EMDR Therapy in Biltmore, AZ

Name: Michael B. Hoffmann

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-b-hoffmann-b0960a6

Facebook: @ArizonaBiltmoreAWaldorfAstoriaResort

Instagram: @ArizonaBiltmore

Website: ArizonaBiltmore.com

Age: “Old enough to teach and young enough to learn”

Title: Officially, Managing Director of the Arizona Biltmore. However, I prefer Cherry on Top, Head Sherpa or Chief Eudamonic Officer (Delivering Happiness)

Married/Single: Married 34 years to my wife, Knoppy

Kids: Zack (31) and Zoë (30)

City you live in: Carefree, AZ

A typical day in my life includes… an early morning rise and living each day to the fullest.

I was born… in Basel, Switzerland.

My favorite thing about Arizona… is the extraordinary diversity of the landscapes, seasons and beauty of the desert.

I’m listening to… tunes that inspire and movie scores. The ones that come to mind are “Hall of Fame” by The Script ft. will.i.am, “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman, and the genius of John Williams and Hans Zimmer found in the scores of Star Wars and Pirates of the Carribean.

My family… is my rock, both our kids love to cook so it’s a big party when we are all together.

If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… Walt Disney to appreciate his creativity and vision.

One thing I cannot live without… my wife Knoppy. She gets me and understands the importance of my relationship, passion and commitment to the Hotels/Resorts I’m entrusted to lead.

When I was younger, I wanted to be… a stockbroker for a major Swiss Bank.

I’m inspired by… personally how my kids show up in life. Professionally, by the team I get to work with and their desire to create magical service experiences and moments for our guests every day.

The one person who motivates me is… my morning Peloton instructor – they push me every day to be my best.

If I could change anything in the world, it would be… take hate and aggression off the table globally.

The perfect day would be… early morning Peloton workout, finishing a great read so I can start another, picking up my kids from the airport and finishing with a homecooked family dinner.

My first job was… working in a small lakeside restaurant in Switzerland, where I worked in every role, learning the business from the ground up.

My favorite escape… A good book and consistent exercise/wellness routine.

My life… has been filled with good fortune, affording me to travel globally and work with the most amazing talent in hospitality through Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, The Peninsula, Hong Kong, Claridges, London and closing the Waldorf Astoria in New York, Inn at Perry Cabin and now the Arizona Biltmore.

I’m currently working on… mastering my presentation and public speaking skills.

Always… Take the high road, not for the world to see you, but for you to see the world.

Never… Ever give up!

Favorite Quote… I have two: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” & “The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a few minutes longer.”

Biggest Dream… Sail the Greek and Turkish Isles on a Gulet.

My Pet Peeve(s)… People who don’t use headphones in public, (dining room FaceTime, plane conversations, poolside music) and forget that NOT everybody wants to share in their excitement, conversations or music tastes.

Bio-on yourself/company: As a hotelier with nearly four decades of luxury hospitality under my belt, I have seen everything and am surprised by nothing. That is one of the reasons I was drawn to my current role as managing director at none other than the iconic Arizona Biltmore. The resort is a nearly-century-old grand dame of the desert southwest, and I am thrilled to be continuing the $170 million+ reinvention and restoration of the sprawling 39-acre Frank Lloyd Wright inspired desert gem.

I began my career in Switzerland, where I was born and raised. After receiving a Diploma of Hotel Administration from the Lausanne Hotel School in 1983, I moved to the U.S. to begin my career with the Four Seasons Resort in Dallas, Texas. From there, I worked for Ritz- Carlton Hotel and Resorts, The Peninsula Group in New York, Hong Kong and California, the Bacara Resort and Spa, and the Ocean Club, Paradise Island. I also served as Hilton’s vice president of brand performance, overseeing the rapid expansion of Hilton’s luxury portfolio of Conrad and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. I also oversaw the closure of the Waldorf Astoria New York for renovations. Most recently, I worked as a managing director for Perry Cabin Resorts & Golf.

The Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is a 1929 Art Deco masterpiece, known for its exceptional guest experiences amidst 705 plush pet and family-friendly guestrooms, refreshed standalone luxury cottages, and 200,000 square feet of meeting space.

