Millenium Biltmore Hotel

The Millenium Biltmore is a classic hotel with excellent service and beautiful atmosphere. The guest rooms are immaculate and tastefully appointed, the restaurants superb and the architecture of this hotel make it both a landmark and local treasure. It excludes the glamour and elegance of a bygone era, a Los Angeles that is almost extinct. Very few hotels in the LA area have the history and ambiance of the Biltmore, and it is definitely worth a visit.

While downtown LA is not as vibrant as other cities, the Biltmore is within easy walking (yes, walking - in LA!) distance of the major corporate, cultural and tourist sites - and if you don't want to walk, cabs and limos are easily obtained from the staff.

The Biltmore is a must-do experience in Los Angeles.

This is an amazing hotel, chalk full of historial value. A good place to stay if interesting in the cultural aspect of downtown los angeles. But if you are looking for fun in the sun head to the Hills. Staff was very friendly and accomodating. Only downfalls, $40 valet parking, no wireless internet.

Thank you so much for the lovely review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Just as a reminder to guests and readers, the Biltmore IS equipped with WiFi in all rooms and the public spaces, in addition to high-speed Internet. Our 24-hour business center also is a great portal for getting online, in addition to it's copy, print & fax capabilities. We hope to see you back at the Biltmore the next time you are in Los Angeles!

This hotel was top of the line. The rooms had old world charm. Located in downtown LA, we were able to use the public transportation right near the hotel. The front desk clerks were most help, especially Elicia Wright. The concierge's were all exceptional, but we found James Russell to be superb. With Jame's help, we were able to see all the sights we had planned to visit. He made it easy!! The inside of the hotel was filled with history and was gorgeous and glamorous. We were excited to return to our hotel after every day's adventure. We would highly recommend this as a must stay if you visit LA. We also found the price reasonable. Thank you. Thank you.

Although I am an L.A. native, I had never had the pleasure of experiencing the grand Millenium Biltmore Hotel until this past weekend.

Every part of the stay was amazing. As you enter the lobby the frescoed ceilings were breathtaking and trompe l'Oile painting behind the registration desk kept my attention as the clerk processed my reservation. The staff was very warm and helpful.

The room service was incredible and the staff made specially ordered chocolate dipped strawberries that were the most devine ones I have had in years.

The halibut & prime rib were perfectly cooked and did not seem like "hotel room service" food.

The ballrooms and commom areas of the hotel take you from LA to feeling like you are in Europe. I honestly forgot for a moment that I was still in downtown LA.

I fell in love with this hotel!

We stayed overnight here after our son's graduation and really enjoyed the experience.

Reception was quick and easy. Our upgraded room was huge with a large closet and smallish but well equiped bathroom.

The bed was comfortable and although they provided ear plugs (great idea...never have seen a hotel do this.) our room was quiet.

We found the location convenient and spent a hour or two in LA's Jewelry district which only two blocks away.

Breakfast in the hotel dining room was pricey but delicious.

The hotel itself is absolutely magnificent. A real treasure to see. We peeked in the ballroom ...what a place for a wedding..

We got a great internet rate and were very pleased with the the overall expereince.

This was our third stay at the Biltmore, and it was as grand as ever. The lobby and common areas are gracious. There is a below level workout gym facility with swimming pool, hot & dry sauna, and complete dressing rooms with showers. We reserved a standard room , but was up graded to a deluxe, the room had more authentic artwork and comfortable beds. The only downside to this stay was the valet parking had been raised from $24.00 per day to $40.00 ! A bit steep even for L. A. But yes, we would stay again.

Absolutely loved the public areas of the hotel. Really glamorous, beautiful, and has a lot of character. Enjoyed seeing the black and white photos of the old movie stars. The rooms themselves are nothing special but it was big which I liked and the bathroom window overlooked Pershing Square. Comfortable bed. Friendly service.

I recently stayed at the Biltmore while attending events at the Staple Center. It is an elegant hotel and I enjoyed exploring the building. I was very happy with the service. The staff went out of their way to help with a problem I had. The room was a nice size and very clean.

It is a great location for downtown events, but I would not stay there otherwise. I took the subway to Hollywood for an afternoon; there is a stop a block from the hotel. I ate breakfast at Cafe Rossini, a few doors down. It has a great hot breakfast for $5. The food in the hotel is over-priced. I look forward to staying there in the future.

We stayed here last July for 3 nights, the room was excellant with loads of character, everywhere was immaculate, we used the fantastic hotel pool and fitness suite which is located deep in the basement.

Parking is cheaper if you use the Pershing Square park just ove the road from the hotel, it is alot less expensive than parking at the Hotel.

we ate in one of the Hotel Resturantes which was very good otherwise it was in Resturantes in the area of which there are not many as it is in more of the business part of the city and tends to close early in the evenings'

I really stopped her because it featured in the Film "Beverley Hills Cop"

Only had one problem I had great difficulty in getting the sink plug repaired so that water actually stopped in the basin.

I was tossing up whether to stay somewhere in Santa Monica or the Biltmore (don't really like Downtown) and chose the BIltmore just to experience it. What a beautiful and iconic hotel!

I did not realise the history of the Biltmore. It was lovely to wander the halls and take in the grand ballrooms, beautiful murals and historic photos of early Oscars dinners and stars. You really feel a part of old Hollywood in this hotel - I was wondering who has stayed in my room!

Rooms are very spacious and have been refurbished nicely. The staff were absolutely fantastic and could not have been more attentive, knowledgable and helpful. I had afternoon tea in the Rendezvous cafe and I really recommend it. It is a nice break from the normal busy world outside the hotel's walls and you just KNOW you have seen this room in lots of movies....(ask the concierge for a list of the movies for which the hotel has been used as a location).

