The Millennium Biltmore Hotel
The Millennium Biltmore Hotel opened its doors for the first time in 1923. The luxurious destination was built to cater for Los Angeles’ high society, yet served many different purposes throughout its life time.
The Millennium Biltmore Hotel hosted the Academy Awards from 1935 until the beginning of World War II, when it was repurposed as a facility to serve soldiers on leave with rest and recreation. The stunning hotel’s interior has also made appearances across the small and silver screen featuring in Entourage, Fight Club and the Slimer scene from Ghostbusters, which seems fitting for a building with such close links to the paranormal world.
Hauntings of The Millennium Biltmore Hotel
The glamorous and grandeur Millennium Biltmore Hotel is an impressive building with an even more impressive paranormal track record. Many believe it to be one of Los Angeles’ most haunted buildings. Its infamy is in part spurred on by its association with one of America’s most well known, unsolved murders.
Shortly before her death in 1947 Elizabeth Short was sighted at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel’s bar. This is one of the last places she was seen alive before entering the infamy of becoming the Black Dahlia murder. Elizabeth Short’s body was later discovered dumped on an empty lot of land, completely drained of blood, naked, mutilated and cut completely in half by an incision dividing her torso. The murder captured the attention of the public, remains one of California’s most recognized unsolved crimes and ignited Black Dahlia ghost stories with the Millennium Biltmore Hotel at the epicenter. Many reports of a lady with dark hair, wearing a black dress in 1940’s fashion have been made at the Hotel. She is usually seen on the tenth and eleventh floors, roaming through the lobby or riding the elevator to floor six before disappearing into thin air or walking through a wall. One man claims to have rode the elevator with this lady in black, only to see her disappear when they reached level six. He was shocked to pick up a true crime book in a store a few days later and recognize the ghost from the elevator as Elizabeth Short.
Though the Black Dahlia is the most famous ghost to roam the Millennium Biltmore Hotel’s halls, she is not the only one. There have been numerous instances where sightings of a group of soldiers’ apparitions have moved through the lobby, thought to be residual energy left behind from the hotel’s history in World War II. Another spirit thought to haunt the hotel from around this era is the ghost of a female nurse who has commonly been seen on the second floor, where cots were set out for visiting soldiers during the war.
The spirits of children have also been encountered within the Biltmore Hotel. Countless sightings of a little girl have been made and many others have heard her footsteps hurriedly running along the corridors of floor 9, as well as her disembodied, playful giggling. Another more disturbing apparition of a child is rumored to occupy the roof of the hotel. Some reports exist of people who have seen the ghost of a little boy on the roof who has no facial features present.
Plenty more paranormal instances have helped the Millennium Biltmore Hotel build its haunted reputation. Both staff and visitors to the hotel have experienced phantom sounds of a party happening on the first floor, other unexplainable noises and voices, orbs of light, sudden temperature drops, cold drafts and the feeling that an invisible presence is around. It’s no wonder why countless staff have refused and fear working late shifts at the hotel.
Staying at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel
The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is a premier spot to stay within the Los Angeles Downtown area. The location is central, rooms are clean and the lobby and lounge areas are stunning in design. Did I mention it’s a great hotel for paranormal buffs to investigate? I enjoyed my stay here, but didn’t personally have any paranormal experiences. That is not to say they don’t happen, they’ve even been documented via Tripadvisor reviews! Let me know in the comments below if you’ve had any strange or unexplainable hotel experiences.
If you do stay in Los Angeles are are looking for other haunted places to check out around town, look no further. I’ve compiled LA’s 10 most haunted hot spots for you.
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Posted by Sonia on February 25, 2018
That’s a beautiful hotel it even looks haunted just by the pictures, great story!
Posted by Amy on February 26, 2018
Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed it. If you’re ever in LA you should check it out.
Posted by Ray Garcia on February 11, 2019
I stayed on the 9th floor. I had a disembodied voice wake me from a nap. I had just laid down and wasn’t quite asleep yet. That same night, about midnight, i heard children running up and down the hall and lots of laughter. i got up to tell them to quiet down. i waited until the steps were near my door. I opened the door and there was no one in the hallway.
