A mother-daughter getaway in Scottsdale using Marriott points

Note: As of the latest update, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa still had rooms available for 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for this Labor Day weekend.

My mom and I cherish our time together, but the pandemic kept us apart for over a year. After 18 months, I finally got to visit her in Scottsdale, Arizona, and we enjoyed a brief staycation at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa.

Reservation

We booked our one-night stay at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, a Category 6 property, using 50,000 Marriott points on a standard date. Alternatively, we could have used a Marriott free night certificate, like the one worth up to 85,000 points given after the renewal month of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

We requested a standard room with double beds and enjoyed an early check-in to maximize our time on the property.

Location

The Westin Resort & Spa is situated in Scottsdale, adjacent to the Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, two of the area's premier outdoor shopping destinations. Just a short stroll from the hotel, you'll discover lovely, palm-lined streets filled with upscale designer shops, restaurants, and bars. My mom and I have frequented the Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter for years to shop and dine, but we had never stayed at The Westin right next door.

Check-in

As with many hotels, it was evident that The Westin Kierland was slightly understaffed during check-in. Only one employee was available at the front desk, with four to five parties waiting in line for several minutes. Once it was our turn, the check-in process was swift, and we quickly headed to our room.

Dog-friendly

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is pet-friendly with no additional pet fees, so I was thrilled to bring along my 3-year-old Cavachon, Kip. At check-in, I was asked to complete a brief form agreeing to their pet policy, and they informed us that all guests with pets must stay on the ground floor.

Room

Staying on the ground floor turned out to be a fantastic choice, as our patio opened up to the stunning hotel grounds overlooking the golf course and the McDowell Mountains. We often exited our room via the patio to visit one of the hotel's restaurants. It was incredibly convenient for both walking my dog and exploring the resort.

In addition to the prime location, our room was beautifully furnished with two double beds, a spacious bathroom featuring a shower and tub, and an excellent desk setup where I could work in the morning. I particularly loved the furniture; it reminded me of the neutral West Elm pieces I have at home.

Amenities

The resort is well-known for its pools, golf course, and spa. After exploring the entire property, my main takeaway was that it's an excellent destination for families. There’s an adults-only pool, a main pool, a lazy river, a large slide, and a FlowRider surf machine. The main pool and lazy river were bustling with families enjoying the long weekend.

Since it was just my mom and me, we spent our time at the adults-only pool, where we received excellent service for drinks and appetizers. Before returning to our hotel room at the end of the day, we made sure to take a nostalgic trip through the lazy river.

Dining

After our afternoon at the pool, we made our way to the Dreamweavers Canyon Courtyard for an al fresco dinner. The menu was somewhat limited, but we chose this restaurant for its stunning views of the property, golf course, and mountains. I enjoyed a bacon cheeseburger, sweet potato fries, and an Arnold Palmer drink.

The following morning, before checking out, we had breakfast at Nellie Cashman's Monday Club Cafe. My mom and I shared a yogurt parfait, oatmeal, hash browns, and a side of bacon. It was the ideal meal to fuel us up before heading back home.

Both of our meals were outdoors, allowing us to bring my pup, Kip, along, which was a wonderful perk!

Bottom line

In summary, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Westin Kierland and found the property to be absolutely stunning. I highly recommend it for families looking to have some fun in the sun and indulge in golfing. My mom and I didn't have the chance to experience the spa this time, but we plan to return during the holiday season!