Overall, a lovely experience - even if it is in Downtown.

I was in LA for a week to attend the World Figure Skating Championships at the Staples Center. From the hotel, Staples was easily accessible by subway or foot. The LA weather is a joyous alternative to the cold Northeast and I took advantage of the hotel's proximity (3/4 miles) and walked to Staples each morning. I've not been to Downtown LA since 2002 and the positive changes to the area were evident, making the walk most pleasant.

I agree with other reviewers who characterize the Biltmore as a wonderful Grand Dame. The common areas are strikingly beautiful and I felt as though I was transported back in time to a grander era. As for the my room--what can I say other than it was almost as large as my entire apartment at home. Both the room and the hallways on my floor looked to be recently renovated and my king-size bed was new and sumptuous. The closet was rather small but sufficed for one person. The room had a wall that was almost entirely windows and the light was glorious. Even the view, overlooking Pershing Park was lovely. When my friend saw my room, she was so jealous that the next morning, she requested a similar room--and was cheerfully given the one above mine. Hers even had a non-working fireplace, with mantle! I also saw three other rooms during my stay, and while not all were as large as mine, they were of a nice size and updated.

There are two negatives I have to report and neither is of great consequence. The hotel really needs to do something about the outmoded television sets in the rooms. Also, the breakfast service in the Smeraldi restaurant is fine when it's mostly empty, but as soon as the room starts to fill up the service goes south.

Each night we adjourned to the bar and the service there was absolutley wonderful (we loved Candy, in particular) as was the late night bar menu.

While not a bargain, the room rate was well worth it considering location, amenities and condition of the hotel. I'd stay at the Biltmore in a heartbeat the next time life takes me to Downtown LA!

We stayed one night shortly after Christmas, largely in order to be close to Union Station for a morning Amtrak departure. When we checked in, we mentioned we wanted a room with a safe and, if possible, on an upper floor, for quiet. We were given a club level room on the penultimate floor. I paid about $160 for a standard room (AARP rate), but with the free upgrade the room was a very good deal. We had a view of Pershing Square, which was packed with ice skaters and those watching free music performances. The hotel has a lot of historic atmosphere and one can easily imagine Hollywood stars of the 30s and 40s staying there (the Academy Awards took place in the hotel for a short time-- in the Biltmore Bowl, which burned down). A few people said the largest photo in the corridor reminded them of a scene in "The Shining." A few wedding receptions were going on but did not bother us. We did not have dinner in the hotel, partly due to prices, but had a drink in the lovely bar ($15 for a gin martini is a bit outrageous, however). We walked around the area quite a bit and felt safe (front desk said it would be). Particularly enjoyed visiting the historic Bradbury Building (site of many films), Grand Central Market (lots of places to eat there), and Angels Flight vernicular (unfortunately, closed for maintenance). The hotel is within short walking distance of a Red Line subway station, which we used to get to Union Station.

Okay, so this hotel is downtown, which as you may already know isn't a necessity as its a bit run down. If you do visit, stay here.

Note: this part of downtown is the business district, so there isnt much to do.

The interior is beautiful, with immense decor. rooms are small, but better than average in quality.

Tips:

Valet parking is $40, literally across the road is a self park, maximum daily charge $12 with overnight at $5. ( but there are many other parking facilites nearby)

If your not driving get off at Pershing Square its across the road from the hotel,

Visit the gym/ pool, although in the basement, its beautifully decorated.

Nearby there are various diners etc.

Stayed 2 nights at the Biltmore between Xmas and New Year 2008. Fabulous room (I think we were on a "special" floor , but not sure as I didn't do the booking), with a four poster bed. Amazing old style common areas with very grand decorations. Bathrooms small and a little old fashioned, but if anything it added to the "cosy" traditional feel of the place. To be recommended if you are looking for some character and don't mind being in what seems like a slightly out-of-the-way area. We had 2 good evening meals within walking distance - Roy's, which is Hawaiian-fusion and at Engine no. 28 which is American. Both absolutely EXCELLENT with great service.

My boyfriend and I stayed at this hotel for 4 days before heading off to Las Vegas. Was a little worried about staying at the hotel after reading some of the negative reviews, however I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived. The hotel is amazing with a very grand feel. On other reviews people have said its old fashioned but I would say its more old style Hollywood glamour. It doesn't feel dated at all, gorgeous decor and the first floor reception and lobby are beautiful.

I was shocked when we got to our room...it was HUGE and really lovely. It felt like a suite with a living area etc and a really big wardrobe. The bathroom was quite small but nice and clean. The hotel room had everything we needed, clean comfy beds, lots of info on LA, plenty of space and a big TV with lots of channels. I'm not sure if all the rooms at this hotel are the same but our room was massive.

We ate at the Japanese restaurant on our first night as we was too tired to leave the building. Glad we did as it was delicious, really modern, quite pricy but definatly worth the money. Every member of staff at this hotel was lovely and helpful. Reception were extremely accommodating and couldn't do enough for you. The guy at the concierge was really helpful too. He helped us book loads of great things to do... tours etc and helped us save money whilst doing so..he also recommended good places to eat, and all that we tried were brilliant.

We did a great tour of LA seeing the Hollywood houses, Chinese Theatre, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive etc. Was Fab and we got to see so much of LA that on our other days we could then go back to the places we enjoyed the most. Venice beach is really nice, and has a cool vibe to the place. I love shopping and found the best shops on Melrose avenue, the shops are different and unique there and a lot cheaper than Rodeo Drive or Robertson Drive! We didn't hire a car but buses and trains are very cheap!

