Is The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes—The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is worth it for travelers who want a large, activity-rich Scottsdale resort with on-site golf, multiple pools (including a family water park and an adults-only pool), and many dining options. It’s less compelling if you prioritize a quiet, boutique stay or want all meals included—expect a mandatory daily resort fee and possible renovation work in public areas.
In this guide
Location & getting there
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa sits at 6902 E Greenway Pkwy, adjacent to Kierland Commons in North Scottsdale. Kierland Commons is an easy walk (about 1–3 minutes), and Scottsdale Quarter is also within a short drive or walk depending on your pace.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the closest major airport; drive time depends on traffic but commonly runs about 26–40 minutes. The resort offers a shuttle to Kierland Commons; taxis and rideshares are the usual options to and from the airport.
- Address: 6902 E Greenway Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
- Shuttle service to Kierland Commons included with resort fee
- Nearest major airport: PHX (roughly 26–40 minutes by car)
| Nearby | Approx. travel |
|---|---|
| Kierland Commons | 1–3 minute walk |
| Scottsdale Quarter | Short drive / 10–15 minute walk |
| OdySea Aquarium | About a 15-minute drive (source distances vary) |
Rooms and who they suit
The resort has 735 guest rooms across many room types, from Traditional Room to Presidential Suite, so you can choose compact standard rooms or larger one-bedroom and luxury suites. Examples include Traditional Room, Room, Pool View, Junior Suite, Suite, 1 Bedroom, Luxury Suite, 1 Bedroom and Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom.
Room sizes and layouts vary; suites (for example Suite, 1 Bedroom and Suite, 1 Bedroom, Resort View) give separate living space and kitchenettes in some configurations, which helps families or guests staying longer.
- Good choices for families: Room, Pool View; Junior Suite, Resort View; Suite, 1 Bedroom, Resort View
- Couples or solo travelers may prefer: Traditional Room or Room, Mountain View for quieter outlooks
- Guests with accessibility needs: Room, Resort View (Mobility/, Tub) and Room, Resort View (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) are offered
| Room example | Notes |
|---|---|
| Traditional Room | Basic guest room; 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
| Deluxe Room, Pool View | Larger footprint with pool-facing balcony; 2 Queen Beds |
| Suite, 1 Bedroom | Separate living area and bedroom; 1 King Bed |
Pools, water park and family features
If pools and family activities matter, this is a strong pick: the on-site Adventure Water Park includes a 900-foot lazy river, a 110-foot waterslide (42-inch height requirement), and a FlowRider simulator. The property also runs the Westin Family Kids Club (ages 4–12) with supervised activities.
For adults wanting quieter time, the Aguamiel Pool is an adults-only heated pool (18+), with lap lanes, a hot tub and private cabanas near Agave, The Arizona Spa.
- Adventure Water Park — lazy river, 110-foot waterslide, FlowRider
- Aguamiel Pool — adults-only (18+), lap lanes and hot tub
- Kids club for ages 4–12; specific program fees and schedules apply
| Pool/feature | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Adventure Water Park | Families and children (all ages) |
| Aguamiel Pool (adults-only) | Guests 18 and older |
| Pool day-pass | Non-overnight visitors require a day pass (hours and rules vary) |
Dining, bar scene and the spa
On-site dining covers casual poolside options to more polished American dining. Key outlets include Faro & Brag (breakfast, lunch, dinner), Indigo Poolside Bar & Grill (poolside lunch/snacks) and Brittlebush Bar & Grill (casual/gastro pub). Ritual Market & Coffee handles early coffee and grab-and-go items.
Agave, The Arizona Spa is the resort spa (about 15,000 sq ft) offering massages, facials, body treatments and a salon. Spa hours and specific services can vary by season; guests must be 18+ for spa pool/day-pass facilities.
- Faro & Brag — modern American (breakfast/lunch/dinner; hours vary)
- Indigo Poolside Bar & Grill — poolside lunches and beverages
- The Scotch Library — scotch-focused bar (check current availability; some outlets have seen temporary closures during renovations)
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Faro & Brag | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (hours listed on site) |
| Indigo Poolside Bar & Grill | Lunch & pool snacks |
| Ritual Market & Coffee | Coffee and grab-and-go (early morning to evening) |
Meetings, weddings and event spaces
The resort is a major meetings and wedding venue. Marriott lists large ballrooms (including the Kierland Grand Ballroom) and dozens of breakout rooms with over 259,000 sq ft of event space—suitable for conferences, large weddings and trade events.
There are a range of indoor and outdoor venues (Kierland Ballroom, Herberger Ballroom, Trailblazer's Ballroom, Marshall's Outpost Pavilion and Northern Sky Terrace) with capacities that span small private events to several-thousand-guest functions.
- Kierland Grand Ballroom: largest indoor space (24,395 sq ft; listed capacity figures available on Marriott’s events pages)
- Multiple ballrooms and outdoor terraces for ceremonies and receptions
- Event services and private dining rooms available—contact the resort for current package details
| Venue | Use case |
|---|---|
| Kierland Grand Ballroom | Large conferences and big weddings |
| Marshall's Outpost Pavilion | Garden/outdoor ceremonies |
| Northern Sky Terrace | Lakeside terrace with golf views |
Value, fees and who should book it
The property charges a mandatory daily resort fee that covers items like fitness classes for two, shuttle service to Kierland Commons, pickleball access, a wellness ritual, and enhanced high-speed Wi‑Fi. Parking (self and valet) and spa/treatment costs are typically extra.
Choose this resort if you want on-site golf, extensive family-friendly pools and many on-property activities. Skip it if you want a small, quiet boutique hotel or an all-inclusive rate—meals and drinks are not included in standard room rates.
- Mandatory daily resort fee includes select perks—check your booking confirmation for what’s included
- Parking and spa treatments are additional charges in most cases
- Renovation work is underway in some public areas (lobby, bars, pool upgrades), so verify current status before booking if public-space condition is important
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large property with many activities (golf, water park, spa) | Can feel busy; less intimate than small hotels |
| Good dining variety on-site | Mandatory resort fee and extra charges add to total cost |
| Strong event/wedding facilities | Ongoing multi-phase renovation may affect some public spaces |
Practical tips and accessibility
Standard check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM. The registered guest checking in must be at least 18 years old. The resort is smoke-free and offers accessible rooms and features (accessible parking, ramps, accessible spa facilities).
If traveling with pets, the resort is pet-friendly in designated rooms—confirm pet fees, weight limits and rules when booking. For fitness, the WestinWORKOUT studio has 24-hour room-key access and complementary use for guests; some spa/facility access rules and day-pass fees apply to non-participants in the resort fee.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM; Check-out: 11:00 AM
- Minimum age to check in: 18 years
- Resort is smoke-free and offers accessible rooms and services
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio | 24-hour room-key access; included for guests |
| Spa access | Guests 18+ for spa pool/day-pass; treatments vary by appointment |
| Parking | Self and valet available for a surcharge |
