Posted Nov 4, 2010 by Elite News Team The Arizona Biltmore has named Alex Moro, who has 18 years of hospitality sales experience including 11 years with the Biltmore, the director of sales.

In his new position, Moro is responsible for overseeing and expanding the Arizona Biltmore's meetings and events business, as well as assisting in all areas of sales in conjunction with Director of Sales & Marketing Stephanie Hinckley.

"Alex is a manager who empowers others to succeed," said Hinckley. "He looks to surround himself with talented and capable people, then provides the environment and motivation to help them excel."

He joined the sales team at the Arizona Biltmore in 1999 as a national sales manager and later was promoted to associate director of sales. Over his 11 years in sales with the Arizona Biltmore, he has played a key role in the development and implementation of strategic business plans that led to substantial revenue and profit growth. Prior to the Biltmore, he had seven years of national sales experience with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Moro can be reached at (602) 954-2516 or alexm@arizonabiltmore.com.

The Arizona Biltmore has been an Arizona landmark since opening in 1929, when it was crowned the "Jewel of the Desert." The legendary Grand Dame remains one of the most recognized resorts in the world for its distinctive Frank Lloyd Wright architectural style, luxurious facilities, and storied history as a playground of the rich and famous. Nestled on 39 acres at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the legendary resort offers: 740 guest accommodations; full-service Spa, Salon and Fitness Center; two 18-hole golf courses; six restaurants and lounges including Frank & Albert's serving Arizona comfort food; and eight swimming pools including the Paradise Pool with its 90-foot waterslide for the ultimate in poolside fun. The Arizona Biltmore is managed by Hilton Hotels and is a member of Hilton's exclusive Waldorf Astoria Collection®. http://www.arizonabiltmore.com

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts: WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide's luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand's namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. From classic elegance to modern grandeur, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Collection hotels each represent worldly sophistication and unparalleled guest service. From sumptuous spas and culinary excellence to world-class golf, each hotel & resort offers the exquisite accommodations and signature accoutrements that define refinement and sophistication. Discover Waldorf Astoria by visiting www.waldorfastoria.com

About Hilton Worldwide: Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 592,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. www.hiltonworldwide.com Posted Jul 27, 2009 by Elite News Team With winter room rates in the hundreds per night, gold-leaf ceilings and a presidential pedigree, the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa has long screamed luxury.

Now, the 80-year-old central Phoenix landmark is aiming higher.

The resort this spring unveiled Ocatilla, a wing of 120 remodeled rooms with upgraded everything, from bed linens, bathroom shampoo and French press coffeemakers to flat-screen TVs.

The biggest perk: a guests-only lounge that offers daily continental breakfast and nightly appetizers, drinks and gourmet desserts as well as concierge services.

The Biltmore bills Ocatilla as a hotel within a hotel, a trend that other resorts, including the Phoenician with its Canyon Suites, have adopted in the past several years.

It is also similar to the club or concierge floors at chains such as Fairmont and Hyatt. Fairmont introduced its Fairmont Gold section in Scottsdale last year.

The goal in all cases is to add another room category for guests who want something exclusive or more intimate and, importantly, are willing to pay more for it.

The Hotel Del Coronado near San Diego did it on a grand scale with its Beach Village, which is privately owned and available to rent on a nightly basis.

The Biltmore spent $9 million renovating its 10-year-old Arizona wing, in the northeastern area of the 739-room resort, into Ocatilla. Many of the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired touches prominent in the resort's lobby can be found on the headboard, a leather chair and in the bathroom. There are also historic photos in the hall and in the rooms.

"Even in the bathtub, you know where you are," General Manager Andrew Stegen said.

The finishing piece for Ocatilla, $100,000 in pool furniture, including new lounge chairs and cabanas, is due soon, he said.

Stegen said the plan was to charge $50 to $75 more a night to stay in Ocatilla.

Despite the anemic economy, which has zapped Phoenix hotels and resorts particularly hard, it is on track, he said, which has surprised resort officials.

"I think people see the value," Stegen said.

Employees are given a bonus to get guests to upgrade to Ocatilla over the telephone or at the front desk.

There also has been some discounting. The Biltmore offered an $80 summer room-rate special on Travelzoo.com earlier this month, with an upgrade to Ocatilla for just $30 more.

Sandy and Art Beckstein's daughter booked Ocatilla for a family vacation to Arizona this month to celebrate her 40th birthday.

The Connecticut couple said all have enjoyed the new rooms and the complimentary food in the large Executive Lounge.