We didn't pay a lot to stay at this hotel at all and it definatly exceeded our expectations. It is a very high standard hotel in a good location where u can feel safe at night too. I will definatly stay at this hotel again, I LOVED it!!

Thank you so much for your kind comments and positive feedback on your experience at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel! As downtown Los Angeles grows and travelers increase in number we make a concerted effort every day to maintain the highest levels of service and guest satisfaction, and I am pleased to read that our guests' experiences reflect these efforts. We hope you will return to the Biltmore when your travels bring you back to Los Angeles!

A most fascinating hotel and a delight to stay. Location, service and accommodation all excellent. Loved to be able to wander through the hotel and marvel at the ballrooms, restaurants etc. Many thanks.

Beautiful hotel with exceptional service and good amenities, located in downtown LA and not much to do in area- great if you have hired a car but as we were only in town for 2 nights following on from San Francisco and Las Vegas we needed to be nearer the action - if you are doing this kind of trip and wish to see Universal Studios/Hollywood Boulevard /Stars homes and Santa Monica or any off the beaches etc I would advise staying at Santa Monica beach hotels not downtown LA. LA was a massive disappointment after SAN FRAN and VEGAS but Universal studios (is so much fun and we are 30 +) and a day at Santa Monica beach made up for it, but by staying in downtown we wasted time travelling to see such attractions. San Diego also worth a visit if you have longer visit.

Thank you for your kind review of the Millennium Biltmore! It's great to hear your experience with our product and staff was a positive one.

I am sorry to hear, though, that you found the location unsatisfactory. Indeed downtown is one of the best locations to stay while visiting Los Angeles, as it is exactly central to all the locations mentioned - Universal Studios, the beaches, Santa Monica, Hollywood and Beverly Hills are all within a 20-minute drive (or train ride - the Metro Red Line can be picked up across the street from the hotel and taken about 15 minutes to Universal!) As they are all in varying directions, downtown is a great place to make it to all of them with ease and as little freeway time as possible!

In addition to it's convenience as a location, there are tons of great activities in the immediate vicinity of the hotel - from the L.A. Live sports & entertainment complex, which houses the Nokia Theater/Club Nokia, the Grammy Museum, ESPN Zone & broadcast studios, Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes, Conga Room and tons of restaurants, there is the Museum of Contemporary Art, Staples Center, Ahmanson Theater, California Science Center and much more!

I was able to attend the NBA playoffs in May. I chose this hotel mainly because of the close proximity to the Staples Center and price. I was pleasantly suprised to find the Millenium Biltmore in its Regal Splendor from the Doormen to Brass Pineapple wall sconces that adorn the elevator hallways to the intricately painted ceilings that hover above as you stroll through its Grand hallways. Take a step back in time and dip into the indoor pool with its ornate mouldings, hand painted tiles and chaise lounges. Much has been kept from what I say would be its original splendor. The feel of "Old Hollywood" waits around every corner from the vintage photographs ,the grand ballrooms to the well appointed lobby bar. This a great hotel to escape to. The Millenium Biltmore is much more than a place to stay it is an experience.

I stayed two nights recently for business trip. As a frequently traveler, I get to experience many types of hotels.

I had no problems here. The location is great.

SERVICE 0 Check in was smooth. I used room service twice and they were timely and accurate. Valet parking was timely and courteous.

The ROOM - The room was a nice sizie, comfy bed and clean. The bathroom is a little small with little room for my cosmetics.

I would recommend it and stay again.

I stayed at the Millenium Biltmore during the 2nd week of a 2 week business trip to LA. The previous week I had stayed at the Hilton Checkers across the street. That was nice but it was nothing compared to the Millenium.

I had read about the beauty of this classic hotel but the reviews do not so it justice. It really feels like a step back in time. The classic architecture is amazing.

But what truely impressed me was the service. When I checked in, I noticed that a large convention was in towen and that the hotel was packed with people attending this convention. I asked the man at the front desk for the quietest room he had. He immediately got on the computer and then made a phone call. He informed me that they would upgrade me to the club level as that had the quietest room. I didn't get to enjoy the club benefits, but there was no additional charge. He was absolutely right about the quietness of the room. It didn't have a great view as it looked out across a service alley to the back of another building, but it was absolutely silent. One downside is that the toilet had not been cleaned well. But I informed them of this at the front desk and it was handled while I was out at dinner.

I also was able to cut my visit a little short as my business concluded early. I called the hotel to see if I could get a late checkout time so I could finish my work, get back to the hotel, and pack to leave. This was no problem at all and the cheerfully obliged.

Many of my other coworkers were staying at the Westin and they were very jealous of my hotel and the service I received.

I won't go into all the history of the hotel and the beauty of the place as plenty of other reviewers have already done so. but it really is a fabulous place.

Thanks Millenium!

A beautiful hotel that takes you back to another era! We stayed here as a large group of 190 people & the staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms are classic and have a great bed for jet lagged light sleepers! Bathroom was a bit small but adequate with nice bath products. The built in wardrobe was huge. We only ate breakfast but that was good too. The one downside was that there is no decent shopping mall nearby. But is there ever in LA?

We stayed here for a couple of nights while sightseeing in Los Angeles. The room we stayed in was a bit small and dated but, come on, this place is a landmark! If you explore the ballrooms, etc. downstairs, you will find pictures of Shirley Temple, Walt Disney and many others spending time in the hotel. All of the hotel facilities are very elegant and nicely decorated (we went during Christmas time and the tree and lights were beautiful).

