Grand Old Family-Owned Hotel
We stayed one night at the Lancaster, and loved the ambiance of this old hotel that was built in the 1920s. Its personality is a welcome relief from the sterile chain hotels which are indistinguishable. You KNOW you're at the Lancaster.
You may want to skip the complimentary breakfast buffet, or at least check it out beforehand. It was frigid in the restaurant, and the staff chatted loudly over a blaring television set as we drank tepid, weak coffee. Evening dining at the restaurant, however, is a real treat.
The hotel is close to the performing arts in the area; the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the lobby is grand. 
The hotel staff is professional, courteous and knowledgeable (except for the morning crew in the restaurant, but I'm just counting that as a one-off experience and not representative of the rest of the hotel).