I was really looking forward to staying here and was extremely disappointed. the room was nothing special..not even a balcony. I could've been in any hotel in the world. The reception area was nice and the pool looked nice... but it was full of posers, standing around up to their waists with bottles of beer or glasses of cocktails etc. The swimming pool had loads of sand at the bottom of it..not nice.. the food and drink at the bars were very overpriced and you have to pay service charges of 18% on everything, even if you're paying at the bar - so you basically pay an extra 18% to be handed your drink.
Only plus about this hotel is the short walk to the 2 universal parks and the fact you get to cut the lines on most attractions. Next year I shall be staying at one of the other universal hotels.