Ah, the game show industry, full of glitz, glamor, and huge cash prizes. Surely those game shows pay for their contestants to stay near the studio, right?
With the beloved quiz show Jeopardy!, that’s not the case. The show doesn’t reimburse its contestants for their hotel stays, nor for their flights or food expenses. Sure, even if you don’t win big, your standard third-place winnings ($1000) will surely cover at least part of those costs, but, gee, you wouldn’t think that Jeopardy! would be so stingy! (An aside: if you win a game, but the show takes a filming break for a week or two, they’ll cover your flight back to Culver City.)
So, where do Jeopardy!’s hopefuls stay during their filming stints? Is there an official Jeopardy! hotel? Do they receive any sort of discount?
We’ll answer all of these questions and more in this guide to accommodations for Jeopardy! contestants. Whether you’re a future contestant yourself or you’re simply curious about the inner workings of America’s favorite game show, read on to learn more about where Jeopardy! contestants really stay while filming the show.
Discounted Hotels in Culver City
While Jeopardy! doesn’t pay for any of its contestants’ stays in Culver City, it has traditionally offered them a Sony corporate discount on two hotels in the area. Players are encouraged to stay at these hotels both to take advantage of the lower nightly rate and to use their early morning shuttles to help beat that LA traffic and arrive at the Sony studios on time.
However, there have been some changes to these hotels since the pandemic struck. One of the hotels that was traditionally discounted, the Radisson hotel in Culver City, was permanently closed. Historically, most Jeopardy! contestants have stayed at this hotel, so it’s a bummer that new prospective players can’t stay there to soak up their good mojo.
It’s unclear if Jeopardy! is now offering the same discount on a different Radisson hotel, or if they’ve gone another route entirely. No matter what, they still do offer a discounted hotel rate.
If you make it onto the show, chances are Jeopardy! will recommend you stay at the hotel below.
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside
The Four Points by Sheraton is just under two and a half miles away from Sony Pictures Studios. It’s a three-star hotel with a Google user rating of over four stars—sounds pretty decent to us.
All of the rooms at the Four Points by Sheraton are non-smoking, and they’re practicing bolstered health practices, such as washing linens at a higher heat and requiring masks in the lobby, to help curb the spread of COVID-19. And if you want to stay active in between shooting days, there’s an exercise room, as well as an outdoor heated pool you can relax in.
Especially considering the extra discount you’ll get as a Jeopardy! contestant, the Four Points Sheraton sounds like a great bet.
Other Area Hotels Near Sony Pictures Studios
Beyond the hotels recommended and discounted by Jeopardy!, there are plenty of options for accommodations in the Culver City area—this is LA, after all! We’ve chosen a few of our favorites that Jeopardy! contestants have chosen to stay in over the years. No matter your price point, we’ve got a hotel suggestion that’s bound to be perfect for you.
Hilton Los Angeles Culver City
Another great option for Jeopardy! contestants is the Hilton Los Angeles in Culver City. The Sony Pictures Studios are just a 15-minute drive away from this three-star hotel (with a four star Google user rating). It’s quiet and tranquil, perfect for clearing your mind before a long day (or week, if you’re lucky!) of Jeopardy! filming.
Parking is a little pricey here—it’s $39 per day—but how many Jeopardy! contestants really need to rent a car, anyway?
After your finish filming, relax at the Hilton’s outdoor pool and whirlpool spa or dine in at their lower-level restaurant.
Century Park Hotel West Los Angeles
If you want a room that looks a little more shi-shi, head to the Century Park Hotel in West Los Angeles. Every room is designed with modern style in mind, so expect to see fun architectural elements, like bright accent walls, cushy bubble desk chairs, and even spiral staircases, if you’re lucky enough to get a two-story room.
Every room is equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. Plus, you get the newspaper for free every morning, delivered right to your room’s door. (Obviously, if you’re filming for Jeopardy!, you can enjoy reading the paper after your long filming day.)
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Culver City
Just a little over three miles away from the Sony Pictures Studios, the Culver City Courtyard by Marriott will ensure you have a comfortable, easy stay.
If sustainability is of importance to you, this Courtyard by Marriott is an excellent option. For one thing, they’re certified as a GreenLeader by Trip Advisor. Additionally, they’re transparent about their carbon and water footprints, and they offer recycling services in every room.
Need to do some laundry during your stay? If you end up being a big winner and didn’t bring enough shirts to wear on camera, the Courtyard by Marriot offers washing machines and dryers to their guests. They also have a dry-cleaning service—talk about handy!
With an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, and in-hotel convenience store, the Courtyard aims to make your life as easy as possible, which is what you need when you’re competing in a high-pressure environment like the set of Jeopardy!.
Extended Stay America Suites LAX Airport Los Angeles
The Extended Stay America Suites near the LAX airport is a great option for those looking to save a little dough on their hotel stay. Every room is a full suite, giving you room to stretch out and get comfy between filming days. It’s only a six-minute drive from the airport and 12 minutes from the Sony Pictures Studios, so there’s no need to worry about lateness when you’re heading to filming or your flight home.
It’s an especially great pick for those looking to save a little dough—rooms usually start in the $120 range—or for those who don’t mind staying in a simpler locale.
