Floating into Calm: A Day at Agave Spa, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
If you want a spa day with all the grandeur of a full-resort experience—pools, river floats, excellent food—but also those quiet moments of deep release, then Agave at The Westin Kierland is a contender for your next wellness treat.
The Resort: Spacious, Lively & Luxurious
Set on 250 acres in North Scottsdale, Westin Kierland mixes desert beauty with resort scale. With hundreds of rooms, multiple pools, golf courses, plentiful dining, and a full water park, it’s built to please many kinds of guests: families, couples, solo travelers, spa-seekers alike.
One of its best features for relaxation? The lazy river—a 900-foot float path that invites you to drift away stress-free.
Spa & Wellness Space: Calm Elegance
Inside the resort, Agave, The Arizona Spa & Salon is the haven.
There are separate locker rooms (for men & women), each equipped with Jacuzzi (whirlpool/whirlpools), ample privacy and elegance.
Steam room and sauna are part of the wellness amenities.
Relaxation spaces are quietly refined, with plush spa robes & slippers, private showers, etc.
My Experience: Massage & Floating & Deep Release
Here’s how my day unfolded:
I spent a lovely afternoon drifting in the lazy river, letting myself float languidly while sipping from the swim-up bar. The flow of that water, the gentle current, the sun overhead—it immediately opened me up to relaxation.
Then I moved into the spa proper. I had a spectacular massage with Kayla. Her style: long, deep strokes using her arms and elbows to really release tension. She didn’t just work the surface; she paid excellent attention to the details—especially stretching techniques focused on my tight hips.
The massage bed was a delight: thick padding, heated bed, head cradle so comfortable I barely noticed I was face down. Plush in every sense of the word.
Amenities & Pool Life
Because the spa is embedded in a resort of this size, there’s a lot more to prolong the indulgence:
Multiple pools, including an adults-only pool.
The lazy river and water-park components add a playful, dreamy contrast to the serenity of the massage. Floating in warm water, drifting through curves, being served poolside—this is not just recovery, but restoration.
Excellent pool-side & river service helps you stretch out the afternoon without interruptions.
Food, Drink & Final Touches
While I didn’t cover every restaurant, a few touches made the day feel complete:
Cooling beverages poolside are essential after floating and massage.
Light, fresh food—salads, snacks—that don’t overwhelm but still feel indulgent make the transition out of spa mode easier.
Quiet corners or lounge areas to decompress afterward are helpful; Agave and the resort offer spaces where you can linger.
Strengths & Things to Know
What’s outstanding:
The scale allows you to customize your experience: float, swim, sauna/steam, spa treatment—whatever your mood.
Therapists like Kayla who combine pressure, stretching & intuitive attention make a big difference.
High-comfort touches: heated beds, quality head cradles, padded surfaces, all of which amplify the feeling of rest.
What to check or plan ahead:
Because the resort is large and busy, timing matters. Arrive early to make full use of all amenities (locker rooms, pools, etc.).
Book your spa appointment ahead, especially if you want a preferred therapist (like Kayla).
If you want quieter ambiance, aim for non-peak hours (mid-morning or early afternoon) so both pool and spa are less crowded.
Verdict
Agave Spa at Westin Kierland isn’t just a “spa add-on” to a resort—it’s a key reason to plan a spa-centered getaway. With its elegant wellness spaces, luxurious massage experiences, and the full complement of water features & poolside leisure, it strikes a rare balance: lively enough if you want activity, secluded enough if you want stillness.
If I were to rate it against other top spa resorts in Scottsdale, it would stand very high—especially for those who love being in water (lazy river, pools) and want muscular, therapeutic massage.
