
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Best for families, large groups, and travelers who want extensive on-site activities (golf, multiple pools, big spa and meeting space).
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JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a large, family-friendly Palm Desert resort with multiple pools, two on-site championship golf courses, and a very large spa—good for families, golfers, and groups. La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection is a historic, full-service La Quinta resort with a village-like layout, many pools and golf options—good for travelers who want classic Greater Palm Springs resort character and lots of on-site activities.
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Best for families, large groups, and travelers who want extensive on-site activities (golf, multiple pools, big spa and meeting space).

Best for travelers who want a classic Coachella Valley resort with many individual casitas, lots of pools/hot tubs, and a resort-village feel.
When JW Marriott Desert Springs wins: choose JW Marriott Desert Springs if you want the biggest resort footprint, a very large spa (Spa Desert Springs), gondola/lakeside features, two championship golf courses literally adjacent to the hotel, and more event-space options for large meetings or weddings.
When La Quinta Resort wins: pick La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection if you prefer a resort with a long history in the valley, a large number of pools and hot tubs scattered across intimate casitas, easy access to nearby Indian Wells tennis and polo venues, and a slightly more village-like property layout.
Bottom line: both are full-service, 5-star desert resorts with strong on-site golf and spa offerings; JW Marriott is the larger, more convention- and family-oriented property with a signature, very large spa, while La Quinta is a historic, multi-pool resort with a more intimate casita village atmosphere.
| Category | JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, landscaped 450-acre resort with lakes, gondolas and a spread-out, activity-focused layout. | Historic casitas and courtyard-style layout with many small pool areas and hot tubs. |
| Location (town) | Palm Desert (El Paseo area; near San Jacinto Mountains). | La Quinta (near La Quinta Resort Mountain Course and Indian Wells amenities). |
| Size (rooms) | 884 guest rooms and suites across 8 floors. | 781 guestrooms. |
| Who it's for | Families, golfers, wellness seekers, large meetings/weddings. | Families and couples who want a classic resort-with-casitas feel and lots of pool options. |
| Pools & hot tubs | Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs, including family and chilled pools; spa pool (adults-only). | 15 outdoor pools and 15 hot tubs, plus children's pool and pool cabanas (surcharges may apply). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues: Rockwood Grill, Blue Star Lounge, Mikado Teppanyaki, Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar, Fisherman's Landing, Starbucks, Spa Bistro and pool bar. | Four restaurants, one coffee shop/cafe, 5 bars/lounges, plus poolside bar and room service (limited hours). |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Desert Springs — 38,000 sq ft, 47–48 treatment rooms, aromatherapy hammam, sauna, Turkish steam room; adult-only spa areas. | Full-service spa available (spa treatment rooms, steam room, sauna listed); wheelchair-accessible spa features. |
| Golf & tennis | Two on-site Ted Robinson-designed championship golf courses and tennis/pickleball facilities. | Golf course on site and driving range; tennis on site with on-site lessons available. |
| Meetings & events | Extensive meeting and ballroom space (Sinatra Ballroom, Springs Ballroom, many outdoor lawns); major convention capacity. | Large conference footprint: 11148 m² (119,996 sq ft) of conference space and 8 meeting rooms. |
| Accessibility & family features | Family-friendly with kids’ programs, kid pools, accessible paths and fitness center options. | Family-friendly with supervised childcare/activities (surcharge), accessible pools/paths and many family-oriented amenities. |
JW Marriott Desert Springs sits in Palm Desert near El Paseo and several local attractions.
Best if you want proximity to Palm Desert shopping and resort-style lakes and green spaces.
La Quinta Resort & Club is in La Quinta, close to the La Quinta Resort Mountain Course and regional tennis and polo venues.
Best if you want easy access to Indian Wells and a mountain backdrop in La Quinta.
JW Marriott offers a wide variety of 884 renovated rooms and suites across eight floors.
Choose JW Marriott for a wider selection of large-suite options and renovated rooms across many categories.
La Quinta Resort & Club offers 781 guestrooms and an on-site layout of casitas and courtyard rooms.
Choose La Quinta for the casita/courtyard room experience and many smaller, spread-out accommodation options.
JW Marriott provides a wide on-site dining collection from casual to teppanyaki and seafood.
Pick JW Marriott for broad dining options and late-evening lounge and teppanyaki experiences.
La Quinta Resort has several restaurants and multiple bars scattered across the property.
Choose La Quinta for simpler but solid on-site dining spread across a resort village layout.
JW Marriott features five outdoor pools, lakes with gondola rides, and spa pool areas.
Best if you want a few larger pool areas, lakeside features and a dedicated adult spa pool.
La Quinta Resort is notable for its high number of small pools and hot tubs scattered across the grounds.
Best if you prefer many smaller pool areas and abundant hot tubs near casitas.
JW Marriott’s Spa Desert Springs is a destination spa with a large fitness center and scheduled classes.
Choose JW Marriott for a large, full-featured spa and organized fitness programming.
La Quinta Resort offers spa treatments, fitness options and evening poolside or lounge experiences.
Choose La Quinta for a traditional resort spa plus multiple relaxed evening lounge and bar options.

JW Marriott — much larger meeting and ballroom capacity (Sinatra and Springs ballrooms, extensive outdoor lawns).

La Quinta Resort — 15 outdoor pools and 15 hot tubs spread across a casita-style property.

JW Marriott — Spa Desert Springs is 38,000 sq ft with dozens of treatment rooms and a wide amenities list.

La Quinta Resort — historic resort layout with casitas and a village-like atmosphere.
Both welcome families, but JW Marriott is especially family-focused with kids’ programs, a dedicated family pool and many family activities.
La Quinta Resort & Club lists 15 outdoor pools and 15 hot tubs versus JW Marriott’s five outdoor pools and additional hot tubs.
JW Marriott’s Spa Desert Springs is larger and more extensive (38,000 sq ft with roughly 47–48 treatment rooms).
No — both properties are inland desert resorts in the Coachella Valley; ocean beaches are not nearby.
Explore how JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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