JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a luxury resort in Palm Desert, CA.

Less than a 25-minute drive from Palm Springs International Airport, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a world-class, family-friendly resort located on 450 acres of lush desert gardens. With two championship golf courses and tennis courts, modern rooms that offer stunning mountain views, a 38,000 square-foot luxury spa, an entertainment zone, more than 234,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event venues, and world-class dining options, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has something to offer everyone—from the family on vacation to the solo business traveler.

8 Top Things To Do in Palm Springs

What to Expect

Expect superb service in a stylish setting with a wide array of offerings. The refreshed hotel features reimagined rooms and suites with luxurious amenities and stunning views of the pool or lake.

Guests will enjoy the vibrant and spacious property located amidst lush grounds. For the leisurely traveler, there are two golf courses, tennis courts, retail shops and a world-class spa. For the family on vacation, there are 10 restaurants, five swimming pools, a lake that offers boat rides around the property, and the JW Entertainment Zone for kids and teens. And for the business traveler, there are abundant workspaces with built-in USB ports, conference spaces/event rooms, and a Starbucks in the lobby.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are greeted by the open and bright layout.

In the center of the main building is a bar that is adjacent to Starbucks and the front desk.

Why You’ll Love It

The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a beautiful property that boasts stunning views and upscale rooms. Even if you’re just in town for a short stay or a business trip, the accommodations are modern and paired with amenities and details that contribute to a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

The hotel is centrally located and close to plenty of popular destinations and attractions including world-class shopping on El Paseo, hiking trails, the Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Garden, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and more.

There is no shortage of fun things to see and do at the resort whether you’re an avid golfer/outdoor enthusiast, family with kids, or dedicated spa-goer. On their website under the Experiences section it says “1 Resort, 100 Adventures,” and guests are truly spoiled for choice with an array of activities to choose from. Your time at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa can be calm and lowkey or busy and action-packed—the decision is entirely yours.

Copies of recent issues of Palm Springs Life Magazine came with our room.

Accommodations

The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has 884 newly renovated guestrooms including 101 Suites, 400 King Guestrooms, and 383 Queen-Queen Guestrooms. Connecting and accessible rooms are also available. Depending on the level of luxury guests seek, different types of suite options are available ranging from a Governor’s Suite (Parlor) to Vice Presidential Suites with generous living areas.

All rooms come with plush bedding, hardwood floors, modern furnishings, and beautiful mountain-inspired murals on the walls in blue, gray and white hues. I was a big fan of the closets, which matched the headboards and appeared tropical in nature. The spa-like bathrooms have sliding window features that open up to the bedroom area and are outfitted with quartz vanities, rain-style showers and luxurious soaking tubs.

Room service and housekeeping are available. There is a nightly turndown service and when we got back to our room after dinner the next night, raspberry and chamomile-flavored chocolates awaited us by our pillows.

The rooms come with plush bedding, hardwood floors, modern furnishings, and beautiful mountain-inspired murals on the walls in blue, gray and white hues

The spa-like bathrooms have sliding window features that open up to the bedroom area and are outfitted with quartz vanities, rain-style showers and luxurious soaking tubs.

Bathroom amenities include products from Aromatherapy Associates.

Bath minerals from Aromatherapy Associates are provided so guests can enjoy a relaxing soak.

In the evening when we returned to our room, turndown chocolates awaited us by our pillows.

Key Features

We stayed in a Standard Guest Room (390 square feet) in the main building that included a King bed, a sitting area with a sofa bed, wireless internet (for a fee), TV, mini fridge, and coffee/tea maker. Two complimentary bottles of water were included with the room and restocked the next day after housekeeping came.

The bedding and pillows were very soft and comfortable. After the first night there, my husband remarked that he’d had one of the best nights of sleep in a long time—uninterrupted and deep (and he often tosses and turns when staying at hotels).

The bathroom was by far one of my favorite aspects of our room. It was very luxurious with a standalone soaking tub, large rain shower, bathrobes, and self-care products (including a bath soak) from leading wellness brand Aromatherapy Associates. On our first night there, I made sure to run a nice bath and slept like a baby.