There is a subway stop right across the street which will take you pretty much anywhere in Hollywood (and other places too, I'm sure). If you stay here, or anywhere in LA, I would STRONGLY recommend renting a car as you will most likely spend the rental money on cab fare if you decide not to.

'd stay here again. The rooms were well kept, even though this hotel is like a hundred years old. Some of the architecture and art is amazing in the main areas.

The only dislike was that it's valet parking only; I would've preferred self-park, but that was no big deal.

The room was clean and comfortable. The bathroom's on the small side, but very clean.

We were traveling to LA for a rendez-vous with a brother in town on business.

We stayed in different corridors on the 8th floor. As with most grand dame hotels one visits, you pay attention only to the details that matter. The high tea in the Rendezvous Court with the fantasic architecture and bronze staircase, the Roman-styled spa and pool below, and the WPA-era tiling and workmanship in the hallways, foyers and meeting rooms are so worth seeing. The street level bar was great for late night snack and chaser. The hotel could better highlight the old photos of the Oscar ceremonies held there and the hotel connection with the Black Dahlia mystery . One unexplainable was the tremendous noise of moving furniture we experienced above us between approx. 2-4 in the morning, at times ebbing then giving to violent throws. We inquired at checkout after learning my brother in a different corridor heard the same thing, and the hotel staff checked the bookings and the floor above us was entirely vacant they insisted, with only one elderly couple in their 80's on the 10th floor that was on file.

The Biltmore is a stunningly beautiful hotel. Built in the early 1920's, the decor and construction of the common areas reflect the opulence of the period and show an incredible attention to detail. The service is very good. If a bit more attention were paid to the maintenance of the rooms, it would make for an wonderful experience.

My wife and I stayed at the Biltmore for Valentine's day weekend. Although we live in Los Angeles, I thought it would be a nice treat. Overall, we weren't disappointed. We really enjoyed our stay. We paid $169 per night for two nights in a king room on the Club Level. I thought it was a good bargain. Had the suites been more reasonably priced, I might have opted for that, but they wanted somewhere in the neighborhood of $450 per night, so I passed.

Common Areas: Most of the common areas in the Biltmore are breathtaking. We entered through the Rendezvous Court, then up the staircase, past the elevators, through the Concourse, and into the Lobby to check in. I had been in the Biltmore before, but each of these areas had my wife looking around in wonder. The bar, ballroom, and other meeting rooms are also elegant and worth a look. The Club Level lounge was great. Although we weren't able to make it for the afternoon hors d'oeuvre, the breakfast was nice. Eggs, potatoes, pastries, fruit bowls, and parfaits. The decor was elegant and pleasant, with a good view of the city.

The only common area I would say I was disappointed with was the pool, not because it wasn't nice, but because of the wasted potential. The pool itself is incredible. Great Neptune themed tilework, brass (I assume) railings surrounding the pool and the brass around the windows, the columns; it's a fantastic room. Unfortunately, they decided to put all the workout equipment in the areas surrounding the pool. It's all visible through the windows. It completely shatters the illusion. If the windows were mirrored, or the equipment were in some other way hidden from view, being in that pool room would be like being transported into the Great Gatsby. It's an opportunity for a unique experience that, unfortunately, isn't realized.

The room: The room reminded me of staying in my 90 year old great aunt's house. Everything was quality, but old, which isn't necessarily bad, but lacked attention.

We had a king room. The bed was comfortable. The furniture was faux antiques. Not anything amazing, but certainly much better than standard hotel furniture, and it was in keeping with the overall decor. The bathroom had nice period fixtures and was pleasant and adequate. The big problem with the room was the lack of maintenance. It wasn't horrible, but it could have been much better. The main problem was the dust. As another commenter wrote, the canopy over the bed and the curtains are both dust magnets, and should be cleaned frequently. I'm sure this isn't happening. On our last morning, I looked above the canopy and saw at least a couple of months worth of dust collected up there. While it didn't bother me terribly, my wife is allergic, and it really annoyed her. She could tell it was dusty, and we ended up sleeping with our heads at the foot of the bed. There are other maintenance issues as well. The curtains had tears on both sides at the point where the rod ends, no doubt due to years of friction. They need to be replaced. There was also a crack in the paint above the molding. It wouldn't take much to fix it. If these issues were sorted out it would bump up the Biltmore experience tremendously.

Service: The service was good. The woman who took my original reservation over the phone was very pleasant and helpful. Check-in and check-out were fine. Someone dropped the ball on one request I had, though. I had asked for down free bedding when I reserved, and reconfirmed this a couple of days before check-in. It wasn't done. A phone call to room service and someone was up within ten minutes, but it should have been done right from the start. One thing I was impressed with: the hostess at the lounge asked me how I was enjoying my stay. When I mentioned about the dust, she immediately asked my room number and was going to send someone to clean. Unfortunately, we were checking out within a couple of hours, so it didn't help me, but the attitude was great. It should have occurred to me to call and have the dust cleaned earlier. I'm sure they would have taken care of it.

Overall: Again, stunning common areas. Good service. Reasonable rates. More attention to details in the rooms would make the Biltmore a unique and unforgettable experience.

Top Notch Quality in Downtown LA

My mate and I (both in our early 20's) stayed here in December of '08 on our first stop on a round the world trip. We were extremely happy with our stay at the Millennium Biltmore.

We stayed in a Classic Room with two double beds. This included a work desk, a free safe, a TV, a lounge chair and a coffee maker. The room was clean and well maintained with a nice elegance to it. The bathroom was a little small and basic, but was still clean and all that was required. The shower/bath water lacked a little bit of water pressure, but it still did the job. Amenities were also on offer. The hotel also includes a beautiful basement pool and spa, as well as a decent gym and what seemed like a very hot sauna, all of which are free to guests of the hotel. Along with this they offer free locker use and free toiletries (deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste). Too make this already elegant hotel even more attractive to us was that Expedia was offering a great discount for the days we were staying, sealing the deal.

