Getting around the resort and Palm Desert
Inside the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa you can walk, bike, or ride the resort gondola between lakes and pool areas; most guest rooms sit a short walk from pools, restaurants, and event spaces. For trips off-property, rideshare and rental cars are the most practical options — the hotel does not provide an airport shuttle.
In this guide
- Getting around the resort grounds
- Pools, spa access and hours
- Getting to and from Palm Desert
- Parking, EV charging and on-site transport fees
- Activities, fitness and golfing on property
- Dining, reservations and on-site restaurants
- Nearby attractions and day trips
- Accessibility, family policy and room types
Getting around the resort grounds
The property covers large grounds with lakes, gardens, pools and event lawns; most guest rooms are a short walk from restaurants, pools and the golf club but expect to cross outdoor paths. Guests commonly walk or use the resort’s network of paths to move between buildings, pools and dining venues.
A gondola operates on the resort waterways and provides a scenic way to travel between lakes and some event/wedding areas; it’s also used for special events. If you have mobility needs, contact the front desk or concierge for the best accessible route to a particular venue.
- Walk: paved paths connect rooms, pools, dining and event lawns
- Gondola: waterway rides for guests, used for transport and events
- Bikes: complimentary bike rental included in the resort fee
| On-property option | When to use |
|---|---|
| Walking / paved paths | Between nearby pools, restaurants and rooms |
| Gondola | Lake crossings, wedding arrivals and scenic trips |
| Bike (included) | Short rides around the 450-acre grounds |
Pools, spa access and hours
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa has five outdoor pools plus hot tubs and whirlpools, including a family pool and a chilled 'Oasis' pool. General pool hours commonly run from early morning until late evening; third-party listings show typical pool hours of 8:00 AM–10:00 PM.
Spa Desert Springs is a separate 38,000-square-foot spa with dedicated amenities and its own age policy: spa areas (including the outdoor saltwater lap pool) are intended for adults and spa guests. Spa hours and treatment availability vary by day; the spa posts specific opening days and hours on the hotel’s spa page.
- Five outdoor pools plus whirlpools and a family pool
- Spa Desert Springs amenities include Aromatic Hammam, saunas, steam rooms and an outdoor saltwater lap pool (spa guests only)
- Spa hours: generally 10:00 AM start on open days; the spa is closed on Tuesdays (check the spa page for the current schedule)
| Facility | Access / notes |
|---|---|
| Main pools | Open to resort guests; family-friendly areas |
| Spa pools (saltwater lap pool) | Restricted to spa guests; adults-only policy applies |
| Pool hours | Commonly listed 8:00 AM–10:00 PM (confirm locally) |
Getting to and from Palm Desert
The nearest major airport is Palm Springs International Airport (PSP); sources list PSP roughly 10–12 miles from the resort. The hotel does not provide a regular airport shuttle, so common arrival options are rental car, rideshare or private transfer.
Rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft) operate throughout the Coachella Valley and are a common, practical choice for short trips to El Paseo, Acrisure Arena, area attractions and local restaurants. Rental cars are recommended if you plan day trips to places like Joshua Tree National Park or the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
- No hotel airport shuttle — use rental car, rideshare or private transfer
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the closest major airport
- Bermuda Dunes (UDD) is a smaller nearby airport with limited commercial service
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Point-to-point trips across Palm Desert and to nearby venues |
| Rental car | Day trips (Joshua Tree, Tramway) and exploring the Coachella Valley |
| Private transfer / taxi | Direct airport pick-up with prearranged pickup |
Parking, EV charging and on-site transport fees
Self-parking and valet options are available on property. Rates and policies may change; multiple sources report a range of daily parking prices and that valet is offered for an additional fee.
The property lists EV charging in its covered self-parking garage: a set of Tesla charging stalls is available. Confirm current EV pricing and availability with the hotel prior to arrival.
