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T he deserts of Arizona and southern California can be deceptive.The beige landscape dotted with gray-green bushes can burst with spring wildflowers as you approach Phoenix on Highway 10. The effect is even more elaborate in Scottsdale, surrounded by world-class golf courses, just east of Phoenix. The Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia is a brighter spot in the area, a Spanish-inspired oasis behind terracotta walls. Best known for its Joya Spa and Prado restaurant, the Omni Scottsdale Resort first welcomes guests in its Cortijo Plaza, a courtyard festooned with bouganveilla and warmed by firepits for cool desert nights. A direct entrance to Prado opens from the Plaza, while diners can enjoy views of the Kasbah Pool and fountains from the other side of the restaurant. The M Bar is a com- fortable lounge with dark wood and leather decor to sit and enjoy sangria, tapas and live Flamenco music on weekends. Travel + Leisuremagazine named the Omni Scottsdale Resort to its list of "500 World's Best Hotels" and called it the "Best Hotel in Arizona" last year. The Montelucia property features more than 290 guest rooms spread throughout 15 buildings, with views of nearby Camelback Mountain, the resort gardens, and two main pools. Also on the property are two luxury suites and two 2-bedroom villas, one of which was occupied by President Barack Obama on a recent stay. The large rooms are decorated in deep blues, reds and beige to match the desert surroundings, with hints of Spanish and Moroccan styles. OMNI SCOTTSDALE RESORT AND SPA AT MONTELUCIA Scottsdale, Arizona BY CATRINA COYLE DESTINATIONS C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 147 Photos: Courtesy of Omni Hotels & Resorts