There were a couple of detractions from this hotel and they include the prices of extras inside the hotel itself. This encompasses the restaurant, bar, gift shop, valet parking and internet service. As one other reviewer has mentioned already, you can get around the valet parking issue by parking in nearby self park carparks, just like you can go to a couple of the restaurants nearby for a meal if concerned about prices. Subway, McDonalds, Carls Jnr., KFC, Cafe Rossini (cheap breakfast place along Olive Street just a couple of doors down from the hotel) and other more upper class restaurants can be found nearby, just ask at the front desk. You can also get around the cost of the internet service by going next door to Pershing Square (the park) and using the free community service. Be warned, there are homeless people who do use the shelters of Pershing Square to keep covered during the night, but you’ll have no issues if you use this service during the morning.

This brings me to the second detraction, the location. This hotel is in downtown LA and really if you’re looking for the excitement of Hollywood at your doorstop, here is not for you. Though, I found it extremely easy to buy a train ticket on the red line and travel to Hollywood and back and would suggest it may be just as easy as staying in Hollywood. The other thing with downtown LA is that it appears to have slightly a bad name. Let me spell it out, this hotel is NOT in anyway in a dirty area that has violence or unlawful acts happening extremely nearby it. I’m sure it happens around most areas, but with this being said, during my time in downtown LA, I was never concerned or worried when walking along the streets at times near midnight. I did get asked for spare change from homeless people many times, but was never threatened or anything like that. I am a male though and I could understand if a female might feel unsafe.

That brings me to the hotels redeeming features. As I previously said, the red line allows for easy access to Hollywood, as it also does to Union Station. My mate and I caught the Flyaway Bus from LAX to Union Square and then the Red Line train to Pershing Square Station, walked about 100m and arrived at the hotel. And all this for $7USD, how much cheaper could you ask for. The trains in LA are underrated in my mind and so not many people use them and so normally they’re easy to get a seat, pretty safe, clean and frequent. There are also a number of buses that I watched go past the hotel so getting around shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I also have spoken about the restaurants around the area and should mention that there are Bank of America ATM’s on the other side of Pershing Square to the hotel, which are convenient.

Now finally, I can’t write a review on this hotel without making reference to the beautiful lobbies, halls and dining rooms. They are simply stunning and take your breath away the first time you enter. As a young guy who hasn’t seen too many stunning hotels, this was just amazing and really is spectacular. If you’re curious about the history of the hotel, ask at the front counter about it and they’ll give you some documents detailing the history of the hotel as well as what movies the Biltmore has been a part of. Also, take a walk down their Hall of Fame which houses the pictures of when they housed the Academy Awards. It’s just all so grand.

I’ve also attached a couple of pictures for perspective guests.

The Millennium Biltmore was a lovely hotel and a privilege to stay at and upon returning to Los Angeles, I will most certainly be attempting to stay at the Biltmore.

This hotel exudes classic elegance, the lobby area is lovely and the bar is classic and sophisticated. The guest rooms are spacious, however, the bathroom is tiny and unimpressive. The rooms include slippers and a robe, a nice touch, but a mini fridge would have been appreciated more. The parking was expensive, but not more unreasonable than most downtown hotels. The staff was friendly and addressed up courteously, but was not very expedient with our check-in nor was the valet quick at processing our ticket and bringing the car around. Despite minor inconveniences, we were happy with the hotel. We especially appreciated the century old construction, the walls must have been better insulated back then, because it was absolutely silent at night, even with a wedding downstairs. We had a great night's sleep!

Let me preface this review with the fact that I am a very fussy person, and know what I want. When I travel, I always request a corner room on a top floor. In addition, if a concierge or club level is available, this is what I reserve.

We traveled to Los Angeles for our son's wedding on New Year's Eve. The bride had blocked rooms at the Kyoto Grand, however gave several other choices including the Millennium Biltmore, Westin Bonaventure, and Standard. We chose the Biltmore for nostalgic reasons given its history and are happy that we did.

Upon entering the lobby, one can not help but get caught up in the opulence of the lobby, ballroom, and Gallery Bar. We so enjoyed taking a trip down "memory lane" while viewing all the old photographs of past movie stars and Academy Award celebrations.

I had requested the club level (concierge level) when booking this hotel. Upon checking in, we were told that the club lounge was closed and we would receive vouchers for drinks and breakfast. I had asked for a large corner room with a rollaway, as our younger son was joining us. I was told that this should not be a problem in terms of size, however, it was. Thank goodness for Jose, the bellman. He showed us approximately five rooms on this level, none of which was ample size. With that, he phoned the front desk and informed Greg of our dilemma suggesting that maybe they could give us a junior suite. Greg was most accommodating, and did just that at no extra cost. In fact, they didn't even charge us for the rollaway! Although the suite was not on the club level, we still received club level amenities (cocktails, and full buffet breakfast which would have been continental had the lounge been open). The room was not renovated as were the ones on the club level floors, but it was very large and clean and housekeeping was most accommodating.

I can not say enough about the staff at this "Grand Lady". From the parking valets, to the doormen, to the front desk staff, to the bellmen, to the housekeeping staff, waitstaff in the restaurant, and bartenders, their main goal was to make our stay as pleasant as possible, and it was!

Given the circumstances, we needed to have a spacious room on this trip. However, If my husband and I we were to stay at this hotel again, we would be sure to stay in a renovated room on the club level.

