Only if I have a royal crown on my head. In other words, NEVER.

Having been to both, the Biltmore is my pick. It is important, however, to always consider the context of the times, the wealthy turn-of-the-century industrialists and displays of their wealth. Newport, Rhode Island comes to mind. For all these structures, the Biltmore, by far the largest, is also the most tasteful, elegant and liveable. Asheville is a fabulous small city nestled in the beauty of the Blue Ridge. The city has positioned itself as a quirky arts and crafts destination, interesting restaurants, upscale retirement communities all anchored by the the Biltmore House and the tourism that supports it.

Haven't ever been to Hearst but the Biltmore is fabulous. I wouldn't want to live in such a big house but the design and decor is so well done that, even in the really large rooms, two people having a cup of tea could feel cozy. In addition the grounds are spectacular. Next time I visit here it will be during the Christmas season, the pictures I've seen are magical!

I love the Biltmore home and grounds. The gardens are fabulous. Years after visiting I discovered one of my g-grands family lived on what is now Biltmore. They are buried there. Does anyone believe in ancestral memory? :)

George W. Vanderbilt's sister Eliza (Lila) Vanderbilt Webb created Shelburne Farms in northwest Vermont. www.shelburnefarms.org/about/history. While her resources were vastly smaller, what she and her husband created is wonderful! It is currently a working farm on the shores of Lake Champlain producing award winning cheese and teaching numerous programs for families and teachers on earth stewardship. You can stay and dine at their original home, walk the miles of trails and revel in the beauty of this amazing resource the descendants chose to leave for all to enjoy rather than sell for development.

The Biltmore...because it is located in the beautiful mountains of NC

Biltmore is a work of art.

My other favorite is Marble house in Newport R.I. Paul Godin-Interior Designer

Biltmore is in my hometown, so I am a bit prejudiced. That said, Biltmore is a singularly beautiful estate. The fact that Hunt designed the home, and Olmstead the gardens, is recommendation enough to go see it. It is beautifully preserved, yet constantly updated, a balance not many can acheive. An indoor Christmas tree of 75 ft is something to behold, and the festival of spring flowers is a "don't miss."

I have not been able to travel to see either of these homes, but was raised in a manor house in England, much on these scales. My mother was a lady in waiting and my sister and I were able to be in the main house to play and take some schooling with the manor children. Sure hope they have kept the charm and personal/family collections and furniture that was a sign of the times.

Biltmore, a cohesive design statement referencing a specific style, the architecture of Renaissance France. It is also at one with it's superbly landscaped grounds and the natural site in the distance. It could easily be a house from the era of it's inspiration.

Hearst Castle is Disneyland, with grounds that look like a Vegas hotel. The luxury is out of place and reflects what it is, a collection of mismatched pieces gathered by a collector with no clear idea of design, but only of money. Only in America...

vikk: you may have been raised in a manor home in England, but not on these scales, honey; the Biltmore is THE largest private home in the world. And George Vanderbilt's daughter married a Cecil of THE British Cecils, as in William Cecil, Baron Burghley. There is no charm or family collections that you are thinking of, rather items such as Napoleon's's chess set from Alba, Cardinal Richelieu's "robe," and other such treasures. Maybe you should look at some photos of it before you cast your monocled-eye's judgement upon it.

@photogcyn, maybe vikk was talking about the manor house in England when she said "Sure hope they have kept the charm and personal/family collections and furniture that was a sign of the times." I sure her reply wasn't meant as an insult to you rich over the top Americans :-)

I have been to both and each are beautiful in their own way. Would prefer Hearst because it is in amazing California.

I've never been to either though the Hearst Castle has been on my 'to do' list for years, however, as a child my parents took me to Vizcaya Palace the Deering home in Miami, FL which I've never forgotten though that was almost 50 yrs. ago, still recall their stunned faces when I asked them 'why don't we live in a house like this? ' Another home that impressed me as a child was Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle at Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry, unfortunately I was too big to live in it, but would've loved having it as a doll house!!!

