Is JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is worth it for travelers who want a large Palm Desert property with many on-site activities (golf, pools, spa, gondola rides) and multiple dining options. It’s less compelling if you want a compact downtown or budget stay: the resort’s size, resort fee, and event crowds can add cost and noise.
In this guide
Location & getting there
The resort is at 74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, California, set on 450 acres with lakes, golf, and mountain views. El Paseo shopping, the San Jacinto Mountains and Acrisure Arena are all a short drive away.
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is the closest major airport; published distances vary but PSP is commonly listed as roughly 10–12 miles from the property. The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle; rental cars and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are commonly used.
- Address: 74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Closest major airport: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
- No hotel airport shuttle listed — plan a ride or rental car
| Nearby | Typical travel time |
|---|---|
| El Paseo shopping | About 5 minutes by car |
| San Jacinto Mountains | About 10 minutes by car |
| Living Desert Zoo & Gardens | Around 10–15 minutes by car |
Rooms and suites — who should book which
The resort has a wide range of rooms and suites (13 types listed) including Room, Balcony; Signature Room; Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom; Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View; Signature Suite, 1 Bedroom, Balcony; Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View and more. Rooms were renovated in 2020/2021.
Choose a suite or pool-view room if you want extra living space or direct views of the grounds; select accessible Room, Balcony (Mobility/Tub) or Room, Balcony (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) if you need mobility or hearing features.
- Room, Balcony: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds
- Signature Room, with Sofa bed: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
- Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View: 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed
| Room type | Beds | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room, Balcony | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds | Standard guest room with balcony option |
| Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed | Smaller suite, pool view — sleeps up to 4 |
| Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom, Pool View | 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed | Largest listed suite (1194 sq. ft.) with pool view |
Pools, spa and wellness — pros and cons
There are five outdoor pools (plus hot tubs) across the grounds, including a family pool and a chilled 'Oasis' pool; general pool hours are commonly listed as 8:00 AM–10:00 PM. Water features, lagoons and gondola rides are a distinctive part of the property.
Spa Desert Springs is large (38,000 sq ft with 47–48 treatment rooms) and offers specialty facilities (Aromatic Hammam, Finnish Sauna, Turkish Steam Room, relaxation lounges) and an outdoor saltwater lap pool that is reserved for spa guests (adults-only). Spa hours vary and the spa is closed Tuesdays.
- Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs; family pool available
- Spa Desert Springs: adults-only policy for most spa areas; spa amenities include Hammam and steam rooms
- Pool hours generally reported 8:00 AM–10:00 PM (check current schedules)
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pools | Five outdoor pools, family pool, chilled Oasis pool |
| Spa | 38,000 sq ft, adults-only policies inside spa; spa pool for spa guests |
| Fitness | 4,000 sq ft fitness center plus additional smaller 24-hour gym (per guest reports) |
Dining options
On-site dining covers a range from casual poolside service to teppanyaki and a Starbucks®. Notable venues include Rockwood Grill (American, breakfast buffet plus lunch and dinner), Mikado Japanese Steakhouse (teppanyaki), Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar (lobby lounge/sushi), Fisherman's Landing (seafood) and Spa Bistro (healthy cafe).
Hours and availability vary by venue (Mikado has limited days; Rockwood Grill and Fisherman's Landing have daily hours). Spa Bistro may be limited to spa guests or Spa Day Pass holders, so check before you plan your meals.
- Rockwood Grill: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (reservations via +1 760-341-1788 or OpenTable)
- Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar: evening small plates and sushi (opens around 4:00 PM)
- Oasis Poolside Bar & Grille: casual daytime pool service
| Restaurant | Serving |
|---|---|
| Rockwood Grill | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (daily) |
| Mikado Japanese Steakhouse | Dinner (limited days — Wed–Thu & Sun; Fri–Sat later hours) |
| Fisherman's Landing | Lunch & Dinner (no reservation required) |
Activities, golf and events
The resort is suitable for golfers and event attendees: it has two Ted Robinson-designed championship courses (Palm and Valley) effectively on-site and extensive meeting/wedding space (large ballrooms and outdoor venues). Meeting space totals hundreds of thousands of square feet across many rooms.
On-property activities for guests include gondola rides on the waterways, 12 outdoor pickleball courts, miniature golf, yoga/Pilates classes, bike rental and children's programs. The grounds can host large weddings and conferences, so expect busy periods during conventions, wedding season and regional events.
- Desert Springs Golf Club: two championship courses adjacent to the hotel
- Gondola rides on the resort’s lakes — a distinctive on-site activity
- 12 outdoor pickleball courts, miniature golf and bike rental
| Event venue | Capacity (published) |
|---|---|
| Sinatra Ballroom | Up to 3,050 |
| Springs Ballroom | Seating capacities listed up to 2,600 theater |
| JW Pavilion | Outdoor venue — capacity listed for large events |
Practical considerations: fees, policies, who it’s best for
There’s a mandatory daily resort fee (reported at $51.30) that includes self-parking, Wi‑Fi, golf bag storage, fitness classes and bike rental. Parking options include self-parking and paid valet; applicable rates vary and can add to your total cost.
The property welcomes families (children of all ages), but Spa Desert Springs is restricted to adults inside the spa. Dogs are allowed (dogs only, max weight commonly listed as 50 lbs) with a pet fee; service animals are accepted. The minimum check-in age for the guest registering is 18.
- Resort fee reported at $51.30/day (covers specific items — check current rate at booking)
- Spa areas restricted to adults; main resort is family-friendly
- Pet policy: dogs allowed (weight limits and non-refundable fee apply)
| Practical item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 11:00 AM |
| Resort fee | Daily mandatory fee reported (covers parking, Wi‑Fi, classes, bike rental) |
| Accessibility | Accessible rooms and accessible public areas available |