#BeautyBoss: Anna Teal, Global CEO of Aromatherapy Associates

All rooms come with a balcony and offer stunning views. Our room overlooked the Oasis swimming pool, main lake area, golf course and mountains. One of my favorite ways to start each morning was to watch the beautiful cotton candy-hued desert sunrise, then end the day enjoying the sight of the swimming pools lit up at night underneath the stars.

Among the property’s highlights are the Oasis swimming pool and lake.

From our balcony, we were able to enjoy the beautiful morning desert sunrise above the golf course and mountains.

Activities

Golf is one of the main attractions at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, which has two Tom Bradley-designed courses that feature beautiful views of the water and palm trees. Reserve a tee time here. The resort also offers the nation’s first 18-hole all-nature turf putting course with contoured fairways, sand traps and other water features, designed for all ages.
For the tennis enthusiast, there are 20 tennis courts including hard, grass, clay and pickle ball. Professional training and tournament services are available, and there is also an assortment of family lawn games offered at the tennis center ranging from croquet and bocce ball to badminton and more.
The JW Entertainment Zone is a must for those traveling with kids and teens (or even big kids at heart!) We didn’t get the chance to check it out during our trip, but it’s located on the ground level next to the Oasis Entrance and has an assortment of arcade games, a duck bowling alley, and other fun things to enjoy. It’s open Sun - Thur from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fri-Sat from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Beat the desert heat by spending time at the resort’s five swimming pools, which include the main Oasis pool, a family pool, and a saltwater lap pool. Cabanas, daybeds and loungers are available for rent, and the Oasis Bar & Grille serves up a fun selection of poolside bites and cocktails accompanied by live seasonal entertainment.
The property offers daily 20-minute boat rides around the lake for groups of up to eight people for $5 per person. (More details under the Insider’s Tips section below).

Despite being in the desert, the hotel has plenty of water features including its signature lakes.

While walking around the lake, guests might see swans, geese and even the famous JW pink flamingoes.

Guests can enjoy a leisurely game of corn hole with a view.

Cuisine

From casual bites by the pool to multi-course meals, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa offers 10 different dining experiences options that will appeal to all palates.

Rockwood Grill: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves American cuisine and has indoor and outdoor dining areas. If you sit on the outside patio, you’ll enjoy water and mountain views. They also offer a breakfast and dinner buffet with a wide selection of dishes. We did the breakfast buffet, which includes a pastry bar and all of the breakfast essentials. We also ordered dinner a la carte and shared several items including pasta and a salad.
Fisherman’s Landing: Located next to the shops, this restaurant is known for freshly-caught seafood, local produce and decadent desserts.
Blue Star Lounge: Serving California and American cuisine, this spot has indoor seating and an outdoor terrace with fire pits where guests can enjoy drinks and views.
Oasis Poolside Bar & Grille: Lounge by the pool all day while indulging in lights bites of American-style dishes and cocktails.
Mikado Japanese Steakhouse: Their menu offers authentic Japanese cuisine in a sophisticated setting.
Aquifer65 & The JW Sushi Bar: These are located in the center of the hotel where all the action is. They’re perfect for small plates of Japanese dishes and craft cocktails.
Spa Bistro: Located at the Spa with views of the pool, they serve healthy cuisine, smoothies and fresh juices, in addition to sushi.
Starbucks: Conveniently located in the main building by the entrance, this was our go-to spot each morning for coffee.
T & T Innovation Kitchen: Currently closed, the restaurant features a constantly-changing five-course tasting menu designed by the restaurant chefs. Available for private events only.

