Westin Kierland Villas – Scottsdale, AZ
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Have you ever stayed somewhere and looked forward to your next visit while still on your current vacation?
Do you enjoy having a condo-style room where you can spread out and actually have some privacy as well as have your own kitchen?
That’s how I feel about the Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale. This resort is part of the Vistana (formally Starwood) network of timeshares of which my husband and I own several. We have been here twice and I am already looking forward to our stay next summer.
UPDATE 9/13/18: This article was previously written in 2017, but we stayed at The Westin Kierland Villas again in 2018. The villas are completely renovated now and these pictures reflect the new furnishings.
For my review on why I own timeshares when I enjoy traveling on a budget, please check out the following two posts:
The Westin Kierland Villas is excellently maintained and cleaned. The staff are welcoming, friendly and engage in conversation with you. We last stayed here in the summer of 2017 and the resort was undergoing a full renovation, including new furniture in the suites. I can’t wait to return next year to see the new look.
Activities at The Westin Kierland Villas
There is always something to do!
In addition to a pool with waterslide (there is a 42-inch height requirement), The Westin Kierland Villas has a kids club with a list of daily activities.
Even more, the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is right next door. Villa renters get full access to the resort including its pools and kids club. There is a shuttle that will take you to the resort or you can easily walk it. The pool area at the Resort is huge with its waterslide, lazy river, and FlowRider.
Both pool areas provide you with a carafe of water and cups without asking. Every day, someone comes around and delivers this to all guests and then refills the carafes, too. This is a great touch and a good reminder to stay hydrated in the hot Arizona sun.
The Resort has its own kids club with a unique scavenger hunt. Kids collect stamps from various places on the property. Once completed, they can turn this in for a lanyard accompanied by pins of the areas they visited. It’s a unique way to see all the resort has to offer.
Suites
Back at the Villas, we stayed in a 1-bedroom premium suite encompassing 870 sq ft (I love my space!). They also have a smaller one bedroom at 530 sq ft. These two rooms can combine to form a 2-bedroom lock-off unit. All rooms have a patio or balcony.
If you happen to be visiting Phoenix with kids, I highly recommend looking into a timeshare resort stay for both the extra room and the kitchen!
Looking to save money on food?
The rooms are fully furnished with all the utensils, glassware, dinnerware and cookware you need in the kitchen. Nothing is forgotten. You have all your small appliances like a toaster, coffee maker and blender as well as a washer and dryer in each unit.
Just bring your own food. For that, there are two grocery stores right up the street. There is even a Redbox at the Safeway where we rented movies to watch in our room (the DVD player is supplied as well).
Outdoor grilling areas allow you to prepare burgers, chicken or anything else you want. Grilling utensils are also supplied. There are even tables and chairs so you can enjoy eating outside if you wish.
By preparing breakfast and dinner in your room, you can enjoy saving some money while on vacation. It’s also handy to store popsicles and ice cream in the freezer! Trust me, in this heat, your kids will be asking for it. Daily.
Besides the extra space a condo provides, having a door to the bedroom lets you put little ones down for a nap or to sleep earlier. This is important so you can still be awake and not have to be on their sleep schedule. You can then relax on your balcony and enjoy the beautiful views of either the golf course or the pools.
Next to the Villas and the Resort are two shopping areas – Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter. The shuttle will take you to both areas on request as well as pick you up when you call them. When my daughter and I stayed here last summer, we used the shuttle to go to the American Girl store in the Quarter since walking in the 115 degrees F heat was just too hot.
Price versus points
Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation where you don’t have to leave the resort or a base from which to explore the beauty of this desert area, look no further than the Westin Kierland Villas. It is a timeshare property, however, you can also use your Starwood points.
Reserve a 1-bedroom villa for 12,000 Starwood points per night. Remember that award stays allow you to take advantage of the 5th night free, therefore a 5-night stay would cost 48,000 points. If paying with cash, the price varies depending on the season and date of your stay. A random weekend night in May shows a $322 per night rate.
We love coming back to the Westin Kierland. From the mountain views to the aesthetic beauty of the resort to the endless list of things to do, we find this place a gem in the Arizona desert, one of the prettiest states in the USA. I love having the extra space of a condo and the ability to cook our own meals. We can’t wait to come back to explore more of what it has to offer.
What is your favorite place to stay in Phoenix? Have you stayed at a timeshare? Let me know in the comments!
Christine Zelina
Christine is a mother, wife and travel fanatic. She loves to plan trips, especially using points and miles. Disney is her passion while vacations in Europe have her wanting to move there. To continue reading, click more about me.