After spending five memorable days in the middle of the desert amid the breathtaking landscape of the Coachella Valley, we are eager to share our experience. Specifically, this JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review will provide genuine insights about one of Southern California’s most celebrated luxury resorts. So, was it worth the hype? We thought it was. Read on to find out if it will tick all (or most) boxes for you, and if it deserves a spot on your travel itinerary.
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Introduction to the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is in Palm Desert, California.
- The resort opened in 1987 as the Marriott Desert Springs. In 2002, it was rebranded as a JW Marriott and has undergone several renovations since then.
- It is an approximately 20-minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport.
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is one of Coachella Valley’s largest resorts.
- The property sits on 450 acres and is a short drive from the famous Palm Springs area.
- It is a 4-Star property that falls under the Marriott Bonvoy Brand.
First Impressions of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
The beautiful resort stands as a desert oasis amid the breathtaking landscape of the Coachella Valley. As you approach the property, the palm tree-lined paths set the stage for views of the surrounding mountains and the resort’s sparkling waterways.
Step into the hotel lobby, and a lively atmosphere will greet you. It features stunning architecture, vibrant décor, and even gondolas gliding through the entrance.
Walking the property reveals perfectly maintained gardens featuring desert-adapted plants alongside tropical palm species.
At night, the property transforms as strategic lighting illuminates the waterways, palm trees, and architectural features. The reflection of resort lights creates an ethereal atmosphere.
Room and Suite Types at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
The resort has 884 guest rooms and suites, each offering spacious layouts and a private balcony that is the perfect space to take in stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains and the surrounding Coachella Valley.
All rooms and suites have high-speed Wi-Fi, smart flat-screen TVs, and spacious bathrooms stocked with premium toiletries.
The Rooms at JW Marriott Desert Springs
Standard guest rooms are anything but ordinary. They feature plush bedding, modern furnishings, and private balconies with views of the mountains, golf courses, or serene waterways.
Room type options include Resort King, Resort Queen, and Signature View.
The Suites at JW Marriott Desert Springs
The suites are worth every penny if you desire additional space and luxury.
Suite options include the Griffin, Governor’s, Executive, Signature, Parlor, Vice Presidential, Presidential, and palatial Chairman.
The suites feature separate living areas, larger balconies, upgraded amenities such as soaking tubs, access to exclusive concierge services, and premium views of the mountains, lakes, or golf courses.
Accessible rooms and suites are available.
Dining and Drinks at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
All dining venues welcome both hotel guests and visitors not staying at the property.
- Rockwood Grill is the resort’s casual American restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended but not required.
- Fisherman’s Landing Bar and Grill is open daily from 11 AM. No reservations are needed.
- Mikado Japanese Steakhouse is a fine dining spot that offers an entertaining teppanyaki experience. It is only open Wednesday through Sunday, and reservations are required.
- Aquifer65 is a bar bites and sushi bar that is open daily. No reservations needed
- Blue Star Lounge provides a sophisticated setting for craft cocktails and small plates with panoramic views of the property. It is open daily from 11:30 am. No reservations are needed.
- The Oasis Pool Bar & Grill is a poolside spot for casual fare and drinks. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- The Lobby Bar is a great place to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail or options from the curated wine list. It becomes a social hub in the evenings, including weekend live entertainment.
- There is also an on-site Starbucks and in-room dining (room service).
Amenities and Things To Do at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
The resort has a wide range of on-site amenities and things to do that cater to a diverse range of interests.
The Pools
The resort has five outdoor pools, each with a different vibe, from family-friendly fun to serene relaxation.
You can lounge in style with private cabanas or enjoy poolside service with refreshing drinks and snacks delivered to you.
Golf Courses
If you are a golf enthusiast, you will appreciate the two 18-hole championship courses. Both courses are impeccably maintained, with smooth greens, excellent playing conditions, and stunning desert backdrops.
Tee times can be arranged through the concierge, with resort guests enjoying preferential morning slots.
The gold pro shop is well-stocked with equipment and apparel, and the professional staff offers private lessons and group clinics if you want to improve your game during your stay.
Mini-Golfing
Test your putting skills on the natural turf miniature golf course, featuring 18 challenging holes. This attraction welcomes players of all ages and skill levels, with no advance reservations required.
Tennis and Pickleball
The resort’s tennis complex features 15 courts, including clay and hard surface options.
Do you love pickleball? The resort has several pickleball courts as well.
Hiking and Cycling
If you are outdoorsy, you can explore nearby scenic hiking paths on foot or by cycling. The resort offers complimentary bicycle rentals as part of the daily resort fee. Just book at the front desk.
Shopping
The resort has various on-site shops, including a gift shop, clothing stores, and a golf store.
Business Center
The business center, which is accessible 24/7 via room key, offers computers, printers, and other essential services.
There are also dedicated event space and meeting facilities.
Fitness Center
The fitness center has state-of-the-art equipment, including a comprehensive selection of cardio and strength training equipment, to ensure workout routines do not need to be interrupted while traveling.
The resort offers daily fitness classes included with the resort fee, ranging from sunrise yoga on the lawn to high-intensity interval training sessions. Personal training sessions can be arranged for more customized fitness experiences.
The Spa Experience
The luxury Spa at Desert Springs, located within the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort, is an adults-only wellness retreat.
