06/16/04

Mediocre at best

by traveler123

Made a reservation for a king-size bed room, when I was arrived told that they had no more available. Was given a miniature room right above the street that was extremely noisy. Went back and requested a quieter room and was assigned a larger and quieter room which would have been better if the doorframe around the chain wasn't splintered as if someone had broken into the room (good thing they had a deadbolt). When turning on the tub and shower brown water came out for a while, a request for more hangers in the closet was never fulfilled. Charging $7 for the tiny "fitness area" was an insult. Go for a drink and enjoy the lovely common areas but don't sleep there!

• Pros: Convenient, Beautiful common area
• Cons: , Expensive amenities

05/16/07

Elegant, a stroll back in history

by cmay92

We were lucky enough to secure a room at this beautiful hotel at the very last minute. With 17,000 people in town for our convention, we were treated like we were the only ones there. Very courteous staff. The waitstaff at S'meraldi's was very kind and very helpful when we needed a meal quickly to be out to catch a but for a concert. Dining in the lobby area around the very old fountain was nothing short of Hollywood elegance. The room was very adequate, clean, and the bathroom small, but clean as well. We found our room on the 8th floor to be very quiet.

• Pros: S'meraldi's waitstaff, a trip back in time, a little bit of Hollywood elegance
• Cons: No ramp for luggage up to the elevators

11/08/05

It's a great place . . . unless you stay

by chardk1

I've always wanted to stay at the Biltmore. Well, now I have, and . . . eh.

The public spaces ARE gorgeous -- worthy of a true grand hotel. Sadly, the bars are filled with drunken government hacks and attorneys unwinding after work. Their aging frat-boy antics don't do anything for the place.

Alas, going upstairs means peace but not quiet. Our room let in a remarkable amount of street noise (the windows are uh, of classic design -- wood sashes, single pane of glass, poor seal). I liked the decor and the room was spacious and comfortable, but the bathroom was a bit shabby. I ate at Sai Sai and Smeraldi's -- both were perfectly fine.

Overall, not a bad place but it's got some rough edges. My advice is -- go there, have a drink, stroll around, stay elsewhere -- and you will maximize your Biltmore experience.

• Pros: Great public spaces, Convenient location
• Cons: Noisy, Obnoxious locals

02/28/05

Downtown's grandest dame is as beautiful as ever.

by Kim Cooper

The Scene
Opened in 1923, the Millennium Biltmore is a marble-halled marvel of Spanish-Italianate elegance. Several Academy Awards ceremonies have been held in the hotel, which also served as headquarters for the 1960 Democratic National Convention and 1984 Summer Olympics. Over the years the neighborhood and hotel declined, but restoration during the bicentennial brought the building back to even greater opulence.

The Details
The grand lobby staircase leads to a Spanish-colonial revival balcony from which the Sistine Chapel-inspired painted ceiling can be more closely scrutinized. Decorative columns twined with sculpted grapes and leaves lend an air of exotic fantasy. Most impressive is the Grand Ballroom, inspired by the ruins of Pompeii.

02/23/03

Luxurious!

by micho78

Definitely worth of money. Want to try something else in your life? Interior is fantastic. staff are friendly.very antique and luxurious.

02/22/03

Pleasent stay at Biltmore

by AnthonyHernandez

From the time I checked in to the hotel to the time I checked out of the hotel the staff was always very helpfull and friendly. The Biltmore room's are very nice and they have a very comfortable bed. I will continue staying in the Historic Biltmore Hotel.

• Pros: Friendly and Helpfull, beautiful rooms, rooms have great view
• Cons: Old building

06/03/02

behind the times

by sistah

i love old-fashioned charm and elegance. that is why i chose the biltmore for my la stay. i was unimpressed. as a hotel guest, i was unable to access the pool and fitness center without paying extra. the lobby and gallery bar were lovely, but the bar didn't have a good selection of fine liquors. the furniture in my room was lacking. there was a narrow painted wooden box on one side of the bed, rather than two bedside tables. no dresser. the fake flowers throughout the hotel were tacky -- and dusty. the staff was nice, but i didn't have much interaction. there is no turndown service. no in-room coffee. do not stay at this hotel if you want modern conveniences and special touches that you can expect everywhere else.

• Pros: lovely lobby, prom venue - cute!, nice staff
• Cons: gym costs extra, pool costs extra, fake flowers