When you walk into the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, nearly all your senses might pull you in different directions. First, there’s the lobby’s stunning, oh-so-colorful stained-glass piece, “Saguaro Forms & Cactus Flowers,” which was designed and rendered from original drawings by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was donated to the hotel by Wright’s widow in 1973 and has been displayed in the lobby ever since then.

Another treat guests are sure to enjoy before they even check in is the resort’s distinctive scent that’s somehow both invigorating and soothing. It has notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, bergamot, vanilla, and Asian pear, among others. Calming music plays, and the helpful staff may offer water or other refreshment.

The Arizona Biltmore blends a lot of modern luxuries with its authentic history that still feels ever-present and exciting at the resort. Opened on February 23, 1929, it was designed by Albert Chase McArhur, and it was owned by his brothers Warren McArthur, Jr., and Charles McArthur in addition to John McEntee Bowman, the entrepreneur who was behind the very upscale Biltmore Hotel chain.

Many people often assume the resort was designed by esteemed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and there are some very good reasons for that. Wright did consult on the hotel in the 1920s, and McArthur paid him $10,000 to use his patented block design. When it was discovered that Wright didn’t actually own the patent, the relationship between McArthur and Wright soured. However, Wright still showed up for the resort’s grand opening, and his touches can be seen throughout the hotel now.

Some Historical Sites to Visit

Before you stay at the Arizona Biltmore, it’s fun to know some of the fascinating history that you can enjoy during your visit. What’s incredible about the property is that there are unexpected little details and delights around many corners. During your visit, make it a point to see these parts of the resort for a fuller understanding of how special and historically significant it is.

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Be sure to spend time gazing at the 19 sprite statues on the resort’s grounds. They were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Chicago’s Midway Gardens in 1914. The sprites on display at the resort were cast in the 1980’s from a mold of the original, and they’ve been on display since 1985.

Visit the Aztec Room during a history tour of the resort. It awes visitors with its gold-leaf ceiling and copper beams, and former President Ronald Reagan held a party in this room to celebrate while honeymooning at the resort.

Also spend time in the Gold Room or least visit it on a tour by the resort’s wonderful historians. The Gold Room was the resort’s original dining hall, and Clark Gable and his friends often spent much time here. The murals in the room are by Maynard Dixon and his wife, Edith Hamlin, who completed the second tapestry after her husband unexpectedly passed away.

The aptly named Mystery Room is the secret room where alcohol was once served to guests during prohibition. Men would go to the secret room to illegally enjoy their whiskey. Back then, guests accessed the room only by going up a hidden staircase and entering through a secret door.

Other Things To Do

Try a Tequila Sunrise. That popular cocktail, which became even more well-known after The Eagles song of the same name, was invented at the bar of the Arizona Biltmore by its longtime bartender Gene Sulit.

Enjoy a snack at The Citrus Club. It’s a luxurious space where you can work or hang out with friends if you want an extra space to lounge outside of your accommodations.

Take a swim in the Catalina Pool. Named for its blue and yellow art-deco mosaic tiles that lie along the pool’s floor, this was Marilyn Monroe’s favorite swimming pool when she frequented the resort. It’s also the spot where Irving Berlin wrote his beloved classic holiday hit “White Christmas”.

Stroll down the History Hallway. The Arizona Biltmore has hosted every United States President from Herbert Hoover to Barack Obama, and their photographs are on display in this sunlit hallway. Nearly every photo was taken on the property.

Try a new-to-you sport. The resort has its own golf club. It also has three new tennis courts and four pickle ball courts.

Last, but certainly not least, consider signing up for a treatment at the Tierra Luna Spa, a truly unique spa at the heart of the Arizona Biltmore estate. It’s inspired by the surrounding Sonoran Desert, and it includes fun, revitalizing and relaxing treatments. You can even have an astrology reading as part of a treatment. Before you leave, take the time to silently relax in the spa’s Sol Garden which was designed to offer guests a tranquil experience.

