Our verdict: “Art Deco Elegance Meets Modern Luxury”
The Arizona Biltmore Phoenix, affectionately known as the “Jewel of the Desert,” is a legendary resort with a rich and storied past. Opening its doors in 1929, this iconic hotel has seen its fair share of famous faces over the years, including Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and even hosting the wedding of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. With its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture, it has long been a symbol of luxury and glamour. The Biltmore was once part of Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts but has recently transitioned to Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts brand. The Arizona Biltmore feels like the perfect spot for a “letting your hair down” weekend. It’s the kind of place that appeals to those looking for a bit of a party vibe without going all out like you might in Las Vegas. There was definitely plenty of drinking going on, and we noticed a lot of relieved-looking middle-aged mums and dads taking full advantage of the atmosphere. With its glamorous past and luxury accommodations, it’s easy to see why it draws interest from those looking to indulge and unwind. Did it do that for us? Read on for our experience.
In this review:
- Hotel Summary
- Location
- Check-in
- Our Room
- Facilities & Services
- Food and Beverage
- Check-out
- BG1 Verdict
Hotel Summary
Name: Arizona Biltmore
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Hilton
Loyalty Programme: Hilton Honors
Room Type:
Room #:
Price bracket: £££££
Competing brands:
Good for: Families, Couples
Location
Nestled in the fancy Biltmore residential neighbourhood of Phoenix, the hotel is surrounded by lush golf courses, making it feel like a peaceful mountain retreat far from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re planning on exploring beyond the hotel, you’ll need a car to get around, or you can rely on the abundance of Ubers, as we did. It was convenient for a quick trip to Scottsdale one evening.
Check-in
We arrived a little before the 4 pm check-in time and were immediately struck by the hotel’s impressive frontage. The grand entrance, with its distinctive geometric patterns and “Biltmore Blocks” inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s design. Walking into the lobby felt like stepping back into a glamorous show-biz era, with its soaring ceilings, intricate designs, and a tasteful blend of classic art deco and modern luxury. Despite having booked using our Hilton Honors Diamond membership, we weren’t immediately offered an upgrade. Knowing our way around a booking system, we had already checked which rooms were still available, so we challenged this and were eventually given an upgraded room in the same category. The room we ended up taking was priced at $999 a night and had the bonus of being on the top floor and so had a balcony – unlike the room we reserved.
Parking was available in a multi-storey car park on the far side of the resort, past the conference centre. We were charged daily rate that was paid through a machine rather than added to the bill.
Our Room
Our room featured a balcony, which was a fantastic spot to enjoy those beautiful Arizona sunsets. However, it was shared with neighbouring rooms, which could get a little awkward at times.
The decor and furnishings were high-end chic and very tasteful, seamlessly bringing the art deco exterior into the interior. This design is a nod to the hotel’s iconic architecture, which was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. There was a single armchair with footstool in the corner and a two-seater chaise at the foot of the bed, directly in front of the TV.
The bed was incredibly comfortable, with soft, high-thread count bedding. The bathroom was huge, and we particularly loved the double shower with its beautiful feature wall clad in textured bronze tiles. Linen and towels were plentiful and plush, and the Agave, Yucca, and Sage Palo Tierra Luna soaps and moisturisers added a lovely spa hotel aroma to the bathroom.
Minor grumble: The hairdryer was like something we’ve found in 3-star motels and didn’t even have a nozzle. Our hairdryer at home is better and we’d expect more for this price-point.
Facilities & Services
The Arizona Biltmore Phoenix complex is quite large, so be prepared to walk between the pools, rooms, and restaurants. There are several pools to choose from, including a large family pool with water slides, which we found to be the most relaxing. Loungers and parasols were in high demand, so it’s best to get there early. Cabanas were available to rent; they were quite spacious and, although pricy for just two of us, would be great value for a larger group celebrating at the pool. They were also air conditioned, which might be useful for those who need to stay out of the searing heat.
There’s also an adults-only pool, which had dance music blaring from late morning until early evening. We found the energy levels there a bit too high, so we spent more time at the larger family pool, even taking a turn on the water slides that opened and closed throughout the day.
Poolside drink service was excellent, with servers frequently checking in on us and plying us with margaritas all afternoon – beginning with a Bloody Mary, of course! Notably, the famous Catalina Pool, once a favourite of Marilyn Monroe, still maintains its charm and allure.
Another fun fact: Irving Berlin wrote his famous song “White Christmas” while sitting by the pool here!
Bars & Dining at the Arizona Biltmore Phoenix
Breakfast was à la carte, and while the food was well presented, the service in McArthur’s wasn’t the greatest. The setting, however, was lovely, with a bright indoor terrace offering the option to sit inside. For lunch and dinner, there were a couple of restaurants to choose from. In addition to the lobby and pool bars, a large outdoor sports bar served drinks and bar snacks throughout the day.
As you’d expect from an exclusive property like this, food and beverage prices were on the higher end, with main courses around $50, inclusive of the inevitable tax and service charges. Dining at the Biltmore has long been a part of its appeal, and you can almost imagine guests from the past, like Ronald and Nancy Reagan, who were married here, dining in these elegant surroundings.
Check-out
The standard check-out time at Arizona Biltmore Phoenix is at 11 am. We managed to request an extra hour, but the front desk weren’t keen to offer any longer. Arriving in the lobby, we found only two desks were open, but we didn’t have to wait long. However, no assistance was offered with our bags, so we just dragged them ourselves past the porters to the parking lot. This was a bit surprising, given the hotel’s reputation for luxury and service that dates back to its opening nearly a century ago.
BG1 Verdict
The Arizona Biltmore Phoenix offers a taste of fabulous 1920s exuberance in the desert, providing a sophisticated way to celebrate, reminiscent of the days before Vegas took over. Designed with Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence, it feels like an oasis on the doorstep of central Phoenix, with excellent pools perfect for sunbathing all day, provided you snag a good spot early enough. The rooms were opulent, quiet, and very comfortable. While lobby service left something to be desired, poolside and bar service was much better. If you can stay here on a package deal or use Hilton Honors points, we’d say go for it.
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