Belmont

Pros

• The Biltmore retains its elegance and history while remaining contemporary.
• The staff is friendly, kind, and helpful.
• The location in downtown Los Angeles is convenient for exploring nearby attractions and dining.
• The grand lobby features ornate ceilings and stunning architecture.
• The rooms are spacious.
• The lobby and ballrooms are beautifully crafted, with photos illustrating the hotel's award-show heritage.
• The convention experience was great.
• It is the best historic hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
• Classic luxury is evident - clean, well-lit spaces, polite security, wheelchair accessibility, and delicious food and desserts.
• The lobby evokes opulence reminiscent of an older age.
• The Ghostbusters filming location adds to the hotel's historic appeal.
• The meals and desserts, including cupcakes, are delicious.
• The hotel offers a day pass for swimming, sauna, and gym facilities.

Cons

• The heater isn't working.
• The security staff has bad customer service.
• The rooms feel old and substandard for a top-notch hotel.

Review

The Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles emerges in these voices as a storied beacon of elegance that has gracefully stood the test of time. Reviews span decades of admiration, beginning with a love of its classic charm that endures even as modern comforts have found a home within its historic walls. Guests who return year after year describe a hotel that preserves the grandeur of a bygone era while seamlessly offering contemporary amenities. The recurring sentiment is one of reverence for its atmosphere - an experience that feels both timeless and current.

Several reviewers highlight what it's like to engage with the property as more than just a place to sleep. A day pass option lets visitors enjoy the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, and gym, making the Biltmore feel like a full-service retreat even for those who aren't staying overnight. The presence of a convention helps create a lively, bustling ambiance, and visitors consistently note the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, which elevates the stay from merely satisfactory to genuinely welcoming. The sense that you're stepping into a beautifully preserved landmark is reinforced by the everyday conveniences and the gracious service that accompanies them.

The location is frequently praised as a major asset. Nestled in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, the hotel serves as a convenient jumping-off point for exploring nearby attractions and dining options. Guests repeatedly remark on the lobby's immediate impact - the moment you walk in you're confronted with the historic charm and architectural splendor that define the property. Ornate ceilings and the grand scale of the interior set a tone of opulence and refinement, establishing the Biltmore as a magnet for guests seeking a sense of occasion in the city.

Architecture and interior design are consistently singled out as standout features. The first-floor lobby and its overarching aesthetics are described as stunning, with ballrooms and decorative details that invite endless exploration. Reviewers point to the walls and photos that recount the hotel's history and bygone award shows, emphasizing how the building itself feels like a living gallery of its own past. One reviewer notes the hotel's connection to popular culture, recalling that the lobby is a memorable backdrop tied to the era of classic films, including a reference to Ghostbusters, which many guests find a delightful nod to the property's enduring appeal.

Opinions vary when it comes to the guest rooms, reflecting the mix of old-world ambiance and modern hotel expectations. Some guests praise the rooms as spacious and well-appointed, with high marks for comfort and room service, underscoring that the essential elements of a luxury stay are present. Others, however, describe the rooms as feeling old or substandard for a top-tier property, signaling that the lived-in grandeur doesn't always translate into a uniformly flawless guest room experience. This mix of perspectives reinforces the notion that the Biltmore excels in its public spaces and heritage, while individual room experiences can differ.

Service and security are additional points of conversation, with a broad spectrum of experiences reported. Many guests applaud the staff for their warmth, professionalism, and attentiveness, contributing to a sense that the hotel truly cares about its guests. On the other hand, some reviewers point to inconsistent outcomes in security and guest interactions, noting that while some encounters are courteous and helpful, others fall short of the mark. These divergent experiences suggest that, at the Biltmore, the atmosphere and standard can feel variable depending on the moment and the team on duty.

Food, desserts, and the overall hospitality ecosystem round out the impression the hotel leaves. Several guests rave about delicious meals, while others specifically mention desserts, with cupcakes described as "to die for." A sense of pampering appears in multiple reviews, with phrases like "delicious food and dessert" and "wheelchairs welcome," underscoring a commitment to accessibility and guest comfort. The overall tone is warm and celebratory, capturing the luxury hospitality mood that many travelers seek when they choose a historic hotel in a vibrant city setting.

Taken together, the Biltmore Los Angeles presents a portrait of a beloved historic landmark that continues to draw admiration for its architecture, heritage, and location. It remains a true destination for those who value a sense of place and time, where the lobby and public spaces offer an immersive experience that is both elegant and evocative. While opinions may diverge on the finer details of room comfort and occasional service nuances, the consensus is clear: this hotel embodies a refined, storied luxury that invites guests to step into a grand narrative every time they visit. For history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and visitors seeking a touch of classic glamor in the heart of downtown LA, the Biltmore stands out as a compelling, memorable choice.

This part of Los Angeles, California, offers a diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to live in the area. With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents have easy access to essential services and dining options. The neighborhood also boasts several theaters for entertainment and cultural experiences. Additionally, there are multiple parks nearby for outdoor activities and relaxation. In terms of healthcare facilities, there are hospitals and health centers within a reasonable distance for medical needs. Overall, this neighborhood provides convenience, entertainment, and access to necessary services for seniors looking to live in a vibrant urban setting with ample opportunities for social engagement and leisure activities.

Restaurants

• Perch (0.2 miles)
• Takami Sushi & Robata (0.2 miles)
• Precinct (0.3 miles)
• Yard House (0.7 miles)
• EightyTwo (1 miles)
• The Original Philippe (1.2 miles)
• Bavel (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (0.3 miles)
• Regal LA Live & 4DX (0.8 miles)
• AMC The Grove 14 (6.1 miles)
• TCL Chinese Theatre (6.1 miles)
• AMC The Americana at Brand 18 (6.5 miles)

Transportation

• Union Station (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Verve Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Lamill Coffee Boutique (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Proof Bakery (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Echo Park at the Lotus Festival (1.9 miles)
• Elysian Park (2.6 miles)
• Glassell Park Recreation Center (4.7 miles)
• Cleland Ave Bicentennial Park (5 miles)
• Pan Pacific Park (6.1 miles)
• Plummer Park (6.3 miles)
• Granada Park (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• LAC+USC Inpatient Tower (2.8 miles)
• Usc-Norris Cancer Hospital (2.9 miles)
• Kedren Community Health Center (3 miles)
• Prado Center (6.3 miles)