I have visited both estates as well as many in New Port Beach, R.I. and also in New York State. I've also visited many of the large estates of Europe. They vary considerably, sometimes dramatically so. Can't say I have a "favorite". You can recognize a common thread of elegance in some of the "old" monied homes like the Biltmore. But there is more personal individuality in places like Hurst Castle. You certainly see his personality upon the estate. ....... just as you do the Ford estate and others of that era. The older money had a different style completely.

Hearst Castle...the pool, the views of the Pacific. Hands down!

Aside from the acres of gardens of every type at the Biltmore Estate, I loved learning and seeing how the "help" used the kitchen which was considered modern at the time with a laundry drying room for their bed linens, the many kitchen "rooms" for cooking and baking and the keeping up of the china sets and silver and of course the volumes of food used by the family and their many guests, much of it grown right on property.

Castle Overlooking the Ocean!!
Although Biltmore is more photogenic, the Hearst tours give an experience. I felt transported back to the 20s-30s glam of Hollywood. As the bus drove us along up the steep windy roads, 1920-30s music is played. It was easy for me to imagine Hearst's movie star friends being transported in their limos, up the winding driveway for an indulgent and debauched Hollywood weekend.

I wish someone would restore this 1920s beauty in Lake Elsinore, CA. It was a luxury resort for Old Hollywood's Elite, who flew in on their seaplanes. Later, it became an elite military academy. It sits abandoned now.

My Daddy took my sister and I on a long trip around the east and south/east states when I was in the fifth grade. One of our stops was the Biltmore Estate. I fell in love and wanted to move in at that very moment! It is a beautiful, beautiful home.

Thank you Jean Worthy my comments were not intended as an insult to any one especially those very sensitive and protective of the "over the top rich americans" style. The Manor house was very big for a young child that had been raise in a cabin in the northern areas. I do remember miles of hall ways with rich dark wood panels every where. And it may have been smaller for sure, but British Royals didn't always live in huge palaces.

Ladies and gentlemen, no offense but I'm quite happy in my 3 bedroom 2 bath house. None of these gigantic buildings could carry the warmth of a real family and a real home.

These are museums to excess and the robber barons of the past. IMHO - the $100M homes are impractical and mostly ego strokers. Win life's Lotto? Live simple and do good.

@miniappleman I agree. If I win the lotto I will personally, not through charities, give it to the poor. There is a saying "The bigger your roof, the more snow you have to shovel"

I'm sure they are both gorgeous...but left with a choice, I'll take a Frank Lloyd Wright house any day...

Even though these are large as well, not one of them says "cold & impersonal". They also don't devour the landscape. In fact, they are designed to blend in with their natural surroundings..

I'm sure it's no coincidence that there is a private landing strip just down the mountain, near the ocean, from Hearst Castle.

Dang I love Google Earth Pro. (Work perk!)

I felt a sort of visceral dislike of Biltmore when I was there. It seemed big and banal to me. I also dislike their approach to historic preservation (authenticity is not important to them) and the extent of commercialization of the property.

San Simeon is magical...the setting is magical and the interior spaces are endlessly fascinating. There are some things about architectural concept that I feel are odd, but overall..masterful. Hate that cheap pool Hearst built after his money was depleted by the depression.

Hearst is cool O.O I love it!

Neither, I'm not a fan of wastefulness, they're both incredible, though.

Biltmore, the craftsmanship and romance

The Biltmore, the first time I was there was during the Christmas Holliday. It was like stepping back in time. It was so beautiful. As soon as I could, I returned during the Spring/Summer and fell in love with it all over again. This time I was able to explore much more of the estate.

Biltmore has more privacy- in the other one you can see a road. Also I don't like the deprecate buildings of the other one and how the trees separate it. The Biltmore is beautiful and has privacy that isn't so secluded but enough to make you comfortable.

