Westin Kierland Villas

Fantastic 2 weeks at the Westin Kierland Villas

by TripAdvisor Member Natronic

My wife and I and our two young children (ages 5 and 2) just returned from 2 weeks of pure relaxation at the Westin Kierland Villas.

We arrived Sunday May 14th at close to midnight with luggage and two travel weary children in tow. The front desk clerk was incredibly friendly, efficient and quickly brought a crib and high chair to our room. We had booked a "B" side unit for the first week and an "A" side for the second week, but the Westin provided us with an "A" side (larger villa) for the entire two week stay.

Since we knew that we wouldn't be arriving the first night until midnight, we had pre-ordered groceries through the Villas "pre-stock grocery service", and sure enough, all of the groceries we had ordered were in our fridge upon arrival. The prices charged for these groceries were pretty fair and the convenience couldn't be beat. I really recommend this service for those families travelling with young kids. It's great to have milk and juice and some snacks upon arrival.

We crashed quickly that night and awoke the next morning to brilliant sunshine, and a view off of our balcony of the Kierland golf course and the mountains to the north of Scottsdale. We were on the fourth floor of villas building number 5. Buildings 3 and 5 face the golf course while buildings 1, 2 and 4 face the central pool.

The room was beautiful, exactly the same as the pictures on the Starwood Vacations website. Fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, washer and dryer in the villa, dining room table for six, comfortable living room with 2 chairs and a couch / hide-a-bed, large bedroom with king sized heavenly bed, and a bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub and a separate glass enclosed shower (huge!!). The villa was fully equipped and they also provide a starter kit of sorts (ie. dishwasher soap, laundry soap, bathroom soaps and shampoos, as well as a couple of packages of Starbucks coffee and sugars, creamers, etc.). Nothing has been overlooked in these villas!

I really can't complain about anything respecting the resort over our 14 day stay. The room was great, the pool and waterslide were a huge hit with our kids. The pool was very clean, and the lifeguards were very attentive and friendly. There were fun activities for the kids around the pool each day (rubber duck races and watermelon eating contests). The food and beverage staff around the pool were efficient and pleasant and the prices for drinks and food poolside was actually quite reasonable.

The walk to the Westin Hotel and Spa was maybe 300 yards from the villas or you could take the free shuttle bus over there. The Hotel pool was huge and includes a lazy river and they have a longer waterslide than the villa pools. Again, the food at the Hotel pool was tasty and reasonably priced.

The hotel has a well organized Westin Cactus kids club and our 5 year old had a great day there (crafts, swimming, lunch, and some souveniers including a Westin hat were all provided).

Evening entertainment at the Hotel included a bagpiper in the main courtyard each evening. The setting of the main courtyard is breathtaking!

As our kids are so young, we decided not to do any day trips to Sedona or the Grand Canyon (maybe next time when we return to the Kierland Villas). We just hung out at the pools, went shopping, and played a few rounds of golf (Sanctuary Golf Club as well as the Camelback Club Course were very accomodating in allowing my 5 year old son to golf with me at no charge). Cracker Jax and Fiddlesticks amusement parks also provided a few days of fun for the kids (we preferred Fiddlesticks as the mini-golf courses were better and they had kiddie rides that our 2 year could go on).

As you can tell, we loved the Kierland Villas and plan on going back next year!

Nathan from Regina Saskatchewan Canada

Relaxing Getaway

by TripAdvisor Member jenbayler

My friend and I decided to get away for our 40th Birthdays. We wanted somewhere warm and relaxing for a weekend get away. We choose the Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale, AZ. This is the time-share complex connected to the Westin Kierland Resort. It was a wonderful facility, we had a one bedroom villa with a full kitchen and washer and dryer, and a beautiful balcony and a pull out couch. The facility has two pools: an adult pool with lovely cabanas and bar and food service and a family pool with slide,ping pong table and basketball net in pool; workout room, business center, concierge service and shuttle service to main resort. Everyone who worked at the resort was wonderful, they were all friendly, warm and genuinely helpful. You could go to the main resort and use thier amenities at any time (the Agave Spa was absolutely wonderful!). We would often go at night to the main resort to the huge main outside patio/lounge with firepit, latern warmers and blankets around and full service bar and food. It was a great way to spend a relaxing evening. Also within walking distance was the Kierland Common Shopping center. The stores were upscale and the walking mall was beautifully adorned with flowers and lovely windows.
It was a wonderful get away for us and we would go back in a heartbeat. Super!

