Things to do nearby: hiking, shopping, family attractions and more
Within minutes of Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia you can hike Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon trailhead is about 1 mile away), shop Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square (roughly a 10-minute drive), and visit family attractions like OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland (about 15 minutes by car). On-site options include three pools, Joya Spa, 24-hour fitness, and multiple restaurants and bars.
In this guide
Hiking and Camelback Mountain
Echo Canyon on Camelback Mountain is the closest popular trailhead; sources list it at roughly 1.0–1.3 miles from the resort. The trail is a well-known, steep route and is often used by guests who want a challenging hike close to the property.
Plan for early starts in warmer months; Phoenix-area weather can be hot from late spring through early fall, and monsoon season runs mid-June through September, bringing brief afternoon storms. Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes.
- Echo Canyon/Praying Monk trailhead: about 1.0–1.3 miles from the resort
- Best hiking months according to local weather guidance: mid-April to early June and late September to late October
- Expect steep, rocky sections — not a beginner-only trail
| Trail | Approx. distance from hotel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Echo Canyon (Camelback Mountain) | ~1.0–1.3 miles | Steep, popular; allow extra time in heat |
| McDowell Sonoran Preserve | ~10 miles | Larger preserve with many trail options |
| Local neighborhood trails | Varies | Short walks and local loops near Barry Goldwater Park |
Pools, Family Areas and Pool Rules
The resort operates three distinct pools: the Kasbah Pool (the main family pool with a poolside bar), the adults-only Oasis Pool, and the Joya Terrace rooftop pool reserved for spa guests. Kasbah and Oasis hours are 5:00 AM–10:00 PM; Joya Terrace hours differ and are tied to spa access.
Pool access is limited to registered resort guests, cabana guests, and ResortPass day-pass guests. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at the Kasbah Pool, and flotation rules limit pool toys to wearable devices only.
- Kasbah Pool: family-friendly, poolside bar; children under 12 require adult supervision
- Oasis Pool: adults-only quieter pool
- Joya Terrace Pool: reserved for spa guests receiving treatments
- Common pool rules: no non-wearable flotation devices, no glass, no smoking, no amplified music
| Pool | Primary use | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Kasbah Pool | Family/main pool | 5:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Oasis Pool | Adults-only | 5:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Joya Terrace Pool | Spa guests only | Joya Spa hours / limited access |
Spa, Wellness and Fitness
Joya Spa is a 31,000-square-foot facility inspired by Moroccan and Andalusian design and includes an authentic Hammam, treatment rooms, sauna and steam options. Spa hours are Sunday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:30 PM and Friday–Saturday 8:30 AM–6:30 PM.
The resort has a 24-hour fitness center with treadmills, weight equipment, and stationary bikes (the property also offers Pilates and yoga classes). Specialty fitness classes have a fee for guests and local visitors.
- Spa reservations window listed from 8:00 AM for treatments; arrive 30 minutes early for your first appointment
- A 20% service charge applies to spa services (per resort policy)
- Fitness center access included with resort fee; classes have a per-class charge
| Service | Notes | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Joya Spa treatments | Bookable; signature body experiences available | Sun–Thu 8:30 AM–5:30 PM; Fri–Sat 8:30 AM–6:30 PM |
| Joya Terrace pool (spa guests) | Pool access reserved for spa guests | Hours align with spa opening |
| Fitness center | Open to guests 16 and over; 24-hour access | 24 hours |
Dining and Bars on Property
On-site dining options include Prado (Spanish restaurant serving wood-fired tapas and paellas; dinner reservations are required), Mbar (bar with tapas and cocktails), Taqueria Centro (casual tacos and salads), Crave Café (coffee, gelato, light bites), and Joya Terrace (rooftop dining reserved for spa guests).
Hours vary by venue; Prado offers breakfast and weekend brunch in addition to dinner service, and Crave Café opens early for coffee and gelato.
- Prado: breakfast, brunch (weekends), and dinner; dinner reservations required
- Mbar: cocktails and tapas; evening hours extend later on weekends
- Taqueria Centro: lunch & dinner (Sunday–Thursday hours noted)
- Crave Café: daily 6:00 AM–6:00 PM with a Gelato Happy Hour 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
| Venue | Typical service | Notable hours |
|---|---|---|
| Prado | Breakfast, brunch (weekends), dinner | Breakfast ~7:00 AM start; Dinner 5:00 PM–9:00/10:00 PM |
| Mbar | Cocktails and tapas | 4:00 PM–10:00 PM (Fri–Sat until 11:00 PM) |
| Taqueria Centro | Casual Mexican—tacos, salads | 11:00 AM–8:00 PM (Sun–Thurs) |
Family Attractions and Nearby Sites
Several family-friendly attractions are within about a 15-minute drive: OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland, and Topgolf Scottsdale are commonly recommended nearby activities. The Desert Botanical Garden is also roughly a 15-minute drive for visitors interested in desert plants and easy paths.
On-site family amenities include the Kasbah Pool and on-property activities; the hotel can assist with tour and ticket bookings to local attractions through concierge or front-desk services.
- OdySea Aquarium and Butterfly Wonderland: about 15 minutes by car
- Topgolf Scottsdale: about 15 minutes by car
- Desert Botanical Garden: roughly 15 minutes by car
| Attraction | Approx. drive time from hotel | Type |
|---|---|---|
| OdySea Aquarium | ~15 minutes | Aquarium |
| Butterfly Wonderland | ~15 minutes | Butterfly conservatory |
| Desert Botanical Garden | ~15 minutes | Botanical garden |
Shopping, Old Town Scottsdale and Practical Tips
Scottsdale Fashion Square and Old Town Scottsdale's shops and galleries are both about a 10-minute drive from the resort, offering everything from major retailers to local boutiques and art galleries. The resort also offers on-site retail options.
Practical notes: the resort is roughly a 15–20 minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport depending on traffic. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 PM (noon); guests 21 and older may check in and a valid card with a chip is required at arrival.
- Scottsdale Fashion Square: ~10-minute drive
- Old Town Scottsdale: ~10-minute drive for galleries and nightlife
- Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor ~15–20 minutes by car depending on traffic
- On-site parking and valet options are available (fees vary)
| Need to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; Check-out 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Minimum age to check in | 21 years old (guests 17 and younger are children) |
| Resort fee inclusions | Includes fitness access and premier in-room WiFi among other items |
