Our friends the Aungers recommended
we tour the Arizona Biltmore Hotel Resort near downtown Phoenix. The resort gives tours three times a week so we signed-up for the tour scheduled for
today.
Here is an
excerpt from the Biltmore’ history listed on their web site:
“The Arizona Biltmore is a living
architectural masterpiece, showcasing the seminal influence of America’s most
heralded architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. As the consulting architect, Wright
collaborated with a former student, Albert Chase McArthur. Wright’s dramatic
style and imprimatur are embedded throughout the resort’s design. The Biltmore
was erected entirely of “Biltmore Block,” a variation on a textile block first
used by Wright to construct private homes. The pre-cast blocks were made from
desert sand on-site and created in 34 different geometric patterns inspired by
the trunk of a palm tree.
The Arizona Biltmore welcomed its first guests
in 1929. The much-heralded opening was expanded from one day to three days to
accommodate the long lists of high society partygoers. According to the press,
it was to be the party of the decade, in Arizona and beyond. Invitees felt very
privileged as attendance was requested by personal invitation only.
Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley,
Jr. became the sole owner and built the resort’s first swimming pool; The
Catalina Pool. The historic pool is renowned as Marilyn Monroe’s favorite pool,
and the site where the famed song composer Irving Berlin penned many tunes, including “White Christmas.”
Additional information about the history of
the resort can be found at their website at:
The tour began at 10:00 am and
lasted almost two hours. The place truly is exquisite and would be a great
place to stay for an extended hotel resort vacation. Prices vary from high to
very high and most guests do bring baggage with them. The tour guide did say the rates are a
lot cheaper in July.
After an excellent lunch at the
hotel we visited the Wrigley mansion next door on an adjoining hilltop. When Wrigley owned the hotel, he lived in the
mansion. After several ownership changes
the mansion is now privately owned by an heir of the Hormel family (It’s a long
story).
Day 7 Pictures
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