The Kierland Resort and Spa

Let’s Tour the Kierland!

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa — where Scotland meets Scottsdale in the Sonoran Desert — for conferences, vacations, dining, golf, relaxation, spa, beauty, pools, play for the kids, and fitness, including tennis.

A Scottish-themed desert oasis built in the 1990’s, it’s named for Kathryn ‘Kax’ Herberger, né Kierland. Her husband and sons owned and developed the entire Kierland area in North/Central Scottsdale. The resort has a luxe, modern Scottish castle feel — secluded yet close to all the action. 

After a long day of conference meetings, Kierland Commons and the Quarter shopping and dining areas beckon for stretching — and, they are within walking distance.  It fits the bill for working and playing hard. 

But, it’s also perfect for working and playing sensibly, and playing without the work, relaxing for a vacay or staycation. Even better, it’s a beautiful venue for a special event — like a wedding on the golf course!

The Kierland boasts a whopping 735 rooms and 33 meeting rooms. I was lucky to spend a lot of time here in my other life — Pro Tips:  bring comfy shoes for getting in your steps, and carry your swanky heels.  Leave early for your engagements, and get a map, (maybe there’s an app now,) so your tribe needn’t send out a search party if you get lost.

Watering Holes at the Kierland Resort

There’s a Western expression, ‘Whiskey’s for drinkin’ and water’s for fightin’. In this spirit, the Kierland offers 4 options:

Dreamweavers Canyon Courtyard

The best of all? Relaxing at the Kierland’s Dreamweavers Canyon Courtyard, overlooking the golf course. After a long day of indoor focus, enjoy a beverage with good company on the patio or around the firepit — unless nature’s summer furnace is blasting.

On Fridays and Saturdays at 6 PM, as the sun sets the McDowell Mountains of the Sonoran Desert aglow, a kilted bagpiper appears on the edge of the the golf course to call in the golfers. One’s heartstrings get tugged — Celtic roots or not — don’t miss the magic.

Against the ‘castle walls’ facade of Dreamweavers Canyon Courtyard, dazzling displays of techno-wizardry, like their Fourth of July show are projected. They also have a big screen TV for sports fans.

The Kierland Staff Goes the Extra Mile

Kierland is the first resort I ever wrote a letter to singing their praises. At a conference, I scheduled several back-to-back breakfast and lunch meetings at Nellie Cashman’s restaurant. The staff did their utmost to accommodate our business, making gracious adjustments to tight schedules, and giving us an amazing guest experience. If you’re looking for a resort to have a first-rate professional and fun meeting, Kierland delivers!

Sonoran Desert Wildlife at the Kierland

The Kierland Resort and Spa, Fitness, Pools and Play

Adventure Water Park and Pools

Up and Down by the Lazy River

A big attraction at the Kierland is their Adventure Water Park and Pools. If your thing is a Lazy River, a ‘110-foot-long waterslide and the Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator for surfing in the desert,’ and screaming kids, this is your kinda place. If it’s not your thing, don’t worry — it’s not close to the main hotel.

Summer staycations are lots of fun for we year-round desert dwellers who hit the resorts when the masses escape the heat. As the temps increase, the rates decrease — and the Lazy River calls to us!

The OK Corral and Tennis Courts

Rope the kids into the OK Corral for 24-hour rough-housing outdoors. There’s a shaded play structure, picnic tables, lawn chess, game tables and basketball. Billy the Kid doesn’t play here anymore, thankfully.

The tennis courts are just beyond the OK Corral.

Agave AZ Spa at the Kierland

For healthy and mindful activities, massages and beauty secrets, head to the Kierland Agave, the Arizona Spa and Salon. First, you’ll push this 1,700 pound Tahona wheel to crush 100% blue agave for your spa treatments or tequila — just kidding! It’s a beautiful spa and fitness center, with daily activities like meditation, yoga by the pool and a well walk — sounds idyllic!

Kierland Golf Club

The Westin Kierland Golf Club is special — named ‘2017 Arizona Golf Course of the Year,’ one of the ‘Top 10 Public Courses in Phoenix/Scottsdale.’ It’s also one of ‘America’s Most Cheerful Golf Courses,’ and, it’s certified by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

Designed by Scott Miller, renowned Scottsdale golf architect, it features 27-holes across 3 nines, each with a Par 36 — Acacia, Ironwood and Mesquite, named after native desert trees.

The greens contrast with striking Sonoran desert hardscapes for unique golf challenges — including over 300 bunkers, washes, and desert lakes amongst the native flora and fauna.

There is a clubhouse, including golf shop and restaurant, driving range and putting green, rentals, lessons & junior golf program.

Four innovative transportation options for speed, ease, showing off and averting a summer heatstroke include:  Segway Golf, Golfboards, Golf Bikes, and the Kierland Turfrider. 

I wonder if you can ride these unique transporters on the long trek back to your hotel room? With a Scottish theme, Kierland even rents kilts for an authentic golf experience. 

Wrap Up

The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is one of many extraordinary resorts Scottsdale offer. Here are my posts on our City’s Resorts and Golf Courses, with a table from N to S, including amenities.

Interested in knowing more about this area? Check out my community links about North, Central, and Scottsdale at large.

You take the high road and I’ll take the low road – let’s meet at the Kierland!

•Source: Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Joan Fadula’s book ‘Golf in Scottsdale, Image of Sports’