"We've been there every day," Sandy said as she walked out of the lounge with a couple of bottled waters for their morning walk.

Art ticked off the appetizers they have tried, including clam puffs and bruschetta.

"What didn't we have?" he joked.

The true test of whether the Biltmore can command a premium for Ocatilla will come in the peak season. That's when business travelers, a key target of Ocatilla, normally fill the hotel.

The odds are challenging, analysts say.

Business travel has been crushed by the recession and by a meetings backlash.

Heavy discounting has significantly shrunk the premium luxury resorts' deal price over lesser competitors even for regular rooms, said Bjorn Hanson, a veteran industry researcher who is now a professor in New York University's hospitality program.

That's why you won't find concierge floors in current plans for new hotels struggling to keep expenses down.

"With the price sensitivity for consumers and the reduced amount of business travelers . . . it just really isn't a current trend," Hanson said.

Stegen said he believes that the Biltmore's expected premium for Ocatilla is reasonable and that the number of rooms is manageable.

The resort hopes Ocatilla will be a hit with business travelers who want to be secluded from the main resort as well as with prospective high-end guests of all stripes who, until now, have skipped the Biltmore in favor of smaller places.

"It creates more of an atmosphere which you'd find at an intimate hotel," Stegen said of Ocatilla. Posted Jul 10, 2009 by Elite News Team PHOENIX, Arizona, March 26, 2009 - The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is marking its 80th anniversary with another historic opening: Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore is an exclusive new addition offering the resort's most enhanced guest services and luxurious accommodations.

"Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore brings a distinctive new guest experience to the Arizona Biltmore of luxurious exclusivity," said General Manager Andrew Stegen. "Guests are escorted to a private club level where they experience an array of special amenities, services and comforts."

Three-story Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore, opening April 1, 2009, features 120 rooms including club accommodations with custom furnishings, a private Ocatilla Pool with poolside service, and an Ocatilla Executive Lounge with an array of executive amenities.

"The Arizona Biltmore became the state's iconic legend and now history is repeating itself," said Stegen. "Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore, which is named after the Phoenix camp created by Frank Lloyd Wright as an inspirational workplace, is destined to become the new icon of Biltmore style."

The spacious, 500-square-feet Club and Club Deluxe guest rooms feature: a traditional Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired interior with modern touches; a Media Wall with flat-screen HD TV, iPod dock, high-speed internet access and business work area with a desk and fax machine; granite and mosaic-tile bathrooms with Kohler double sinks and special bath amenities by Pascal Morabito; and panoramic views of the mountains, pools or gardens.

Among the features of the Ocatilla Executive Lounge are:

* Personal Ocatilla Concierge to prearrange your visit and tends to your needs.
* Ocatilla Personalized Morning Start of coffee, tea or orange juice brought to your room upon request.
* Complimentary Refreshments and Light Dining daily including Continental Breakfast; beer, wine, beverages, fruit and snacks throughout the day; chef selected light evening fare; and cordials and sweets at night.
* Pre-Departure Services arranged by your Concierge to handle airport transportation, print airline boarding passes, tend to any shipping needs and rental car return.
* Two-hour Pressing Service daily.
* Shoe Shine complimentary service provided overnight.
* Therapeutic Turndown Bath a hot bath drawn with soothing sea salts.
* Daily Newspaper Delivery with four publications to choose from.
* Wifi Internet Access and Computers available for guest use.
* Guaranteed Reservations at Arizona Biltmore restaurants, the spa and recreational activities when made through Ocatilla Concierge.
* Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage offered at various times
* Conference Call Space provided in the lounge's conference room as needed.
* Wii Gaming Systems available upon request.

Opened in 1929, the Arizona Biltmore was built in grand style and scope under the influence of America's premier architect of the era, Frank Lloyd Wright. The distinctive architecture has made the Arizona Biltmore one of the best known and most recognizable resorts in the world. Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore embraces and continues this storied legacy by taking as its namesake another unique structure created by Wright in Phoenix in 1929. Ocatilla was a compound Wright built in Phoenix's South Mountains to serve as a secluded, inspirational workplace for the design of another Biltmore-like hotel, a project that was eventually abandoned. http://slipdogg.com/fllw/buildings/oc.php

The resort's former Arizona Wing, originally opened in 1999, was completely renovated inside and out to create Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore. Posted Jul 6, 2009 by Elite News Team -- Hotels, 7/6/2009 9:17:00 AM

PHOENIX (July 2, 2009) - Last night, the Phoenix City Council gave the green light for the renovation of the historic Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, one of Arizona's premier resort and tourists destinations. The $600 million renovation is projected to generate thousands of new jobs and new revenue for the City of Phoenix.