- Self-parking is available on-site (check current daily rate with the hotel)
- Valet parking is available for an additional daily fee (confirm current rate)
- EV charging (Tesla stalls) in covered garage — check availability and nightly pricing
| Service | What to check on arrival |
|---|---|
| Self-parking | Current daily rate and in/out privileges |
| Valet parking | Daily fee and access hours |
| EV charging | Number of chargers, nightly fee and reservation policy |
Activities, fitness and golfing on property
The resort has two on-site championship golf courses (Palm and Valley) at Desert Springs Golf Club, plus miniature golf, 12 outdoor pickleball courts and complimentary fitness classes included in the resort fee. The golf club is essentially steps from the hotel, often described as a 1-minute walk.
Spa Desert Springs operates a 4,000-square-foot fitness center with machines, free weights and an 800-square-foot yoga/Pilates studio; a smaller 24-hour cardio gym is also reported on property. Fitness class schedules and golf tee times should be booked in advance through concierge or front desk.
- Two Ted Robinson-designed golf courses on-site (Palm and Valley)
- 12 outdoor pickleball courts and miniature golf
- Fitness classes (yoga, Pilates) and a full-service spa fitness center
| Activity | How to reserve |
|---|---|
| Golf | Book tee times via the golf club or concierge |
| Pickleball | Check court availability with front desk or activities desk |
| Fitness classes | Included with resort fee — schedules at the spa/fitness desk |
Dining, reservations and on-site restaurants
Dining options range from the all-day Rockwood Grill (breakfast, lunch, dinner) to Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar, Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, Fisherman's Landing, a poolside Oasis Poolside Bar & Grille and a Starbucks®. Rockwood Grill and some venues accept reservations; others like Fisherman's Landing note no-reservation service.
Check current hours before you go — Mikado’s teppanyaki schedule varies by day, Aquifer65 opens in the late afternoon, and Spa Bistro hours depend on spa operations. The concierge can help with restaurant reservations and current opening times.
- Rockwood Grill: breakfast, lunch and dinner — reservation options available
- Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar: evening small plates and drinks; sushi bar opens in the late afternoon
- Mikado Japanese Steakhouse: teppanyaki service with limited weekly hours
| Restaurant | Typical service times |
|---|---|
| Rockwood Grill | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (check current daily hours) |
| Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar | Evening service (sushi bar opens late afternoon) |
| Oasis Poolside Bar & Grille | Daytime poolside service |
Nearby attractions and day trips
El Paseo shopping and dining is a roughly 5-minute drive from the resort. Other nearby attractions include Acrisure Arena, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Day trips commonly taken from the resort include the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park; a car is the most practical way to reach those sites. Weather and seasonal events can affect travel times, so plan accordingly.
- El Paseo Shopping District — ~5-minute drive
- Acrisure Arena — a short drive for concerts and events
- Living Desert Zoo & Gardens — around 5 miles away
- Day trips: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Joshua Tree National Park (rental car recommended)
| Attraction | Typical travel time from hotel |
|---|---|
| El Paseo | About 5 minutes by car |
| Acrisure Arena | Short drive (check event schedules) |
| Living Desert Zoo & Gardens | Around 5 minutes / ~5 miles |
Accessibility, family policy and room types
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is family-friendly and welcomes children of all ages; the main guest checking in must be at least 18. Spa Desert Springs maintains an adults-only policy inside the spa and for certain spa pool areas.
Accessible rooms and features are available. The hotel room roster includes Room, Balcony; Signature Room; Signature Room, with Sofa bed; Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom; Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View; Signature Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony; Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View; Vice Presidential Room; and others. For specific mobility or hearing-accessible room types (for example Room, Balcony (Mobility/, Tub) and Room, Balcony (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr)), contact the reservations team to request the exact room name required.
- Children of all ages are welcome; the check-in guest must be 18+
- Spa areas are restricted by age; contact the spa for details
- Several accessible room configurations are listed — request specific room names when booking
| Example room names | Notes |
|---|---|
| Room, Balcony | Standard guest room with balcony options (King or 2 Queen Beds) |
| Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View | Suite option with King Bed and Double Sofa Bed |
| Room, Balcony (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) | Rooms with roll-in shower or hearing-access features |
