Characteristics of some of the best resorts in the Southwest include: Beautiful property, amenities, excellent customer service, comfortable accommodations, varied and delicious food options and fun surprises along the way. Not only does Arizona Biltmore embody these attributes, but it also offers versatility to visitors, serving as an enchanting getaway for friends and family, a work event destination, a wedding paradise and more. For these reasons and more, Arizona Biltmore receives BOSW Bestie designation.

Arizona Biltmore musts:

• Visit the Citrus Club for breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day, and weather permitting, enjoy your treats and a coffee on the patio
• Order the tender, smoky Smoked Wagyu Brisket at Renata’s Hearth
• Book a halotherapy session at Tierra Luna’s free-standing outdoor salt chamber — your lungs and skin will thank you

Wowed from first sight

My initial thoughts when first driving up to the Arizona Biltmore: Wow! The outer facade of this towering beauty is a nod to hospitality’s heyday of rich architecture and gorgeous landscaping. There are clear imprints of Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence in the building’s design.  

Inside, the lobby dazzles with ornate decor and furnishings; it’s like stepping into another time and place. While modern, the architectural detail and finishes of this resort leave a memorable impression. 

Front desk impressions

Upon a busy check-in time, the front desk staff went above and beyond to ensure each guest was taken care of — including us. Even though our room wasn’t immediately ready, Jackson swiftly took care of our bags (which arrived immediately after check-in to our room) and directed us to one of the favorite parts of our Biltmore experience: The Citrus Club.

The Citrus Club: A snacker’s dream

If you’ve read any of our other resort write-ups, you know how much the BOSW team loves to snack. The Citrus Club is where it’s at for snacks! Here, we nibbled on afternoon bites like cheese, fruit and a dessert. 

In the morning, the club offers a plentiful spread of oats, mixed fruit, pastries (including gluten-free options), eggs, breakfast sandwiches and more. Similarly, lunch is laid out with salads, sandwiches, soup (try the Italian Bean Wedding soup if it’s being served) and desserts.

All day, guests can enjoy hot or cold beverages — we appreciate the make-your-own espresso drink machine. 

The Citrus Club also provides indoor and outdoor seating, and if you have to work, it’s an ideal place to set up camp and do your thing. 

You’ll love the staff at the Citrus Club too (Jose is the best!).

Ultimate comfortable cottage vibes

Arizona Biltmore has several guest accommodations: 251 guest rooms, 41 cottages, 56 villas, 204 balcony patio rooms, 125 firepit rooms, 100 suites, 77 Citrus Club rooms, 53 poolside rooms and 20 accessible rooms. 

All rooms reflect the overall theme of Biltmore’s old world meets modern opulence. We stayed in one of the property’s cottages. These standalone and secluded spaces highlight the peaceful and serene side of the resort, with patios where you can work, meditate, or even paint, like we saw one guest doing. 

Inside, the cottage is outfitted with a cushy king bed, separated from a delightfully designed living space with couches, chairs, a fireplace and access to the outside patio. Both rooms are connected to a large bathroom with a shower, two vanities and a giant (yes, giant) soak tub.

Foodie paradise

Each Arizona Biltmore restaurant and bar deserves its own write-up (and we’ll probably do exactly that!). For now, here are some of the highlights for upscale dining, casual bites, al fresco cocktails and more:

Dress for the best: Renata’s Hearth — our favorite of the resort’s restaurant options — provides a gorgeous atmosphere in which to indulge in exquisite fine dining dishes such as Burrata Salad with Tomato and Prosciutto, Snow Crab Claws with brown butter and a kick of jalapeno and pimentón oil and other goodness; Roasted Chilean Sea Bass and Renata’s popular Smoked Wagyu Brisket (smoked outside, tender and mouthwatering).

Go casual and hungry: McArthur’s, featuring New American Cuisine caters to the hungry amidst a lively environment — with games and a bar up front and comfortable dining in the back. We enjoyed the Tuna Tartare and Potato Pillows (exactly what you’d imagine — pillowy potato rounds crisped to perfection); the Steelhead Trout and Jewel of The Desert Caesar, but there’s lots more from which to choose. 

Drop in anytime: Described as embodying “the renegade spirit of Hollywood’s Golden Age,” The Wright Bar perfectly reflects this sentiment. Keeping with the charm of a bygone era, the  bar — just off the lobby — is heralded as the birthplace of the Tequila Sunrise cocktail. This is a must-experience for those eager to get a (literal) taste of mixology history. And, there’s live music every Friday and Saturday evening.

Come thirsty stay for conversation: Arizona Biltmore’s latest addition, Spire Bar serves as a circular center point of the resort. This outdoor oasis is perfect for sipping cocktails, mocktails and getting a 360-view of the beauty for which Biltmore is celebrated. 

Tierra Luna spa and salt chamber

Even thinking about the Biltmore’s spa puts me in a state of relaxation. The Tierra Luna Spa has the convenience of being on resort property while feeling like another exclusive getaway within a getaway. 

The relaxation area of the spa opens to the spa’s Sol Garden, a serene space with lush greenery, a cold plunge pool, hot tub and the first and only free-standing outdoor salt chamber in the US. Here, I had my introduction to halotherapy. It’s an experience I recommend everyone try for its diverse healing properties — stress reduction, seasonal allergy relief (a big one for me), and it makes your skin feel exfoliated and rejuvenated. 

Of course, you can’t pass up Tierra Luna’s expansive menu of spa services. The 50-minute Sonoran Signature Massage was divine and I vow to get a facial during my next visit (I saw many glowy results from others fresh out of their facial services). 

I recommend getting to the spa early and staying after services to relax in the steam room, have some tea and light refreshments in the relaxation room, and definitely sign up for a halotherapy session. 

More things to see, do + other takeaways

While we’ve covered a lot of ground here, there’s still so much more to do and see at Arizona Biltmore. There are more property pools to take a plunge in, pickleball courts to play on, golf courses to conquer, shops to explore and more. That’s why our BOSW team suggests booking an extended stay if you can, to allow time to explore and take advantage of all the resort has to offer. 

As writers, Elizabeth (fellow writer and BOSW contributor) and I, found this to be one of the best places to spark our creative muses. It’s an incredible place to find (or reignite) your passion — whatever form it takes. 

To learn more, visit arizonabiltmore.com.