Arizona Biltmore Guide

Arizona Biltmore is THE place to stay in Phoenix

Arizona Biltmore is a swanky resort in Phoenix, a wonderful 4-star luxury stay, ideal when exploring Arizona’s beauty. The Biltmore, The Jewel of the Desert, is a sprawling Waldorf Astoria property. This full-service, four-star resort of unique lodging buildings surrounds pretty pools and lush gardens. A ritzy golf neighborhood of high-end homes encompasses the Biltmore Estates compound. The legendary 1920s Biltmore is just a few miles outside of busy Phoenix, not far from Phoenix Skyway airport. The Biltmore is poised 20-minutes to Scottsdale’s Old Town shopping, and just two hours to spectacular Sedona.

Arizona Biltmore is an historic sophisticated resort thoughtfully designed in 1929 by Frank Lloyd Wright’s protege Albert Chase McArthur. A labyrinth of unique stone textile blocks with copper accents gives a nod to Mayan architecture, blending intentionally with the desert landscape. The entire resort has an old-school Hollywood glamour vibe – at almost a century old. The 39-acre resort campus is interesting to explore. So many lodges, villas and buildings, indoor and outdoor spaces, most-unusual architecture, all stem from the centerpiece entry and chic grand lobby that has hosted Presidents, celebs, the rich and famous for decades.

Finding our Terrace lodge amid the Biltmore complex was like a treasure hunt, as we walked through gardens, passing several swimming pools and gift shops, on meandering walkways by cute private stone cottages with firepits.

Tip: ask for a recently renovated room, among the Biltmore’s 705 guest rooms and cottages, some are more dated than others. Our suite was modern and spacious, overlooking the Saguaro adult pool from our balcony.

We splurged for Citrus Club access at the Biltmore for concierge service at their chic private (adults only) lounge with gratis food and bar service throughout the day. The Citrus Club has a convenient, lovely setting in the heart of the Biltmore, with an indoor library, bar and lounge area, and a gracious outdoor space with firepits. Here we enjoyed a breakfast buffet, lunch snacks, drinks served anytime, and evening cocktails with an array of hors d’oeuvres too. The concierges were on hand to answer questions from hiking, to biking, to dining, and local events.

Do the Biltmore Hotel Tour. The Hotels’ resident historian covers the grand evolution of this palatial property, explaining Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural involvement, and the Hollywood stars, Presidents (Roosevelt to the Reagans to Trump) and dignitaries that stayed and played here. Don’t miss the Gold Room, once the formal ballroom where all guests dined promptly at 6pm back in the glamour days. This grand room’s awe-inspiring ceiling is the second-largest gold leaf display in the world behind the Taj Mahal.

The iconic Phoenix Biltmore resort has four dining facilities – Renata’s Latin, McArthur’s, The Spire Bar, and the glitzy Wright Bar in the lobby. You’ll also find a row of chic shops, the Cup n Cone ice cream and coffee shop, and a full bar with bites at the Saguaro Pool and the Paradise Pool. With seven pool areas, even one family-friendly resort pool with a giant water slide, you’ll find plenty of spaces for R&R.

The Tierra Luna Spa and Salon looked posh; I am not a spa girl but the menu was mesmerizing. The Fitness Center next door is spacious, an inviting indoor-outdoor gym space with dozens of weightlifting and workout machines, and free weights. I even found my favorite Peloton for a workout next to a huge sliding door, so I could enjoy the cool arid-zona breeze from outside. There’s a daily schedule of fitness classes available to Biltmore guests as well, including property walks, cycle classes, and personal training.

The Biltmore features two 18-hole Championship golf courses, tennis and pickleball too. You won’t be bored here unless you wish to just chill by the pool. Even from a restful chaise lounge, the people-watching is fantastic, as you sip on a cocktail delivered by your cabana boy. Weekends at the Biltmore, often two to three festive weddings are happening, and midweek, conferences bring a different buzz of activity.

We suggest you grab a guest bike from the Valet to ride around the beautiful Biltmore Estate mansions and high-end neighborhoods of perfectly manicured member homes around the golf course, even along the Canal.

We loved cocktails at the Citrus Club by the big outdoor fireplace. Watching Football on the big screens of the central Spire Bar is casual and cheerful. This relaxed outdoor-covered circular Spire Bar has stunning views of the sweeping lawn, the Saguaro pool, and Camelback Mountain towering above the resort. Order a Tequila Sunrise here, the original cocktail was invented by a Biltmore bartender in 1930. Cheers.

Commune with the 19 Solemn Sprite statues that grace the Biltmore grounds. These holy statues offer a rich history, each is unique and watches over the land, a tie to Greek mythology and secret guardianship of the earth.

If these Biltmore walls could talk. A few more fun Biltmore hotel facts:
The Biltmore sold to the Wrigley family, an original investor in the ambitious project, after the 1929 Wall Street stock market crash.
A devastating fire occurred in 1973, destroying much of the grand Biltmore Hotel, but the Hotel reopened and expanded in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2023 and ongoing, the entire property is being tastefully updated and renovated, while preserving the architecture and grandeur.

Biltmore is an original Waldorf Astoria brand, however, it was sold to the Chinese in 2014, for $2 billion. Now it remains managed by Hilton. Its part of the LXR brand – Biltmore’s provides luxury from Arizona to Asheville, North Carolina.

Next door to the Biltmore is the Wrigley Mansion, visit this opulent 1931 estate perched above the Biltmore. You can dine here with an amazing 360 of the desert valley and Phoenix Mountains. Or take the historic haunted tour of this magnificent manor, then toast to the ghosts at Wrigley’s chic Jamie Wine Bar.

Fun day trips from the Arizona Biltmore
Gateway Loop is a long, beautiful hike, 4.3 miles of intermediate level paths, in the Sonoran Desert – about 20 minutes from the Biltmore. There are several trail variations, all well-marked, amid plentiful desert plants that are varied and stunning as well. I loved the plethora of saguaro cacti, Joshua trees, succulents of aloe, agave, and prickly pear. Just don’t get too close to these prickers. From here, after your morning hike, you are close to downtown Scottsdale.

A day trip to Scottsdale is a must, exploring the Old Town, 5th Avenue & Marshall up to the Canal. Cool sculptures around town and so many galleries make Scottsdale a fabulous day trip from Phoenix. The cute cowboy town is loaded with western shops, wine-tasting rooms, and inviting cafes. Art lovers will find so many galleries, local to high-end, western motif to European collections. The annual Scottsdale Canal Convergence is a spectacular event on the river in November with artistic illuminations, and fire elements, choreographed with music in the evening.

Hike Piestawa Peak, just 5-minutes from the Biltmore in Phoenix. This moderate circle loop on Trail 8a takes you around the desert peak with phenomenal views of Phoenix and Scottsdale. It’s impressive, but prickly, as you walk the gravel well-marked pathways amid flowering cactus, yucca and agave plants. Or hike the more-challenging iconic Camelback Mountain (a double black diamond) for serious hikers with a steep scramble near the summit.

You must visit Sedona, two hours north of the Phoenix Biltmore, for a few nights to explore this magical mystical land of red rocks, spiritual vortexes, and a fun frontier town. See our Sedona review, including hiking and Arizona wine tasting in the Verde Valley.