"Our challenge was to maintain the Biltmore as a historic location, yet update its amenities to continue to be competitive with other major national resorts," said Ed Riley, senior vice president of Pyramid Advisors, one of the resort's partners. "With the support of the community, City of Phoenix Historical Preservation Commission, and now the City Council, I think we've hit the mark that satisfies both the need to preserve the past and the need to meet the desires of future guests."

The renovation calls for a new world-class spa with corresponding amenities, a fine-dining restaurant, neighborhood-friendly upgrades to trails, traffic enhancements, pool and landscaping redevelopment, a promenade along the Arizona Canal, a new resort entrance design and 300 new rooms. The renovation will take place in two phases with the first beginning immediately and the second starting sometime before 2030 and will be dependent on demand and market conditions.

The Arizona Biltmore is managed by Hilton Hotels and is a member of Hilton's exclusive Waldorf Astoria Collection.

"Over the past eight months, we've developed strong working relationships with members of the Biltmore community, Camelback East Village Planning Committee, Arizona Biltmore Estates Village Association and the City of Phoenix," said Nick Wood with Snell & Wilmer, the lead zoning attorney for the project. "It's those relationships that have allowed the Biltmore to move forward on a renovation project that will generate new jobs and tax revenue, and allow the Arizona Biltmore to maintain its reputation as the "Jewel of the Desert."

The Biltmore is also the first major property to be rezoned under the new Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance, which encourages infill development while providing flexibility for the developer to propose development and design standards that incorporate both the developer's vision and the community's feedback concerning the project.

First Phase
The first phase of the project starts with the $120 million spa and its amenities. The design of the spa will proceed immediately. Groundbreaking could take place in late 2010, assuming economic conditions improve. The architect for the spa is the Phoenix office of Gensler & Associates.

Economic Impact
The annual economic output generated by the Biltmore renovation project could total hundreds of millions of dollars annually, according to an economic impact study released in June. During the construction phases, the resort will:

- Generate an annual economic output of $481 million, which includes direct, indirect and induced jobs and wages.

- Employ approximately 700 construction personnel over the course of the first phase

- Generate $135 million in construction personnel wages

- Generate $8.7 million in taxes for the City of Phoenix

Upon completion of the renovations and when fully operational, the resort will:

- Generate an annual economic output of $337 million, which includes direct, indirect and induced jobs and wages, and is an 81 percent increase over the resort's current estimated annual economic impact.

- Create 3,141 permanent direct, indirect and induced jobs\

- Generate $124 million in wages annually from direct, indirect and induced jobs

- Generate $11.6 million tax revenue for the City of Phoenix

The study was commissioned by Pyramid Advisors and conducted by Elliott D. Pollack & Company.

Community Input
Playing a key role in the project is Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, who worked with the community and developers to ensure concerns about traffic and public safety were addressed.

"With this vote, we will be able to revitalize the historic Arizona Biltmore and at the same time, protect the surrounding neighborhoods," Councilman DiCiccio said. "The project will bring $600 million in private investment to our community and the surrounding neighborhoods. This is a win for everyone."

"For over a year, the residents of the Biltmore community have been immersed in the Resort's Planned Unit Development (PUD)," said Harvey Shrednick, president of the Arizona Biltmore Estates Village Association (ABEVA) board of directors. "Working with the resort's team, the initial application has been significantly shaped by the constructive feedback from people representing the Camelback East Village Planning Committee, the ABEVA board and individual homeowners. These anticipated renovations and upgrades will make this historic site an extraordinary oasis in the midst of a sprawling city."

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is a partnership between Morgan Stanley, Pyramid Advisors and Investment Partners.

Pyramid Advisors provides asset, project and hotel management services for hotel across the United States with a cumulative value in excess of $5 billion. Some of its hotels include the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, and two additional Waldorf Astoria Collection hotels, the La Quinta Resort in La Quinta, Calif., and the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel on Maui. Posted Mar 26, 2009 by Elite News Team Grand Dame Marks 80th Anniversary with History-Repeating Addition to the Resort