The lobby and ground floor of this hotel was very grand and historic. The room was small but tastefully decorated and well equipped. Like many older hotels, noise from the hallway travels easily so ask for a room away from the elevators and other busy corridors. The staff was friendly and helpful but I did have a couple of problems. I had trouble getting the internet to work($10/day) and had to leave a message for the hotel's IT person who was eventually able to help. I also had $90 of international phone calls on my bill even though I didn't make any calls. Although the front desk took the phone charges off the bill when I checked out, my credit card was charged anyway. I eventually got everything straightened out, but it was a hassle. The nearby Water Grill serves incredible seafood, but expect to pay. Lunch averaged $60/person without alcohol.

Astoundingly beautiful hotel in a mundane, rather drab part of the city. If you can get a deal on a room, take it, but don't order room service or drink at the residents bar, you'll end up re-mortgaging your house.

Explore the area to find better, cheaper eating/drinking options. There's a lively Irish pub down the street.

My main problem was having to pay $10 a day for what was grossly substandard internet access. They call it "High Speed" but it resembled high speed in 1995. Truly dreadful but don't bother complaining, the receptionist will give you that blank look.

To sum up, great to sleep in (beds are deliciously comfortable) but check out the locale, it's cheaper outside the hotel. Staff were friendly if not a little detached.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Biltmore and am almost tempted to give 5 stars, except for a few little niggles.

To begin with the good - the ground floors are absolutely gorgeous with a great deal of restored original architecture/decor from the 1920's. My room was only a standard but quite spacious with a very comfortable bed, desk, full closet and comfy chair. My room was on the inside of the building, overlooking a quiet courtyard and I heard virtually no outside noise thanks to the white noise generated by the heat/AC. And the water pressure in the shower was fantastic.

The workout equipment in the health club facilities were a little squished and I think I used the oldest still-working elliptical machine in North America. But the treadmills are all pretty new and most machines have a personal flat screen. However, that was completely made up for by the rest of the facilities - the pool, jacuzzi, sauna and spa look original and made me feel like some robber baron in the gilded age.

The location is excellent for business in or near downtown and is right in the heart of the financial district. It could also be a good choice for tourists because it is so close to the 101, 110, 5 and 10 freeways, so you can pretty much get anywhere.

Now for the bad things - all of which are relatively minor and would not stop me from booking here again. First, like many hotels, they charge for internet access, which I find a highly offensive practice. Also, valet is $40/night. This is not unusual in LA, but should be factored into your budget. The tub/shower had a curtain, rather than a door, which kept sticking to me because it didn't have magnets in the bottom. This was particularly gross since the housekeeping seemed hit or miss - I had 3 great days and 2 "eh" days. The TV in my room was an old, small CRT type and many of the channels buzzed or otherwise had bad reception. Finally, when I ordered room service breakfast, my receipt had the wrong name and room number on it. When I asked, the staff person told me "You must have written the wrong number on your ticket, this is for you." That was completely unacceptable at this level hotel. Even if I actually had made the mistake, I should have received "the customer is always right" treatment.

But, like I said, I would definitely stay here again, it's a great hotel.

I recently stayed there while attending a convention. As long as you can keep in mind that it is an older property you will be pleased. The bedding was fabulous and the service I received was as well. They could use some new carpets and some cosmetics but other than that I would recommend staying there. My cell phone worked great (I saw another person had a problem).

Pros:

down duvets and pillows

individual thermostats

power outlets at desk height

wireless net works great ($10/day)

Cons:

non-adjustable desk chair, making the desk uncomfortable to use

very bad cell coverage throughout the hotel (not their problem, but something you may need to know)

expensive parking

The Biltmore is a beautiful 1920's building with amazing public rooms and meeting rooms. The guest rooms vary widely: mine had an extra 150 sq. ft. of space which was devoid of furniture while other rooms felt cramped, both the result of a quirky building. Furnishings are elegant -- some might feel out of place in such surroundings. Maintenance is decent but imperfect -- expect some slight problem with the room. Some rooms face an ugly inside courtyard, but with the pretty wooden shutters, one hardly notices (even so, consider asking for an outside room). Some minor service issues, but nothing unexpected given the size of the hotel.

The hotel does significant business with the consolidator AlliedTPro; if you're willing to prepay for your room, cheap rates can often be found on no-name booking sites, particularly those geared to European travelers. kayak.com was successful at finding several of those for me.

Parking at the hotel is far, far more expensive than other lots nearby. Park somewhere else.

We stayed just one night at the Millennium Biltmore in LA mainly with a view to getting a good night's sleep after the 10 hour flight from London. And it proved just that. Very comfortable rooms, with excellent beds, clean bathrooms and a general airy and spacious feel throughout the hotel.

The location is very business oriented and I'd probably choose to stay in a more Venice/Santa Monica area for leisure next time, but I'd defintely have no problem staying at the Biltmore again.

We stayed for 2 nights in a room we got a special deal on. This was a beautiful hotel, the decor and ambiance was exactly what we were hoping for. The pool and hot tub area was amazing, although we had hardly any time to relax we were so busy touring LA. The staff was friendly and helpful. We also ran into some late night filming of CSI right outside the hotel which was a great experience.

Stayed here for 10 days in March, the hotel lobby was very impressive, staff were very helpful - the rooms were fine, seeing the lobby you get high expectations for the rooms, and while they're not exactly fancy and are maybe a little old fashioned the room was quite large and very clean. I definitely believe I got my moneys worth. Again the staff were always helpful. I especially liked the bar for a chill out drink - the music was always very cool and the bartender was great! Loved the cocktails!

I have mixed feelings about this place. It is elegant, luxurious, and classy. All those things it is supposed to be, but it was also old and showing it's age in other places.

