
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Best for families, golfers and travelers who want a wide range of on-site activities and a large full-service spa.
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JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a large, family-friendly Palm Desert resort with multiple pools, two golf courses and a full-service 38,000 sq ft spa. The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert is a 4-star villa-style aparthotel with kitchenettes and multiple pools that suits families and travelers who prefer more residential accommodations.
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Best for families, golfers and travelers who want a wide range of on-site activities and a large full-service spa.

Best for travelers who prefer villa-style layouts with kitchens and multiple pools in a more residential aparthotel setting.
When JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa wins: Choose JW Marriott if you want resort-scale amenities — five outdoor pools, two championship golf courses on-site, extensive event space, gondola rides and a 38,000 sq ft Spa Desert Springs — plus many dining outlets and organized activities for kids and adults.
When The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert wins: Pick The Westin Villas if you want villa-style accommodations (kitchenettes and private balconies/patios), simpler self-cater options, and multiple on-site pools in a property with strong Westin brand recognition and a slightly more residential feel.
Bottom line: Both properties suit families and active travelers, but JW Marriott is the pick for a full-service resort experience and large spa or golf-focused trips; Westin Desert Willow Villas is the better fit for guests seeking villa layouts and a self-contained aparthotel stay.
| Category | JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large full-service resort with many activities and formal dining venues | Villa-style aparthotel with residential-feeling units and casual on-site dining |
| Location (Palm Desert) | 74-855 Country Club Drive — near El Paseo, on-site golf | 75 Willow Ridge — near Desert Willow Golf Resort and local attractions |
| Size | 884 rooms across an extensive 450-acre property | 440 guestrooms/units across the aparthotel |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; family-friendly (kids programs, family pools); main guest must be 18 to check in | All ages welcome; family-friendly aparthotel |
| Pools | Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs, family pool and an adults-only spa pool | Four outdoor pools, waterslide and one hot tub |
| Rooms — signature | Multiple room and suite types (e.g., Signature Suite, Junior Suite, Executive Suite) | Villa room types (Small Villa, 1 Bedroom; Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Balcony, etc.) with kitchenettes |
| Dining & bars | Many on-site restaurants and bars including Rockwood Grill, Mikado Teppanyaki, Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar, Fisherman's Landing, poolside bar and Starbucks | Agave Grill & Bar plus a poolside bar and two lounges/bars on property |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Desert Springs — 38,000 sq ft with 47–48 treatment rooms, extensive spa amenities and adult-only spa pool | Not published |
| Golf | Two on-site Ted Robinson-designed championship golf courses (Desert Springs Golf Club) | Golfing nearby; Desert Willow Golf Resort is close |
| Self-catering | Rooms do not standardly include kitchenettes (full-service resort focus) | Kitchenettes and stovetops in units (self-catering friendly) |
JW Marriott Desert Springs sits on large grounds near El Paseo and local golf courses, with resort waterways and garden views.
Choose JW Marriott if you want a resort that places golf, dining and sprawling grounds within easy reach.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas is in Palm Desert close to local golf and family activities, positioned for convenient access to area attractions.
Pick The Westin Villas for a more residential location near golf and Palm Desert’s main sights.
JW Marriott offers a wide variety of rooms and suites across 884 guestrooms, from standard rooms to large presidential suites.
The JW is for travelers who want choice in traditional hotel rooms and suites, including large suite options.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas provides villa-style units with kitchenettes and private balconies or patios for a residential stay.
Choose The Westin Villas if you prefer self-catering features and villa layouts.
JW Marriott lists numerous restaurants and bars covering American, seafood, Japanese teppanyaki, coffee and poolside casual dining.
JW Marriott delivers broader on-site dining variety and late-night lounge options.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas features on-site dining including Agave Grill & Bar and poolside service plus two bars/lounges.
Westin Villas is solid for casual dining and self-catering, with fewer formal restaurant choices than JW Marriott.
JW Marriott emphasizes multiple pool experiences across its 450-acre grounds, plus lake-based activities.
JW Marriott is for guests who want variety in pool settings and extra water-based activities like gondola rides.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas offers four outdoor pools, a waterslide and pool cabanas (surcharge).
Westin Villas provides multiple casual pool options and family-friendly water features in a villa-style layout.
JW Marriott combines a large destination spa with fitness offerings and evening lounges.
JW Marriott is the stronger choice for a full spa program and evening lounge entertainment.
The Westin Villas focuses on fitness and casual evening options rather than a large destination spa.
Westin Villas works for guests who want basic wellness services and casual evening options rather than a large spa.

JW Marriott — five pools, two golf courses, gondola rides and extensive event spaces on 450 acres.

The Westin Desert Willow Villas — kitchenettes and balcony/patio-equipped villa units for families and longer stays.

JW Marriott — Spa Desert Springs (38,000 sq ft, 47–48 treatment rooms) is the largest spa option here.

The Westin Villas — aparthotel layout with multiple pools and casual dining suits guests seeking a residential atmosphere.
Both welcome children, but JW Marriott emphasizes family activities (kids programs, multiple family pools, miniature golf) while The Westin Villas offers family-friendly villa units with kitchenettes and waterslides.
The Westin Desert Willow Villas lists kitchenettes with refrigerators and stovetops in its units. JW Marriott rooms are traditional hotel rooms and generally do not include kitchenettes.
JW Marriott has two on-site championship golf courses at Desert Springs Golf Club. The Westin Villas is close to Desert Willow Golf Resort and other courses nearby.
JW Marriott operates Spa Desert Springs (38,000 sq ft). A large destination spa is not published in The Westin Desert Willow Villas’ supplier listing.
Explore how JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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