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has pastries and Peet's coffee, plus takeaway sandwiches and homemade gelato. With views of the large Kasbah Pool, Centro is the lively sports bar of the hotel, offering small bites, fine burgers, cocktails and craft beers. During January's Super Bowl (held in Phoenix) and Spring Training baseball in March, Centro was packed with fans enjoying its wall-sized televi- sion and six other TVs behind the bar. You can't miss the stark white interior of Centro, in its contrast to the neutral desert-colored buildings, but the sports bar is slated for a bistro-style remodel this year. Also opening this summer is a chef's demon- stration herb garden in place of the kids' club activity center. Prado's Chefs Michael Cairns and Tom Vykulil will have onsite access to an organ- ic garden with fresh herbs and vegetables. Kitchen garden lectures will go well with contin- uing Spanish wine and tapas classes, and history of sangria classes. The Andalucia region of Spain ignites the menu, with lamb tapas, kale and grape salad, diver scallops with saffron risotto, wood-fired salmon, salsa picante flatbread, and the hearty paellaeach Sunday night. A delicious recent dessert offering was a chocolate and banana empanada. The impressive wine collec- tion, spotlighting Spanish and Italian vintages of course, can be seen in the hallways en route to private dining rooms and meeting rooms. If, for some reason, you want to leave this hotel jewel, activities can be arranged. The Scottsdale Visitors' Bureau boasts of 200 golf courses in Scottsdale and nearby cities. Fine shopping and art galleries and museums are 5- 9 miles away in downtown Scottsdale, Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin home and architectural studio is open for tours close by, and year-round festivals of Southwestern culture abound. There are three direct flights daily from Monterey to the Phoenix airport. One of the most impressive memories of this recent stay at the Omni Scottsdale Resort was its staff's attention, helpful but not overbearing. Omni Hotels and Resorts prides itself on its friendly customer service, being named "Best Travel Company to Work for" by Forbesmagazine in 2014. All interactions, with the front desk and valets to restaurant waiters and spa staff, created a welcoming atmosphere at this desert oasis. The Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Montelucia is located at 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, Arizona. Call 480/627-3200 or visit www.omnihotels.com/scottsdale-montelucia. 150 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 The smaller, adults-only Oasis Pool (above) is tucked away amid gardens and groups of rooms. The Kasbah Pool is more central, with easy access to the restaurants and Cortijo Plaza. Other resort activities include bocce ball and wine classes.