Posted by Amy on February 11, 2019
Hi Ray. Thank you so much for sharing this. That is a very strange story. I love to hear from people that have actually stayed and had experiences there. I stayed there but was not so lucky.
Posted by Hailey on February 18, 2019
hi I’ve seen various cases on this hotel I’m not in la but I would love to go there just to experience the hotel I think that would be cool also I find the case of black doliaha aka Elizabeth short is really interesting to me and I want to do a project on her do you think my teacher would be ok with that ps I’m in 5th grade with my best freind she also loves the black doliaha case
Posted by Amy on February 19, 2019
Hi Hailey! Thank you for reading my article and leaving me a comment. I hope that one day you get the chance to visit this hotel, as it is a beautiful place. I also think that the Black Dahlia case is an interesting one, though it is equally tragic. It might be a good idea to ask your teacher if it makes for an appropriate project subject. Thanks again!
Posted by marty on February 25, 2019
hey amy, Do you know more stories about the hotel? like recent stories? i hope you have.
Posted by Amy on February 26, 2019
Hi Marty. I have not done any recent research, though I know it was recently involved in a violent heist. Hopefully I get the chance to visit again soon. If I do, I will try and see if there are more recent stories. Thanks for reading.
Posted by katie on February 25, 2019
actually the black dahlia was seen before he death using the phone she died after the phone call
Posted by Amy on February 26, 2019
Hi Katie. Thanks for the info. In this article I state that the Millennium Biltmore Hotel was one of the last places she was seen. Cheers for reading and commenting.
Posted by malachi on February 28, 2019
boi i was scared shitless when i went to the hotel she at my bed frame in my dream at my last night at the hotel stayed there 5 days never again
Posted by malachi on February 28, 2019
it was said that on day a celibrity was at the hotel and fell down the staircase and the hotel said that the cause of her fall was verdigo and never spoke of it AGAIN
Posted by Amy on March 3, 2019
Hi Malachi – Thanks for sharing your experience and this story. I love the legends surrounding this place, too.
Posted by Carrie on March 15, 2019
I stayed at the Biltmore just two weeks ago .. my room was on the 5th floor. I have a “knowing” so I could hear the children running through the halls .. when I did a tour of the museum wing, I knew there was a woman who was murdered in the hotel. The presence of spirits are definitely there. Beautiful hotel .. the service was amazing .. Would definitely recommend!
Posted by Amy on March 17, 2019
Hi Carrie. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with the Biltmore Hotel. It is a beautiful place, and I am glad you enjoyed your stay. Stay spooky!
Posted by Dannie on April 24, 2019
This really helped. I decided to do my English project on this hotel and I am so glad I found this. It was really helpful and interesting to learn a few new things I didn’t know. Thanks so much
Posted by Amy on April 24, 2019
Thanks for the comment, Dannie! So glad to hear that this article helped you!
Posted by Robby on May 27, 2019
Is it true that there are tunnels under there that apparently hold a dungeon like place with skeletons?
Posted by Amy on May 27, 2019
Not that I am aware – I have never heard this, nor did any of the staff mention it to me during my visit.
Posted by Jonathan Cho on June 23, 2019
Did you know that there are secret doors all around the hotel. There a couple in the Ballroom in fact.
Posted by Amy on June 23, 2019
Wow! That is really cool. Thank you for sharing this, Jonathan!
Posted by Lilly on September 30, 2019
Wow that was amazing!!!!!! Just wondering have you seen the YouTubers Sam and Colby? I recently found this site but it’s good!
Posted by Amy on October 2, 2019
Hi Lilly! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment! Yes, I have seen their series on the hotel.
Posted by April on October 6, 2019
I recently stayed 3 nights on the 11th floor next to
the presidential suite and near rooftop access. Although, I did not see anything unusual other than lights in the hallway flickering or the elevator doors opening and no one comes out. I definitely felt a lot of energy. It’s a beautiful hotel. I don’t think I would stay again due to many restless nights for obvious reasons.
Posted by Amy on October 6, 2019
Hi April. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. It is great to hear other people’s experiences at these places. It was a beautiful hotel, I agree. I probably would go back.