We got a great deal on http://priceline.com for $120 mid week. My wife and I were celebrating our 2nd year anniversary and I think they might have given us a larger room, a slight upgrade. The lobby, bar, and pool were all extremely nice, clean, luxurious. The pool area also has a dry and wet sauna. If we didn't have a baby we would've hit up the wet sauna for sure. The room, although furnished nicely, did show some age. The windows felt solid but let in ALOT of noise from the street and we were 8 stories up. The water pressure was good, but the bathroom had tiled walls, the kind you find in an elementary school bathroom. Seemed sort of out of place from all the nice large mirrors up around the room and bathroom. They also had an old CRT tube TV. I don't know how long it's been since I've seen one of those.

The internet is $9.95 for 24 hours. How can you be a luxury hotel and be nickel and dimeing your patrons for internet? The parking was also a ludicrous $40 per night. Although you do get in and out privileges.

I must say their service was excellent. There were people willing to help everywhere we went. The maids also all greeted us everytime we walked by. I'm sure most other hotels are supposed to do that too, but most don't in my experience.

I would stay there again if I got a great deal.

The highlight of staying here was when the supershuttle pulled up and everyone looked round jealously to see who would step out at this stop. That's because the hotel's common areas look fantastic. The lobby and ground floor corridors ooze class and history with wonderful photos and memorabilia of a time gone by when the hotel was at its peak. Unfortunately the rooms and the corridors leading to the rooms have been left behind by time. The rooms are a good size and clean but in need of an upgrade to keep with the rest of the hotel. They lack the modern touches of a top class hotel and the bathroom, while perfectly functional, was a showing its age.

The servicing of the rooms was only average, we spent 10 minutes searching for the remote control on arrival finding it under the bed, bed making was done with little care and the tea making facilites were broken in the room we had. Little touches like this hold the hotel back. Nonetheless the room wasn't dirty.

The area around the hotel appeared safe and it was only a block away from the metro so getting around was no problem. It's close to the MOCA and Walt Disney Concert Hall and we were able to walk around downtown LA with ease to see many of the sights of the area, Of coure downtown LA is a strange place for a European. To stand in the middle of a large city on a Saturday afternoon and look up and down the street and see no pedestrians and no cars is always a strange experience.

If money was spent upgrading the rooms the hotel would truly be back as a great hotel but at present it is merely a good looking shell that lacks heart. Not a bad choice but I'm sure the city has better.

Really a marvelous hotel. The underground health club is amazing. I just love the floor to ceiling tiled pool/jacuzzi area. The steam room was awesome. Workout facilities also in good shape.

Hotel staff did not really have a "can do" attitude, it was more of a "do we have to" attitude.

Rooms are minimal, no water, no bars, etc. The TV is just as historic as the hotel. Things like that need to update.

Bed was very comfortable. However, didn't sleep well because there is essentially no sound barrier between the streets and the rooms. I guess that comes with being an old hotel. Very loud.

Restaurant was closed, couldn't eat there, but I tried.

I tried very hard to love this hotel, but there are some issues. I picked the Biltmore because I love the old-style grand hotel, plus its location is very convenient for our sightseeing purpose. We wanted to stay in downtown so that we can tour the Historic Core buildings (1920s) of LA. We also had tea one afternoon at the Rendezvous Court.

The public areas are simply gorgeous. The Rendezvous Court, the Italian Gallery, the Gallery Bar, the Lobby - everything screams old Hollywood.

Our room is a Jr Suite with King bed, overlooking Pershing Square. The suite is big, at least 500 sq ft. It has a sitting area with sofas and coffee table, plus TV armoire. The bedroom section is very large, with a writing table and another TV armoire.

I would say that the room is both old-style and just plain old. The 2 TVs in the room are still the old Magnavox CRT, hidden inside the armoires. The bathroom itself can really use a complete re-do. The sink/vanity is outside of the bathroom. The vanity, instead of standard hotel's marble or granite countertop, it is still the old tiled version.

Amenities include a coffee maker, iron/ironing board, bathrobe/slippers, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion. No in-room safe and no mini-bar.

Our room faces East right onto Pershing Sq, which brings up my major complaint. It is noisy. We are not used to city noise, and the buses which pass by Perhsing Sq are quite loud. It doesn't help that the hotel windows are really old too. I bet if they replace the windows with new soundproof ones, it will be much better.

We have access to the Club Lounge, which offers a good breakfast buffet and the setting is very nice too.

While we didn't have a car, we were informed that parking rate is $40/night. I think one can park for much cheaper in the Pershing Sq garage across the street.

What I like about the location is proximity to subway station (1 block), and on the weekend, the Weekend Downtown Discovery route operated by the DASH (LA DOT) runs right pass the hotel with a stop across the hotel on 5th street. For just $0.25, you can have a hour-long tour of downtown. The route passes by some of the many sights of DT, and it is a loop, so you can simply take the DASH for a full loop and be right back at where you start.

I had previously stayed with the Millennium in Manhattan and had a fantastic stay. Before I give you my review on this property, please let me tell you that this is a older and historic property. Given this fact, the common areas are absolutely beautiful and full of rich history to explore. However, I also feel that this property is using the "older" property status as an excuse for the comfort of the rooms.

I will start by saying that we had no problem with the cleanliness of our room. We had a standard king bed room. The desk and entertainment center appeared to have been built into original furnishings from the many decades ago. The bed was comfortable and there was a simple chair in the corner. The bathroom was incredibly small. The room is very big; however, there are not enough furnishings to accommodate the size. If you are a gymnast and you are visiting this hotel, you will have plenty of room for flips. tumbling, and other acrobatic moves.

