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The Seattle-based artist’s al fresco summer show at the North Carolina landmark runs through October 7.

Overview

On a hilltop perch overlooking 8,000 acres of grounds designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, the Inn on Biltmore Estate’s 210 rooms and suites evoke traditional 19th-century manor houses, with dark mahogany beds and desks, billowing window treatments, and comfortable overstuffed chairs; book a room with a balcony to breathe fresh mountain air while appreciating views of rolling hills—or simply take in the vista from the hotel’s veranda. The formal dining room showcases seasonal specialties using estate-raised cattle and lamb, vegetables from the on-site garden, and wine from the property’s own winery, where you can participate in a free tasting, then ride back in a complimentary shuttle. If you’re looking for something more casual, the lobby lounge and library bar offer salads and sandwiches—and no dress code. But the main attraction is the 250-room Biltmore château, the Gilded Age mansion George Vanderbilt built here in the late 1800s, and its 16th-century tapestries, Renoir and Sargent originals, and 65 fireplaces.

Marilyn Monroe once proclaimed that her favorite swimming pool was at the Arizona Biltmore. And Irving Berlin, obviously a person who didn’t know how to relax, is said to have written “White Christmas” while a guest at the hotel. Other musical guests have included Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., who were known to play on a piano in the lobby. But that’s history, and the Jewel of the Desert, as the 90-year-old hotel was once known, is now just one more sparkling gem in a treasure chest of Arizona resorts. To continue shining, the Biltmore underwent a major renovation that was completed in late 2016. Much of the update focused on restoring the hotel’s original main building, but the guest rooms, meeting spaces, ballrooms, and spa were also polished. The contemporary style that now dominates the Biltmore was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, who played a significant role in determining the hotel’s original look. In the guest rooms, Wright’s influence is most notable in the wall coverings, embossed with a design similar to that found on his “Biltmore Blocks,” used in the construction of most of the resort. Of course, for guests who didn’t come for the history, or the design lecture, there are still the eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, and, next door at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, 36 holes of golf.

When I heard Smeeks was moving from their downtown Phoenix location I thought I might lose it until I heard about the hip new concept they were becoming a part of thanks to the opening of Union at Biltmore Fashion Park. It is a one-stop shop for all of Phoenix’s local treasures. It’s an exciting idea that houses a broad and ecletic mix of 18 distinct boutiques. Most of the places featured are known for having a strong local following including: Willows Home and Garden, Whoopie Baking Co., Trattoria del Piero, R + R, and of course Frances and Smeeks. This is a perfect place to get quick access to some of the best shops in Phoenix and you might even be able to cross off a lot of items on your holiday wish list.

The imported, handmade cycles and gear at British Bicycle Company will have you wanting to cycle everywhere. Their colorful stock of Pashley and Moulton Cycles—crafted in the UK and in production since 1962—would mesmerize any bicyclist. Located in the Union Shop at the Biltmore Fashion Park, pop in to browse accessories for your bike or just to check out these amazing vehicles. Say “hi” to owners Loring and Lindsey, and tell them I sent you.

Hiking or biking this area gives you the feel of being way outside Phoenix, even though it is 8 minutes from the Arizona Biltmore Resort. In effect, you are climbing the north side of Squaw/Piestewa Peak, and the views are more of nature than of downtown. This is a wonderful natural area that the locals use while the tourists climb Squaw/Piestewa Peak from the south like lemmings. The dreamy name comes from the old days of mining mercury here, which if you were a miner might produce a toxic effect. The miners were spaced out, or as if they’d been on drugs, kind of dreamy. Now it is safe from mercury, but not from dehydration, so bring some drinking water.

The Blue Ridge Mountains stand in for the Black Forest at Grand Bohemian Asheville, a 104-room luxury property inspired by old-world Bavarian hunting lodges, complete with stag-antler chandeliers, rich velvet and brocade textiles, and a popular mascot in the lobby—a taxidermied wild boar named Zsa Zsa. In contrast to the more dramatic public spaces, rooms and suites are spacious and light with crisp white bedding and tufted headboards; almost all of the bathrooms have large tubs with shutters that open up to the sleeping area. In addition to the rare original artwork that’s scattered throughout the hotel, there’s a gallery featuring paintings, art glass, woodwork, and sculptures from local, regional, and international artists. George W. Vanderbilt’s Gilded Age castle is across the street, and the hotel is within walking distance of Biltmore Village’s popular restaurants and shops and only two miles from trendy downtown Asheville, making it a convenient jump-off for exploring the Great Smokies.

A Greek Revival family mansion built at the turn of the 20th century, Hotel Ella owes both its name and its grandeur to its very first lady of the house, Ella Wooten. Known for her impeccable style and grand tastes, Ella was a fixture of Austin high society who hired the stone carver responsible for the Biltmore Estate to craft her house’s columns and verandas and worked with Neiman Marcus’ Stanly Marcus to redecorate the interiors in 1925.