Posted by Ashelia on October 26, 2019
In the s a and colby series they could hear tapping from a certain door that leads to the ballroom Amy I would still like more info on the second floor and why it’s like closed of to people who go there
Posted by Amy on October 27, 2019
Thanks for reading, Ashelia! All of the information that I am aware of is contained in this article.
Posted by Hannah on October 30, 2019
me and my friends are doing a writing comp together and deiced to do this hotel the web was very helpful and the comments were to. Thanks Amy
Posted by Amy on October 31, 2019
Hi Hannah! It is so cool that you are doing a writing comp with your friends, that sounds like fun. I’m glad to know that you’ve found some interesting information here too!
Posted by sienna on November 3, 2019
I went there i stayed on the 5th floor and i heard kids running around and laughing so i went out there and nobody was there.I decided to go down to the lobby the i saw this YouTube’s that i always watch. Her YouTube name is dymondflawless. I took a picture with them and went up to my room. When i got back up to my room i looked back at the photo that i took with the You Tuber and i saw this black figure behind me
Posted by Amy on November 3, 2019
That is creepy! Thanks for sharing, Sienna!
Posted by Brenda Mendoza on December 2, 2019
I stayed in the hotel Nov.29th to the 30th, 4th floor. I don’t think I’d stay here again. At 303am I woke up because i got cold, the A/C started turning on and off. I know its typical of this happening when you set it to a certain temperature but it didn’t just stay for a while it was on and off seconds apart. I tried to ignore it since my boyfriend was hot but got too cold so i turned it off and covered up. A few minutes later scratching on the wall, I opened my eyes and saw a short dark figure, i couldn’t see its face but it was maybe 4 feet next to the thermostat. I closed my eyes again and started praying, I felt it get closer, I opened my eyes and it was sitting on the chair across from the bed. I got up and turned the light on. At this point I had to wake my boyfriend up, i was really scared. We turned the light off again he hugged me and we fell asleep. At 436am i woke up again to the sound of dragging on the carpet. Again i tunred on the light my boyfriend woke up and said I had blood on my face. I ran to the bathroom and i had it on my cheek and neck…apparently a nosebleed. I’m 33 and I’ve probably only have gotten a nose bleed 2 other times in my life as a child. It continued for a couple of minutes. I prayed again until we fell asleep. I woke up at 626 am when my 13 yr old son woke me up to tell me he was hungry and that he had a weird dream. He dram that a short boy was standing in front of his bed, he was dark like a shadow and skinny. It’s a beautiful hotel but I can’t say that I’d ever stay here again. I keep thinking of everything that happened and nothing like this has ever happened to me. The halls do have an eerie feeling to them and the pool area isn’t any better. If you’re into this definitely check in.
Posted by Amy on December 4, 2019
Hi Brenda. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is a shame you wouldn’t stay there again. I want to go back. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
Posted by Mark W. on December 17, 2019
Thank you for remembering her name, Elizabeth Short, not just her newspaper ghoul name. She was a real person.
I work a few steps from here and see the west side of th hotel every day. There is a blind brick wall that covers the above ground parking. You can see lighter bricks where the wall was repaired three stories above th sidewalk- some lady drove through the wall! Not a ghost, just a bad driver!
-Mark W.
Posted by Amy on December 17, 2019
Hi Mark! Thank you for reading and leaving a comment! It is very interesting to hear you work so close by and I appreciate this little bit of info!
Posted by BTS MBSS on December 18, 2019
There is a YouTube channel named SAM AND COLBY. In their video…u can see what happened with them… there is no explanation. But I want to go to this hotel so badly now.
Posted by Amy on December 30, 2019
Thanks for reading! I hope you get the chance to stay there for yourself one day!
Posted by Makayla on December 27, 2019
I watch Sam and Colby do a video about this hotel. I haven’t finish the video yet but there’s also a second part I love watching their videos. I’m not into this stuff about haunting I never believed in it but I’m starting to after reading this. It looks very pretty and maybe one day I might stay there. It would be scary at first but I will get a se to it.
From :Makayla
P.S I’m using my dads work phone cuz mine is broken and it’s not fixed yet. I also like this story❤️❤️❤️
Posted by Amy on December 30, 2019
Hey Makayla! Thank you for reading! I hope you get to stay there one day too! Ps. I recently filmed some videos in Malaysia, you should check out my Youtube videos too.