JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

I returned here in November 2025, previously the last time I had been here was the end of July in 2021. And I have to say I really love this resort. The staff was amazing, everyone from the valet to the check-in desk, the housekeeper and everyone in between. The property is located in a pretty convenient place, but you can tell it is designed to keep you at the resort. With multiple different restaurants, one of the best spas I have ever been to, and even places to go shopping, it’s designed to keep you there and it does that very well 😂 The property is starting to show its age just a little bit, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s still very nice and I’m sure he’s been renovated several times since it opened first in 1987. It has very accessible common spaces and bars, and very scenic views of the golf course, the man-made Lake and the popular, and now influencer loved boat rides. I stayed in the Griffin suite, had a great balcony and view of the pools, and also the artificial lake. Rockwood Grill was a great place to enjoy some casual bites, but then Mikado steakhouse was very good to enjoy some Japanese food and a nicer sitdown dinner. Highly recommend this property even though there are several really good resorts to stay in the surrounding area, this one has been my favorite so far!

uring our visit over Labor Day weekend 2026, Eric Theiss, Director of Food and Beverage, provided exceptional customer service. He was personable, relatable, and extremely knowledgeable. Eric took the time to engage us in great conversation and made us feel genuinely welcomed and valued. The best part was learning that Eric is from Philadelphia and is a die-hard Philly fan! The food was delicious, and the entire staff was amazing, friendly, and attentive. Eric’s professionalism, fun personality, and attention to guests reflect the high standards of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. He is truly an asset to the Marriott team and helped make our Labor Day weekend experience memorable. We look forward to coming back! James & Kim

Our stay at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa was unfortunately ruined by an extremely upsetting incident involving our personal belongings. During our stay, we were moved from our original room to another room. After the room change, I realized that my Chanel sandals and Chanel facial cleanser had been left behind in the original room. I immediately reported the missing items to the hotel and asked for assistance. The hotel searched for the belongings, but they were never returned to me. What is most upsetting is that hotel personnel accessed the room after I left, yet my belongings were never found or returned. I went through the hotel’s claims process expecting the situation to be properly addressed. Unfortunately, my claim was ultimately denied, and the hotel stated that there was insufficient evidence that they were responsible for my missing belongings. I was also given the impression by hotel staff that the matter would be handled through the claims process and that reimbursement could be possible. After spending time providing information and cooperating with the investigation, I was extremely disappointed to receive a denial. As a guest, I find this incredibly disappointing. I trusted the hotel with my belongings while they were in a hotel room under the hotel’s control. To leave the property without my personal items, spend weeks trying to resolve the matter, and then be told that the hotel will not take responsibility has been extremely frustrating. I understand that items can sometimes be misplaced, but what happened and how the hotel handled the situation left me feeling completely unsupported as a guest. I expected much more from a property of this level. I am sharing my experience so other guests can be aware and take extra precautions with their valuables. Unfortunately, what should have been a relaxing family vacation became an extremely stressful and disappointing experience

We were really looking forward to our stay at the JW Marriott Desert Springs, but unfortunately the experience did not come close to what I expected from a JW Marriott, particularly at more than $500 per night for a premium-view room. The problems began at check-in. Our room was not ready even at the hotel’s stated 4:00 p.m. check-in time, and even the Bonvoy Elite line took more than 30 minutes. The regular check-in line was considerably longer. Parking was an ongoing frustration. Almost every time we left the property, the system required us to scan again or obtain another ticket. When it failed, we had to call the parking operator from the exit gate and wait while increasingly frustrated cars lined up behind us. After one lengthy discussion with parking security, we were told to go back to the front desk for a parking voucher — where there was another huge line. Breakfast was also extremely backed up, with long waits for simple food and even longer for the check. Our waiter was hustling, so this appeared to be another staffing or capacity issue rather than an individual service problem. The biggest disappointment came the following day. At approximately 5:40 p.m., our room still had not been serviced. We called and were told housekeeping was too backed up to clean our room and that turndown service might be available later. Turndown is appreciated, but it is not a substitute for having your room serviced at a full-service JW Marriott. The hotel was extremely crowded because of a large conference, and that affected the pool as well. Regular chairs were extremely limited. We considered paying extra for covered seating simply to have somewhere comfortable to sit, but those were sold out too. The in-room streaming system was also frustratingly slow and outdated. What bothered me most is that I made this reservation only about a week before our stay. Had I known the hotel's occupancy would significantly affect check-in, housekeeping, parking and use of the resort amenities, I could easily have chosen another property nearby. Any one of these issues would have been understandable. Taken together, they made what was supposed to be a relaxing resort stay feel stressful and overcrowded. The property itself is beautiful, and the employees we encountered appeared to be working hard under difficult circumstances. My concern is with the hotel's staffing, operations and capacity management. At this price point and at the JW Marriott level, I expected much better.

I'm not sure what everyone else experienced, but this place was disgusting. My two daughters and I stayed here for two nights on our road trip from Santa Cruz to Arizona, so it was incredibly disappointing after a 7-hour drive. There was apparently a conference that weekend, which explains why rooms were $400+/night for a one-bed-plus-sofa-sleeper. I didn't mind the price — I was trying to make memories with my girls. It was crowded, like walking into a Vegas casino - not a relaxing retreat. The room itself had a weird layout ... there's a window between the bathtub and the main room, close enough to the bed that someone sitting in the tub could practically hold hands with someone sleeping. Strange design choice. The halls were hot with no air conditioning, and the floors near the pool were wet from foot traffic in and out. Then there was the pool area. This is where it really fell apart. CUPS EVERYWHERE — it felt like arriving at Spring Break. The water was cloudy, the chaise lounges were stained brown (I had to cover one with a towel for my daughter), and there was dirt and trash scattered everywhere. My youngest swam to the bottom and started picking up cups "for fun." We lasted about 20 minutes before my eldest said, "Mama, I feel dirty." Then came the final straw. Heading back to our room to grab food, we passed the lobby and it smelled like URINE and FECES. Not faintly — like literal poop. That was it for me. At 10PM, after a full day of driving, exhausted, I went to the front desk and said, "I'm checking out. This hotel doesn't meet my standards, and I'd like a full refund." They apologized and gave me a full refund. We were there four hours total. I also filled out a survey afterward. The GM was kind and offered a free two-night stay to win us back. I told them honestly: "I don't think there's anything you can do to get me to come back ... you'd have to buy all new furniture and clean that pool. I still don't know where the feces smell came from." If they really wanted to make it right, it would take two free nights at a *different* property, because I would never come back here. PROS - Staff was nice and tried to fix what they could. Outside grounds were impressive BUT DON'T GO INSIDE