It is impossible to stay at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and not be stirred to wander the hallways and soak in its unique history. A landmark in the Phoenix area for more than seven decades, it remains to this day one of the finest resorts in the western United States.

Every modern-day sitting president has stayed at the Arizona Biltmore during their tenure. Entertainers such as Fred Astaire and U2's Bono have enjoyed the luxurious digs at this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired resort. Some, like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minelli have even given spontaneous concerts around the bar late into the night.

Many have enjoyed the outdoors while staying at the Arizona Biltmore, playing games such as lawn chess and crochet.

Frank Lloyd Wright is best remembered for architectural designs that integrated the natural elements and influences found in the various locations where he constructed his infamous structures. The Arizona Biltmore was erected entirely out of "Biltmore Block", a variation on a block used by Mr. Wright to construct private residences.

Constructed entirely of sand found on-site, they were carefully shaped into 34 different geometric patterns inspired by tree trunks.

Block glass walls encourage natural light to cascade into common areas, while a copper roof adorns the resort, a reminder that Arizona is known as the Copper State. Inside, the lobby features a gold-leaf ceiling, second in size only to the fabled Taj Mahal in India.

Multiple entrances on both sides of the main building cultivate the desire for guests to socialize in various activities. Tea is served daily in the relaxed elegance of the Lobby Tea Court, while several large TV's and a casual atmosphere make for the perfect place to sit down with a rowdy group of fans and watch a football game.

Lawn chess and crochet have been played outside at the Arizona Biltmore since the early 1930's, a testament to the staying power of this grand dame from that cherished era of extravagance. The "dirty thirties" were the days of prohibition, the discovery of Pluto and the release from jail of Al Capone. As you wander the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore, a stroll down memory lane is a real treat for the senses.

Eight swimming pools provide the ideal place to cool down, or just relax under an umbrella in a lounge chair while watching all the beautiful people watch you.

For relief from a hot day, the Paradise Pool combines three pools into one, featuring a 92-foot water slide, swim-up bar, and private cabanas.

The Paradise Pool combines three pools into one and features a 92-foot water slide, swim-up bar and private cabanas. A regular host at the bar, Executive Chef Michael Cairns entertains poolside with his recipe for some of the finest hot salsa in the state. His quick wit and relaxed character offer the perfect complement to a tranquil afternoon spent drinking margaritas and nibbling on snacks.

The Catalina Pool was a favorite of Marilyn Monroe. It was built in 1930 by Chicago chewing gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr., the owner of the Arizona Biltmore from 1930-1973, with colorful tiles from Catalina Island in California. This is the original pool for the resort and offers a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle found at the larger Paradise Pool.

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa offers a total of 738 guest accommodations.

Guest rooms range from the 400 sq. ft "Classic", with limited views of the mountains, to the larger 500 sq. ft Premier with deluxe views of the grounds, mountains or various swimming pools.

Suites are available in a wide-range of sizes including the Biltmore, Grand, Villa and Presidential. Each one offers the perfect place to host a party, or to simply kick back and enjoy the luxurious surroundings.

My stay was in a sumptuous one bedroom Villa Suite overlooking the Catalina Pool. Visions of Norma Jean, (Marilyn Monroe) sauntering past my window kept me up late into the night. If the walls could only speak, oh the stories they could tell!

Villa suites are equipped with amenities for a luxurious stay.

Each Villa Suite comes equipped with a full kitchen and dining room area, a living room with fireplace and TV, plus a king-size bed in the bedroom, along with a marble bath.

For those looking to enjoy a little exercise, or see the Sonoran countryside, there are numerous tennis courts with onsite instructors available, horseback riding, desert Jeep tours and even hot air ballooning.

As you would expect in such a distinctive location as Phoenix, the Arizona Biltmore offers two unique golf courses; the original Adobe course which recently underwent a $4 million renovation and The Links course constructed in 1979.

My responsibility was to try and tame The Links, a challenge which I took to heart and thoroughly lost, though the course layout and grounds keeping were exceptional. A particular highlight for me was the raised tee box on #15, a place from where you can look down on much of the city and the surrounding Phoenix Mountain Reserve. I always say, if the scoring isn't all that great, you might as well enjoy the scenery.

The Spa at the Arizona Biltmore offers restorative and therapeutic healing using techniques learned from medieval China to the tribes of the Sonoran Desert. The expert staff at this 22,000 sq. ft. facility makes full use of the many indigenous ingredients such as aloe and rosemary. Seventeen indoor and two outdoor treatment rooms, three spa pools and a steam room mean more time can be spent on pampering and less on waiting.

Dining at the Arizona Biltmore is an art form. Whether you choose to enjoy the contemporary setting at Wright's, the signature restaurant for the resort, or the casual ambiance of the Biltmore Grill and Patio, the menu and service is first-class.

The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa remains as it always has been, a shining paradigm of what to expect from a luxury resort. As many Hollywood starlets and political figures have determined over the past seven decades, this truly is a spectacular place to stay. Whether you desire to understand a little more about the genius that is Frank Lloyd Wright, or you're content to just hang out under a cabana by the pool, a stay at the Arizona Biltmore is well worth it.

Phoenix and Sedona, Arizona offer a unique climate, beautiful roads and many of the finest resort locations in North America. Many snowbirds from the north and Californians from the west already know this- Phoenix remains one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S. But no matter how cosmopolitan the area becomes, it still offers the quiet and solitude that only the desert can provide and remains as one the preeminent places to spend your vacation time.