The Ultimate Staycation | The Arizona Biltmore

The History

The idea for this ICONIC hotel was initially thought to be by Warren and Charles McArthur after they moved to Arizona from Chicago. Their love for the valley inspired their goals of turning the barren desert into a tourist destination– a vision that has come true– and thus, the idea for the Arizona Biltmore was born. 

Heavily influenced by the work of Frank Llyod Wright, the hotel used his ICONIC Breezeblock design, and more than 250,000 blocks were used to create the original hotel. Construction of the Arizona Biltmore started in 1928 and was completed in nine short months. After the stock market crash of 1929, the McArthur brothers sold the property to the famous Wrigley family.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Biltmore

The grand opening was a three-day celebration that attracted socialites and celebrities from across the nation. The Arizona Biltmore quickly became a vacation destination for the country’s wealthiest.

With about 97 years of history, the Arizona Biltmore has all kinds of stories within the walls. To keep the history alive, the hotel offers a history tour of the property, which teaches you about the intriguing past of the hotel, all while sipping the hotel’s staple cocktail, the Tequila Sunrise– which was created by mixologist Gene Sulit at the Arizona Biltmore in the 1930s. I went on this tour during my stay and learned so much; it not only helped me appreciate the significance of the resort, but it also introduced me to one of my new favorite cocktails. 

The Accommodations: 

I stayed in a recently renovated room with two queen beds. The room was modern and refreshing, with sophisticated interiors and a neutral color palette. During my stay, I had access to the Citrus Club, a 21+ concierge lounge that supplies guests with a breakfast buffet in the morning and hors d’oeuvres throughout the day and in the evening; the best feature, however, is the open bar with a bartender at your service to craft any cocktail you desire. It made for a great hangout spot; the staff was friendly, and the food/drinks were delicious. The Citrus Club alone made my stay worth the upgrade. I highly recommend adding this feature to your reservation.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Biltmore

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While a quick four-minute drive from Biltmore Fashion Park, a hub of high-end shopping, restaurants and entertainment, the Arizona Biltmore is designed so guests have all their needs met without having to leave the property. 

If you’re staying with your family, the Paradise Pool and Twist Waterslide provide thrill and family fun. If you’re looking for retail therapy, there are many retail shops onsite. As an avid shopper, I took my time browsing the darling boutiques when I had some downtime. 

There is always something going on at the Biltmore Resort; check out their event calendar for the official schedule of happenings during your stay. 

The Spa: 

When it comes to relaxation, the Arizona Biltmore spared no expense. The Tierra Luna Spa is the ultimate retreat from the resort’s buzzing atmosphere. Equipped with all the luxury wellness amenities, from the hot tubs and cold plunge pools located in their tranquility garden, which is like a desert oasis nestled within the spa, to the state-of-the-art locker rooms featuring high-quality robes, slippers and toiletries.

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Biltmore

I walked into the spa and immediately felt serenity envelop me. I changed into my robe and slippers and sipped lemon and cucumber water in the tranquil garden, letting the morning sun grace my skin. The mellow trickle of water from the fountains in the garden was therapeutic, connecting me with nature and allowing me to feel present. 

I received the Signature Facial; it was 50 minutes of pure bliss. My esthetician and I had great conversations about skincare and the best ways to keep my skin hydrated in the intense Arizona heat. I left the spa feeling replenished and ready to take on the day. I could’ve spent the whole day in the spa, pampering myself with hot and cold therapies, massages and beauty services; this is definitely something I am going to explore more when I return. 

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The Food: 

There are many restaurants on the property to dine at, ten options for guests, to be exact. If you are looking for a nonchalant lunch or happy hour cocktail, I recommend the Spire Bar, a circular outdoor bar/restaurant located just outside the lobby. It is the centerpiece of the resort and is always buzzing with good energy. I indulged in mid-day lunch and happy hour cocktails while I was a guest; the atmosphere was vibrant, and the cocktails were delicious. Needless to say, many happy memories were made at the Spire Bar. 

For a more formal and elevated dining experience, I recommend Renata’s Hearth. An enchanting setting for lively Latin evenings, it’s the place to gather and share the delights of fire and flavor, spirit, and aromatic wonder.

Photo Courtesy of Austin LaRue Photography

With a new curated menu by chef Daniel Weber, Renata’s Hearth combines the elements of smoke and fire with bold flavors and vibrant ingredients. I couldn’t wait to try Chef Weber’s new menu and craft. 

When I got to my table, the restaurant was full. The energy of conversation, laughter and life surrounded me and my group. We scanned the menu and discussed amongst ourselves what we wanted to order. The waitress was knowledgeable and kind, so we decided that she should lead our culinary experience that night. We put complete trust in our server’s recommendations. 

Our meal started off with a variety of starter dishes, including the refreshing charred strawberry salad and the Yellowtail tiradito, thinly sliced Yellowtail with orange serrano agua chile, basil oil, burnt citrus and pomegranate. Both of these starters ignited my tastebuds with delectable and unexpected flavor combinations. It set the tone for the delicious food that was to come. 

For our main course, the chef prepared the signature smoked Wagyu brisket. As a native Texan, BBQ is my thing, and I can confidently say I was blown away. We also had grilled branzino with Guajillo-tamarind paste, escabeche and lime, and crispy Romesco served with Mole Verde, pepita and salsa matcha. The fish was filling and melted in your mouth while the Romesco provided a kick of flavor. The food was not only divine, but the plating was elevated and visually striking. 

Photo courtesy of the Arizona Biltmore

Though practically full from the last two courses, I saved room for dessert. I indulged in a late-night coffee, which came to me on a stone platter decorated with dry flowers, as I waited for the sweet treat. My table split the Chocolate Kahlua Cake, a decadent dessert of dark chocolate crémeux and white chocolate cream coffee foam, smoked sugar caramel and roasted hazelnuts. 

This cake was rich and smooth. After a couple bites, I felt satisfied. For a lighter alternative, the chef also brought out the Dulce de Leche Crème Brûlée plated with brown butter cake croutons and chipotle-lime meringue.

Dining at Renata’s Hearth brought bold flavor combinations, perfectly prepared dishes and a great time overall.

I had a weekend of laughter, great food, friendly hospitality, relaxation and fun. It was the staycation I needed, and I am looking forward to my next stay at the Arizona Biltmore.