Wonderful time share trade!

by TripAdvisor Member BeachLoverWarren_OH

We traded our week for the Westin Kierland Villas. It was a one bedroom unit which is smaller than our home site but there was a queen size sleeper sofa. It contained a kitchen with fridge, stove top, microwave, dishwasher, and all needed utensils. The bathroom was quite large with all the necessities such as shampoo,etc. There was also a small washer and dryer which came in handy. We used the pools at the hotel as well as the villas. The kids enjoyed both equally because they offered different experiences. The hotel pool has a nice size lazy river and larger water slide as well as a large pool. The villas had a smaller pool but larger than most hotels with a smaller water slide, volleyball net, and basketball hoop in the pool. All the necessary water toys were also provided. The hours of operation was hazy because the pool was opened earlier and later than the hours told to us at check-in (9:30 - 5:30). We used the pools by 9:00 each morning and until at least 7:00 on many occasions. There is also one other pool that is opened 24 hours a day. There were pool attendants that came by usually every half hour or so to bring complimentary pitchers of ice water and plastic cups because it was 112 degrees. There was also poolside food service which was very good but a little on the expensive side - $12.00 for a chicken sandwich. This was our first experience with Arizona and it was wonderful. THe Kierland Commons is across the street from the hotel so there are many restaurant choices such as Cheescake Factory, PF Changs, Tommy Bahamas, etc. and many shopping options. We chose to drive from the Villas to the hotel when we used their services because it took only a few minutes and we had control of our schedule. But the Villas would provide free shuttle service as well.

Lovely Property, Delightful Stay

by TripAdvisor Member piacere

To start this review, I guess I should disclose that after staying for five days at the Westin Kierland Villas, my husband and I decided to buy into their vacation interval (aka timeshare) program. I've noted in reading reviews over time that those who "own" membership at a property sometimes provide a more positive view than those who do not, so thought I'd disclose possible bias right up front! :-) That said, we found this to be a lovely property at which we had a delightful stay. We visited in mid January, which I understand is "high season" and while the parking lot was full, one never had the sense that there were many people at the property. Three large pools were never crowded and the spacious grounds were always nicely quiet. There is a barbeque/picnic area that has a view out across the golf course as well as two built in gas barbeques for those wanting to "grill in". We stayed in the premium one bedroom unit (there are smaller lock off studios available as well)and found it to be nicely appointed, with full kitchen, and with a great bed and bathroom as well as a (small) patio. Our only complaint has to do with room location. I have just recently started using a wheelchair (at age 50ish) and have found that in many facilities, the ADA accessible rooms are relegated to the least desireable locations on property, as was this room. Management assures us that better sited ADA rooms ARE on property but just weren't available for our stay. That said, the bedroom/bathroom set up was the best that I've ever used at any hotel for wheelchair access and among the best for any purpose. There is a small exercise room and business center on site as well as a "coffee shop/deli". Staff was very friendly. The property itself is conveniently located to freeways and to nearby Kierland Commons mall, to which there is shuttle service available. Although we aren't golfers, we hear the associated golf course is good to play and the associated Westin Kierland Hotel has a couple of good restaurants. We understand that the "going rate" on these rooms is "spendy". (Our special package averaged only about $85/night.) We're looking forward to a return trip.

