
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Best for families, golfers, groups and guests who want many on-site activities and restaurants.
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JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a large, family-friendly Palm Desert resort with multiple pools, restaurants, two golf courses and a 38,000 sq ft spa. The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows is a stylish, adults-only boutique hotel in downtown Palm Springs for travelers who want a smaller, design-forward stay; read this if you’re choosing between a full-service resort and a quieter adults-only property.
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Best for families, golfers, groups and guests who want many on-site activities and restaurants.

Best for adults seeking a smaller, design-led Palm Springs hotel with bungalow-style rooms and a single intimate pool and restaurant.
When JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa wins: choose JW Marriott if you want lots of on-site options—multiple pools, many restaurants and bars, two championship golf courses, large meeting and wedding venues, and an expansive spa. It’s the pick for families, multi-generational travel and activity-focused stays.
When The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows wins: choose The Colony Palms if you prefer an adults-only, compact property in downtown Palm Springs with bungalow-style accommodations, a single pool area, a poolside fine-dining restaurant (The Colony Club) and a quieter, design-led atmosphere.
Bottom line: pick JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa for scale, variety and resort facilities; pick The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows for an intimate adults-only Palm Springs experience with a strong boutique character.
| Category | JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, full-service resort with extensive activities and family programming. | Stylish adults-only boutique hotel and bungalow complex with a relaxed, design-focused feel. |
| Location | Palm Desert — near El Paseo, on 450 acres with lakes and golf courses. | Downtown Palm Springs — short drive to attractions like the Convention Center and Palm Springs Art Museum. |
| Size (rooms) | 884 rooms and suites across 8 floors. | 57 guestrooms and bungalows. |
| Ages / policy | All-ages resort (children welcome); main guest must be 18 to check in. | Adults-only property (children 18 and younger not permitted). |
| Pools | Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs and family-focused pool options; spa has an adults-only saltwater lap pool. | One outdoor pool and one hot tub; pool cabanas available (surcharge). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets (Rockwood Grill, Blue Star Lounge, Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar, Mikado, Fisherman's Landing, Spa Bistro, Starbucks, poolside bar, etc.). | One main restaurant (The Colony Club) plus poolside bar and 24-hour room service. |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Desert Springs — 38,000 sq ft, ~47–48 treatment rooms, saunas, hammam, fitness classes and large spa facilities. | Full-service spa with treatment rooms and yoga classes/instruction on site. |
| Known for | Golf (two championship courses), extensive event space and family programming. | Adults-only boutique style, poolside fine-dining (The Colony Club) and bungalow accommodations. |
| Meeting & event space | Very large (many ballrooms and over 200,000 sq ft of event space; Sinatra Ballroom up to ~3,050 capacity). | Smaller meeting/conference space (~1,000 sq ft) and one meeting room. |
| Parking & accessibility | Self and valet parking; EV charging stations available; extensive accessible public areas. | Uncovered parking and valet (surcharge); some upper floors accessible by stairs only. |
JW Marriott sits in Palm Desert on expansive grounds close to El Paseo and local golf and entertainment.
Choose JW Marriott if you want resort grounds, golf access and proximity to Palm Desert attractions.
The Colony Palms is in central Palm Springs, within walking distance of galleries and the Convention Center.
Choose The Colony Palms for a downtown Palm Springs location and easy access to city sights.
JW Marriott offers a wide range of room types and large suites across nearly 900 rooms.
Pick JW Marriott for more room choice and larger suites for families or groups.
The Colony Palms provides a smaller set of boutique rooms and bungalow options.
Pick The Colony Palms if you want bungalow-style guestrooms and a boutique inventory.
JW Marriott has many on-site dining venues covering casual to formal meals and multiple bars.
Choose JW Marriott for variety and multiple dining moods across the day.
The Colony Palms centers food and drink around one main on-site restaurant and the pool bar.
Choose The Colony Palms if you prefer a single, restaurant-forward boutique property with poolside dining.
The JW Marriott features multiple pools and water-based experiences across its large grounds.
Pick JW Marriott for pool variety and family-friendly water activities.
The Colony Palms offers a single main pool and a hot tub in a boutique setting.
Pick The Colony Palms for a quieter, adults-only pool experience in downtown Palm Springs.
JW Marriott combines a very large spa, fitness facilities and nightly dining/lounge entertainment.
Choose JW Marriott for a comprehensive spa and active wellness program with evening entertainment.
The Colony Palms provides spa treatments, yoga instruction and a calmer evening ambiance.
Choose The Colony Palms for quieter wellness-focused stays and low-key late-evening dining.

JW Marriott — multiple family pools, kids’ activities, and spacious family-friendly rooms and facilities.

The Colony Palms — adults-only policy, bungalow rooms and an intimate downtown Palm Springs location.

JW Marriott — two championship golf courses and extensive ballrooms and outdoor event spaces.

The Colony Palms — smaller scale, design focus and a single pool/restaurant for a low-key stay.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa — it welcomes children, has multiple family pools and family-focused activities.
The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows is an adults-only property; children 18 and younger are not permitted.
JW Marriott — it has multiple restaurants, bars and casual outlets; The Colony Palms centers dining around The Colony Club and a pool bar.
JW Marriott — Spa Desert Springs is about 38,000 sq ft with roughly 47–48 treatment rooms; The Colony Palms has a full-service spa but on a much smaller scale.
Explore how JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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