PLEASE HELP - Can't Decide Between 2 Resorts

First of all, I want to thank you all for giving me your opinions/feedback on my recent similar post.

We are a family of 4 (including 2 teenage daughters) and planning a vacation for April (for 6 days). We booked both The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort and also The Westin Kierland Resort %26amp; Spa. Would greatly appreciate once more your feedback and opinions regarding these 2 resorts in terms of location, dining and the resorts%26#39; premises %26amp; suites.

Really can%26#39;t decide between these 2 resorts - PLEASE HELP!!!!

PLEASE HELP - Can't Decide Between 2 Resorts

In May 2006, we stayed at both resorts back to back. We were scheduled to stay in Sedona for two nights, but the area had some bad canyon wildfires and we decided to find someplace safer for the two kids. We ended up at Pointe Hilton for two nights and then five nights we had already scheduled for Kierland Villas (part of Kierland Resort).

Though both resorts are nice, Hilton is not in the same league as Kierland.

Hilton is older and less expensive and the bldgs show their age. Hilton has an adjacent water park (across the parking lot), which guests have access to daily. Water park was typical, but was crowded w/ hotel guests and outsiders paying for use. Better to use Hilton pools, which were in the courtyard of each bldg complex. Suites were bedrm w/ connecting vanity/sink/dressing area. Toilet/tub/shower were in a separate little room, which is nice if you have a family. Connecting was the living room, which had a sofa, two chairs, TV (in both rooms), a counter w/ microwave, coffee maker (I believe we had to pay extra for a little fridge.) Doors exited out into an open air railed hallway w/ all suite doors facing one another. As I stated earlier, rooms were sort of worn, carpets worn, outdated furnishings, big old televisions. Plenty of closet space and cabinet space. Main lobby had a gift shop w/ sundries and some food items. I remember a nice grill/restaurant at the waterpark, but otherwise I don%26#39;t remember any on the grounds restaurants. Nice resort and the hotel pools were empty, w/ guests heading to the water park. For our two toddlers this was great. Resort is located in an older section - developed, but still quiet and near amenities.

Kierland Resort is much newer - last 7-10 yrs old? Resort has hotel complex and time-share villas. Resort has a couple of restaurants (2 or 3), Starbucks type coffee shop and a 3-4 stores. Directly across the street (connected by hotel bus) is the Kierland Commons shopping plaza. Outdoor plaza w/ high end shops and some nice restaurants. Rooms were very modern contemporary - sort of like the W hotel chain. Flat screen TV, Bose stereo, nice furnishings, even for kids. Pools were the best I have seen - separate adult pool w/ cabanas and then a large family pool w/ zero depth entry and sandy beach. Restaurant/grill served at your lounge chair around the pool and servers brought ice water and such to keep you cool. On Saturday, they show a movie at the beach and people sit in the lounge chairs or inner tubes and watch the family movie w/ popcorn/etc. Great lazy river on a hot day w/ plenty of inner tubes for use. Connected to their own golf course. Next to the Hotel was the time-share villas, which have their own pools and amenities, but time-sharers can use the hotel facilities. Kierland is located in a nice part of Scottsdale w/ plenty of restaurants and shops nearby.

Depending on your budget, you will not be disappointed w/ Kierland. Pointe was okay and we would stay there again, but we prefer Kierland. Send questions on specifics.

PLEASE HELP - Can't Decide Between 2 Resorts

No contest. Kierland.

OK..Now you have me concerned. I have a reservation at Pointe Hilton and am concerned that it%26#39;s not a nice place to stay. Everything else I%26#39;ve checked into for the end of March seems booked. Looking for a nice hotel...modern clean rooms and a good pool area for kids ages 12 and 13. Please help!!!

Come on! Nobody said the Pointe Hilton isn%26#39;t a nice place. The poster asked for a comparison between two places.

I understand. I wasn%26#39;t just referring to the previous post but to the TA reviews. Just want to secure the best place possible. I greatly appreciate all your tips as the Sedona expert.

Thank you so much for your feedback/opinions on both resorts. You definitely made our decision for us. The Westin Kierland it is.

You mentioned in your response to my post that asking you specific questions would be fine, so here it goes:

1. We%26#39;re thinking of making a day trip to Sedona, how far would you say it is from The Kierland?

2. While staying at the Kierland, did you eat most of your meals on the resort%26#39;s premises? Also can you give me your opinion regarding on-site restaurants and restaurants off the premises?

THANKS A MILLION!!!!

We%26#39;re thinking of making a day trip to Sedona, how far would you say it is from The Kierland?

It will take you about 2 hours to drive from Kierland to Sedona. Make it a full day trip. Plan to have an early dinner in Sedona (lots of great restaurants to choose from). Easy drive back after dinner.

Like RedRox said, I was just offering a comparison, since we stayed at both resorts in the same trip (2 days at Hilton and 5 days at Kierland). Hilton is a nice place and you have to weigh your needs and your budget. We would stay at the Hilton again, but prefer the Villas - mostly to have a kitchen and laundry facility.

';While staying at the Kierland, did you eat most of your meals on the resort%26#39;s premises? Also can you give me your opinion regarding on-site restaurants and restaurants off the premises??

Our first stay we (just 2 adults) stayed at the Hotel and had a couple of meals at their restaurants, but the majority offsite, just because we wanted to tour the Scottsdale area. We had a great lunch at their restaurant on their golf course, though we are not golfers. We did eat at the Kierland Commons and then at nearby places. Our second stay (w/ 2 toddler-age children) we stayed at the Villas and cooked many of our meals - just easier w/ the kids. We did get takeout from a couple of restaurants nearby and in the Commons, plus the occasional dessert or coffee/pastry from the hotel restaurant.

Hope this helps.

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