This luxurious facility features 47 treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, thermal experiences (Hammam, Finnish Sauna, Steam Room), and a saltwater lap pool.
You can enjoy diverse treatments from massages to Ayurvedic therapies, dine at the health-focused bistro, and participate in fitness classes.
Any spa service includes complimentary access to the spa amenities. You can purchase a day pass if you are not getting any spa treatments.
Fun Fact: The JW Marriott Palm Desert takes the crown for being one of the largest spas in the area.
Flamingo Island
Perhaps the resort’s most Instagram-famous feature is Flamingo Island, home to a flock of Chilean flamingos.
These pink birds create a stunning visual against the blue water and green palms, offering countless photo opportunities.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Gondola Rides Experience
The resort offers unique boat rides that take guests on a leisurely tour around the property.
Can you imagine pulling up to the resort lobby in a gondola? The experience is second to none! It’s hands down one of the property’s major selling points.
Miscellaneous Amenities
There is an ATM as well as a car rental service (Hertz) on site.
JW Resort Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review: Our experience
Our recent stay at the JW Marriott Desert Springs was exactly what we needed! I’ll admit that we were not initially sold on Palm Desert for a getaway (we typically gravitate toward beach destinations), but a friend’s recommendation convinced us to try something different. So, we tapped into our Marriott Bonvoy account and booked a 5-night stay with points.
Tip: We took advantage of the Marriot Bonvoy 5th night free booking deal.
What We Loved About The Resort
The scale of the resort is honestly a bit overwhelming at first. We actually got lost exploring the property on the first day! But there’s something surprisingly calming about being surrounded by mountains and palm trees in every direction.
The fountains and waterways throughout the property create this peaceful background noise that makes you forget you’re in the desert.
Oh, and our Resort King room had a gorgeous view of the swimming pool below, the beautiful grounds, and the mountains in the distance.
What I appreciated most was finding quiet corners throughout this massive resort. One afternoon, I grabbed a book and discovered a secluded seating area near one of the smaller pools where I spent three blissful hours without checking my phone once. That kind of mental reset is what vacation should be about, right?
One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at Mikado Japanese Steakhouse. From a price point perspective, it was a splurge we debated but ultimately couldn’t resist.
Our chef had the perfect balance of skill and humor during the teppanyaki performance, which had our whole table laughing. That alone was worth the visit!
But the ultimate highlight? That would have to be the evening gondola rides across the property. It was definitely an experience worth writing home about!
When we booked our stay at JW Marriott Desert Springs, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But ultimately, it was a great experience.
What Missed The Mark
In all honesty, the quality of the food and menu options at some of the restaurants could have been better and more reasonably priced.
Also, the average nightly rate price point was rather exorbitant. Even though we paid with points, the redemption was still relatively high.
Travel Tip: We visited in August, and it was extremely HOT with daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F. If you prefer moderate temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower rates, we recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons of October to December and May.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Tips and Policies To Be Aware Of
Check-in and Check-out Time
Check-in is at 4 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
Tip: If you’d like to request an early or late check-in or check-out, you can make a special request when you book or at the front desk upon arrival.
Resort Fee
A daily resort fee (~$40 plus tax/ per night at the time of this publication) will be added to your daily rate.
The resort fee covers the following: wireless, internet access, bike rentals, self-parking, mini-golf, daily golf bag storage, complimentary golf clinic, one hour hard court tennis, pickleball court and racquet rental, and all lawn games (badminton, bocce ball, basketball, croquet, soccer, frisbee, horseshoes).
Swimming
Wristbands are required on Saturdays and Sundays.
Boat (Gondola) Rides
Reservations are required for gondola rides.
Pet Policy
The resort welcomes pets up to 50 pounds with a non-refundable cleaning fee of $150 per stay.
Designated pet-friendly rooms are available on specific floors.
Resort Wildlife
Do not feed the swans, flamingos, and any other wildlife you may spot on the property.
Parking
The daily resort fee includes self-parking at the resort’s parking lot. Valet parking will cost extra.
How to Get the Best Rates for Your Stay at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
For the best rates, consider booking directly through Marriott’s website. Member rates and flexible cancellation policies are typically available there.
If you haven’t already, sign up for a FREE Marriott Bonvoy account to earn bonus points on all your Marriott property stays. You can then redeem points to pay for future stays.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite members also enjoy additional perks like late checkout, enhanced room upgrades, etc.
Final Thoughts About JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review
Would we return to the JW Marriott Resort Desert Springs? Absolutely. Despite the August heat and occasional sticker shock at restaurant prices, our five-night getaway delivered exactly what we needed.
Those morning coffees on our balcony watching the light change on the mountains, the unbridled joy of gliding across waterways in a gondola at sunset, and the serenity of watching flamingos strut on their island are some of the moments that made our trip memorable.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort strikes that rare balance of being large enough to offer endless activities yet designed thoughtfully enough that you can still find your own quiet corner.
If you’re debating whether this desert escape is worth the splurge (or the Bonvoy points), I’d say go for it. And with this JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review, you have a guide to walk you through. Just promise me you’ll book that gondola ride and snag a reservation at Mikado. Your future, more relaxed self will thank you.
More places to Explore in California
California is one of our favorite destinations to visit because of the wide range of experiences. Check out our Yosemite and La Jolla Travel Guides for more inspo.
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