Aquifer65 & The JW Sushi Bar are located in the center of the hotel. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

There is also an on-site Starbucks in the main building by the entrance. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

Rockwood Grill serves American cuisine and has indoor and outdoor dining areas. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

Mikado Japanese Steakhouse offers authentic Japanese cuisine in a sophisticated setting. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

Fisherman’s Landing is known for freshly-caught seafood, local produce and decadent desserts. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

The Spa Bistro serves healthy cuisine, smoothies and fresh juices, in addition to sushi. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

Insider’s Tips

Valet parking is available and costs $40 for 24 hours.
Go for one of the boat rides on the lake if you can. They’re offered daily until 7 p.m. and depart from the lobby. They’re 20 minutes long, cost $5 per person, and are a great way to see the property and wildlife such as swans, geese, koi fish and flamingoes. Our boat driver was kind enough to drop us off at a small dock next to the Spa, where we were headed next. Reservations are required. Boat rides can be booked online here.
If you’re planning to log in some pool time during your visit, you might want to consider reserving a cabana, daybed, or poolside chaise lounge chair. The chaise lounge chairs start at $75 per person, daybeds start at $350, and cabanas (different types are available) start at $550 and go up from there.
Book a service at The Spa at Desert Springs and allow yourself an additional hour or two to enjoy their luxurious amenities and facilities before or after your treatment. They also offer a selection of fitness classes that guests can sign up for like Yoga Pilates Fusion and Body Sculpt.
Go for a stroll through the JW Garden, a new bio-diverse garden created by Studio Lily Kwong that features a variety of edible herbs and California-native plants. It’s a great place where one can take a moment out of their day to pause and reflect.

Offered daily until 7 p.m., guests can enjoy a 20-minute boat ride on the hotel’s scenic waterways that departs in the lobby.

.Boat rides can accommodate up to eight people and are a great way to see the property and its unique wildlife.

The JW Garden

A brand-new feature to the resort is the JW Garden, a tranquil space located by the spa next to the lake. Inspired by Alice Marriott’s love of gardening, it was was designed by Studio Lily Kwong using sustainable practices and welcomes guests to connect with nature. We enjoyed strolling through the beautiful bio-diverse garden that was bursting with an array of colorful flowers, an olive grove, California-native plants, and edible herbs like sage. It provides a nice space where one can stop and take a moment to enjoy their peaceful surroundings.

Inspired by Alice Marriott’s love of gardening, the garden grows herbs and ingredients as part of the culinary journey.

The garden created by Studio Lily Kwong uses sustainable practices and welcomes guests to connect with nature.

The Spa at Desert Springs

The Spa at Desert Springs is the largest in Palm Desert at 38,000 square feet with 48 treatment rooms. It underwent a major refresh as part of the resort’s multi-million dollar redesign and its aesthetic is inspired by Palm Desert’s stunning physical, historical and social environments.

Spa Profile: The Spa at Desert Springs

During the last day of our stay, we enjoyed a relaxing day at the spa. Due to its size and offerings, be sure to carve out an additional hour or two to allow yourself enough time to enjoy the Spa amenities and facilities before or after your services.

Amenities: The Spa’s luxurious amenities and upgrades include co-ed and gender separate relaxation areas, an aromatic Hammam, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room, outdoor salt water lap pool, and a Spa Bistro that serves healthy cuisine. There is a Couples Suite with its own bathtub and the Spa Sanctuary Suite that includes a personal butler, two private treatment rooms, bathtub/shower, courtyard with whirlpool, food service, and more.

Treatments: The extensive service menu offers a wide variety of massages, facials and body treatments that incorporate healing methods and naturally, locally-sourced ingredients. Treatments to try include the Couples Revive (a two-hour experience that includes 60-minute side-by-side massages and a bubble bath) as well as the Desert Journey (a 90-minute treatment inspired by the desert’s blooming fragrant scents that includes a body exfoliation, massage, hot stones, paraffin foot treatment, head, neck and scalp massage.)

For more information about The Spa at Desert Springs, check out my Spa Diary here.

The reception and lobby at The Spa at Desert Springs. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

The spa’s outdoor saltwater swimming pool. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

The luxurious Couples Suite. [Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa]

For more information and to book a stay, call 760-341-2211 or visit JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s website and follow them on Instagram: @desertsprings

74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260

More luxury destinations:

Everything You Need to Know about Four Seasons Taormina
Casa Elar, Ojai Valley Inn’s Tuscan-Inspired Villa