
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Best for families, golfers and guests who want many on-site activities (golf, multiple pools, kids’ programming).
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JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a large, family-friendly Palm Desert resort with multiple pools, golf courses and a full-service spa — good for families, golfers and meeting planners. Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel is a modern, downtown Palm Springs lifestyle hotel with a rooftop pool scene — good for travelers who want downtown dining, museums and a lively rooftop vibe.
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Best for families, golfers and guests who want many on-site activities (golf, multiple pools, kids’ programming).

Best for downtown stays, museum and nightlife access, and a single lively rooftop pool scene.
When the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa wins: choose JW Marriott if you want a large all-ages resort with multiple pools, two on-site championship golf courses, extensive meeting and wedding venues, and a very large full-service spa.
When Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel wins: choose Kimpton Rowan if you prefer a compact downtown location within easy walking distance of museums, restaurants and Palm Springs’ attractions, and you value a modern hotel with a rooftop pool and active local scene.
Bottom line: pick JW Marriott for a resort-with-everything stay (family activities, golf, big spa, many pools). Pick Kimpton Rowan for a walkable downtown Palm Springs base with a stylish rooftop atmosphere and easy access to city museums and nightlife.
| Category | JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large resort spread across 450 acres; resort activity focus (golf, pools, kid programs). | Modern downtown lifestyle hotel with a rooftop pool scene and local-curated programming. |
| Location | Palm Desert — near El Paseo and on-site golf courses; car-practical. | Downtown Palm Springs — steps from Palm Springs Art Museum and Forever Marilyn. |
| Size | 884 rooms across eight floors on 450 acres. | 153 guestrooms. |
| Ages / audience | All-ages resort; family programming and kids welcome (spa areas are adults-only). | All-ages hotel (not adults-only). |
| Pools | Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs, including family and chilled pools; spa has separate adult-only saltwater lap pool. | One outdoor pool (rooftop); pool scene is a signature downtown draw. |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues (Rockwood Grill, Mikado teppanyaki, Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar, Fisherman’s Landing, Starbucks, spa bistro, pool bar, etc.). | Three restaurants and two bars, including Mediterranean-focused Four Saints and rooftop bar/pool service. |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Desert Springs — 38,000 sq ft, 47–48 treatment rooms, extensive facilities and classes. | Spa services on site (smaller scale than JW Marriott). |
| Meetings & events | Extensive: 235,000+ sq ft of indoor event space, large ballrooms and many outdoor venues; suited for big weddings/conferences. | Conference space: 5,108 sq ft and 8 meeting rooms — better for small-to-mid events. |
| Nearby attractions | Near El Paseo, Desert golf courses, Living Desert and easy drive to Joshua Tree and Palm Springs attractions. | Steps to Palm Springs Art Museum, Forever Marilyn, downtown shops and restaurants. |
| Parking & transit | On-site self and valet parking; car recommended for many day trips. | Downtown walkable location; Palm Springs Intl. Airport is the preferred nearby airport. |
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa sits on 450 acres in Palm Desert near El Paseo and on-site golf courses.
Choose JW Marriott when you want resort seclusion, golf and grounds rather than immediate downtown access.
Kimpton Rowan is centrally located in downtown Palm Springs, steps from museums and restaurants.
Choose Kimpton Rowan when you want to be in the middle of downtown Palm Springs activity.
JW Marriott offers 884 renovated rooms and suites across many categories, including multiple suite types and accessible rooms.
Choose JW Marriott for wide room choices, larger suites and family-friendly layouts.
Kimpton Rowan has 153 guestrooms with a mix of standard, premium and suite options and several mountain- or downtown-view rooms.
Choose Kimpton Rowan for a compact, design-forward downtown hotel with well-specified room types.
JW Marriott offers numerous on-site dining venues from casual to teppanyaki and a full lounge scene.
Choose JW Marriott if you want many on-site dining choices and venues that serve a range of groups and tastes.
Kimpton Rowan focuses on a smaller set of restaurants and bars with a downtown, Mediterranean-influenced offering.
Choose Kimpton Rowan when you prefer a mix of on-site modern dining and easy access to downtown restaurants.
JW Marriott features five outdoor pools plus hot tubs and water amenities across the resort.
Choose JW Marriott if you want several pool choices and family-oriented pool options.
Kimpton Rowan’s single outdoor pool is on the rooftop and is a central social feature of the hotel.
Choose Kimpton Rowan when you want a downtown rooftop pool and a concentrated social atmosphere.
JW Marriott’s Spa Desert Springs is a large, full-service facility with specialized treatments and wellness programming.
Choose JW Marriott for a comprehensive spa and broad wellness programming plus family activities.
Kimpton Rowan emphasizes downtown nightlife, a rooftop bar/pool and locally-oriented programming.
Choose Kimpton Rowan for downtown nightlife, rooftop drinks and an active local schedule.

JW Marriott — multiple family pools, kids’ programs, miniature golf and family-friendly dining.

Kimpton Rowan — steps from museums, galleries and downtown dining with a walkable urban location.

JW Marriott — Spa Desert Springs is a 38,000 sq ft full-service spa with extensive treatment rooms and amenities.

Kimpton Rowan — rooftop pool and terrace that anchor the hotel’s downtown social life.
JW Marriott — the resort is explicitly family-friendly with multiple pools, kids’ programming and family activities; the spa areas are adults-focused but the overall property welcomes children.
Kimpton Rowan — it’s centrally located in downtown Palm Springs, within a short walk of museums, public art and restaurants.
JW Marriott — Spa Desert Springs is much larger (38,000 sq ft with dozens of treatment rooms) than the on-site spa services at Kimpton Rowan.
No — both properties welcome guests of all ages. Note that JW Marriott’s spa areas have age restrictions for spa access.
Explore how JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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