Location: Los Angeles, CA

Dates of Visit: July 10-11, 2023

Disclaimer: The hotel did not compensate me for reviewing my stay and experience.

Let’s call this a continuation of my Los Angeles series since my two recent blog posts were about my experiences in the City of Angels. By now, you have read about my IDEA World and JW Marriott experience. I did not mention that I went on a mini-vacation outside the city days before the event.

I decided to treat myself to a post-birthday, pre-conference treat by booking two days at the Universal Studios complex with one day at the theme park. I also had enough points to book a room at Hilton Universal City, steps away from the park’s front gates., which also meant another unique fitness center to review.

This review will be split into two blogs: I will review the Hilton’s fitness center in this one. As a bonus post, I am adding my experience staying near Universal Studios and my VIP Experience at the park, including tips about staying healthy on similar trips and how staying at this hotel can enhance your activity.

Click here to read more about my Universal Studios VIP Experience.

The Hotel

I had two reasons why I booked here: the fitness center review (of course!) and the proximity to the Universal Studios complex (the Sheraton Universal was down the street and steps further). It was a five-minute walk to the front gate and only a couple more to the CityWalk entrance.

Thanks to points earned from fitness conferences and filmmaking, I used them to book two nights at the hotel. That cost me 80,000 points per night. My experience with the flagship Hilton hotels is above average. Usually four-star hotels, these facilities include a coffee shop, full-service restaurant, gift shop, and conference rooms. However, most buildings are aging, and guest rooms have gone through numerous renovations.

This hotel had a nice glass canopy welcoming you with a chandelier hanging above and comfortable seating options while waiting for your ride elsewhere or room to be ready. I arrived five hours before check-in since I had an early morning flight. So, I took advantage of the mezzanine-level couches to do some work away from crying or yelling.

Two hours later, I was ready to settle in my king room. I had a nice view of Comcast-NBCUniversal headquarters and the neighboring Sheraton Universal Hotel. However, I could barely see a big Minion head sticking out of one of the attraction buildings to my right. I loved seeing my name on the TV, welcoming me to Los Angeles and the Hilton. That was a nice touch.

A shuttle to the theme park was available for guests that dropped you off at CityWalk. However, I needed the steps, and it was only a 5-6 minute walk from the hotel entrance. I went around the hotel to reach the bridge over Coral Drive and into the complex.

For dining, I enjoyed the breakfast buffet on my last morning at Cafe Sierra, which was the first thing I saw as I entered the lobby. Thanks to my $18 daily food and beverage credit, I paid almost half the regular price of $34, including tip. Steep? It can be, especially with prices close to what you see in Vegas! But it was high quality with plenty of options, including an omelet and pancake station, and served beverages including coffee and tea. I did not have a chance to purchase from their cafe during my stay.

The Fitness Center

As an insane fitness and travel-oriented person, I performed my workout at 9 p.m. Pacific time, meaning it was midnight back home. Crazy enough, a couple of others also joined me at that time. 

As with all entries, these reviews intend to give hotel guests an idea of what to expect working out at the resort. They are also used to encourage another way you can stay fit on the road without getting too far off-track from your goals.

With that said, here’s how this facility grades out:

Cardio - 0.8/1

The variety of cardio equipment is there: treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and a rower. They do have one Peloton bike, a standard at all Hilton-branded hotels. It was a smaller space, though, which was why I did not go lower to 0.75. Also, a membership is not required to use the Peloton bike, but you can create an account that will connect to bikes at other Hilton properties. Most, if not all, Hilton properties partner with Precor for cardio equipment and to complement the well-known bike. They are easy to use and have a wide touchscreen to track progress.

Weights - 0.9/1

This property features TAG hex dumbbells from 5- to 75-pound pairs. I like the feel of this product, specifically the grip, and it felt durable and well-made compared to some of the plastic-covered dumbbells in pricier hotels. Six SPRI kettlebells ranging from 5 to 45 pounds were also available in the weight area, separate from the cardio room. If those came in pairs, this would have been a perfect score in my book.

Space - 0.75/1

As mentioned previously, cardio and weights were in separate rooms of the fitness center. Limited space was available for farmer’s carries, walking lunges, and core exercises. It also struck me that it felt more like a home gym than a Hollywood-themed space. Anatomical and “Dos and Don’ts” charts lined the walls. It seemed bland but strangely comfortable. You can see trees and an access road outside the windows in the cardio room. Otherwise, you would have enough room to walk around without feeling claustrophobic.

Amenities - 0.8/1

Bonus points for keeping towels, earbuds, and water in stock. I was impressed with the water dispenser, deemed the “only 7-stage purification system in the world.” From my memory, it tasted great and cold for those LA summers. Two weight scales were also available (one manual and one digital). One TV was hung on the corner of the weight room, and mirrors lined three walls in both rooms.

Other Equipment - 1/1

I have noticed in every Hilton hotel I’ve stayed, a Precor cable tower was included in the fitness center, which is great for varying your workouts and not being stuck with dumbbells the entire time. I also liked the height-varying box combo, including two smaller boxes in case you want to jump higher. However, I recommend not stacking them as the ceiling was low enough that you would hit your head before you land. A roller, two Swiss balls, and ten SPRI medicine balls covered the core side of things. I felt that a third adjustable bench would have been nice. But again, space played a factor.

Final Grade: 4.05 ⭐

Conclusion

This was a solid facility. Even without much decor, I had a great workout with the quality of the equipment available. It felt out of place at the back of the hotel, facing limited scenery. It may not be ideal for bodybuilders, but these reviews are more for readers who struggle to stay active on the road. There is something for everyone, even if you only use dumbbells and treadmills.

Have you stayed at the Hilton Universal City before, and were you able to go to the theme park during your stay? What other Los Angeles-based hotels have a nice fitness center to review for future posts? What did you think of the fitness center? Leave your comments below!

Click here to book a stay or for more information about the property. To experience other Hotel Fitness Center Reviews, follow my Instagram @cp.personaltraining216 and read my previous blogs about staying fit on the road by clicking here.

References

Hotels with peloton bikes. Hilton. (n.d.). https://www.hilton.com/en/p/partners/peloton/

Flowater refill station. FloWater. (n.d.). https://home.drinkflowater.com/products/refill-station