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, has unveiled the design details behind its recently completed property-wide restoration, led by hospitality firms Virserius Studio and PHX Architecture. The revamped spaces include two pools for adult and family visitors, standalone cottages that combine the resort’s chic aesthetic with plush amenities, dining venues clad in natural textures and the all-new Tierra Luna Spa and Sol Garden—a holistic wellness experience rooted in the cosmos and Earth’s four elements. Funded by ownership group, Blackstone, the $150-million restoration generated more than 400 jobs during its two-year span, bringing a welcome opportunity to workers in the region. Since reopening in May 2021, the resort has been further enhanced to honor Arizona Biltmore’s legacy, including modern touches for a new era.

“It was important to us that this renovation maintain the historic elements that make the Arizona Biltmore unique while also ensuring guests can enjoy modern enhancements and a best-in-class experience,” said Brian Kaufman, managing director, Blackstone Real Estate. “Through this investment, we were able to create high-quality jobs and ensure the Arizona Biltmore remains a world-class destination for years to come.”

Built almost a century ago, Arizona Biltmore is known as one of the grandest resorts of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Inspired by the innovative geometric designs of his mentor and Arizona Biltmore’s consulting architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Albert Chase McArthur built the resort to reflect its desert surroundings. In recent years, the iconic property has been restored to its former glory by a team of respected designers and consultants from Virserius Studio, PHX Architecture, Serving the Nation Inc., Burton Studio and Wimberly Interiors.

“We sought to revitalize the property while preserving its iconic legacy,” said Therese Virserius, Virserius Studio. “Our aim was to honor the remarkable work of Wright and McArthur, while simultaneously modernizing and enhancing the luxurious guest experience for a new era.”

Also reflecting on the revamp, Erik Peterson, founder, PHX Architecture, said, “Rather than merely replicating the original structure, we sought to pay homage to these renowned architects by reimagining their vision using modern methods and materials while remaining faithful to their timeless design principles.”

In keeping with the property’s architectural style, the structural aesthetic remains true to Wright’s flowing ‘textile block’ design, evident in the horizontal lines, handmade craftsmanship, and open-plan layout strewn with custom facades and materials like fine porcelain, ornate stained glass and mosaics. The restoration itself included McArthur and Wright’s original “Biltmore Blocks,” created from desert sand onsite, and designed with interlocking lines to form a pattern across the building’s facade. The 34 different arrays of blocks are arranged to create a sense of movement and rhythm resembling notes on a musical scale.

The team replaced 6,000 of the blocks requiring repair by using the same techniques and materials as the original blocks, accompanied by hand-embroidered furniture built in the spirit of the traditional design, and a replating of the eponymous gold-leaf ceiling in the Gold Room. Modern upgrades were mindfully navigated to maintain historic integrity, including the seamless implementation of technology throughout the main building and updates to rooftop air conditioning units. In keeping with Arizona Biltmore’s stunning surroundings, Burton Studio integrated desert-inspired landscaping throughout the property, complementing Frank Lloyd Wright’s beloved Sprite statues as well as the resort’s new “Treasures of Heaven” art installation.

Photography: Arizona Biltmore

Architectural Photography: Michael Baxter, Baxter Imaging LLC

Special to Arizona Republic

“Is there a pink sidewalk on a Valley mountainside?” It was a question that the former Phoenix Gazette “Answer Line” often received over 50 years ago. The simple answer then, was YES! As for today, you might find remnants if you know where to look.

As many of Phoenix’s quirky historic tidbits go, the story behind this celebrated pink sidewalk depends on who is telling the story. One thing for certain, it is connected to the Biltmore Hotel and William Wrigley, Jr.

Wrigley of chewing gum fame and that baseball stadium in Chicago, was a major investor in the Biltmore Hotel. After the completion of the Biltmore, Wrigley purchased 30 acres nearby in April 1930 and began construction of his 16,000-square-foot home (the smallest of his five properties) in July of that year. Billed as his winter home, the house was completed in 1931. When you go there, you will understand why Wrigley selected that spot. Prior to its completion, Wrigley would stay at the Biltmore. After all, he owned the place.

