6 Reasons to Stay at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale

If you follow us on social media, or on the blog, you might have seen that our stay at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale was to surprise my visiting family from Australia.

Westin Kierland Resort and Spa
Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale

We flew into Phoenix from our home in Raleigh, but they weren’t expecting to see us until two weeks later in Los Angeles for our trip to Disneyland.

They were in Scottsdale staying at another hotel down the road to kick-off their four week USA road trip, so I thought why not bring our kids to Arizona and surprise them early, and to join them for their Grand Canyon trip via Sedona and then onto Las Vegas and LA!

We snuck into the Westin Kierland which is located in the heart of “new” Scottsdale.

This was our first time in the greater Phoenix area, and the minute we arrived at the resort we could feel we had arrived at some type of oasis in the Arizona desert.

palm trees
cactus and a pond
Westin Lierland Resort and Spa, Scottsdale
View from our room

Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, the Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale is a large resort with many activities for adults and kids, and for those looking for relaxation by a pool, to pamper themselves at a full service spa, or to indulge in a round of golf, or three!

Whilst we spent a fair amount of time resort-hopping between here and my parents resort down the road, we enjoyed our limited time here.

The resort offers Westin standard amenities and facilities the entire family can enjoy.

It was HOT when we visited in September (does it ever get cold in Scottsdale?), and as you’ll see down below our kids had fun cooling off in the resorts water park.

So whether your looking for golf resorts in Scottsdale, spas in Scottsdale, or a family-friendly hotel, read on for a sneak peek at what the Westin Kierland has to offer!

Kid-Friendly Pool and Water Park

people swimming in a pool

There are two nice pool areas at the resort.

One for adults only which has a big pool and a hot tub. And then the main pool and water park area with a larger pool, a 110-foot water slide, a 900 foot lazy river, and cabanas and islands.

Westin Kierland resort spa sedona
Adults only pool

There’s also a flow rider (think simulated surfing in the desert) which operates during certain hours, and unfortunately we didn’t time our days to ride this – next time!

My kids love a lazy river and water slide and the water park is a good one here at the Western Kierland Resort in Scottsdale.

Being September, it was sunny skies and 100 degrees out of the pool so this was our favorite part of the resort during our stay.

people swimming in a pool

The fact that our two-day stay at the Western Kierland was the beginning of a what was to be a month long family road trip, it was a relaxing start to our vacation!

Even though this hotel is on a golf course, it’s not all about the golfers and this is one of the family-friendly aspects to the resort – there’s also a kids club!

Westin Kierland Resort
Awesome water slide and lazy river at the Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale
lounge chairs by the pool
people swimming in a pool

Rooms with Golf Course & Mountain Views!

man standing on a balcony

If you’re here for golf, you’ll get inspired every time you draw your curtains and step out onto your private terrace!

Even though we weren’t here for golf, we enjoyed waking up to this view each morning overlooking the lush golf course and distant mountain range – we instantly knew we were in Arizona!

window with a view of a golf course

Our room was clean, modern and spacious enough for the three of us.

We had a small fridge which was handy for keeping drinks cold, the leather armchair was nice to relax and read in, and I got some work done at the over-sized desk with the fast hotel Wi-Fi.

At the Western Kierland, you have several room options for whether you are traveling solo, with your kids like me, for business travel or in a large group of golfing buddies!

Every room offers a private balcony or terrace, some with these magnificent views, and a variety of modern suites that include pullout sofas, flat-panel TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, ergonomic workstations, fully equipped kitchens, and Westin’s signature Heavenly® Bath with a tub, shower, spa amenities and bathrobe in each guestroom.

Westin Kierland Resort rooms

If you want a quieter room, consider booking one that doesn’t overlook the main courtyard, as it could be loud during the evening socializing hours.

Golf Courses at Your Fingertips

Westin Kierland Resort Golf Course

If you visit with any golfers in the family, or you come here specifically on a golf trip, you have the choice of three golf courses directly connected to the resort at Kierland Golf Club.

Kierland Golf Club includes the 9 hole courses of Acacia, Ironwood, and Mesquite, featuring multiple tees, generous fairways and greens.

