Montelucia Resort & Spa-A Spanish Slice in Arizona

Montelucia Resort & Spa

You wouldn’t expect a slice of Spain nestled in the Camelback Mountains in Paradise Valley, Arizona, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at the luxurious InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa.

The newly-opened 293-room property is inspired by the Andalucia region of Southern Spain. This clear influence is reflected in the resort’s rich colors, its fountain-filled courtyards and its more than 170 antiques sprinkled throughout. (Think 16th-century hand-carved doors imported from Andalucia, Spain.)
The 340-acre Andalucian-like village is filled with Moorish touches that will make you forget you’re in the middle of the desert. Yet the resort’s garden terraces and patio views afford stunning vistas of the surrounding 2,704-foot-high Camelback Mountain. In fact, Montelucia Resort & Spa is located in the heart of Paradise Valley, Arizona. The $325 million dollar property is just minutes from Scottsdale, a city infamous in Arizona for its world-class dining, shopping, spas and nightlife. Though newly opened last fall, it’s already received national attention from press like Spa Magazine, Robb Report and New York Times Magazine. The resort was also featured in Travel & Leisure’s 2009 “It List” and Condé Nast Traveler’s “World’s Top New 140 Hotels.”

The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa includes six restaurants, 27,000 square feet of meeting space, 16 meeting rooms, and a 31,000 –sq.-ft spa. Two hundred and fifty three guest rooms make up the resort along with 40 luxurious suites, all including the latest top-of-the-line amenities like flat-panel televisions, wireless Internet access, feather beds, oversized tubs and stunning scenery. Two 3,000 –sq. –ft. suites include private pools and patios while the special Camelback suite includes private bride and groom bedrooms.

But what’s perhaps becoming most notable about the property is its expansive luxury spa, Joya. Designed by renowned spa designer/genius, Sylvia Sepielli, the spa incorporates the same Moorish décor present throughout the property blended with Sepeilli’s knack for creating serene spaces.

Joya boasts 14 treatment rooms and five oversize private suites that feature luxurious amenities like private baths and outdoor showers. For the true luxury traveler, the Joya Palace Suite is the ultimate indulgence. The 850 –sq.-ft. treatment room includes a Queen-size day bed, an oversized bathtub, fireplace, indoor whirlpool, flat-panel television and floor-to-ceiling doors.

Spa-goers also have access to Joya’s rooftop pool with private cabanas, 24-hour fitness center , a full-service salon and a retail boutique, Joya Bazaar which offers all sorts of signature spa products and accessories.

At Joya, pampering is definitely on the agenda and with each treatment guests can choose to begin with a 25-minute Hamman-style spa journey therapy session. Spa-goers begin by entering a domed room to relax on a heated platform. Then, guests receive a scrub in a tiled treatment room followed by a relaxing steam in the steam room. A refreshing wash under the waterfall and a dip in the whirlpool where muscles are massaged is next. The session ends with a visit to the sauna and then guests are escorted back into the lobby to await their treatment.

Relaxation like that found at Joya Spa can work up quite the appetite. Luckily, Montelucia Resort & Spa offers six unique restaurant venues to choose from, each featuring different cuisine sto taste. Montelucia’s signature restaurant, Prado, features wood-fired grilling and their bar offers tapas dining and a tantalizing selection of tequilas.

For those seeking more healthful fare, Joya Terrace at Joya Spa is a great option and its rooftop pool location affords breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain. For those lounging poolside a variety of dining options are available. And for the sweet tooth, Crave Café is a definite must-stop. The café offers gourmet coffees, wine, chocolate and more. With any of the restaurants, 24-hour in-room dining is available.

Montelucia Resort & Spa also hosts the the only wedding chapel in Arizona to be hosted on a hotel property.The venue, Castillo Lucena, can accommodate several hundred guests. Alternately, couples can also choose a courtyard garden wedding with Camelback Mountain as the backdrop.
Five pools, a 24-hour business center, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, luxurious rooms, unforgettable dining and an indulgent spa make up the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. Other amenities include golf course access, a kids club, same-day dry cleaning and more. With these kinds of offerings, it’s no reason why Montelucia Resort & Spa is quickly becoming a favorite place to stay. In fact, even President Barack Obama checked in to the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa during his most recent visit to Arizona.

To learn more, visit www.icmontelucia.com.