Ahhh....The Biltmore

On my recent trip, I broke from my own tradition of booking my business hotel through Priceline and stayed at the esteemed Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. This landmark resort was opened in 1929 and is distinguished as the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world. Every President has stayed in the Presedential Suite since Herbert Hoover. Movie stars and Hollywood royalty have stayed in the cottages scattered throughout the 30+ acre site. That's why I couldn't resist staying there when a last minute trip came up and the Biltmore offered a $99 midweek summer rate.

The driveway leading up to the main entrance is lined with multi-million dollar homes known as the Biltmore Estates. They were truly mansions that with some looking over 8000 sq feet. One could easily imagine the gracious parties that had been held on the manicured grounds and public lawns. As I only had about 6 hours to enjoy the property, I walked around the expansive property, peeked into the ballrooms, used the spa and gym facilities and had dinner at the signature restaurant, Wright's.

I have a healthy appetite but wanted to get to dessert so skipped an entree.
Baby arugula salad with poached pears, beets and bleu cheese ($9, but three little beet cubes and 3 artfully arranged slivers of pears)
Braised beef rib appetizer on cheese and corn fritter with mushrooms ($11, heavenly reduction sauce that I sopped up with the crusty bread)
Vanilla crepes with fig marscapone filling and fresh berries and caramel drizzle ($11, wasn't as figgy as I had hoped but excellent and artfully presented)

I couldn't help but overhear part of the conversation from the couple seated across the aisle. It was clear from the frequency of the unoriginal compliments from the gentleman that they hadn't been dating long. The one comment that stood out in my mind was when the lady said "my life long goal has been to break the cycle of dysfunctionality in my family." (His obvious reply was "and it's obvious that you've done that.") I was so tempted to turn and take a good long gander at her but that would have been too obvious and instead took a deliberate bite of my braised beef ribs.

Next time, I'm sure that I'll be back at the Marriott, but I'll always have my one braised beef rib at Wright's.

Total spent Monday:
$0 expensed lunch
$4 snacks for long drive home from San Diego
$41 gas

Total spent Tuesday:
$0 brought lunch
$7 picked up Italian food for 2 (saved $6 with Entertainment coupon)

Total spent Wednesday:
$4.50 for a tall Starbucks at Arizona Biltmore Resort
$0 for light dinner at Wright's at the Biltmore (expensed it, would have been $37 for appetizer, salad and dessert, tip, no entree)

total spent Thursday:
$0 expensed everything (Biltmore $132, $7 donuts for demo, drinks with customer $32, taxi $12)

total spent Friday:
$8 lunch with colleagues
$45 two large specialty pizzas from Round Table
$28 alcohol and snacks for poker
$128 outdoor seating for 6 from OSH
$20 lost at Texas Hold 'Em

Total spent Saturday:
$132 clothes at Macy's
$107 decorative mirror at Bombay Company
$100 dinner for two at French restaurant (saved $20 with Entertainment card)

Total spent today:
$62 supermarket (saved $41 with coupons)
$27 Vietnamese bbq takeout place
$0 cooked dinner