Each suite at the Extended Stay America has a full kitchen, so if you’re filming for more than a day, you can stock up your fridge and prepare yourself a nice, home-cooked meal—that is, if you really feel like cooking after wracking your brain all day! Plus, they’ve got a laundry room available 24 hours a day just in case you get something on that shirt you’re planning on wearing for the cameras.
Beverly Hills Marriott Hotel
Contestants who are looking for a swankier stay will enjoy the Beverly Hills Marriott, about three and a half miles from the Sony Pictures Studios. There, you’ll get the full Hollywood experience. You can visit the hotel’s high-end restaurant or explore any of its eight fancy event spaces. The hotel itself is a sight to behold, and its glamorous atmosphere is there to put you at ease.
If you’re prone to allergies, you can opt for a Pure Room, sponsored by Pure Wellness. These rooms are equipped with purified air and bedding made out of hypoallergenic material. With a Pure Room, you’ll be sure to rest well ahead of filming.
Worried you’ll oversleep and miss your call time at the studios? The front desk at the Beverly Hills Marriott will give you a wake-up call at any hour, no matter how early.
If you need to unwind after your big day on set, you can relax at the hotel’s hot tub or outdoor pool.
Travelodge by Wyndham Culver City
If you’re looking for a super nearby hotel at a lower cost, this Travelodge might be the hotel for you. It’s a four-star hotel with high ratings, yet its nightly cost still comes in at just about $170. It’s also only a mile away from the Sony Pictures Studios, AKA perfect for that quick early morning commute to the Jeopardy! set.
Want a quick bite to eat? The Travelodge provides every guest with a $10 meal voucher to eat at their Metro Café. In other words, you don’t have to worry about breakfast the morning that you head to the studios—just pop by the café, and they’ll get you a yummy, light bite.
It’s right on the interstate—the 405, to be exact—so be sure to bring earplugs to ensure you aren’t kept awake by loud car noises all night before your big filming day!
Airbnb Near Sony Pictures Studios
If staying in a hotel isn’t your style, why not book an Airbnb? They give you more of a solitary home-away-from-home experience, making them a great alternative to traditional hotels. We’ve compiled a few that are within a couple of miles of the Sony Pictures Studios to streamline your travel to and from filming.
A quick word of warning about LA Airbnbs—they’re really high in demand! A couple of the Airbnbs we’ve listed are already booked out into next year. Therefore, unless you know what days you’re filming way ahead of time, it might be easier to just get a hotel room. Still, an Airbnb is an excellent, comfortable option if you want to stay truly relaxed while filming for Jeopardy!.
Jackson’s Cottage Retreat near Sony Studios
Jackson’s Cottage Retreat is a fully private small home right by the Sony Pictures Studios. It’s comfortably furnished with a full kitchen, updated bathroom, and laundry. Plus, the cottage has a sweet backyard. It’s the perfect place to escape the noise and bustle of the city to get some peace and quiet before or after you film.
This Airbnb is run by a Superhost, which essentially means that the person who runs the place is experienced—in other words, you’re in good hands. You can self-check-in with a keypad so there’s no one to distract you as you prepare to film for Jeopardy!. Plus, the Superhost makes sure the kitchen is stocked with breakfast foods ahead of your stay so you can start your big day off on the right foot.
Culver City Studio Near Sony Studios M3
This cozy studio in Culver City is a stone’s throw from the Sony Pictures Studios. It’s been recently updated, so its flooring and furnishings are very nearly new. There’s a “designated workspace” in the form of a little desk with a comfy chair, so if you want to cram last minute for your Jeopardy! filming, that would be the place to do it.
It’s a little place—what studio isn’t?—without AC, which might prove unpleasant in the summer, but in terms of affordability, this place can’t be beaten. Airbnb prices fluctuate, but this one tends to be priced under $100 nightly—talk about a steal, especially in the LA area. Plus, street parking is free!
Cottage in Hollywood Hills West
This Hollywood Hills West cottage is absolutely gorgeous and tranquil, perfect for focus ahead of your big day filming Jeopardy!. Its décor is colorful and eclectic, yet homey and a little vintage, too. If atmosphere matters to you, this Airbnb is an excellent choice.
The entire cottage costs only a little over $100 nightly to rent, and it’s got over 500 reviews that bring it to a rating very near 5 stars. In terms of Airbnb near the Sony Pictures Studios, this is truly as good as it gets.
Tournament of Champions Accommodations
There’s a single exception to Jeopardy!’s stinginess when it comes to caring for their contestants, and that’s their annual Tournament of Champions. For the Tournament of Champions, Jeopardy! covers every contestant’s hotel stay (presumably at the Four Points Sheraton), as well as their airfare and transportation to and from the airport. They even receive a per diem to purchase their daily meals—talk about generous! Considering the fact that Jeopardy! is a multimillion-dollar franchise and the most successful game show of all time, we’re surprised they don’t accommodate all of their contestants this way.
Final Words
Thanks for reading through our guide to where to stay while filming Jeopardy!. We hope it helped to fulfill your curiosity or to plan your stay when you yourself compete.
Have you ever competed on Jeopardy!? Did you stay at one of the hotels the show recommended to you, or did you opt for someplace else? Did it make for a comfortable stay? We want to know all about your experiences with Jeopardy! accommodations in the comments, so drop ‘em down below!
May says
That becomes pricey for the contestants. Perhaps jeopardy could be a bit more generous and pay their travel costs.