Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, formerly the Montelucia Resort & Spa, is a luxury retreat behind Spanish-style stone walls, with fantastic views of Camelback Mountain. The grounds are inspired by an archetypal (if somewhat fantastical) Andalusian village, with cobbled walkways, tiled fountains, sand-colored buildings, and archways with ivy. The sprawling lawns and paths make for lots of walking, but also for quiet, secluded places to lay in the sun, or relax on a hammock in the shade. It caters more to couples and well-heeled business travelers than to families, though kids are still welcome, and get milk and cookies upon arrival, and a backpack filled with games. 

The hotel is located in the upscale Paradise Valley area of Scottsdale, just off Lincoln Drive and Tatum Blvd. It's in a residential district, a quarter-mile from Camelback Mountain. Guests interested in hiking can walk to Echo Canyon, where a popular, steep trail leads to the top of Camelback. (The parking lot can fill up early, so this is a definite advantage.) Numerous shops, art galleries, nightclubs, and restaurants are a 10-minute drive away in Old Town Scottsdale. Shuttle service is not offered, but a city trolley stops at Montelucia in winter  to take guests to shopping downtown. Expect a 20-minute drive to Sky Harbor International Airport.

The hotel's guest rooms have a Spanish-inspired flair, with dark wood, large, ornate mirrors, and just the right touch of studded metal detailing. All rooms have balconies or patios furnished with chairs and loungers, with mountain, poolside, or resort views. Upgraded rooms have better "grand mountain" views. High-end perks include plush, custom-designed beds and Egyptian cotton sheets. The standard rooms are large, and have wooden tables for two, and seating areas with loveseats or armchairs (depending on queen or king beds). Flat-screen TVs and iPod docks come standard, along with mini-fridges and coffeemakers. Microwaves are available upon request. The bathrooms are spacious, with walk-in showers fitted with dual showerheads, and separate soaking tubs. Suites add sofa beds and work desks, and some have two bathrooms. There's also a posh Camelback Mountain View two-bedroom suite with high, vaulted ceilings and a private backyard.

This hotel offers travelers a ton of top-notch amenities -- but there's a daily resort fee, plus additional fees that can add up. The colorful Kasbah Pool has a sundeck and a hot tub, and the quieter, adults-only Oasis Pool has the same. Both offer Camelback Mountain views. Private cabanas can be rented for a fee that accommodate up to six people. For wellness, there's the massive, 31,000-square-foot Joya Spa, which has its own rooftop pool (for spa guests only) and numerous treatment rooms. Services range from acupuncture and massages, to more exotic naturopathic treatments. It also has a hammam and a sauna, plus a rooftop juice bar. The large, 24-hour fitness center has rows of treadmills and weight training equipment, and stationary bikes on an outdoor patio. Fitness classes are also available.For dining, Prado serves upscale Spanish cuisine using ingredients from local markets, and MBar does tapas with fire pits on an outdoor terrace. Centro snack bar has seating on a poolside terrace, as well as a flashy white interior bar with a nine-panel media wall. There's also a cafe and small market with to-go options and gelato.Expansive meeting facilities cover indoor and outdoor spaces, with 14 breakout rooms and two banquet halls, and the hotel also has a small business center. Wi-Fi is covered by the resort fee, but valet and self-parking cost extra.