I've been to neither but I have been to the mansions at Newport (and many other historic mansions and homes around the world) and by about the fourth mansion of the tour I felt miserable. It's highly doubtful I would be comfortable living in either of these and given the awful feeling that came over me just visiting the Newport mansions I'm fairly certain that both of these would evoke the same emotional response. My pie in the sky dream house would be an old Victorian or Queen Anne near the beach somewhere within walking distance to shops and a good library. Or one of those dinky gingerbread houses at Oak Bluffs.

i've only ever been to Hearst Castle, so i voted for it. It has everything you need and then some. I don't like how far removed it is, though. I'd love to see the Biltmore one of these days :)

virginiarowland, thanks so much for sharing that tidbit about George W. Vanderbilt's sister Eliza (Lila) Vanderbilt Webb and her smaller (relatively speaking!!) creation, Shelburne Farms. I did not know it existed & it looks like a great effort to give back in a more active way than just being a museum. It's now on my bucket list. :)

I've been to Biltmore & can appreciate the craftsmanship - especially for the late 1800's. To me it seems best appreciated from the outside though - pretty stunning vistas 360*. I haven't been to Hearst, but from the photo it seems less a monument to itself than Biltmore.

That said, if I had to live in one I'd pick Hearst. I'm an NC native & would love to soak in a Mediterranean climate during summer as opposed to endless heat & humidity. And mosquitos.

Being from SC I have visited the Biltmore endless times and always wanted to see what I believed to be its "counter part" Hearst. Once I got to Hearst and saw that amazing castle, I realized, they are so vastly different that its like comparing apples and oranges. Both are amazing with amazing views in their own right. I will say that as far as being a tourist to either place, Asheville offers more outwardly. I found San Siemon to be a bit more introspective.

None of them, I think they're both very ugly

I agree, it is apples and oranges. They are two different eras and two different mindsets.... one being more elegant, the other being more opulent.

I have been to the Biltmore many times, and each time, I learn something new, or see something I did not notice before. I love the history of the estate, and that it is a working, profitable farm and vinyard. The artwork at the Biltmore is priceless and much of it was stored there to be protected during the war. From what I have read and heard about Hearst Castle, the Biltmore is far more fascinating, and definitely more historical.

I have visited both and they are located in beautiful settings, but the views of the gorgeous North Carolina mountains at Biltmore makes it the winner in my book.

I have been to Biltmore, I have not been to Hearst Castle . . . yet. I like both for different reasons. I like both architects but favor Julia Morgan. I once read a book (Building For Hearst And Morgan Voices From The George Loorz Papers) about San Siemon that compiled the correspondences between the owner (William Randolph Hearst), the architect (Julia Morgan), and the builder (George Loorz); it was fascinating. Not your typical construction project, but close.

Someone told me that the swimming pool cleaning staff of Hurst Castle get to dive and swim in it once a year.

If I were on the swimming pool cleaning staff of Hearst Castle, I would fall in once a day.

I have been to both. I love the Hearst for fun and folly or let's just call it what it is - opulence. The Biltmore is truly a work of art in the most beautiful countryside imaginable. I find the spaces more accessible and more livable,

Neither. Not to live in. Not to visit. Not to look at. Too big and ostentatious.

No question. Hearst Estate.

Why? Easy, location, location, location.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, backdrop of the coastal mountains, surrounded by endless acres of rolling grasslands. Perfection.

The house is kind'a nice too, though not my style. The pool is awesome.

Last time I went to Biltmore it was filthy. It was all I could do to get out of the tour, go back to the dog mobile, get cleaning supplies, march back and start cleaning. Hearst was always clean and bright but I would not want to live there either. For me it would be Oak Alley in Louisiana.

I haven't been to Hearst but must say the grounds at Biltmore are its crowning glory! The mansion its self , not so much. Other than the fact that it is huge it is very gloomy. Of course I am from RI. And was expecting the glamour of gilded age mansions in Newport. Not at all; more of a hunting lodge with lots of dead animals on the wall. Ahh but the gardens and grounds and the greenhouse... Worth the trip!

Yes, the gardens are beautiful! If you like gardens, check the gardens from our area such as Longwood Gardens, Nemour, Winterthur

Having been to both, if I were to choose which one to visit again, it would be Hearst. The tours there are more personal and interesting. The Hearst indoor pool is awesome and is still filled with water, unlike the smaller Biltmore indoor pool which remains empty due to a leak that was never fixed. The artwork at Biltmore gets the edge but Hearst is no slouch. Biltmore has mountain views, Hearst has ocean views. Biltmore has seasons, Hearst is pleasant year-round. Both are truly worth visiting if you're a history buff of that era.