Travel Arizona: Scottish Influences – Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Travel Arizona: Scottish Influences
– Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Great Places to Stay in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
By Rusty Krause
The culture and beauty of Arizona come alive at a unique resort nestled in the Scottsdale desert. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa features 732 guest rooms, including 55 suites, and reveals dramatic panoramic views.
The Westin Kierland Resort’s amenities range from 27 holes of golf, a full-service spa and nine dining venues to a recreational Water Park complete with two swimming pools, 110-foot-long water slide, 900-foot lazy river and the new FlowRider board sport stimulator.
Westin Kierland Resort – Adventure Pool
On a self-guided tour of the property, I admired the Scottish influences that appeared throughout the Westin Kierland Resort’s public areas and golf course. Built around a philosophy called “Essence of Arizona,” Westin Kierland pays homage to the contributions made by Scottish immigrants to the state’s railroads, mines and towns. At sunset, guests and visitor gather around the fire pit at Dreamweaver’s Canyon Courtyard to watch the resort’s Scottish Bagpiper performance.
The Scotch Ambassadors
The Westin Kierland encourages their guests to visit The Scotch Library. On Friday evenings, the resort hosts a Scotch tasting event. Assisting guests with their selections are Westin Kierland’s Scotch Library Ambassadors, who are experts in the field of single malt and blended whiskies. New to Scotch, I learned the difference between three selections of Scotch whisky labels and their regions.
Scottish tradition also prevails on the emerald green fairways. The Kierland Golf Club offers golfers a unique experience: the opportunity to tee off wearing a Scottish kilt. With beverage carts that roam about the course, golfers can toast their winning game with Johnnie Walker Scotch.
Kierland Resort Golf Bikes
The same sense of innovation prevails on the golf course. The Golf Club features climate-controlled golf carts. As an alternative to the carts, golfers are taught how to maneuver around the course on a two-wheeled Segway. For another new spin on golf, the Kierland Club added Golf Bikes, which allows players to enjoy the game while getting a workout. As an additional sporty option, golfers can “surf” the course on an electric GolfBoard.
The Westin Kierland is recognized not only as a premier golf resort, but for its luxury spa facility. Named after the desert plant, Agave – The Arizona Spa rejuvenates the mind, body and spirit. The Spa menu features massages, facials and body therapies handed down from Arizona’s cultures of healing.
Agave Mud Treatment
One of the signature treatments that appeals to women is the Agave Moor Mud Wrap. A combination of jojoba beads and Moor Mud is used to improve the skin’s elasticity as well as soothe joints and muscles. While the body is enjoying the exfoliating benefits, the guest is receiving a relaxing scalp massage.
The merging of so many state-of-the-art facilities with Scottish traditions makes The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa a truly memorable year-round vacation experience.
IF YOU GO:
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
6902 E. Greenway Parkway
Scottsdale, Arizona
Reservations: 480-624-1000
Kierland Golf Club: 480-922-9283
Agave-The Arizona Spa: 480-624-1500
All Photos Courtesy of The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
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BIO
Rusty Krause was the the former editor and publisher of Travel Today Magazine. Rusty found great pleasure sharing her worldwide experiences with a well-traveled audience of readers. Whether experiencing the cosmopolitan flare of a resort destination or the unparalleled amenities aboard a luxury cruise ship, travel continues to be high on Rusty’s priority list.