The courses look beautiful, and to access them simply walk five minutes from the resort or take the hotel shuttle.

overview of a golf course
people on a golf course
pond in a golf course
golf course with trees

Facilities also include:

  • Clubhouse and Golf Shop
  • Rentals and Lessons
  • Driving range and Putting green
  • Clubhouse Restaurant
  • Golf Program available for Juniors

Ten Dining Options

Courtyard at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
Courtyard at Westin Kierland

You won’t go hungry through lack of dining choices at the Western Keirland. And I liked the option of being able to either eat indoors or outdoors and to really experience the Arizona landscape and climate.

For breakfast, the kids and I enjoyed the buffet at Nellie Cashman’s Monday Club Café with its generous spread of typical breakfast buffet items.

I found the quality to be good with plenty of healthy options.

Breakfast at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
Nellie Cashman’s

Besides breakfast, Nellie Cashman’s offers Southwestern cuisine for dinner such as USDA-graded prime cuts of beef tenderloin, New York strip, rib-eye, flat-iron, and hamburgers.

For one of our lunches we dined at the Brittlebush Bar & Grill which offers modern gastro pub-style menu and is located in The Westin Kierland Golf Club with sweeping views of the golf course and nearby mountains.

It’s a beautiful lodge-like setting right on the practice putting greens and driving range, and casual enough for me to take the kids for either lunch or dinner.

They also have a full bar including a selection of micro-brewed beers from local breweries and the Resort’s own label, “Piper’s Pale Ale.”

Lunch at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
Brittlebush Bar & Grill

There are plenty of bars on the property like the The Rim Bar in the lobby, offering specialty cocktails, premium tequilas and an award-winning selection of wines and vintage cigars.

The lobby area also features a Scotch library where you can try a variety of premium Scotch labels. Plus numerous seating areas, a coffee shop, and a gift shop.

Scotch library at Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona

And there is the Waltz & Weiser Whiskey Bar and Cantina featuring an upscale bar and saloon type experience with fine whiskeys and tequilas, and on cooler times of the year sit around the fire pit.

If you’re a sports fan like myself, my dad and brother in-law enjoyed watching Monday Night Football on the gigantic screen outside in the courtyard – such a cool experience under the Arizona sky!

building
Big screen in the courtyard

Speaking of the courtyard, besides the pool area it was our favorite place to hang out and relax in either early morning for a coffee, or late afternoon for a beer to escape the high heat in the middle of the day.

The kids would like to come back in the cooler months and  roast s’mores over the impressive fire pit that has views of the course.

place to stay in scottsdale arizona
Beautiful courtyard at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona
Courtyard at Westin Kierland

It’s a Resort and SPA!

If your getaway revolves around some relaxation and pampering and you’re looking for Spas in Scottsdake AZ, there’s an on-site full service spa at the Westin.

I unfortunately didn’t get to indulge on this trip, and Caz, who loves a good spa treatment, was in New York attending a conference.

But Scottsdale is known for their spas, and we would love to come back and include a spa treatment on our next visit.

The resort is home to the Agave, The Arizona Spa which offers treatments inspired by traditional practices handed down through many of Arizona’s native cultures.

Treatments include massages, manicures and pedicures, facials, and much more.

Great Location

hotel

Location is important to us, especially when traveling with kids, as we like to be in a practical location with enough activities on offer to keep them satisfied, and the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa has one of the best-rated locations in Scottsdale.

A handy feature of this resort is that you can walk or take their free hotel shuttle to Kierland Commons for upscale shopping, dining and entertainment

There’s over 70 retailers and eateries like two of our family favorites, Shake Shack and The Cheescake Factory!

So if you don’t feel like dining at the resort, you have some nice options!

Also a short drive away is TPC Scottsdale Golf Club (a PGA Tour public course and home to the Phoenix Open) featuring two legendary courses,  Scottsdale Airport and WestWorld.

The Westin proved to be a great base for us in Scottsdale, and I know the kids would be excited for another stay!

Book your stay at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa through our partner Booking.com

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