If you get a very good rate on this room, I would say that you expectations will be met, as they were with myself. However, if you end up paying the regular Millennium rate, you will certainly be dissapointed. It just doesn't par with the scale of the Millennium brand. The rooms are Days Inn style rooms with a slightly more comfortable bed.

Parking is $40 per night valet service at the hotel. That is normal in comparison with downtown urban areas. This comes with in and out privileges. If you do your research, I am sure you can find nearby parking garages which will be a lot less expensive. However, I am unsure whether less expensive garages have in and out privileges. It is also in a nice area of downtown L.A. full of history and cultural institutions.

We selected this hotel for it's history, and were very impressed with the pictures and agree with the other review about the pictures etc. The room was clean, service was good but our view was of the air conditioning systems for the hotel which was very disappointing ..(that view became a common theme throughout our stay in the U.S). I would not recommend this place for travellers/tourists who do not have a car. Public transport is not as easy or available as you think. We waited over 1.5 hours for a bus to Warners Studio that he hotel guide advised would be along every 20 minutes. The train was close however, did not feel that safe using it.

The hotel lobby and interior are as beautiful as the pictures, it truly looks like a palace. However my room (king size bed) was not that large and as I've found with other Biltmore's - very old. The TV was not a flat screen but one of those old boxes. There was dust everywhere, the bedskirt looked dirty and I was afraid to use the towels they appeared so old. The bathroom is quite small too. Maybe the other rooms are better but I was not impressed - I definetly prefer modern. If you like the older style hotels with an antique feel, you may like this. Also parking is valet only ($40/day) and there was no option to self-park. Internet connection was not great either from my room. I would not stay here again - lots of better options!

Thank you for reviewing the Millennium Biltmore Hotel - guest comments are always carefully reviewed and discussed so that our staff can make sure we are aware of any issues that arise and ways we can improve. Just to clarify for other readers, there is a self-park option for the hotel - located across from our Olive Street entrance is the Pershing Square garage, which is safe, well-lit and open 24 hours, however there is no in/out privileges as with our valet parking service. In addition, we are constantly and actively working to keep our room product exceptionally clean and well-maintained to the high standard that befits the Biltmore, but on the rare occasion a guest is unsatisfied, our housekeeping staff is available at any time to refresh room amenities and replace items, should anything appear unsuitable. We pride ourselves on service and customer satisfaction, and if a guest experiences issues such as these we want to know so we can take care of them and ensure a great stay at what we are proud to say is the landmark hotel in downtown LA!

The front counter staff are extremely professional, but far from polite if you have an issue that's out of the ordinary. The concierge is impossible to get a hold of. Don't hire a car if your staying here, parking is $40 USD per night plus valet tips are expected.

The hotel itself is well presented and clean. Don't expect a fridge let alone a mini-bar. The lower level staff (cleaners, chefs) barely speak english so be sure to be clear when giving instructions.

Unless you have business in DOWNTOWN Los Angeles, this is not there place to stay. Most tourist spots are north-west of downtown (with the exception of Disneyland).

Only stay here if you've won a prize or don't plan to leave your hotel room for the entire stay.

Wish I could say anything better than the title. I was very excited about Biltmore and against advise from my co-workers I booked my stay with them. It was very nice when I walked in as many of other guests reviewed. I was excited. However after I checked into my room to my surprise, there were no chairs no bed side tables nothing. Well, I didn't need them so I tried to sell myself with the view and rich history. Then went to bed. Holy ... it was sooo loud and noisey from outside, unbelievable. After looking into this futher, I have found that the window was broken and had holes in them. Of course that would make it noisey. I suffered through the night and in the morning I told them if I could have a separate room away from the noise. They put me on the list, but I stayed there for 6 nights and even though there were guests checking in and out still they said no rooms. Not only that, during the stay one of the housekeepers came in even when there was do not distrub sign out side. She didn't seem like very concerned. I was furious and then told the front desk about it, they said, "sorry that happens sometime." For $210 a night I would recommend you stay somewhere else.

Thank you for your feedback regarding your stay with us at the Biltmore! Please accept our apologies that your visit was not up to par. Indeed the troubles you experienced are rare, but preventable, and please rest assured we are addressing them with the appropriate managers and their teams. Unfortunately your stay fell during a citywide conference that caused an oversell situation in the hotel, which was the reason we were unable to switch your room. We do provide earplugs for guests who are disturbed by street noise, which is an inevitable issue for any downtown property. Any maintenance issues, such as the one you experienced with your window, can be promptly repaired by calling our Engineering Department or the Front Desk, who will dispatch one of our engineers immediately to address the problem. We take great pride in our service and response, and on the exceptional occasion a guest experiences something that is not up to Biltmore standard, we encourage our visitors to please alert Guest Services so that we can take prompt steps to solve the problem. We hope you will consider staying with us again so you can truly experience what a landmakr property the Millennium Biltmore is.

I was at the hotel during two days on september 2008

Good Points

*Location

*Nice Hall and Bar

Very Negative ones

* The most noisy hotel I´ve been on my whole life (and I use around 40 hotels/year during the last 5 years). I was at the fifth floor and a chimeny never stop making noise day and night

* I requested one of the new rooms of the hotel but they didn´t give it to me saying that these ones are 100$ more expensive/night. I just don´t believe that it´s just they didn´t want to

* The bathroom is extreamly old and small, ridiculous for a XXI century hotel

* I was stolen a note of 100$ at the room. I left the note at my laptop bag while in the city and when I came back to the cleaned room I had been stolen

As a constructive summery for readers, look for an alternative hotel at lovely LA