Arizona Biltmore Spa
Phoenix, Arizona

Known as the “Jewel of the Desert,” this legendary Arizona resort first opened in 1929 and has been attracting the wealthy and famous ever since.

The Biltmore exudes luxury with its Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, Art Deco touches, celebrity-studded past and lushly planted grounds.

With such a rich ambience and historic past, I expected a grand and glamorous spa.

The Arizona Biltmore was Phoenix’s first resort

What I discovered was a low key hotel spa that did not match the unique style or attention-to-detail service found in the rest of the resort.

Nevertheless, the Arizona Biltmore Spa does offers a broad range of treatments in a full service spa.

Families might find this a good Arizona resort spa choice as the Biltmore Spa is one of the few kid friendly Arizona spas.

The entrance to the Arizona Biltmore Spa

Biltmore spa treatments are a blend of practices from ancient cultures and 21st century knowledge.

Therapies incorporate traditions from medieval China, the Native American tribes of the Sonoran Desert and contemporary Europe.

Ingredients and elements were chosen to enhance your physical, emotional and spiritual health.

For example, the Dreamcatcher Aromatherapy Massage (80 minutes for $205), an Arizona Biltmore Spa signature treatment, is a Native American-inspired massage ritual that uses purification and your choice of blended aromatherapy oils to soothe and heal.

Post-treatment, spa guests can swim in the Paradise Pool, next to the Arizona Biltmore Spa

The interiors are simply styled with a vaguely tropical ambience.

Walls are ivory-colored and rooms have plantation shutter style doors and blond wood accents.

The spa lounge was decorated with rattan furniture with palm frond-patterned cushions and potted plants adding to the tropical feel.

A few pieces of Native American art adorned the walls.

A long counter against a far wall held containers of water, juice, hot water and assorted teas as well as a tray of whole fruit.

This was the first spa that I’d visited where some of the women went au naturel in the women’s locker room whirlpool.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed sprites grace the lawn at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa Phoenix

Consequently, they could not officially check me in, but only ask me my name and which treatment I would be receiving.

I was escorted to the women’s locker room and handed a locker key.

There was no explanation of the facilities and what was available, even when I mentioned that I was a first time guest and had never visited a spa before (not true; it was only a test).

A well-heeled client, perhaps sensing that I was a Biltmore Spa newbie, told me where everything was, waxed effusive on how she adored the spa and recommended the steam rooms.

I chose the Lymphatic Juniper and Cypress Massage (50 minutes for $135; 80 minutes for $195), which uses juniper and cypress oils to help detoxify the body and enhance the immune system by stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory systems.

My therapist had a reserved, almost shy demeanor. He showed me to the small, simply designed therapy room and briefly explained my treatment.

The massage consisted of long, deep, soothing strokes and some stretching of the muscles.

The juniper and cypress oil was aromatic like the clean, invigorating scent of a mountain forest and had a wonderful clearing effect on my mind and sinuses.

The therapist was quiet, only speaking when asking me to move or checking on his application of pressure. By the time my 50 minutes were up, I felt loose, limber and totally relaxed.

When I left, the front desk computers were still down. I asked to have a receipt sent to me but never received one.

The Biltmore Spa staff were professional, though somewhat reserved.

• The Biltmore Spa recommends that your reserve your spa appointments at least two weeks in advance, more for appointments on holidays and weekends.
• Spa and salon treatments must be guaranteed with a credit card or hotel confirmation number.
• Use of all Spa facilities is included with the resort’s $20 daily incidental services fee for all resort guests.

Location: The Arizona Biltmore Resort is located in north Phoenix.

Address: 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

Google Map Directions: Click on "+" and "-" signs on Map Controls in upper left hand corner to zoom in and out on the location.

Phone: (602) 381-7632.

Hours: Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Spa services begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.

Size: 22,000 square feet.

Spa Amenities:

• 17 indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor treatment rooms, full service salon, hydrotherapy tub, outdoor retreat areas and an outdoor Jacuzzi.
• Women’s and men’s private locker rooms with private steam rooms, dry sauna, whirlpool and power shower.
• Large showers and spacious grooming areas are fully equipped with bath products and grooming items, including combs, hair dryers, shaving cream and razors.
• Fitness Center with variety of cardio and weight training equipment.
• Fitness classes: yoga, aqua aerobics, belly dancing, Pilates, one-on-one personal training sessions, tennis lessons, guided hiking and mountain biking at nearby Piestewa Peak.

Spa Services:
Extensive list of treatments including:

• Variety of body scrubs using ingredients such as Fiji Island sugar, Thai bamboo and lemongrass or Sumatra coconut to gently exfoliate your skin. (25 minutes for $95 or 50 minutes for $140)
• The Arizona Biltmore Spa signature Cactus Flower Wrap (50 minutes for $165) is said to be an indigenous treatment using prickly pear cactus fruit extract and native Arizona grains to soften and moisturize skin. Face, foot and scalp massages are included with every wrap treatment.
• Ayurvedic Dosha Balancing (50 minutes for $165) is a massage using warm herb-infused Ayurvedic oils that aid detoxification, nourish the nervous system and help bring the mind and body back into balance.

Age Policy: Guests 17 years or younger may receive salon service but must be accompanied by an adult.

Click here to read our Arizona Biltmore Resort Review

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