood. We stayed there years ago and it was a good pick, just not right for our budget this time around.
I like a break from the bustle of Hollywood and downtown LA, so this hotel was a perfect spot for our family. The location was perfect for all the things that were on our itinerary. The SpringHill Suites Burbank is a great option for where to stay near Universal Studios Hollywood.
Planning your full Southern California trip? Read our Southern California Family Itinerary for how we combined LA with Disneyland and Universal Hollywood across three trips.
Exploring more of the Southwest? Visit our Southwest USA Guide for destination guides and road trip itineraries across California and beyond.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.