History at a price
We stayed at the Millennium Biltmore in downtown Los Angeles a couple of months ago. We were doing some diamond shopping and wanted to be next to that district.
I wanted to stay at the hotel because of the history and that we were going to take a tour of downtown with the LA Conservancy (excellent tour by the way!)
The reason why I am back here writing again is that I saw a LA news show the other night and the travel commentator was recommending the web site “Oyster” where they compare the staged pictures posted by the hotel versus the actual photos taken by travelers. Well I went to “Oyster” and looked up this hotel and it popped up as a beautiful 4 out of 4 stars and fantastic pictures. (I was shocked)
So here is the truth on this one. 
The hotel does have an extensive history of politicians, actress and other famous people visiting the place.
We stayed on the 9th and it was only 250 a night. Attached are the photos. The room was simply repainted and it was worse than a rundown 50 dollar a night motel along some old freeway.
My wife wanted a bath, but would not use the tub because it was only partially reglazed 3 inches from the bottom and completely yellow and nasty the rest of the way up. The pictures show the one quarter inch of dust around the room. The pictures also show all the burn marks from the hall lighting where the ballasts have singed the walls.
We stayed in a hotel in New York next to the Empire State Building on the 23rd floor that was lower in cost and 3 times larger! This room was like a closet overlooking the office across the street. The in room a/c unit just limped along.
I would not let her go down to the pool area alone because it was too dark and gave me a real creepy feeling.
Also always look down when you are walking in the halls as to not trip on the duct tape holding the carpet together.
The photos on “Oyster” and the hotel web site are completely inaccurate with the exception of the staged room and the ground floor. I would definitely not stay there again, if you want the history, the LA Conservancy offers a tour of that hotel on Sundays.
If you live around LA, I would definitely take one of the walking tours (the history of that area is very interesting) don’t take the kids because they might be a little bored. (no x-box or rides!)