PHOENIX, Arizona, March 26, 2009 - The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is marking its 80th anniversary with another historic opening: Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore is an exclusive new addition offering the resort's most enhanced guest services and luxurious accommodations.
"Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore brings a distinctive new guest experience to the Arizona Biltmore of luxurious exclusivity," said General Manager Andrew Stegen. "Guests are escorted to a private club level where they experience an array of special amenities, services and comforts."
Three-story Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore, opening April 1, 2009, features 120 rooms including club accommodations with custom furnishings, a private Ocatilla Pool with poolside service, and an Ocatilla Executive Lounge with an array of executive amenities.
"The Arizona Biltmore became the state's iconic legend and now history is repeating itself," said Stegen. "Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore, which is named after the Phoenix camp created by Frank Lloyd Wright as an inspirational workplace, is destined to become the new icon of Biltmore style."
The spacious, 500-square-feet Club and Club Deluxe guest rooms feature: a traditional Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired interior with modern touches; a Media Wall with flat-screen HD TV, iPod dock, high-speed internet access and business work area with a desk and fax machine; granite and mosaic-tile bathrooms with Kohler double sinks and special bath amenities by Pascal Morabito; and panoramic views of the mountains, pools or gardens.
Among the features of the Ocatilla Executive Lounge are:
- Personal Ocatilla Concierge to prearrange your visit and tends to your needs.
- Ocatilla Personalized Morning Start of coffee, tea or orange juice brought to your room upon request.
- Complimentary Refreshments and Light Dining daily including Continental Breakfast; beer, wine, beverages, fruit and snacks throughout the day; chef selected light evening fare; and cordials and sweets at night.
- Pre-Departure Services arranged by your Concierge to handle airport transportation, print airline boarding passes, tend to any shipping needs and rental car return.
- Two-hour Pressing Service daily.
- Shoe Shine complimentary service provided overnight.
- Therapeutic Turndown Bath a hot bath drawn with soothing sea salts.
- Daily Newspaper Delivery with four publications to choose from.
- Wifi Internet Access and Computers available for guest use.
- Guaranteed Reservations at Arizona Biltmore restaurants, the spa and recreational activities when made through Ocatilla Concierge.
- Head, Neck and Shoulder Massage offered at various times
- Conference Call Space provided in the lounge's conference room as needed.
- Wii Gaming Systems available upon request.

Opened in 1929, the Arizona Biltmore was built in grand style and scope under the influence of America's premier architect of the era, Frank Lloyd Wright. The distinctive architecture has made the Arizona Biltmore one of the best known and most recognizable resorts in the world. Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore embraces and continues this storied legacy by taking as its namesake another unique structure created by Wright in Phoenix in 1929. Ocatilla was a compound Wright built in Phoenix's South Mountains to serve as a secluded, inspirational workplace for the design of another Biltmore-like hotel, a project that was eventually abandoned. http://slipdogg.com/fllw/buildings/oc.php
The resort's former Arizona Wing, originally opened in 1999, was completely renovated inside and out to create Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore.
Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore is being showcased in a commemorative $1929 Package celebrating the resort's 80th anniversary. It combines Club Deluxe accommodations for two nights; Continental breakfast, mid-day snack, afternoon appetizers and desserts in the Ocatilla Executive Lounge; two Tequila Sunrises (the iconic cocktail created at the resort circa 1940); champagne and chocolate amenity; couples in-room massage; dinner with wine pairing for two in the Wine Cellar; two Arizona Biltmore History Tour tickets; two tickets to Taliesin West (Wright's architectural school in Scottsdale); Arizona Biltmore History Book; Arizona Biltmore commemorative Christmas ornament; airport pick-up in a Rolls-Royce Phantom V limousine, and airport return by car service. The package is $1,929 inclusive of taxes and daily resort fee. For reservations call 800-950-0086 or 602-381-7632. http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/80th/Default.aspx
The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa has been an Arizona landmark since opening on February 23, 1929, when it was crowned the "Jewel of the Desert." It was the state's first resort, and would spark the development of the now all-important tourism industry. A Who's Who of entertainers, sports stars and titans of politics and business have made the resort their playground and favorite getaway over the years.
Nestled on 39 acres at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the legendary resort offers: 739 guest accommodations; full-service Spa, Salon and Fitness Center; two 18-hole golf courses; six restaurants and lounges including Wright's at The Biltmore serving signature American Lodge Cuisine, eight swimming pools including Paradise Pool which is three pools in one with a 92-foot slide, and an array of recreational activities. http://www.arizonabiltmore.com./
The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is managed by Hilton Hotels and is a member of Hilton's exclusive Waldorf=Astoria Collection®. http://www.waldorfastoriacollection.com/. Posted Nov 17, 2008 by Elite Concierge PHOENIX, July 28, 2008 " The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is committed to setting the standard among resorts for an environmentally friendly operation with the implementation of an all-encompassing green program.

