Desert Sunshine, Holiday Lights, and Two Perfect Days of Luxe Relaxation
Imagine arriving at a resort bathed in golden desert light, festooned with twinkling lanterns and framed by the silhouette of Camelback Mountain. Your holiday escape begins as Andalusian-inspired architecture meets palm tree shadows. Meanwhile festive garlands, poinsettias and a towering tree in the Cortijo Plaza set the mood for something special. You’ll sip a holiday welcome drink, wander fountain-lit courtyards and savor a Scottsdale holiday getaway filled with sun, spa, and season at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia.
Day 1: Check In and Check Out of Reality
Afternoon Arrival & Resort First Impressions
Pulling into the lobby, you’ll sense that you’ve stepped into a Mediterranean-meets-desert dream. Courtyards shimmer with sun on stone, fountains whisper as they tumble and holiday décor adorns every pathway. The welcome drink tastes like warmth and anticipation, while the garlands, poinsettias and a grand Christmas tree in Cortijo Plaza announce that the season has arrived in full sparkle. You wander at golden hour through the resort’s Andalusian-inspired gardens and terraces, the desert light soft as you ease into resort time.
Evening: Dine & Toast Under The Stars
Dinner awaits at Prado Restaurant, where Mediterranean flavors unfold with calamari and beef tenderloin, festive sangria pairings and a menu alive with holiday energy. On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 the resort offers special four-course prix-fixe dining with live music to mark Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After dinner, drift to Blitzen’s, the pop-up bar at the Oasis Pool, where fire pits flicker and Camelback Mountain glows in the distance. Ask the bartender for their signature winter cocktail: a spiced, sparkling sip that says, “This is Scottsdale, and we’re celebrating.”
Day 2: Spa, Sunshine & Scottsdale Spirit
Morning: Recharge & Reflect
Morning light spills across the palm-lined terrace as you roll out your yoga mat, breath syncing with the desert breeze. At the resort’s yoga studio and fitness facilities, wellness and movement greet you among cactus silhouettes and open skies. Stop by Crave Café for a rich espresso and a flaky pastry. Its outdoor patio features a fire-lit patio as winter cools the air. For the adventurous, a morning hike up Camelback or Cholla Trail lies just outside the resort’s embrace.
Midday: Self-care Meets Sparkle at Joya Spa
Your midday is reserved for indulgence. The resort’s 31,000-square-foot Joya Spa offers a hammam-inspired retreat where tension melts into warm oils and desert serenity. On the rooftop terrace you sip herbal tea and take in mountain views while a HydraFacial or Joya body polish revitalises. Holiday spa packages thread in seasonal scents and warming rituals for that festive desert escape.
Evening: A Holiday Night to Remember
As dusk deepens you return to the lantern-lit courtyards, settle around a fire pit and maybe catch a holiday movie screening in Kasbash Plaza under a star-rich sky. The tree-lighting ceremony glows, and the resort becomes a living postcard of festive desert escape. Slow down and wander through pathways glowing with festive light while holiday offers invite you to linger with crafted cocktails at Mbar.
Make this holiday season extra bright with Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia’s festive packages. The Magical Memories brings the joy of the season to life with 15% off the luxurious accommodations and a $25 food and drink credit. For those arriving in true holiday style, Santa’s Landing adds even more magic. Treat yourself to a $100 resort credit with your stay and save 20% on select destinations for extra holiday cheer. Both offers invite you to turn your Scottsdale holiday getaway into something truly unforgettable.
Day 3: A Morning of Gratitude & Gorgeous Views
Morning: Farewell With Flair
On your final morning you dine on the patio at Prado, coffee in hand, views of Camelback Mountain anchoring the moment. Reflect on the slower pace, the desert sunshine that seeped into your bones, the spa’s calmness, the mountain view and the gusts of warmth in December. Before you head home, pop into Old Town Scottsdale for last-minute holiday shopping, art galleries and one final dose of desert magic. This Scottsdale holiday getaway leaves you rested, full of festive memories and already planning your next retreat.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
