In March I had the chance to stay at the Regal Biltmore when I was in LA for a conference.

When you first see this hotel, it doesn't look like it would be very good. It's in the heart of the downtown area, with lots of small businesses around, and close by the jewelry district. The facade is gray stone, and it looks like just another office building, except for the obvious drive through entrance.

But once you get inside, WELL!! I was greeted by a doorman (white-gloved, full uniform), who was gracious and pleasant as he opened the door of my cab. He handed my out, and went around to get my bags for me. I was escorted into the hotel, and led directly to the front desk.

First of all, as you enter this hotel you see a sweeping front lobby which is done up in mahogany and brass, with a huge hanging chandelier which casts a beautiful glow on the hard wood floors. There are lounging chairs everywhere, and the ambiance is of quiet luxury.

The front desk staff took my name, and even though I had no reservation (I had called from the hotel I was to originally stay at, but that's another Epinion). They had found me a room, with a nice view and on one of the upper floors. I was brought to my room and was surprised to find that it was right beside the presidential suite. (This was to be a hazard, as you'll read later). The room was large, with a HUGE closet and nice sized bathroom, a large work area and two armchairs. All in all, a nice room for the price ($199 a night).

The only problem I had with the room itself is when I left to go back to the lobby. Opening my door, I came face to face with 11 SWAT Team members, 3 bomb-sniffing dogs and the secret service. I had forgotten that it was Super Tuesday, the date of the California primary, and there was a presidential candidate staying in the suite next door. (If you ever have this happen to you, and I hope you don't, just do whatever they ask and keep calm) They asked for my ID, and my room card, asked if they could check my room, and were generally pleasant, but it wasn't exactly what I had been expecting.

During the rest of my stay, the staff continued to be wonderful. Room service was prompt and very pleasant; although the prices were a little higher then I would normally pay, around $25 without tip for a room service meal (any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner). For breakfast one day I had Coffee and a muffin. I expected to receive only one small muffin, but instead received a basket of Blueberry muffins that had obviously just been taken from the oven, along with butter and jam. The coffee was also fresh and hot, with cream (yes, a jug of real cream) and sugar.

When I asked the concierge for a recommendation for a restaurant, he sent me to one and had called ahead to make sure that I would be taken care of, so I was again treated as I had only fantasized about being treated before.

Although this hotel is old, it is also gracious, and the staff was as willing to wait on me as it was on the next movie star that walked through the door, and they appeared pleased to treat us both just the same. (The next movie star that walked in was Barbra Streisand, as it was Super Tuesday). It was fun to sit in the lobby on Super Tuesday and watch all of the movie stars walk through, and also fun to pampered and treated as if I was royalty.

I very much enjoyed my stay, and the pampering that I received. If you can afford it (most rooms only run $99 a night), I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone going to LA.





Recommended: Yes