History
of the Hotel Newspaper
Articles
Memberships Message
Board Photos
of the Biltmore Email
The Biltmore Hotel, "The White Queen of the Gulf," is located at 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, Florida. It was built in 1896+ and opened January 15, 1897. It has shingle-style elements. Michael J. Miller and Francis J. Kinnard were the architects. The Biltmore is four and a half stories, frame, three principal sections, each 400 feet long, broad verandas built on enchanting landscape. It is the largest wood-frame building in Florida. Hotel constructed for Henry B. Plant, who developed the railway system on the Florida west coast during the 1890s and sought to increase traffic by building tourist facilities.
In 1920 the hotel was purchased from the Plant Investment Company by John McEntee Bowman. John McEntee Bowman, was president of the Bowman-Biltmore Hotels Corp, international sportsman and owner of the Biltmore chain of hotels. Hence the beginning of the new name Belleview Biltmore Hotel. So for 85 years, the name Biltmore is associated with the Belleview. The name Biltmore is tied in with so many other Biltmore hotels around the country also. Bowman developed several Biltmore Hotels through the country during this time period, all bearing the Biltmore name which was said to be drawn from the Vanderbilt family estate of the same name in North Carolina
This national treasure has enriched the lives of guests since 1897. It is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and is famous for its Victorian charm and southern hospitality.
Many famous dignitaries have been guests at this hotel including the President George Bush, President Jimmy Carter, President Gerald Ford, the former King of England, (the Duke of Windsor) the Vanderbilts, the Pew family of Sun Oil, the Studebakers, the DuPonts, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Lady Margaret Thatcher, baseball legends Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and entertainers Tony Bennett, Bob Dylan and Carol Channing. In World War II the hotel was closed to tourism, and the U.S. military moved in to train its troops. The windows were painted black so the hotel could not be seen by the enemy at night. In 1985, a $10 million renovation of the resort took place in the guest rooms and in the construction of a luxurious spa.
The Mobile Travel Guide gives the Biltmore a four star rating and the World Tennis Magazine gives the resort a five star rating for tennis resorts. The Biltmore is one of the few hotels to have a waltz composed in its name, "The Belleview Waltz." The Belleview Biltmore Golf Club offers a beautiful 18 hole course designed by world famous Scottish-born architect, Donald Ross in 1925.
The Belleview Biltmore provides 243 guest rooms in an intimate setting. Guests can enjoy a variety of guest rooms starting with a quaint one bedroom suite, all the way up to the 3,400 square foot presidential suite. The Biltmore is located on 21 acres along the intracoastal waterway, Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa offers world class amenities on and off their facility. Nearby residents of this Tampa Bay resort consider Belleview Biltmore to be one of West Florida's most picturesque landmarks. Banquets, meeting rooms, conference services, gourmet dining, and weddings with attention to detailed service are also offered at this exquisite hotel.
The Biltmore is a member of National Trust Historic Hotels of America / HHA.
For a DETAILED history of this wonderful grand dame, click:
http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/timeline/index.html
There is another Victorian hotel in San Diego called Hotel del Coronado built in 1888.
The Travel Channel said that it is the most famous destination for weddings. This grand hotel is carefully preserved and honored in San Diego.
A third famous Victorian hotel is the Grand Hotel, built in 1886, on Mackinac Island, Michigan, and still fully functional and cherished! During the early years, the summer staff would work at the Grand Hotel while it was open, and during the winter the employees would come down to the Belleview Biltmore and be employed there.
The following information is from an article written by St. Petersburg Times reporter Lorri Helfand in her article April 23, 2005
Copyright Times Publishing Co. Apr 23, 2005
by Lorri Helfand Lorri@sptimes.com
ABOUT THE BILTMORE
The Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa offers:
1895: Railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant buys thousands of
acres and begins construction.
JAN. 15, 1897: The hotel opens.
1919: John McEntee Bowman buys the hotel and adds the name Biltmore.
1942-44: U.S. Army Air Corps moves 3,000 servicemen into the hotel as an
auxiliary barracks for MacDill and Drew fields.
1946: Bernard Powell, Nora Mae Peabody and Roger L. Stevens buy the hotel.
1979: Hotel is listed on National Register of Historic Places.
1990: Hideo Kurosawa of Mido Development buys the hotel and calls it the
Belleview Mido.
1997: The hotel celebrates 100 years. The Jetha Corp. buys it and returns the
name to the Belleview Biltmore. The hotel is renovated extensively.
2003: A company run by Pennsylvania investor Scott Urdang becomes resort general
partner.
2004: DeBartolo Development, First Dartmouth Homes and Sun Vista Ventures form
Belleair Redevelopment Group and announce a contract on the hotel properties.
JANUARY 2005: Contract with Belleair Redevelopment Group falls through.
APRIL 2005: DeBartolo Development announces new contract on hotel properties.
The Belleview Biltmore, which opened in 1897, has played host to movie stars,
sports icons and even several U.S. presidents.
The Belleview Biltmore's 136-acre golf course on Indian Rocks Road, a popular
attraction with visitors for decades, is not included in the demolition
application
MARCH 2007 Legg Mason Real Estate Investors purchased the Biltmore ,and it was
saved from demolition. Their plans include a $100 million renovation to restore
the hotel back to the 1940's era.