Real Close to a Five Star!!!

by TripAdvisor Member amrdia

We stayed at the Westin Kierland Villas 4/16/06 for six nights (arriving on Easter). We were offered a promotion for four nights at $350 plus tax approx $435. We also received a card worth $100 at golf, spa, gift shops or meals/bars. We were not required to take a tour. We also stayed two nights longer. So the offer is very legit.

I mentioned we arrived on Easter Sunday. The only glitech was at check-in. We requested early arrival check-in it was not available. Our room was guaranteed for 4pm. I mentioned it was Easter because they hire mostly Mexicans who seem to be mostly Christians who would be observing the holy day. I respect that. The resort should have more forsight to this possibilit. Our room was finally available at 530pm. The resort offered without being asked to provide at very nice dinner at the other Westin for my family of 4. $216.
No problem here.

Our room was in building 3it overlooks golf course and moutains. It was 900 sq ft with king bed, gas fireplace, full kitchen with granite counters tops and washer/dryer.

The service was impeccable. They have a "greeter" by the name of Rob. He reminds you of Hobbs in the movie Arthur. Always around and very, very accomodating. If you look like you may need assistance just a little bit he notices and offers his expertise. He was in the lobby, the parking lot, the dual pool areas, the walk way. I swore there must have been twins. Very nice touch.
There is a 'quiet pool" and a family pool. The quiet pool is more so than the family pool but alas some people still cannot understand that we are there to relax not be annoyed with their children. This pools has cabannas 5. Get there early to reserve about 7-730am. First come first served. However plenty of loungers.
The propert alos has out door gas fire places and well groomed grounds.
The propert has a nice sauna/locker room, workout center with tread mills with TVs, and a business center with high speed computers. all included.
The conciergs will give you printed out directions to restruants and local attractions. But their main job is to set up appointments for the time share. They are not pushy. They are also a great resource and friendly. I recommend Marlena.
It was very difficult to find anything to complain about. But here goes they could use music around the pools (light stuff).
Would most definitely go back. No we did not buy time share!

Beautiful Vacation Villas

by A TripAdvisor Member

My wife and I took up the offer we received in the mail to check out the Kierland Villas, knowing full well that there would be a sales pitch for buying into their time share opportunity. Well, skeptical going in but WOW, were we impressed. Our villa was beautifully furnished, with art pieces and every appliance available as in our house back home. Two big tv's, one in the living area and another in the bedroom. A super sized bathroom with ceramic tiling and granite counter tops. The balcony was big with a nice sitting area overlooking the golf course and the Camel Back mountains. The grounds were very well kept and the pool area was very clean. The market grill served fantastic food (I recomend the chedder burgers and fries) and the service was second to none. Need a lift to the Commons? No problem. Ask for a shuttle ride. Every shuttle we took, only 2 or 3 minutes wait, everytime. I honestly don't know what was better... the architectural beauty of the villas, the freindly staff and service, or the natural beauty of Scottsdale, AZ.

Thanks to the Westin and Starwood for a wonderful week of fun and relaxation. And yes, I did buy my time share and I'm thankful I did. Best decision I've made in a long time. We will be back.

Perfect Stay

by TripAdvisor Member TravelerofNJ

Stayed at the Kierland Villas from 22-26 June with my wife and two children (4 and 1.5 yrs). Had a "deluxe" one bedroom with a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa. Check-in was easy. Unfortunately, as we arrived early the hotel gave us the handicap suite - which is more spacious, but furniture is not very accomodating to non-handicap folks. Countertops were low, kitchen faucet stuck out too far into the sink, could not take a stand-up shower due to the shower wand location, minature refrigerator, wall safe near the floor, and washer/dryer unit combined and not very good. Suite probably well suited for someone in a wheelchair though. Stayed here two nights and then complained and were moved into a regular suite. Deluxe had a kitchenette format - mini fridge, dishwasher, microwave/convection oven and a two burner electrive stovetop. Regular unit has a full size kitchen. We prepared many of our meals here, including heating up take-out.