Adopting environmentally friendly practices is no longer an option but a necessity, and at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa we are committed to becoming an industry leader in this growing trend, said Julia Thorn, director of corporate communications. Thats why we have developed our Green Initiative that is extraordinarily comprehensive and sustainable, covering every aspect of our operations and every department of the resort, from water-saving plans and biodegradable supplies to organic products in the spa.

The goal of the Green Initiative is to significantly reduce the Arizona Biltmores global footprint, create a more efficient and environmentally friendly operation, and establish the Arizona Biltmore as an environmentally responsible resort. To achieve this, the resort has identified actions, initiatives and practices that have been put into affect throughout the resort; additional steps are planned this year and into 2009. A Green Committee, composed of executives from every department of the resort, was established to oversee development and implementation of the plan, monitor and adjust as necessary the existing initiatives, and explore additional avenues of action.

A few items among the many actions currently being taken:

General
- Converted to compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent overhead lighting.
- Recycling resort-wide including cardboard, paper, aluminum, plastic, printing cartridges, batteries, etc.
- Using environmentally safe, certified green, cleaning products in guest rooms, public areas, etc.

Spa
- Use chemical-free, organic and vegan products that work with the body.
- Use clean-burning flameless candles in treatment rooms and throughout the spa.

Grounds
- Converting to electric lawn mowers and leaf blowers.
- Use reclaimed water from the canal for watering.
- Return plant containers that are not biodegradable to growers for recycling.

Rooms & Suites
- Offer water saving options for sheets and towels in guestrooms.
- Convert to organic cotton linens and bathrobes.
- Use low-flow toilets and shower heads

Public Areas and Front Office
- Paperless check-in & check-out for guests.
- Key cards made from recycled corn products.

Office and Operations Areas
- Distribute documents such as memos, reports and contracts by email only, unless a printed hard copy is required.
- When printing or copying is required, encourage two-sided printing/copying, using the smallest margins possible, using scrap paper, etc.
- Use water coolers rather than water bottles.
- Turn off lights, computers, etc. in offices when not in use.
- Added recycled-paper, motionless towel dispensers in 90 areas of the hotel.
- Turn off lights and air conditioning when rooms are not in use.

Dining & Banquets
- Purchase food from local and organic growers whenever feasible.
- Use reusable containers for beverages, food and condiments whenever possible.
- Recycle cooking/fryer oils into diesel fuel.
- Arranging compost pick-up for food scraps.

Trip Reduction Programs
- Carpool parking.
- Free bus passes.

Many additional actions are planned in the months ahead, from offering recycling in guest rooms and public areas to installing new weather stripping on windows and doors and thermal film on windows.

Meetings & Events

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa also is working closely with groups to make meetings and events greener by adopting appropriate products and practices. These range from providing water coolers rather than individual water bottles, to using recyclable and biodegradable paper products for materials, signs, etc., to opting for cans rather than glass for beverages. Posted Mar 25, 2008 by Elite Concierge PHOENIX, Arizona, February 7, 2008 " The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa wants to put some zip and versatility in your next visit to the resort with an anything-but-ordinary tour.

The Arizona Biltmore is now offering tours by Segway that combine the resort with attractions in the surrounding area. It starts with a lesson on how to operate the resorts state-of-the-art Segways, followed by a one-hour tour that takes in highlights of the legendary 79-year-old Arizona Biltmore, the adjacent Wrigley Mansion, The Arizona Canal and the mansions of the Biltmore Estates. The lesson and one-hour Segway tour, which covers approximately five miles, are $75.

The Segways are just so much fun, so liberating, that they are the ideal personal transportation for tours, said Andrew Stegen, general manager. They are so zippy and versatile, allowing you to go virtually anywhere, that you feel like an insider when you explore the area by Segway.

The legendary Arizona Biltmore " the Jewel of the Desert " is renowned for its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design and luxurious facilities. Nestled on 39 acres at the foot of Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the resort offers: 739 guest accommodations; full-service Spa, Salon and Fitness Center; two 18-hole golf courses and 18-hole putting course; Four Diamond dining in Wrights at The Biltmore, serving the resorts signature American Lodge Cuisine; savory traditional favorites and Mexican-inspired fare at the Biltmore Grill & Patio; and poolside dining with a swim-up bar. The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is managed by Hilton Hotels and is a member of Hiltons exclusive Waldorf=Astoria Collection. For more information call 800-950-0086, or log on to www.arizonabiltmore.com. Posted Feb 14, 2008 by Elite Concierge PHOENIX, November 8, 2007 " The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa is creating a green spa experience, that is good for both guests and the environment, with natural and organic products and practices.

