Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa
- 4 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 14
- Reviews
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17
- Photos
Beautiful; will definately return.
- June 4, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Love the hotel and hotel grounds. Room service took some time, portions of food small for the cost, otherwise hotel was wonderful. The Spa was heavenly!
Great Place to Avoid During Passover
- April 26, 2009
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
After a wonderfully idyllic stay two years ago, we made it a point to book the AB while attending a phoenix concert. The website forgot to mention that there is serious expansion going on in the hotel, and during passover it is a destination for celebrants from around the world. Can't fault the Jewish for celebrating here, but the beautiful lawns were overrun by mini softball teams, kickball. There were plenty of children running loose, and many of the facilities were off limits to those not celebrating Passover.
We had visited the hotel last winter and found it was also overrrun, this time by a large fashion show. This is a beautifu hotel with beautiful grounds, but the accomodations were run down, and one of our doors did not lock. We had maintenance work on it, the door stayed closed but didnt lock. And did I forget to mention the water went out once during the day then most of that night. No running water, toilets.
What a shame. We had stayed at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch in December, if we ever return to Phoenix that is where we will head. The Biltmore is a beatiful landmark, but is not being kept up, and overbooked.
Editor Pick
An Amazing Historical Hotel
- April 7, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
ak1 from Auburn, Washington
We got off the plane in Phoenix and headed for the Arizona Biltmore. Although we weren’t staying there, I had previously read reviews about how it was a must see destination while visiting Phoenix. It sounded extra appealing because it is also in the Waldorf-Astoria Collection of Hilton Hotels.
The hotel was designed by architect Albert Chase McAuthor although Frank Lloyd Wright consulted on site for four months and his architectural style is very present at this hotel. It is the only existing hotel to have his direct influence. The hotel was built in 1929 and was one of Arizona’s first resorts. Since then many Hollywood Celebrities and American Presidents have stayed at this hotel.
The lobby showcases some of the old Hollywood Celebrities who stayed at the Hotel, in one picture they showed Clark Gable golfing with a group of people. They also show off some of their old china and other treasured items of the hotel in these showcases.
The grounds of the hotel are beautiful, several fountains, flower beds and lush green grass make you forget your visiting desert country although you can still see Desert Mountains in the background. The hotel is rich in history and has a very comfortable atmosphere. This excursion was well worth the trip.
From journal Our Week in the Desert Sun
Reconsider
- October 16, 2008
- Rated 2 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Go and see the architecture, have a drink outside, if you can get served. But I would reconsider staying. The hotel has great character but that does not excuse the dirty rooms, dirty outdoor furniture, pool is less than clean more in line with a 3 star hotel if you take away the nice setting and lovely main building. Service was again 3 start..unattentive. It is a convention/groups hotel so if you are a family or individual you are left out. Gainey Ranch, The Pheonician or The Four Seasons Troon( just 20 mins furthur) are worthy of the 5 star status. The spa was terrible;Tatty and a disgrace. The Biltmore is a site on your siteseeing list...not a resort stay. Take your money elsewhere.
Mixed Bag
- October 6, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
First of all, this is a wonderful hotel. It is (or at least can be) a first-class hotel. That said, there is room for improvement:
Good points:
1. The architecture and setting of the "original areas" are worth the price of admission.
2. Desk staff, room service staff, and especially the waitresses in the outdoor lounge were wonderful.
3. Rooms are well-appointed.
Bad points:
1. The architecture of our original room in the newer Arizona wing was not worthy of the rest of the facility. Upkeep was typical of much cheaper hotels. Watch where you book!
2. All staff need to be trained to keep the facilities in top shape. Two staff walked right by trash laying on the ground without picking it up.
3. Room service food was good and well-presented. Lunch and appetizers in the outdoor courtyard was poor. Don't advertise heirloom tomato salad and present unripe, tasteless hothouse tomatoes.
4. Non-smoking needs to be better enforced. There are cigarette butts all over.
5. Smoking by others was our worst experience. Our first room was on the second floor of a non-smoking building. As it was a beautiful night, we left the sliding glass doors open to the outside. During the night, the party in the room below us was smoking a cigar. The next morning we woke up to find a cigarette butt that had been flung into our room from outside. It had caused a burn on the carpet. When we called the desk, the manager expressed his regrets and said security would keep watch the next night. This response did not satisfy us. The desk staff listened politely an gave us a different room.
6. The $25 resort fee was a suprise.
7. No coffee maker in rooms? No hair dryer in first room.