AZ Biltmore 80th Anniversary Blog

Frank & Albert's Grand Opening

2009-11-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

On Oct. 29th we had yet another celebration in our 80th year - the Grand Opening of our newest restaurant - Frank & Albert's.

Over 200 guests enjoyed farm fresh cocktails by guest mixologist, Dominic Venegas, from San Francisco, musical entertainment such as urban drummers, dueling pianos and even a visit by Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon!

Chefs Todd Sicolo & Conor Favre had food offerings all throughout the restaurant and patio showcasing local ingredients sourced from a 100 mile radius.

Arizona Biltmore nominated for "Best of the Valley"

2009-09-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Biltmore is proud to annouce that we've been nominated for FIVE categories in "Best in the Valley" on ArizonaFoothillsMagazine.com!!

Click below and vote! You can vote more than once, but only once per day. The contest runs thru Dec. 2, 2009.

Happy Voting!

Here they are:

Luxury Resorts & Travel:
http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/voting/show_subcat/11.html

Best Sunday Brunch
http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/voting/voting/32.html

Best Special Events Venue
http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/voting/voting/68.html

Best Resort
http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/voting/voting/102.html

Best Resort Spa
http://arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/voting/voting/108.html

Ocatilla Luxury at an All-Inclusive Price

2009-07-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Ocatilla, our exclusive new "hotel within the hotel" and all the best dining the Arizona Biltmore has to offer with the All Inclusive Package with rates starting from $199* per night!

The package includes:

Ocatilla Club Room including club lounge access. Complimentary continental breakfast served each morning in the lounge.

Lunch for two *

Dinner for two *

50% off Spa a la carte services

Free Self Parking

Resort Charge included

To book your All-Inclusive getaway, CLICK HERE for reservations or call 1-800-950-0086 and mention code P5.

*Rates valid thru Sept. 14, 2009, after Sept. 14th, rates start at $299 per night. Based on availability. Room rate does not include tax. Lunch & dinner from hotel restaurants, not including guest room dining. Lunch for two includes tax & gratuity - value up to $62. Dinner for two includes tax & gratuity - value up to $99.

Haute Summer Nights at Biltmore Fashion Park

2009-07-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

Want a great way to beat the heat? How about Haute Summer Nights at Biltmore Fashion Park?

They have designed a fantastic happy hour event that focuses on fashion & beauty tips, mini spa treatments like mani/pedi or chair massages - it's FREE and there's plenty of food (including desserts) & drinks! There's even a raffle of great door prizes - raffle ticket sales benefit Fresh Start Women's Foundation.

Did I mention it's FREE?!

Below are a few pics from last night's event.... Get your girlfriends together and come on down for next Thursday's event - July 23rd - Center Lawn @BiltmoreFP from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.

Click HERE for more details......or follow us on Twitter for updates! @ArizonaBiltmore and Biltmore Fashion Park @BiltmoreFP

Haute Summer Nights at Biltmore Fashion Park

2009-07-17T15:24:00.001-07:00

Our chefs were making Strawberries Romanoff - dipping strawberries in a pot of liquid nitrogen to freeze them, then rolling them in chocolate & pop rocks!

Liquid Nitrogen....

Lots of attendees sampling the food & "Hautini's"

Participating restaurants in addition to the Arizona Biltmore included Steamers, Sam's Cafe & Mojo Yogurt! yummm!!

McArthur Brothers History & KTAR Radio - Who Knew?

2009-06-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

In January 1914, Charles and Warren McArthur, formed a partnership, The McArthur Brothers Mercantile Co., later changed to the McArthur Brothers Dodge Agency. By 1929 it had grown it into the largest dealership in the Southwest and sold many makes of automobiles. Their influence stretched across the state and then some.

The Brothers turned one of their Dodge trucks into an RV adding bunks, seating and even traveling with a supply car and Chef to cook out and camp out under the stars. They offered these Wonderbus tours to tourists who wanted to explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Sinclair Lewis was one of the first guests to explore the Tucson area in the Wonderbus as he was writing one of his books.

In the early 1920’s, The McArthurs started the first radio station in Arizona, KFAD (Kan’t Fool A Dodge), now KTAR. They would travel around Phoenix to outlying farm communities and give free radios to farmers, encouraging them to tune into their broadcasts of the weather reports.

Always cross-promoting themselves, they’d also run radio advertisements for their Dodge truck dealerships on KFAD.

The success of the Wonderbus tours enabled the McArthurs to realize the opportunity for Arizona to become a tourist destination so they decided to build a hotel and they would run their Wonderbus tours from the hotel.

They encouraged their older brother, Albert Chase McArthur, to move to Phoenix in 1924 to begin plans for what became the Arizona Biltmore.

The hotel opened in February 1929 and shortly thereafter, the Stock Market crashed. It was after the Crash that the brothers sold KFAD to the Arizona Republic who renamed it KTAR (Keep Taking Arizona Republic) and the hotel transferred ownership to William Wrigley who had been a majority investor.

As the Arizona Biltmore celebrates its 80th year, we salute other Arizona businesses, such as KTAR Radio who also benefitted from the McArthur Brothers' entrepreneurial spirit! Happy Anniversary KTAR!

(Wonderbus photo courtesy of ASU Archives: Gussy Thomas Smith Collection)

Celebrate Your Birthday with the Biltmore!

2009-06-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating our 80th this year and we are inviting anyone celebrating a birthday this summer to come celebrate with us!

Book our "BDAY" package and stay for two nights (minimum), and we'll give you one of those nights FREE!

Just for fun, we'll even deliver a birthday cupcake & balloon to your room. If you ask, we might even sing for you!

