We recently booked a staycation at the historic Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts, a Hilton Collection property in Phoenix originally built in 1929. We happened to time our visit during their 95th Anniversary celebration and the 4th of July holiday weekend, so the resort was fully packed with events, guests, and a genuine festive energy throughout the grounds.
Going into this stay, we did not have the highest expectations, particularly after just coming from a brand-new property like the Global Ambassador. An almost century-old hotel is going to show some age no matter how much renovation work has gone into it. But we were genuinely surprised by how beautifully they have maintained and updated the Arizona Biltmore. The architecture and grounds are stunning in a way that newer hotels simply cannot replicate. Here is our honest take on the room, the pools, whether the Citrus Club access is actually worth paying for, and who this hotel is best suited for.
The Room: Citrus Fire Pit King Room
We booked a room that included access to the Citrus Club lounge. This room category comes at a higher rate than standard rooms, but the Citrus Club access is the key differentiator that changes the entire financial logic of the stay. More on that below.
The Highlights: The room is incredibly spacious, which is a genuine luxury at a historic resort where you might expect cramped spaces from an older floor plan. The bathroom features a large walk-in shower and a separate soaking tub, both well-maintained and stocked with good amenities. The outdoor patio comes with a private fire pit, which sounds like an incredible evening feature until you remember we visited during an Arizona summer. It was 118 degrees outside during our stay, so the fire pit stayed unlit, but in fall or winter that patio would be a genuinely wonderful space to spend an evening.
The Drawbacks: You can tell the rooms carry their age compared to the lobby and common areas, which have received more recent renovation attention. The furniture and some finishes feel dated in ways that a brand-new property would not. The patio walls are also very low, which means essentially zero privacy from neighboring rooms. If you are on the patio at any point, your neighbors can see and hear everything. This is not a dealbreaker but it is worth knowing.
The Basics: The mini-fridge was empty on arrival, and the room does not come with a high-end hair dryer. We also had to call down to request slippers, which arrived surprisingly small. These are not major issues but they reflect the inconsistent attention to in-room detail that can show up at a historic property where not every room has received the same level of upgrade investment.
The Citrus Club: The "All-Inclusive" Loophole
Food and drinks at the Arizona Biltmore are expensive across the board. Breakfast at the resort starts around $35 per person, and a basic espresso martini runs about $22. Over a multi-night stay, those costs add up to a significant number very quickly. This is exactly why we highly recommend booking a room that includes Citrus Club access when you stay here.
The Citrus Club access essentially transforms your stay into something that functions like an all-inclusive experience at an otherwise a la carte property. The price premium on the room is real, but the math typically works strongly in your favor if you actually use the lounge.
The Access: Adults only, open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM throughout the day.
The Food: The lounge offers a rotating schedule throughout the day: a full breakfast spread in the morning, a lunch service in the afternoon, "Golden Hour" appetizers in the early evening, and late-night "Sweet Treats" before closing. The food is not mind-blowing in any individual moment, but it is consistently fresh, well-prepared, and more than adequate for multiple meals per day. The cheese-based desserts during the sweet treats hour were a standout for us. The one limitation to note: if you are staying multiple days, the menu does not change significantly from day to day, so you will be eating the same items repeated. For a one or two night stay it is not an issue.
The Drinks: All alcohol is included, and this is where the Citrus Club genuinely delivers its strongest value. The bartenders are skilled and personable. We asked for a Singapore Sling, which is not on any posted menu, and they made it without any hesitation. That flexibility and willingness to accommodate off-menu requests is the mark of a well-run lounge. One important rule: drinks must be consumed inside the lounge itself. You cannot take cocktails to the pool, which is a meaningful logistical note if you are hoping to drink by the water.
The Resort Amenities: Pools, Gyms & Drones
The Pools: The Arizona Biltmore's pool situation is genuinely one of its strongest features. There are multiple pools spread across the massive property, each with a different vibe. The Paradise Pool is the family-friendly centerpiece with a large twist waterslide that is honestly fun for adults just as much as kids. The adults-only Saguaro Pool runs a DJ during the day and creates a livelier social atmosphere for guests who want a more energetic pool scene. Having genuine variety across pool types within one property is a luxury that most hotels cannot offer.
The Fitness Center: Honestly a bit disappointing by luxury resort standards. The equipment is on the older side and some machines showed their wear. More importantly, it got incredibly crowded during our visit, which meant waiting for equipment during peak morning hours. For a 5-star LXR property, the gym underperforms. If the fitness center matters to you, calibrate your expectations here.
The Events: Staying over the 4th of July holiday brought one genuinely memorable experience we had not anticipated. Instead of traditional fireworks, the resort hosted a nighttime drone show over the lawn, with dozens of synchronized drones creating aerial formations and images in the sky. It was a unique and impressive production that felt very fitting for a property celebrating its 95th anniversary at the same time.
Hilton Honors at the Arizona Biltmore
The Arizona Biltmore sits within the Hilton portfolio as an LXR property, which means Hilton Honors points are earned and redeemable here. The property is not part of Amex FHR, so if you are an Amex Platinum holder looking for FHR credits, you will not find that option here. However, Hilton Diamond members do receive some additional recognition at check-in. The Citrus Club access is typically a room-category benefit rather than a status perk, so make sure you are booking the right room tier if lounge access is important to your stay.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Stunning historic architecture that newer hotels simply cannot replicate
- Citrus Club access effectively makes the stay all-inclusive for food and alcohol (a genuinely excellent value at this property's pricing)
- Multiple distinct pool experiences including a waterslide and adults-only pool with DJ
- Spacious rooms with a private patio
- Consistently friendly service throughout the property
- Special events and programming around holidays
- Beautifully maintained grounds and common areas
Cons:
- Room interiors show their age compared to newer luxury properties
- Gym equipment is dated and the space gets crowded
- Very low patio walls mean no privacy from neighboring rooms
- Citrus Club drinks cannot be taken to the pools
- Menu at the Citrus Club repeats for multi-night stays
- Mini-fridge not pre-stocked; no high-end hair dryer in the room
Is It Worth It?
Yes, with the Citrus Club included. Without that lounge access, the Arizona Biltmore is a beautiful but expensive property where the food and drink costs can stack up painfully fast. With Citrus Club access, the calculation flips completely. The all-day food and unlimited alcohol essentially cover your dining needs while you are on-property, and the value proposition becomes very strong.
The Arizona Biltmore is best suited for couples, groups, or anyone who appreciates the weight of a historic property and wants a classic, grand resort experience in Phoenix. The pools are excellent, the grounds are gorgeous, and the 95-year heritage gives the property a character that you simply cannot manufacture from scratch.
If you are coming from a brand-new property like the Global Ambassador and comparing directly, the room finishes and gym will feel dated. But if you approach the Biltmore on its own terms, as an iconic Arizona landmark that has been beautifully preserved and updated, it is a very enjoyable stay.
Also on property: we tried the resort's signature Latin restaurant. Read our full Renata's Hearth review to see if the $60 course meal is worth it.
