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Phoenix Biltmore Bargins |
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When we fled a day early from Enchantment, we decided to give the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix a try, and it was a great success. The introduction on their web site sums it up pretty well:
 "Known throughout the world as the 'Jewel of the Desert,' the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa provides a restful oasis of 39 acres covered with lush gardens, glistening swimming pools, and Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced architecture. Set in the heart of Phoenix, the Arizona Biltmore has been a favorite of celebrities and U.S. presidents throughout its colorful history." |
Rates
 They were offering weekend specials when we checked in: A Traditional room in the main building was $149, a Classic room with a garden view was $179, and a Resort room with a patio or balcony was $199. But we decided to splurge on what is called a Villa Suite for $475, what we were paying at Enchantment. (The Villa Suites normally start at $1250, but since none of the lower priced suites were available, they gave us a great rate and we couldn’t resist.) |
Our Room
 Our Villa suite turned out to be a large (1600 sq. ft.) one-bedroom unit in the Villa condominium complex, right on the Catalina Pool (Marilyn Monroe’s favorite). It had high ceilings, a large living room, a complete kitchen, a spacious
bedroom, a marble bath, and a private patio. We were delighted with it and wished we could have stayed longer. |
| The View From Our Room |
Other Highpoints
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The architecture incorporating Frank Lloyd Wright designed texture blocks. The Biltmore was designed in
1927 by Albert Chase McArthur, a former student of Wright's. He hired Wright as a consultant and paid him for the use of the concrete block, to which it turned out Wright did not hold patent.
Exactly who deserves credit for what is still in dispute, but the result is magnificent. |
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The oversized outdoor chess board. |
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Our late lunch on the patio of the Biltmore Grill. (We didn’t have a chance to try Wright’s, the formal restaurant.) |
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Our southwestern-inspired dinner at Vincent Guerithault on Camelback (recommended by the concierge). Pricey, but worth it. |
Cautions
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According to their Summer 2002 brochure, there was a “Fajitas and ‘Ritas” party at the main pool every Friday and Saturday from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
There was definitely one the Friday we were there, and it went on well after 7:30. We
did not attend, but it featured an extremely loud emcee who completely shattered the peace and quiet of everything nearby, including the villas. It was extremely annoying, and we almost complained. |
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We stopped at the lobby bar for a nightcap when we got back from dinner and couldn’t get a waiter to even look at us, much less take a drink order. Maybe we were too well dressed since everyone else seemed to have on shorts and
sneakers. |
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