Now when I think of cupcakes, I think individual, delicious cake for one. Well, our Chef thinks BIG! This cupcake is big enough to share. (share only if you want to, it is YOUR birthday after all!)

For more information on booking your Summer Birthday Getaway - click HERE.

AZ Society Magazine - May 2009 Issue

2009-05-18T13:31:00.001-07:00

Nice coverage in AZ Society's May issue on our 80th Anniversary Luncheon

Then & Now - Pool Activities

2009-05-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Then & Now - Sunroom

2009-05-13T17:02:00.000-07:00

Then & Now - Life Size Chess

2009-05-13T17:01:00.001-07:00

Then & Now - thought everyone might like to see a few photos

2009-05-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

80th Anniversary Luncheon Photos.....

2009-04-28T11:09:00.001-07:00

Vintage Fashions provided by Phoenix Theatre

Spring Fashions provided by SAKS 5th Ave

@ Biltmore Fashion Park

Rulla Effa, Director of Catering, Arizona Biltmore & Dave Dodge, PR, SAKS 5th Ave

Proceeds from the Luncheon Raffle

benefitted Project Pink.

Andrew Stegen, Arizona Biltmore General Manager, cutting the 80th Anniversary Cake

80th Anniversary Luncheon

2009-04-28T10:55:00.001-07:00

Recently we celebrated our 80th Anniversary with a luncheon & fashion show. Vintage fashions provided by Phoenix Theatre & current fashions provided by SAKS 5th Ave.

Arizona Biltmore General Manager, Andrew Stegen, cut the official birthday cake while Laura Fial led the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday Dear Biltmore!"

Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore

2009-03-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Ocatilla was a camp Frank Lloyd Wright established in the desert south of Phoenix while designing a Biltmore-like hotel for Dr. A.J. Chandler in 1929. This compound for architects was a secluded, inspirational place, where, as Wright said "So long as we had the luxuries, the necessities could pretty well take care of themselves." Increased amenities and a commitment to elite service are the luxuries that the Arizona Biltmore's new concierge experience will deliver.

Although the San-Marcos-in-the-Desert hotel itself was never built, it symbolized "what might have been" in Wright's mind, and in some respects, this new retreat serves as a tribute to continuing Wright's vision - in effect, the Biltmore perfected.

Ocatilla redefines the luxury hotel experience. This is a retreat and private sanctuary, where a dedicated concierge attends to individual needs in a well-appointed, relaxed lounge environment and continuous culinary offerings are showcased throughout the day. An extensive menu of Signature Services is offered to guests of Ocatilla.

Below is a sampling:

Personal Ocatilla Concierge prearranges your visit and tends to your needs.
Ocatilla Personalized Morning Start coffee, tea or orange juice brought to your room upon request.
Therapeutic Turndown Bath, a hot bath drawn with soothing sea salts.
Pre-Departure Services arranged by your Ocatilla Concierge to take care of airport transportation, print airline boarding passes, tend to any shipping needs and rental car return.
Two-hour Pressing Service guaranteed to keep your clothing fresh and crisp daily.
Complimentary Beer, Wine & Refreshments available daily in the lounge. Honor Bar after 11am.

Ocatilla is newest enhancement in 80 years of history at the Arizona Biltmore and an elevated experience of luxury that is not to be missed.

To read more about Frank Lloyd Wright's original hotel plans, visit the Library of Congress website: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/flw/flw06.html

Play Ball.....

2009-02-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

Today is the official start of Spring Training baseball here in Arizona.... it's sunny & 82 degrees. What could be better?

We welcome so many guests each year to the Biltmore who come to town for spring training - it's a tradition that has been going strong for over 50 years. Long before the Cactus League had roots in Arizona, our former owner, William Wrigley, Jr. was bringing his beloved Cubs to the Arizona Biltmore. (see photo to the right) They would stop over here on their way to Catalina Island where they would practice.

For current schedules & information, please visit http://www.cactusleague.com/

If you'd like to make a reservation to visit us during spring training, there's still time! Check out our Cactus League special: http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/Specials/Specials.aspx

Happy Birthday to us....

2009-02-23T13:14:00.001-08:00

Today marks the official 80th Anniversary of the Arizona Biltmore! We are planning events all year long so follow us to be the first to get updates!

Socialize with us on the web:

Twitter @ArizonaBiltmore

Facebook: Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/azbiltmoreresort

Arizona Biltmore's own Discover Club sends e-newsletters to subscribers each month with exclusive deals & events (they're good deals too!) . You can sign up at: www.arizonabiltmore.com/discover

We hope to hear from you soon!

Biltmore Photos & Memories....

2009-02-12T03:48:00.000-08:00

If you have any photos or memories of the Arizona Biltmore over the last 80 years, this is the place to share them! Feel free to post photos or comments below.....

We are always looking for more information to add to our archives as well. Especially interesting would be photos of the Grand Opening celebration that spanned February 23 - 25, 1929.

Questions? You can reach Becky (resort historian & blogger) by email: beckyb@arizonabiltmore.com

Just a few of our favorite photos......

2009-02-04T12:26:00.001-08:00

We're getting the cake & champagne ready!

2009-02-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating our 75th Anniversary.... February 23rd will mark the 80th, but we aren't just celebrating that day. We will celebrate the entire year of 2009 with activities and events.

New historical displays will be added throughout the hotel. These displays contain some items never before seen by the public!

We aren't just focused on our history, we are looking towards the future. Coming soon will be the introduction of our new Concierge wing featuring Club Level guest rooms, the resort's most enhanced and luxurious accommodations. We'll also be opening our newly built Biltmore Grill - scheduled for early summer.

All of our Arizona Biltmore 80th Anniversary related events will be updated here on our blog and also on our dedicated webpage www.arizonabiltmore.com/80th

We hope to see you soon!