One story relates that Wrigley and his wife liked to walk their dogs and did not enjoy getting sand in their shoes. Did that annoying desert sand give impetus for Wrigley to have a pink sidewalk built that meandered from the hotel north to the hotel’s reservoir? Or, was the sidewalk constructed for the hotel guests to allow them to enjoy the pristine desert, at the time, and the views as they strolled northward along the walkway up a portion of what we now call Piestewa Peak?

Here's what we do know from various sources. The color pink, or terra cotta depending on your knowledge of colors, matched the pool deck or the driveway in front of the hotel; the sidewalk was 1 mile or 2 miles long; the end was at a reservoir that provided water to the hotel (and kids loved to sneak in and swim in it); it was called Gran Paseo; the path went through a culvert beneath what is now Lincoln Drive, and there were pink benches resembling beds with white concrete pillows along the walk.

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Before all the development began to occur on the north side of the hotel and Lincoln Drive, high schoolers often rendezvoused at night along the sidewalk. Some to skateboard, others to play pranks on classmates. Young lovers and old found the pink sidewalk provided a romantic glow on moonlit nights. Others came during the day and had picnics, perhaps using the “bed” benches where they could lay out the food.

In 1973, the Biltmore ceased using the reservoir when it connected to the Phoenix water system. The owners at the time filled the reservoir with dirt to eliminate it as a hazard. And developments spelled the end of the pink sidewalk as it slowly crumbled from lack of maintenance.

Did Albert Chase McArthur have the sidewalk built in 1928 or did William Wrigley, Jr. add it in 1931? Lots of unknowns may always remain, but one thing is for sure: The memory of the Biltmore pink sidewalk is equivalent to Phoenix’s “Yellow Brick Road.”

Donna Reiner has co-authored three books on Phoenix history and numerous National Register Nominations.

Featuring over 200 luxury jewelry designers, manufacturers, marketing agencies, tech companies and more, The Centurion Jewelry Show draws some 300 prestige jewelry retailers every year to Phoenix, Arizona during the last week of January and early February. Directly preceding the Tucson Gem Shows, Centurion will sparkle from January 29 through 31, 2023 at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Featuring various private buying salons, ballrooms filled with exhibitors plus morning educational talks given by experts, Centurion is also a fiesta of catered meals, Open Bar networking, private parties and more, all in a sunny Southwestern setting. As the first luxury jewelry show of the year, it’s also one of the industry’s most important trade gatherings.

Year’s First Luxury Jewelry Show

Every year at Centurion, leading jewelry businesses launch new collections, make news and share cutting-edge information with attendees. Centurion also attracts members of the jewelry media who document the show’s stylistic, material, color and technical trends. They also report on which retailers are ordering what new designs in all categories, including bridal and high jewelry. This year, as in the past, eminent jewelry journalists and social media influencers will be reporting live about Centurion on various channels.

Centurion 2023 offers valuable learning opportunities via expert speaker presentations. For example, on Sunday January 29, the scheduled speaker is Tom Shay, owner of Profits Plus Inc. and a fourth-generation small business owner who lectures widely on how to improve business operations and profitability. Shay will impart advice on such topics as how to spend your marketing budget to retain customers first and attain new customers second. Also to be covered is how and why advertising should be measured and how expense monitoring and achieving margin are imperative, plus how to create your own budget and cash flow projections.

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This year, Centurion is launching a RapidFire Business Building Ideas for Retailers breakfast program to stimulate and educate. Expert presenters and topics include: Gus Garcia of Bottom Line Marketing on ‘The Importance of Branding & Finding Consistency During Volatility’, Platinum Guild International USA’s Senior Vice President Kevin Reilly on “What’s In Your Platinum,” and the website-building company Punchmark’s Bryan Cockerham on ‘Get The Most from Your Website’.