Nowadays, Hotel Ella pays homage to her good taste with fashionably understated decor, a locally sourced restaurant, and an art collection that the original proprietress would have coveted. Works include original Ansel Adams photographs and Wooten family portraits and jewelry. The owners pride themselves on making guests feel just as pampered as Ella might have, with perks like a free town car service—even though the hotel is within walking distance of downtown—and a concierge team for whom no request is too much.

On a recent visit to Asheville, North Carolina, I was anxious to try some of the great restaurants I’d heard about. In the end though, my husband and I found ourselves gravitating back to the same restaurant over and over again - breakfast, lunch, and dinner - because it was absolutely delicious. We just couldn’t resist it. Tupelo Honey is a must if you’re in Asheville looking for some incredible Southern comfort food. This macaroni and cheese was probably the best I’ve ever tasted - rich and creamy, with delicious bits of bacon and other wonderful ingredients mixed in. Definitely not a diet food but worth every calorie!

Félix Meana and Katie Button, veterans of elBulli in Spain, converted Asheville’s former downtown bus depot into a stylish tapas bar. Cúrate means to cure oneself, which diners can do with traditional Spanish dishes such as Catalan sausage bocadillos, codfish salad, and honey-drizzled fried eggplant. This appeared in the July/August 2012 issue. Read Emma John’s feature on the North Carolina bluegrass scene.

For some truly luxurious pampering, look no further than The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. The 12,000-square-foot space sits between the rose garden and the Jungle Pool with 11 treatment rooms and uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. The Grape de Vine is one of the spa’s four signature 80-minute treatments, and it begins with a exfoliation using a grape-seed body scrub, followed by a full body massage with rose and lavender essential oils. Spend the day using the sauna, steam room, or pool, or zone out the upper level relaxaton room. Special treatments for teens are also available.

Overlooking Montecito’s Butterfly Beach, outdoor terrace at Bella Vista, the restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, Santa Barbara, has stunning views of the ocean and coastline, plus a retractable glass roof and massive fire pit. But dining al fresco is just part of the Bella Vista experience. The restaurant has the distinction of being one of only 12 restaurants in California (the only one in Santa Barbara) licensed to cure its own meats, meaning the salumi is not to be missed. The asparagus wrapped in house-cured duck prosciutto with egg is the best possible version of that dish, and the tortellacci di ricotta features butter poached lobster and homemade ricotta. The wine list is predominantly local and the caviar spread for the famous Sunday brunch is downright decadent.

Belizean cuisine includes a healthy dose of Middle Eastern influence, thanks to the small but established Lebanese community in Belize. If you’re on the hunt for authentic shawarmas, kebabs, hummus, and gyros, the tastiest and most affordable versions you’ll find are at Sahara Grill. The restaurant, across from the Best Western Biltmore, might not look like much from the outside, but that quickly becomes a distant concern once you dig into one of the flavorful platters.

Miami’s grand dame property, The Biltmore, is full of history (it’s on the list of National Historic Landmarks) and is a holistic destination property with a focus on art and wellness and a healthy dose of old European glamour. Located in Coral Gables, the iconic property hosts a curated exhibit during Art Basel week. Now in its second year, the Biltmore Curators Program not only offered intimate access to this year’s event, but the hotel also featured a fine art exhibition by renowned photographer Matt Stock and partner Charles J. Kropke. The exhibit for 2017, entitled “Abandoned Vehicles in the Everglades,” has both an enviormental element, showcasing potential human disaster in America’s swamplands, and Even when the art world isn’t descending upon it, The Biltmore dazzles year-round in the activity and culture departments. Guests can participate in everything from cooking to yoga and aerobics classes, book a tennis workshop or play 18 holes of golf on the Donald Ross designed course constructed one year before the hotel in 1925. Designed to resemble Seville’s Giralda bell tower, the Spanish-style Biltmore opened its doors in 1926 in a fabulous location that is out of the chaos of South Beach without being inconvenient to exploring Miami. It became instantly famous, hosting the glitterati of the decade at multiple galas, fashion shows and golf tournaments. Today it still features wonderful old world European flair throughout its retro opulent interior where ornately carved pillars, vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers occupy the public spaces. The 273 guestrooms are done up in neutral colors and feature super comfy beds with high thread count sheets, feather mattresses and Frette robes. The onsite restaurant, Palme d’Or, serves French and Italian haute cuisine by chef Philippe Ruiz. Environs are formal, with jackets required for men. There is also an awesome English afternoon tea served in the lobby bar. And finally, don’t skip some time at the absolutely massive swimming pool — at one time it was the largest swimming pool in the world — which is a truly grand affair with marble statues under a promenade, private cabanas and its own bar and restaurant.