More Arizona Biltmore

The right nighttime lighting can truly be transformational. The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is beautiful during the day, but add in a dark blue sky, dramatic lighting, and a huge Christmas tree and you really have something spectacular.



The ominous clouds and pink hues of sunset perfectly frame the back patio area.



This little sculpture shown below has a most interesting history. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and sculpted by Alfonso Iannelli, this Sprite was one of many created for Chicago's Midway Gardens in 1914. The Gardens went out of business and in 1929 all was bulldozed into Lake Michigan; fortunately a few of the Sprites were saved. Shipped to Taliesin West in Phoenix, they were restored and recast, with eight being sent to The Arizona Biltmore. This one resides near the pool.



These two can be found at the back of the hotel:



I spent a lot of time photographing the pool at night, too.



I ALMOST wished I had a tripod (I really despise them, as they make on-the-spot shots very difficult and take too much time to set-up), but instead used nearby objects for steadying the camera for the required long exposures.



The balcony view from my room, showing a different pool:



The nighttime lighting also brings out the contrast in sculptor Emry Kopta's concrete Biltmore blocks, used all over the property:



Sunrise at the property is pretty impressive, too.



My early morning swim in the heated pool felt fantastic. What a way to wakeup!



See more Daveland Arizona Biltmore photos at my main website.

Picking the Wright Hotel

Part of my making-lemonade-out-of-lemons mindset involved staying at the Arizona Biltmore on a recent journey to Phoenix. For years, I had lived under the false impression that this massive hotel had been designed by my architectural idol, Frank Lloyd Wright. Au contraire, mes amis. Wright was hired as a consultant by Albert Chase McArthur, the actual architect on record for the hotel that opened in 1929. Part of the Hilton portfolio, the company does very little to discourage this misconception.



The above vintage photo is from February 1936.



Ads for the desert resort touted its warm weather during the winter months, along with its riding trails, golf course, and numerous pools.



These hand-tinted post cards show the natural beauty of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve that surrounds the hotel.



Approaching the hotel:



The entrance:



The Patio area:



One of the pools:



From the lens of my camera, you can see that the property was decorated for Christmas.



Note the topiaries that spell out "Arizona Biltmore."



The bellmen waiting for the next guest to arrive:





A very large panoramic view to tide you over until the next post about my visit to the Arizona Biltmore:



See more Daveland Arizona Biltmore Hotel photos at my main website.