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A Global Cross-Section of Designers

A key reason why trends start at Centurion is because of its global cross-section of luxury jewelry exhibitors. In the European jewelry space, Hulchi Belluni from Antwerp, Belgium will present a wondrously varied line created by Martine Hul, whose ergonomically elegant fine and high jewelry designs are informed by her studies of Chinese geomancy and energy flows. Chic Italian jewelry designs will be on offer from Hasbani Gioielli, Vendorafa, Miseno Italy, Antonio Papini, Pasquale Bruni, Picchiotti, Piero Milano, Vhernier and Pippo Perez, which excels at gender-fluid diamond and colored gemstone bracelets that embody upscale bohemian style.

While the Paris-based diamond jewelry brand MESSIKA glitters with edgy urban sophistication, Montreal-based Anzie offers a colorful and cosmic array of diamond and colored gemstone jewelry, from diamond and 14-karat gold jewelry to ornate necklaces to exotically beautiful ear climbers.

U.S. family-owned and operated heritage jewelers like Kwiat, Fred Leighton, Oscar Heyman and Rahaminov Diamonds present ultra-refined designs and diamond jewelry of the highest caliber and also create romantic bridal jewelry designs that feature expertly cut, high-grade diamonds. According to Centurion President and CEO Howard Hauben, “Over the last 22 years, Centurion has become a trusted industry brand which has also grown into a community that has helped generate nearly a billion dollars in sales among attendees and exhibitors. Our business structure,” Hauben continued, “wherein we work hand-in-hand with our exhibitors, has enabled us to overcome major challenges such as 9-11, which struck just before our 2002 launch show, the great recession of 2008-2009 and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic.” According to Hauben, “Our community is stronger than ever, and I very much look forward to the next 20 years of growing together.”

It’s worth noting that in addition to showcasing the best in luxury jewelry designs, Centurion also exhibits cutting edge jewelry business development experts that specialize in helping jewelry designers, manufacturers and retailers assess and measurably grow their businesses. For example, SmartAge Solutions, a full-service, digital marketing agency serving those in the fine jewelry industry, is one of the show’s sponsors. Other digital-related companies showing at Centurion include The Edge, a software provider which helps independent retail jewelers become more profitable through the use of targeted technologies and strategies. Then there is also Thinkspace, which specializes in jewelry website design for retailers and vendors.

Invaluable Gemstone Research and Jewelry News

Centurion further serves its community by presenting exhibitors involved in gemological research and natural plus lab-grown gemological identification. The presence of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) at Centurion is a case in point. Founded in 1931, the GIA is a leading authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute now based in Carlsbad, CA., GIA has long been a leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gemstones and jewelry. Constantly creating new technologies for gem and jewelry identification, GIA and its Centurion booth are always worth checking in on for the latest news that professionals can use to their benefit.

The emerging realm of certified sustainable gemstones will be showcased at Centurion 2023 by SCS Global Services, which is showing there for the first time. Based in Emeryville, CA., SCS is a for-profit standard certification organization that’s been providing certification services to the jewelry sector for over a decade. SCS has devised the world’s most stringent benchmark of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) accountability for the diamond industry to date. The company’s natural diamond and lab-grown diamond Sustainability Standard is titled SCS 007 ; it was developed over the last decade by an SCS-led international multi-stakeholder committee. SCS-007 is major jewelry news as it’s the first standard program to accurately trace a diamond's journey from its point of origin in a mine or lab and on to the cutter to the manufacturer to the jewelry store, and finally to the consumer.

Because SCS 007’s documented empirical chain of custody provisions guarantee provenance with 99% accuracy, it is the antithesis of greenwashing. Just as the USDA certified organic label on vegetables and other foods assures customers of organically grown products, the SCS 007 certification assures diamond and jewelry professionals, plus the all-important customers, of a diamond’s sustainable origins and ethical journey through the chain of custody.

Set in a tranquil resort and geared towards building community, Centurion’s opportunities for discovering new designs, networking with colleagues and gaining actionable knowledge are unparalleled. Unlike the vast majority of jewelry trade shows, most of which take place in Las Vegas and other giant convention centers pulsing with roaring crowds, Centurion is a show on a refreshingly human scale. Because of its timing before the Tucson shows, it also allows jewelry professionals to fit both events into the same Southwestern trip should they so desire.