Arizona Biltmore Hotel

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is a beautiful gem nestled in the desert mountains of Scottsdale, AZ.  Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting this hotel twice, once during the peak season in April and again in July.  As a part of a Student Advisory Committee for my Fraternities International Headquarters we prepared legislation for the 55th General Assembly of Lambda Chi Alpha, to be held at the Biltmore.  This hotel was like none I have ever seen before.  It's age gave it an awe inspiring sense of prosperity.

The Arizona Biltmore is full of history, it opened its doors in February of 1929.  Many claim that it was Architected by Frank Lloyd Wright, however this is not true.  The hotels architect of record is Albert Chase McArthur.  Wright did have a lot of influence on the building and did serve as the consulting architect.  One of the most prominent influences is the use of the "textile block" (pictured below) which he had used on several buildings in the Los Angeles area.  Many details have been added to the hotel that are of Frank Lloyd Wright Design.  Wrights influence has lead to a large conference room being named after him in main building.



While visiting this hotel twice, only three months apart, I had the opportunity to experience the design and layout fairly well.  The massive blocks known as the Biltmore Block are incorporated into every detail of the hotel.  The detail is unlike anything we have today and is a testimony to the craftsmanship of the early 1900's.