Pevonia Skincare, known for its absolutely pure, safe and completely green products, is now being used for wraps, scrubs and other body and skin treatments. Pevonia is a member of the Organic Trade Association and features organic products naturally enriched with botanicals.

For manicures and pedicures, the Biltmores spa is now offering SpaRitual products. They are organic, vegan with no animal ingredients, and without the intense odors that, for example, are typical of non-organic nail polishes.

The spa is also emphasizing clean-burning flameless candles, in treatment rooms and throughout the facility, rather than the typical candles that have waxy, smoky emissions. The spa also retails cleanburning soy candles.

More than ever before, a visit to the spa at the Arizona Biltmore is a green experience, said Spa Director Carol Ford. Guests who are conscious and concerned about both the environment and what they put on their body are delighted by our chemical-free, organic products that work with the body and are eco-friendly.

She added that A Green Committee has been set up by the spa to continuously review all of our practices and products as well as research ways to make the experience at the Arizona Biltmore even greener and more natural.

Discovering the powers of natural ingredients and creating treatments that unlock their benefits " to address guests physical, mental and spiritual health " is the special niche of the Arizona Biltmore Spa. The 22,000-square-foot spa offers 17 indoor treatment rooms including two wet treatment rooms for herbal wraps; two outdoor treatment rooms; three spa pools; steam rooms; saunas; locker and grooming facilities; and a full-service beauty salon. The attached Fitness Center offers state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight training equipment as well as an aerobics room.

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, nestled on 39 acres at the foot of Phoenix Mountain Preserve, is among the worlds most recognized resorts for its distinctive architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, luxurious facilities, and storied history as a playground of the rich and famous.

Facilities include 739 guest accommodations; eight swimming pools; seven tennis courts; two 18- hole championship golf courses; and signature American Lodge Cuisine at Wrights at The Biltmore. Contact the resort at (602) 955-6600 or 800-950-0086. The Arizona Biltmore is managed by Hilton Hotels and is a member of Hiltons exclusive Waldorf=Astoria Collectiion. Posted Feb 14, 2008 by Elite Concierge Phoenix resort is one of four renowned properties to be part of new luxury hotel brand

PHOENIX, Arizona, February 1, 2006 " The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa today announced that it is entering a new phase in its storied career as one of the original members of a new brand of luxury hotels launched by Hilton Hotels Corporation. The Arizona Biltmore is one of four premier properties nationwide to form The Waldorf=Astoria Collection, named for the famed New York City hotel.

This is one of the most exciting and momentous developments in the history of the Arizona Biltmore, said Sean Maddock, General Manager and Vice President of the Arizona Biltmore. Bringing the power and international recognition of the acclaimed Hilton name will benefit not only the resort, but also our employees and our community.

As the Valley of the Sun continues to grow in hotels and number of rooms, the Biltmore becoming part of The Waldorf=Astoria Collection will further electrify our market and focus another positive spotlight on our destination, explained Maddock.

To bring the Biltmore into the new collection, Hilton acquired the resorts management contract " as well as the contracts of the other two resorts in the collection, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on Maui, and La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West in La Quinta, California " from KSL Resorts, based in La Quinta. The change takes effect on February 1, 2006. All three properties are owned by Orlando-based CNL Hotels & Resorts.

In the Arizona Biltmore, Hilton Hotels has obtained a legendary property with a history and worldwide recognition that in many ways parallels that of the new collection namesake, noted Maddock. We are a new brand in conjunction with quintessential North American hospitality icons, Hilton and The Waldorf=Astoria, names which evoke quality and substance.

The name of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa will not change; instead a Waldorf=Astoria Collection designation will be added as a mark of exclusivity.

The legendary Arizona Biltmore, known as the Jewel of the Desert and renowned for its Frank Lloyd Wrightinspired design, is nestled on 39 acres at the foot of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Facilities include 738 guest accommodations; eight swimming pools; seven tennis courts; six restaurants and lounges including award-winning Wrights; full-service Spa, Salon and Fitness Center; two 18-hole championship golf courses, and an 18-hole putting
course. Contact the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa at 800-950-0086, or log on to www.arizonabiltmore.com or
www.waldorfastoriacollection.com

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
A Waldorf=Astoria Collection Hotel