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Sheraton Universal offers 451 rooms, 31 of which are suites, and they come in a few different varieties. Traditional guest rooms are 325 square feet and are equipped with two queen beds, two double beds, or a king.
Our north-facing standard room had one king bed and enough space for the three of us. The room was equipped with a desk, a 32-inch LCD TV (with pay-per-view movies and Nintendo video games), and an iHome clock radio. Amenities-wise, we were happy with our lot, though the lack of fridge was an inconvenience. However, our in-room Starbucks one-cup brewer and Tazo tea helped get our heads on straight after rising.
Views of urban L.A. freeways, hills, etc., are impressive from the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. Unfortunately, in our room and the others we saw, the windows were in desperate need of a wash, leaving those cool views a little spotty.
We were situated on a Club Floor, which costs $40 more and is no larger or different from a traditional room, except that you get a few convenient, cost-saving perks: a Continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, free bottled water, free local calls, and daily newspaper. If you're a breakfast-eating family, the breakfast component may be worthwhile for a family of four (but perhaps not for any less than four). Internet access is had only with a fee ($9.95/day), whether you've paid for Club Floor perks or not.
Pack n' Plays and cribs are available for no extra charge. In the traditional rooms, whatever floor you're on, rollaways cannot be requested due to space constrictions. Fortunately, there are over 175 connecting rooms in this hotel -- these include one room with a king bed next to a room with two queen beds. And, in the off-season, you may find specials like buy one room get the second at half off.
Executive suites, of which there are 18 altogether, have one king or two queen beds, and, at 600 square feet, they are almost twice the size of a traditional room. Though the layout is similar to the traditional rooms, the space feels far more open and includes an elegant, though non-extravagant, sitting area. Rollaways are available upon request in executive suites for $25 per night.
In addition, there are 12 ADA room in the hotel. One that I saw was a corner room that, once upon a time, functioned as a parlor -- just another hint of the hotel's intriguing past.
The only rooms with balconies in this hotel are to be found on the second and third floors. The Shrek Tower is popular with families, as it was reputedly created to be the honeymoon suite for Shrek and Princess Fiona.
Those staying more than one night can decline housekeeping (except on departure day) and be rewarded with a $5 voucher valid onsite or 500 Starwood Starpoints. Children, under the age of 18, stay here free.
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