Stayed at The Biltmore for 2 nights.From the outside it really doesnt look very impressive but once you enter the lobby like alot of the previous reviews have stated the decor and architecture inside was beautiful reminicient of the early 1900s.Very big lobby area with ample seating...reception was generally efficient and businesslike but like all american hotels service was pretty minimal.Lifts to rooms were across a long hallway and also to the restaurant downstairs where they serve a pretty good buffet breakfast.The small lobby area just outside the restaurant is a very popular place for filming of movies and there was some shooting going on during my stay.
The rooms were big and spacious but really needed a major overhaul.No doubt the bed was big and comfortable the room was just not cosy or had that homely feeling.It just felt cold dark and depressing.Windows had no curtains at all...instead they had really old dusty wooden blinds...so early in the morning one would be woken up by the daylight coming in but being surrounded by tall buildings the room doesnt get much sunlight.Lighting was pretty minimal.In contrast the size of the bathroom was really tiny and had hardly any counter top to put my toiletries.Awful rusty taps and bathtub with yellowish ring stains.Some how or rather the room decor reminded me of the inside of Norman Bates` famous house up ontop of the hill in the movie Pyscho.
Location wise not to my liking as i was there during the weekend so being right in the middle of the business district the whole place was dead.I suppose good in a sense as it wasnt crowded or with alot of traffic because my room faced the road so would it have been a weekday i am sure it would have been very noisy.Nothing much in the way of shopping around the area except 2 blocks away there was an area selling cheap electronics clothing and the usual other shops you find anywhere.The people hanging around this area tend to be more of the South American/Mexican races.Few usual eateries like subway Panda express and other fast food joints.
On the other side of the hotel behind...a totally different scenario.Tall office blocks and just down the road about 10mins walk away was a small shopping mall with a Macy`s and the usual foodcourt below the Hyatt i think it was.
Would i recommend or stay at this hotel again?Definately not.Even if i had to stay around that area again there are far better hotels like The Westin Bonaventure or the other major chains.
I would have taken a few photos of the room and bathroom but it was just to depressing i didnt bother.

I stayed at the Biltmore about two weeks ago. We were invited to wedding where the reception was around the corner from the hotel so staying in BH was silly. I am not a big hotel kind of guy and my first impression was not good one because there was a line at check in and this is a big hotel. However my first impression was wrong, nice hotel, we had a great big room which was very comfortable and the staff was informative courteous and excellent. The hotel was very reasonably priced especially given our accommodations. The neighborhood is one in transition i.e. it is old and was down and out but it seems to be changing. If I were visting LA as part of a vacation I don't think I would stay in this area but a couple of years from now who knows. However if I were visiting and did not want to spend $600 a night for a luxury hotel I would stay here. Beware the parking is expensive.

I stayed for the third time in two years at the Biltmore, and reviewed it in 2010. I am writing this additional review to respectfully disagree with some of the other reviewers. My friend and I enjoyed our stay at this hotel, and found our room spacious and comfortable. I did tell the hotel that some touch up paint was in order, the carpet was frayed around the edges of the room, and the old keyhole in the bathroom door looked shabby. OK, folks, there was not much shelving in the bathroom. Other than that, we thought our stay was just fine. While I would not give these rooms five stars without some upgrading, I fail to see why others are so picky. The employees were great and I love the " movie star " swimming pool in the basement. The prepaid rate was fairly reasonable and a big plus is that it is within walking distance of Walt Disney Concert Hall, where we went to hear the LA Philharmonic. I was discussing this topic with one of the bellmen, who sighed about the recent reviews and commented " Some people just don't like old hotels. " This one dates from 1923. Frankly, i like the place and will return. Case stated. Goodnight! ( P.S. - I seldom ever order room service, but we placed a food order late at night and it was promptly delivered. )

I was a bit worried about staying here after reading other reviews but the hotel was fine. The rooms are big and clean, and so is the bathroom with amenities. The concierge at the hotel are very friendly and helpful. The hotel is in downtown LA in the business district so it's a very quiet area. The hotel is located right next to the bus stop and the Metro so very handy for getting around if you are not driving, you can get a $6 dollar day pass which you can travel about for 24 hours on from the ticket purchase time. The hotel's lobby is very grand and beautiful - please note that this not match the old fashioned rooms, so prepare yourself otherwise you may be disappointed.