Review: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Phoenix, AZ)

Once again, we found ourselves with fast-expiring Amex Hilton Honors free night certificates that we needed to use – and fast.

We decided on a road trip to Phoenix, Arizona, where we could use our certificates at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.

Mind you, at that point we really knew nothing of the Arizona Biltmore – other than it was a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Phoenix and seemed like a good usage of the free night certificates (as rooms started at around $800 a night).

Was our stay at the Arizona Biltmore a good choice? Read on to find out.

Review: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Phoenix, AZ)

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About The Arizona Biltmore

As mentioned above, little did we know about the storied history of the Arizona Biltmore when we booked our stay. However, we quickly learned as we took our first steps into the hotel.

There’s so much history at the Arizona Biltmore, that the property provides a 90-minute walking tour of the resort hosted by a historian.

What kind of history are we talking about? Well, outside one of the bathrooms in the lobby is this photo montage that proudly proclaimed, “Every President since Herbert Hoover has stayed at the Arizona Biltmore” (and there are photos to prove it, well, except #45).

Not only that, much of the design and artwork of the resort was designed or influenced by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, a man who has been called “the greatest American architect of all time”.

Once upon a time, everyone from the Hollywood and conservative political elite mingled there [together], the swimming pool was a favorite of Marilyn Monroe, it was also where Irving Berlin wrote the song, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”, and, if that weren’t enough – the Spire Bar is where the infamous Tequila Sunrise cocktail was invented.

At A Glance: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

• Official Website: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $826.26 USD
• Loyalty Program: Hilton Honors
• Loyalty Category: N/A (80,000 Points)
• Discount Applied: N/A
• Room Type As Booked: One King Bed
• Room Upgrade: Terrace Court ADA ($0 Value)
• Resort Fee: $45 per night
• Parking Fee: $30 per night Valet; $23 per night Self-Parking

Location

The Arizona Biltmore was located between Phoenix [proper] and Scottsdale (just South of Phoenix Mountains Preserve (and very near Camelback Mountain, a favorite local hiking spot).

Arizona Biltmore is about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Valet

Covered self-parking

Hilton Honors Redemption

We opted to book our reservation using two American Express Hilton Honors free night certificates for a value of $1,652.52 (total) for two nights.

What Does Hilton Diamond Get You?

Thanks to our Diamond status – courtesy of our American Express Hilton Aspire card – we received an “upgrade”, 1,000 Hilton honors points per stay, and a $25 per person daily food and beverage credit.

The Lobby

The lobby of the Arizona Biltmore was simply stunning, it was a time warp back to the 1920s when Art Deco was all the rage.

As a fan of Art Deco myself, I thought the lobby was absolutely beautiful.

A FLR original

Front Desk & Check-In

Although we arrived in the lobby at close to 1:00 AM, we were professionally checked-in by the friendly (and polished) front desk staff.

We were informed that, as Hilton Diamond members, we have been given an upgrade to a room at the Terrace Court.

We were handed our room keys, a map of the property, and given a quick rundown of the property’s amenities, its many swimming pools, and the adjacent (but unaffiliated) golf courses.

Property Map

Room Key

Room Upgrade – Terrace Court

Getting to our room involved a walk past the vast central swimming pool to the Terrace Court building (which was located on the opposite end of the property from the lobby).

Walkthrough

Bedroom

We found the room to be clean and classy, although slightly dated, with some visible wear and tear.

We were slightly disappointed that our “upgrade” didn’t seem that big of an upgrade.

As you know by now, I don’t consider ADA-accessible rooms to be true room upgrades; In fact, I usually feel uneasy about staying in them knowing they are being taken from someone who may actually need them.

The room amenities included some small bottles of water, a Keurig machine, and a small refrigerator.

Living Area

Office Desk

In-Room Dining Menus

Room Amenities

Closet (ADA)

Bathroom (ADA)

The bathroom was oversized (as is typical of ADA bathrooms), with an accessible sink, shower, and closet.

The resort’s toiletries were Arizona Biltmore-branded and appeared to be of “just OK” quality.

Balcony

Our room came with a large balcony with a “view of the pool” that was almost 99% obstructed.

View From The Room

There is a beautiful Arizona sunset out there behind the beer and trees

Room Condition

Dinner (In-Room Dining)

For dinner, we opted to try the in-room dining option by ordering off the menu which was placed on the room’s office desk.

We decided to go Italian-style, with the Pizza and Tagliatelle Bolognese. Both entrees were quite tasty (and quite salty).

How’d this get there?

Breakfast At Frank & Albert’s

For breakfast, we headed down to Frank and Albert’s restaurant in the lobby. It was quite crowded for a Saturday morning; however, we were seated right away.

We went with the Omelet and the Lemon Cream Cheese Pancakes with Blueberry Compote. Both were delicious – especially the pancakes.

Forgetting to take a picture before biting into a short-stack, and then hiding that fact behind an artsy photo

Breakfast At The Cafe

For breakfast on Sunday, we opted to grab and go at The Café. I went with a breakfast ham and cheese and egg sandwich which looked sad but tasted delicious.

Lunch To Go (From The Cafe)

We also ordered some lunch sandwiches to go for our trip out to Tonto National Monument.

I don’t remember exactly the type of sandwich I grabbed, but from the looks of it, it was an Italian Panini. I remember thinking to myself, “it kept very well” when I ate it three hours later near Lake Roosevelt.

The Property Interior

The Central Courtyard

Spire Bar

The Property Exterior

The Canal

The Golf Course

The Sprites – Protective Spirits of Arizona Biltmore

Image: arizonabiltmore.com

Image: arizonabiltmore.com

Paradise Swimming Pool

Image: arizonabiltmore.com

Central Garden Swimming Pool

Terrace Court Swimming Pool

The Bottom-Line Review: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (Phoenix, AZ)

Now, I know, it may sound like I’m a little down on the Arizona Biltmore, but in reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We absolutely loved our stay – and can’t wait to go back.

The Arizona Biltmore is a true desert oasis; it’s also a treasure trove of American history, reminding us of a time when Americans didn’t so much think of ourselves in terms of “Left and Right”, but rather, just as Americans. Although that time may feel like it’s long gone, I’m here to tell you, you can still find it at the Arizona Biltmore.

From an architectural and artwork standpoint, the Arizona Biltmore is a masterclass. From an upscale hotel standpoint, the Arizona Biltmore lives up to its Waldorf Astoria Resort affiliation. From a “just plain, fun place to stay” standpoint – I can’t think of anywhere more fun or popular in Phoenix then the central garden/pool area of the courtyard – it’s the kind of place where people (young and old) dress-up to meet up with their friends over drinks at the bar on a Sunday morning.

Sure, it’s not perfect, it was built in 1929 and may need some minor upgrades and remodeling here and there, but overall, it was a great experience and a wonderful stay (even without a “true upgrade”).

I can highly recommend the Arizona Biltmore for destination weddings, parties, local staycations, flashy road trips, families, singles, business convention goers, and American Presidents on their honeymoon.

Final Rating: 8.5 out of 10