Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles

This octogenarian grande dame has never looked more beautiful—although, like many L.A. ladies, she’s had some work done. The hotel’s 1923 Italian-Spanish Renaissance interiors are textbook elegant, with refurbished hand-carved wood detailing, ornate gilded ceilings, and magnificent chandeliers. The Gallery Bar, with its oak paneling and plush leather chairs, is a sumptuous old-school place to sip a signature Black Dahlia martini, and afternoon tea is served under the soaring ceiling of the Rendezvous Court, one level below the hotel’s dramatic lobby. While some of the 683 guest rooms can disappoint, those on the Club Level (just an additional $50) feature elegant canopied king beds, hand-carved furniture with gilded accents, and marble bathrooms—plus complimentary breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres in the Club Lounge.

Tip: Not all standard rooms are the same size; request a larger one when booking.

Room to Book: The 930-square-foot Becker Suite, with views of neighboring Pershing Square, has a marble foyer and spacious parlor.