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The Arizona Biltmore, in Phoenix, Arizona, is a luxe sanctuary that can be appreciated by design and architectural enthusiasts alike. This large, but well-planned property is a part of Waldorf-Astoria Hotels and Resorts – which is a subsidiary of Hilton Hotels. Opened in 1929 and designed by Albert Chase McArthur – although the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright consulted on the project, the hotel has been an important icon for the city of Phoenix and has attracted luxury travelers from the very beginning. For almost 90 years, service has been a part of this hotel’s DNA.
Today, the hotel offers visitors guest rooms, suites and villas – 738 to be exact. But, despite the size, it has done a fantastic job of creating small and cozy areas for people, so there is a feeling of intimacy that is normally not felt in resorts of this magnitude. Rolling-up from the airport – which is only 20 minutes away by car – you immediately feel a rhythm that exists here, one that is tailored to those who expect nothing but the best.
8 swimming pools, tennis courts, a spa and 2, 18-hole golf courses – there really is no reason to leave. The resort has everything you might need or want to experience in the area, all on-site. You can shop the afternoon away at boutiques lining the central lawn, lounge by one of the many pools, exercise in the state-of-the-art fitness facility or dine at one of the spectacular restaurants within the resort. The Arizona Biltmore offers six dining options – including a beautiful high tea served in the lobby.
Rooms are well appointed with bathrobes, huge bathrooms, ample closet space and sizable square footage. My room had a terrace which melted into the distant pool area. My suggestion is to book one of the suites or villas for a little more privacy and space. But, no matter which room you book, you can count on fantastic service from the staff here. In fact, I had a last-minute invitation to an event in Phoenix that evening and needed a new pair of pants hemmed. The hotel sent a seamstress, who was originally from Bosnia and a lovely woman, to my room. Within an hour, my pants were returned hemmed and pressed for the night.
The Arizona Biltmore is a place to get away from it all – even if you’re a local. I love that the resort has kept the historical heritage alive in every facet of the space, yet modernized bits of it so that there is no discrepancy between what guests expect at a five-star property and what is actually offered. For your next visit to Phoenix, you should absolutely make the Arizona Biltmore your choice in luxury hotels.
