
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Best for families, golfers and groups who want lots of on-site activities, pools and meeting/event space.
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JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is a large family-friendly Palm Desert resort with extensive pools, two golf courses and a 38,000 sq ft spa — read this if you want a full-service resort, activities and space. Thompson Palm Springs is an upscale lifestyle hotel in downtown Palm Springs for style-conscious travelers who prefer a central city base and poolside social scenes.
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Best for families, golfers and groups who want lots of on-site activities, pools and meeting/event space.

Best for travelers who want a stylish downtown Palm Springs stay with easy access to the convention center, museums and local dining.
When JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa wins: choose JW Marriott for a resort stay focused on pools, big-spread grounds, multiple on-site restaurants, two championship golf courses and an expansive spa with programming for adults and families alike.
When Thompson Palm Springs wins: choose Thompson if you prefer a compact, design-led hotel in downtown Palm Springs with two outdoor pools, easy walking access to cultural attractions and a hip, restaurant-and-bar-forward experience.
Bottom line: JW Marriott is the pick for space, variety and resort amenities (golf, large spa, gondola, many pools); Thompson is the pick for a central Palm Springs address and a boutique lifestyle hotel vibe.
| Category | JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa | Thompson Palm Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, full-service family resort with golf courses and extensive facilities | Upscale lifestyle hotel with a design-forward, downtown feel |
| Location | Palm Desert, near El Paseo and on-site golf | 414 North Palm Canyon Drive, central Palm Springs near the Convention Center |
| Size | 884 rooms across 450 acres | 168 guestrooms |
| Audience / age policy | All ages welcome; main guest must be 18 to check in (spa areas may be adults-only) | All ages welcome (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Five outdoor pools plus hot tubs, family and chilled pools; spa has a separate adults-only saltwater lap pool | Number of outdoor pools - 2; pool cabanas (surcharge) and 2 poolside bars |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple outlets (Rockwood Grill, Fisherman's Landing, Mikado, Aquifer65, Oasis Poolside Bar, Starbucks, Spa Bistro, etc.) | Three restaurants and 1 bar/lounge, plus 2 poolside bars and 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | Spa Desert Springs: 38,000 sq ft, 47–48 treatment rooms, hammam/sauna/steam and extensive facilities | Not published |
| Known for | On-site gondola waterways, two Ted Robinson golf courses, large meeting/wedding venues | Central Palm Springs location, local-arts touches and free on-site bikes |
| Accessibility & family features | Kids Club, family pools, accessible rooms and wide accessibility features across property | Wheelchair-accessible rooms and public areas, accessible pool and fitness center |
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa sits in Palm Desert with on-site golf and landscaped lakes a short drive from El Paseo.
Choose JW Marriott if you want resort seclusion, golf and acreage outside downtown Palm Springs.
Thompson Palm Springs is located at 414 North Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, walking distance to cultural venues.
Choose Thompson for a central base in Palm Springs with walkable access to downtown attractions.
JW Marriott offers a wide range of rooms and suites (884 rooms) across multiple categories for families and groups.
Choose JW Marriott for variety and larger suite options, especially for family or multi-guest stays.
Thompson Palm Springs lists 168 guestrooms with several balcony and accessible room configurations.
Choose Thompson for compact, design-focused rooms with several accessible options and downtown views.
JW Marriott has many on-site dining options covering casual pool fare, teppanyaki, seafood and a lobby sushi bar.
Choose JW Marriott for broad dining variety on property — casual to special-occasion venues.
Thompson offers a smaller, curated selection of dining outlets and a nightlife-forward bar scene.
Choose Thompson if you want a downtown hotel with focused, design-led dining and lively poolside bars.
Pools are a core part of the JW Marriott resort experience with five outdoor pools and dedicated family areas.
Choose JW Marriott if multiple pool options and separate family/adult spaces matter to your stay.
Thompson Palm Springs centers its social life around two outdoor pools and poolside bars.
Choose Thompson for a compact, social pool scene in downtown Palm Springs.
JW Marriott’s large spa and multiple fitness offerings cater to wellness-focused guests and families alike.
Choose JW Marriott for a full wellness program and evening options across a large property.
Thompson’s lifestyle positioning emphasizes curated dining, a compact fitness offering and after-dark socializing.
Choose Thompson for a boutique wellness and nightlife mix that fits a downtown, design-focused itinerary.

Extensive pools, Kids Club, multiple activities, two golf courses and large rooms/suites.

Central Palm Springs address within easy reach of the Convention Center, museums and restaurants.

Spa Desert Springs is a 38,000 sq ft facility with an extensive treatment menu and spa amenities.

Thompson positions itself as an upscale lifestyle hotel with curated dining, art and a social pool scene.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa — it has family pools, Kids Club activities and many on-site family-friendly amenities.
Thompson Palm Springs is in central Palm Springs (near the Convention Center and museums); JW Marriott sits in Palm Desert and is a drive from downtown Palm Springs.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa — Spa Desert Springs is 38,000 sq ft with dozens of treatment rooms.
No — both properties welcome guests of all ages in their general accommodations. JW Marriott’s spa areas have adult-only policies for certain spaces; Thompson lists some 'Upper Stories - Adults Only' room variants but the hotel itself is not adults-only.
Explore how JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·