TORONTO SUN -Bask in the beauty of the Arizona Biltmore

Bask in the beauty of the Arizona Biltmore

On the edge of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the Arizona Biltmore resort is as luxurious as it is beautiful. (Cynthia McLeod/ Toronto Sun)

The sun’s early morning rays reflect off the water as I slip into the pool for my Marilyn Monroe moment. The Catalina Pool, after all, was the starlet’s favourite spot for sunbathing while staying at the Arizona Biltmore, and it’s easy to see why. As I float, I marvel at beautiful blue and yellow art-deco mosaic tiles, lush, swaying palm trees and villas that whisper "comfort".

The Catalina pool, so named for the tiles, was a favourite spot of Marilyn Monroe. (Cynthia McLeod)

Overflowing with history, the “Jewel of the Desert” has been providing an oasis for visitors to Phoenix since Feb. 23, 1929. The brainchild of entrepreneur brothers Charles and Warren McArthur and designed by a third brother, Frank Lloyd Wright protege Albert Chase McArthur, the hotel had as an early main investor business mogul William Wrigley Jr. Yes, the same William Wrigley Jr. of his namesake chewing gum empire and owner of the Chicago Cubs. His involvement was a draw for celebrities of the day. (Fun fact: Wrigley Jr. also owned California’s Catalina Island, where the distinctive art-deco pool tiles originated.)

The Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria resort, first opened its doors on Feb. 23, 1929. Tens of thousands of distinctive blocks were used in its construction. (Cynthia McLeod/Toronto Sun)

A tour hosted by the resort historian is a great introduction to the Biltmore’s storied past. See the Aztec Room, its ceiling and rooftop spire constructed with more than 40 tons of copper. It hosted a party for Ronald and Nancy Reagan when they honeymooned.

Discover the Mystery Room, which began as a men’s smoking room before its conversion to a speakeasy during Prohibition. You can envision an eagle-eyed employee watching the skylight for flashing lights, a signal that law authorities were on their way – causing a quick conversion of the liquor cabinet to a bookcase.

And let your imagination run wild standing outside the guest room favoured by Clark Gable because of its proximity to the Mystery Room. This real history is etched throughout the Biltmore.

(Tip: If you take the Friday evening happy hour history tour, you can sample libations including a tequila sunrise, invented by Biltmore bartender Gene Sulit in the 1930s.)

The luxury resort is as famous for its guest list as it is for its unique architectural features. Designed by Albert Chase McArthur, the distinctive Biltmore blocks were built on-site using desert sand. The ceiling in the Gold Room is the second-largest gold-gilded feature in the world, next to the Taj Mahal.

Two sprites designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright watch over the Arizona Biltmore hotel. (Cynthia McLeod)

The six-foot-tall sprites (or fairies) watching over the resort grounds were originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Midway Gardens in Chicago. Years later, replicas were made and donated to the Biltmore by his school, Taliesin. And the stained glass mural in the front entrance, ‘Saguaro Forms and Cactus Flowers,’ was sketched by Wright and commissioned in glass by his widow as a gift to the Biltmore during its restoration in 1973 after a fire.

Biltmore tea sommelier Kevin Doyle serves up a memorable afternoon tea experience. (Cynthia McLeod/Toronto Sun)

Tradition, as you can imagine, means something at the Biltmore and there are few things more traditional at the resort than afternoon tea. Be served by the resort’s famous tea sommelier, Kevin Doyle, to enjoy a culinary walk through history that’s best met with a growling stomach. As part of the resort’s 90th birthday celebrations, a special ‘9 Decades of Tea’ offers up (of course) tea, tea sandwiches and desserts from 1929, 1959 and 1989 along with a glass of the Biltmore’s 90th anniversary house champagne. (FYI: The recipe for one of the many delectable desserts, a coconut macaroon, is courtesy of Nancy Reagan.)

On the edge of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the resort offers eight swimming pools, a 28-metre waterslide, an 18-hole putting course, two 18-hole golf courses, a spa and fitness centre, tennis courts, fitness classes and restaurants.

IF YOU GO The Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is offering a 90th anniversary package through the end of 2019 with rates beginning at US$144. This includes a chilled bottle of private-label 90th champagne and a $90 resort credit to apply to various guest experiences.

The Spa Biltmore is also offering a diamond anniversary face mask and champagne add-on available for any spa therapy. Start your experience at arizonabiltmore.com/90th-anniversary and reveal your own inner celebrity.