Otherwise, the villas were great. Outdoor gas grllls, tables for family dining, etc. provided the nice touches to an already well manicured grounds. DVD player and internet access was available.

The family pool was very accomodating, not crowded and offered many features (water slide, zero depth, volleyball net). A shuttle takes you over to the Resort to use their larger pools and lazy river, and you can charge your meals/drinks to your villa room. Parking was ample, even as the villas are expanding and building their last set of timeshares. Grill/store on the premises provided standard pub food and some children entrees. Easier to go nearby to a regular grocery store for staples. Villas provided all amenities and housekeeping cleaned up the suite daily.

Concierge desk was very helpful, providing maps, suggestions, etc.

All, in all, this resort was excellent. This is our 2nd stay here, as we visited last summer without our kids. Kierland Commons (outdoor mall) across the street has some great restaurants and the typical high end stores. Though plenty of shopping, restaurants nearby.

Good for families

by TripAdvisor Member travelerwithkids

We stayed here over spring break recently with our 3 children (ages 8,6, and 3). We had read the reviews w/warnings about the pressure to attend the time share presentation and the noise from the construction so we were a little nervous. Overall I would say that we had a good experience. Upon checkin (with my husband and kids in the car) the concierage went through the welcome packet and wanted to book a time for us to hear the time share presentation. When I told her I would need to get back to her, she seemed fine. We did receive several messages about attending a wine tasting and continental breakfast. Not sure if these were another way to get you to the time share presentation since we didn't attend. We were in building 5 which was directly next to the construction. We didn't hear any of it. We had a one bedroom villa w/full kitchen and it was nice but a little cramped for 5. Our room had a huge walk in shower but no tub which might be a problem for families w/very young kids. The kitchen was a nice feature since there are grocery stores very close and we ate breakfast in every morning. I was surprised that they seemed short staffed at the pool since it was the busy Spring Break season. The pool and water slide were supposed to open at 9am. Most days we were there at 9 promptly and there were never any towels out and the water slide would be closed (try explaining that one to your kids). It would take 30-45 mins. for the clean towels to come out after people asking the front desk for them. There was one employee trying to get everything ready at the pool and she said they usually have 2 people working. She couldn't open the water slide until she got everything else done so it opened after 10am. This seemed to happen every day we were there. Another annoyance was people putting towels out to save seats around the pool. If you didn't get out there by 7am forget it! These chairs never seemed to be occupied either. The main Westin hotel has a very nice pool that has a lazy river, bigger slide, and zero depth area w/sand. You can take a golf cart over there or walk (not far at all). This pool seemed much better staffed. The main hotel also features a bagpiper at sunset and bonfire w/s'mores which we enjoyed. I would say we would definitely consider going back.

A wonderful experience

by TripAdvisor Member 4ever_traveling

We stayed here for our honeymoon, and the experience was wonderful all around.

We arrived early, well before check-in time, and they gave us a room, no problem. The room was beautiful, very clean. Separate tub (whirlpool) and shower. Updated appliances, a DVD player and heavenly bed.

The grounds were impeccable. There was an adult pool, which we loved, and the service around the pool was top-notch.

Gas grills for use were located near our villa, and we took full advantage, as did many of the other guests.

Absolutely no complaints. We were treated as if we were special, and we would go back in a heartbeat!

Scottsdale, AZ

by jhome259

"Scottsdale, AZ"

Loved Scottsdale, AZ. Stayed at Westin Kierland Villas. Kids loved the lazy river. The hotel had bagpipes at dawn, an awesome billiard/game room-bar. Took a side trip to Sedona and rode the Pink Jeep Tours thru the Red Rocks. Very fun. Another visit to Scottsdale we took a side trip to Grand Canyon (tour name: Detours), and then drove out to LA/Hollywood via Palm Springs. Shopping in Kierland Commons is on par with Beverly Hills.