JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

Then came the soup. After 40 minutes at the table, we ordered the soup of the day, potato and leek. It had run out, so the kitchen brought clam chowder instead without asking anyone. I can't eat shellfish. Quietly substituting a dish is poor service anywhere, and doing it with a major allergen is a real safety lapse. Asking takes ten seconds. If your room faces the atrium, bring earplugs. The noise carries and it's constant. Conferences are a big part of this resort's business, and leisure guests feel it. The Starbucks line in the morning is a good indicator: it's rammed, and so is everything else near the lobby. Self-parking fills up on weekends, so a leisure trip becomes a hunt for a space. The setting is genuinely lovely. At this price and under this brand, the service should match it, and right now it doesn't.

Lovely resort with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. We were there the first week of October and temperatures were about 10-12 degrees F higher than average. Thankfully no humidity and a nice chilled pool. We had great service at the Oasis pool from Sal, Carlos and Ruben. Service for dinner at Rockwood Grill was slow even though they were not crowded but food was good.

I really wanted to give this property a better review, but unfortunately, there were too many noticeable issues throughout my stay. The outside of the property is beautiful, but the interior clearly needs more care, attention, and oversight. A few of the things I noticed: * Check-in was underwhelming and did not create a particularly welcoming first impression. * The hallway smelled strongly of urine. * The hallway air vents were visibly dirty. * In the room, the bathroom closet door was filthy, with hair present. * Several hotel employees would see guests approaching and look the other way rather than acknowledge or engage with them. * An Engineering employee was sitting in a chair in the ice machine area watching videos on a cellphone with the volume turned up loudly. * A supply closet was propped open, with an open case of bottled water—the same water provided in guest rooms—clearly visible. * There were cobwebs above the elevators and throughout areas of the lobby. * A resort fee that’s mostly geared golf and not an elite focused amenity as they included internet as benefit which Elite members received anywhere as a benefit as an elite member. * It’s time to elevate the coffee amenity in the room. I wasn't walking around looking for things to criticize. These were things I simply noticed while going about the property. The fact that so many of these issues were in highly visible, guest-facing areas makes me question how closely the property is being monitored and maintained by leadership. To be clear, the exterior of this property is beautiful and has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the inside doesn't currently reflect that same level of care. It needs more love, attention to detail, and, most importantly, visible leadership and accountability. This property doesn’t not live up the name JW Marriott which is categorized as luxury.

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