Arizona Biltmore

The grand dame of Phoenix hotels, the Arizona Biltmore, which opened in 1929, melds contemporary standards with the historic architectural touches that show the design influence of Frank Lloyd Wright.

• The elevated level of service in the 120-room Ocatilla wing
• The fountained lawns with their replicas of Midway Garden sprites
• Committedly old-fashioned dishes, like ketchup-glazed meatloaf, at Frank & Albert’s
• People-watching in the lobby during afternoon tea

Although Frank Lloyd Wright’s name will be forever associated with the Arizona Biltmore, he himself stated that he was not the architect. That credit goes to one of his students, Albert Chase McArthur, who consulted with Wright during the months Wright spent on the property while the hotel was being built. The most visible evidence of the master’s influence can be seen in the “Biltmore Blocks,” with their pre-cast geometric design, that were used in much of the construction, although some stain-glass window work and the replica lawn sprites have a Wright connection, too.

The 716 rooms and suites were renovated in 2014 by the Los Angeles-based interior design firm of Smith & Firestone Associates, who added a contemporary vision with a bright color palette, sleek lines and Art Deco touches.

The Biltmore has all the amenities many people expect at a classic Arizona resort: eight pools, golf just a few steps away, a full-service spa, and a restaurant that uses local ingredients creatively (Frank & Albert’s perhaps being the only dining venue anywhere named after not one but two architects). It also has a great location, in a neighborhood of some of the most upscale estate homes in Phoenix, that will help reassure guests that old money is here to stay.

The Arizona Biltmore is ideal for travelers who want the eight swimming pools but appreciate, too, how much the design of a masonry block, a stained-glass window, or a garden statue can evoke images of times gone by.