A 1-bedroom villa at the Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale for 7 nights in mid-December at about $914
Dec 13 to Dec 20 (Sun–Sun) in a one-bedroom villa (the owner calls it small) at the Westin Kierland Villas, on the Kierland golf course next to Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale, rented directly from a timeshare owner on the TUG forum for $800, plus about $114 in Arizona lodging taxes that we estimate in case she charges them, so roughly $914 for the week ($131 a night). For the same dates the resort's lowest price on Google Hotels is $443 a night ($3,099 with taxes), and Marriott's own site sells it at $474 a night ($3,316).
- Whole 1-bedroom villa for 7 nights
- Resort pools and grounds on the Kierland golf course
The catches
What you pay
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Owner rental, 7 nightsRequired | per stay, per the owner's post | $800 |
| Lodging taxes (estimate, about 14.3%)Approx. | estimate in case the owner passes them on: the post doesn't say whether taxes are included; Phoenix/Scottsdale combined lodging rates are about 14.0–14.3% (5.5% state, 1.77% county, city base and 5% transient tax) | ~$114 |
| Total | Whole 1-bedroom villa, 7 nights, including our estimate of lodging taxes; any guest-certificate fee the owner charges would be extra (ask) | $914 |
| Travel to Phoenix/ScottsdaleNot included | not included | |
| Meals, golf, activitiesNot included | not included |
How to book it
- Open the TUG thread and text or call the owner (DebraR) at the number in her post, or message her on TUG.
- Confirm Dec 13–20, the villa size and occupancy, and whether taxes, a guest fee or parking are extra.
- Once she has put the reservation in your name, pay with a method that offers buyer protection.
Why it's this cheap
An owner renting out a week she can't use six weeks before check-in; TUG caps public last-minute asks at $800 a week, so owners post well below what the resort charges.
Why it's a steal
GOOD COMPARISONLowest price for The Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale on Google Hotels for Dec 13–20 for 2 adults: $443 a night, $3,099 for 7 nights with taxes (KAYAK, momondo); Marriott's own site $474 a night, $3,316 with free cancellation. Google doesn't show which villa the lowest rate is for (likely the resort's smallest unit, possibly a studio); this is a 1-bedroom the owner calls small. The hotel rates are bookable online, Marriott's with free cancellation; this is a private owner rental on her terms, and its taxes are our estimate. Google's typical range for this resort is $321–$508 a night, so these dates are not unusually expensive.
Evidence trail
| Source | What we checked | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Source re-checked | TUG thread re-read: single post (Oct 31, edited Oct 31), $800 for Dec 13-20; no replies or rented note. | Nov 11, 7:57 AM ET |
| Google Hotels: The Westin Kierland Villas, Dec 13–20 | 4-star, 4.7 rating (1,214 reviews). Lowest $443/night, $3,099 total (KAYAK, momondo; $388/night, $2,716 before tax); official site, Priceline, Hotels.com $474/night, $3,316 total, free cancellation; typical range $321–$508/night. | Nov 1, 8:08 AM ET |
| Arizona lodging tax rates | Scottsdale 13.97–14.02%, Phoenix 14.27% (5.5% state, 1.77% county, city base plus 5.0% additional transient tax). We used ~14.3%. | Nov 1, 8:08 AM ET |
