Looking for hotel recommendations during orientation. Thanks!
So closest to campus: Inn at USC Wyndham, Courtyard Downtown USC followed by Clarion (currently is adding addition so not sure how affects existing part). Downtown and technically walkable (but hot in summer - but students walk that far to go out and big student apartment downtown) are Sheraton and Marriot on Main and in Vista - Hampton Inn and Hyatt and Hilton. Also in Vista/downtown but not really walkable at all are Staybridge, Holiday Inn Express and springhill suites.
If none of these work, there are some other areas I would recommend if you have a car that are further out and likely cheaper.
Thank you!
Adding to @scmom12’s reply: On the opposite side of campus (Five Points) is a small, independent hotel called Claussen’s that used to be (I think) a bread factory. It is very attractive but is right up against one of the freight train lines, so it will be noisy. You can walk to campus from there and will mostly be in the shade, so not too bad even in mid-summer.
The Marriott Downtown Courtyard also gets a lot of train noise, at least on the Assembly Street side of the building. The location is really convenient, though.
I stayed at the SpringHill Suites in the Vista during orientation last year and walked to and from campus both days. In the mornings, it was fairly cool, so not too bad; in the late afternoon, it was a hot walk back to the hotel, but at least it was downhill. I’d estimate maybe 1 mile each direction? Also, Day 2 started at the arena, so that was a shorter walk (and less hilly) than the hike up to campus. It’s a nice hotel, was reasonably priced, and I never heard a train. The Staybridge Suites is very nice (stayed there during move-in) but I agree that it is not walkable.
We stayed in the Courtyard last year for Orientation and for Move In Weekend, which was close to campus. Since there is a lot of walking during Orientation, make sure you drink lots of water (you can refill water bottles in the buildings). Last year in July, the temps and humidity were both very high, so we were grateful for shade and air conditioning. Honestly, we were tired by the end of the day during Orientation and never heard the trains at the Courtyard.
Even if you stay further away, there is parking in the Bull Street Garage (close to Danielson where our son stayed for Orientation), so that is convenient.
Wishing you the best. Our son finished yesterday and it is hard to believe he has completed Freshman year. He loved his experience at USC.