
The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa
Best for families and active travelers who want a water-park-style pool complex, kids' activities, and easy access to Kierland Commons.
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The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is a large, family-oriented North Scottsdale resort with a 900-foot lazy river, waterslide, FlowRider and on-site golf—good for families and active travelers. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a landmark, full-service luxury resort with multiple pools, a large event/conference footprint and on-site golf—best for travelers who want big-resort facilities or who are attending events.
Updated · about 3.4 km (2.1 miles) apart

Best for families and active travelers who want a water-park-style pool complex, kids' activities, and easy access to Kierland Commons.

Best for guests who want a sprawling luxury resort with many pool options, signature restaurants like La Hacienda, and extensive event/conference facilities.
When The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa wins: choose Westin Kierland if you're traveling with kids or a multi-generation group and want the Adventure Water Park, a dedicated kids club, easy access to Kierland Commons, and on-site family programming.
When Fairmont Scottsdale Princess wins: choose the Fairmont if you need a resort with multiple distinct pool experiences, a larger number of restaurants and bars, and major event or conference space (or you want more room-type/club-lounge options).
Bottom line: both are big, full-service Scottsdale resorts with golf, spas and strong pool offerings. Pick Westin Kierland for a Kierland-centered, family and activity-focused stay; pick Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for a more expansive, event-oriented luxury resort with many pool and dining choices.
| Category | The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-forward, activity-heavy (water park, kids club, pickleball) | Resort-scale luxury and events (large conference/wedding facilities, many pools) |
| Location | Adjacent to Kierland Commons and a short shuttle/walk to shopping/dining | In North Scottsdale, a short drive to Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter |
| Size (rooms) | 735 guest rooms | 750 guest rooms (listing shows 750 rooms) |
| Who can stay | All ages (family-friendly; kids club; adults-only pool available) | |
| Pools & water features | Adventure Water Park: 900-foot lazy river, 110-foot waterslide, FlowRider; plus an adults-only Aguamiel Pool | Multiple pool options — listing shows Number of outdoor pools: 6 and 2 hot tubs; pool cabanas available (surcharge) |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Faro & Brag, Indigo Poolside Bar & Grill, Brittlebush, Ritual Market & Coffee, Luma Lounge, Antidote, The Scotch Library historically) | Multiple on-site venues (listing notes 5 restaurants, 4 bars/lounges, 3 poolside bars; signature La Hacienda named) |
| Spa & wellness | Agave, The Arizona Spa — 15,000 sq ft, 20 treatment rooms, fitness studio (WestinWORKOUT) | Full-service spa on site offering massages, facials and body treatments (listing notes spa services and treatment rooms) |
| Event space / meetings | Extensive event facilities (largest ballroom 24,395 sq ft; many ballrooms and outdoor venues; total event space large) | Large conference space (listing: conference space 4,274 m² / 46,005 sq ft) and extensive meeting facilities |
| Golf | Westin Kierland Golf Club on site (27 holes/three 9-hole courses) | Golf on site (Fairmont has golf and golf lessons; golf driving range listed) |
| Parking & transport notes | Self-parking and valet available for a surcharge; resort shuttle to Kierland Commons included in resort fee | Self-parking available (surcharge) and valet (surcharge); near Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons by short drive |
The Westin Kierland sits directly next to Kierland Commons, within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants.
Pick Westin Kierland if proximity to Kierland Commons and walkable shopping/dining matters most.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is also in North Scottsdale and close to Kierland Commons, but set on a larger, more self-contained property.
Pick Fairmont if you want a large resort compound with resort-style amenities a short drive from Kierland shopping.
Westin Kierland offers a broad set of room types and suites across 735 rooms, with family-friendly layouts and recent renovations.
Choose Westin Kierland for family-oriented room configurations and a large inventory of renovated rooms.
Fairmont offers many room types including Fairmont Gold junior suites, Privado studios/suites and one-bedroom suites with fireplaces.
Choose Fairmont if you want a wider array of premium suite styles and club-lounge options.
Westin Kierland has a mix of casual and polished dining options that suit families and evening dining.
Pick Westin Kierland for straightforward, family-friendly dining with a few more polished evening options.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess lists multiple restaurants and bars, including La Hacienda and several poolside venues.
Pick Fairmont if you want a higher count of distinct restaurants and poolside bar choices.
Westin Kierland's headline amenity is the Adventure Water Park and family programming around it.
Pick Westin Kierland for a water-park-style pool experience and clear family-focused programming.
Fairmont offers multiple pool experiences spread across its large property and poolside service.
Pick Fairmont if you want multiple, separate pool environments and extensive poolside dining/service.
Westin Kierland centers wellness around Agave, The Arizona Spa plus a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT studio.
Pick Westin Kierland for a large spa and easy access to fitness classes as part of the resort experience.
Fairmont offers on-site spa services, fitness offerings and multiple evening bar/lounge options.
Pick Fairmont for broad evening options and a full-service spa combined with club-lounge room tiers.

Westin Kierland — Adventure Water Park, Westin Family Kids Club, and family-oriented room layouts.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — extensive event space and a reputation for large-scale weddings and conferences.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — multiple outdoor pools, poolside bars and cabana options across the property.

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa — 900-ft lazy river, 110-ft waterslide and FlowRider make it the clearer pick for water-park activities.
The Westin Kierland is the stronger pick for families because of the Adventure Water Park, kids club and family-oriented activities.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and Westin Kierland both have large event facilities; Fairmont is positioned as especially event-driven while Westin Kierland also offers very large ballrooms—check the event specs for your date and space needs.
Both resorts have policies around pool access, cabanas and day-pass options; Fairmont lists cabanas and pool cabanas at surcharge, and Westin Kierland has day-pass rules—confirm current policies with the resort before arrival.
Both properties restrict spa facilities to adults for certain areas: Westin Kierland requires guests be 18+ for spa/day-pass facilities; Fairmont lists spa services and typically reserves some spa areas for adults—confirm specifics with the property.
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