From the moment you drive up to the palm tree lined JW Marriott Desert Springs resort, one feels as if they are on vacation. Situated on 450 acres of desert gardens with signature lakes, four swimming pools, mountain views, and two championship golf courses, it’s the largest resort in Palm Desert. There are an array of relaxation and enrichment activities for guests to enjoy all year long.

The hotel is one of the best family friendly hotels in the Coachella Valley, and has recently become the first Greater Palm Springs hotel to gain a Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation. It’s the first JW Marriott to gain this certification, too. The hotel offers an autistic family member less stress by featuring low sensory indoor and outdoor spaces. Guest rooms can have sensory bags, weighted blankets, sound machines, headphones and fidget toys. Outdoor spaces include large lawns for exercise or play as well as a mini golf course and a designated low sensory pool area. 

The resort completed autism training and is aligned with Visit Greater Palm Springs, who in 2022 achieved their recognition.

Here are my Top 10 Things to See and Do at the JW Marriott Desert Springs:

1. Visit the pink flamingos and ducks that welcome guests near the entrance. These Chilean Flamingos get their pretty pink color from their canthxathin diet to keep them healthy and beautiful. An informative plaque informs guests about these popular residents.

2. Inside the Lobby of the Desert Springs is a soaring atrium and Duffy style boats docked in water. During certain times of the day, these blue and white boats take guests on a cruise along the waterways for a family fun or romantic tour. These boats also deliver guests to docks throughout the resort as a mode of transportation to some of the swimming pools, the onsite Spa and restaurants near the water. 3. Inside the resort discover a variety of colorful and talkative exotic birds at the Aviary. The resort offers interactive bird chats and encounters guided by on property experts.

3. Cooling water features are everywhere. This resort has 4 different swimming pools. The Oasis Main Pool is ideal during the day to soak up the California sunshine. It’s also a popular spot for a relaxing swim during sunset. The Spa Desert Springs has an outdoor salt-water swimming pool just for guests 18+ years old.

JW Marriott Desert Springs. Photo Jill Weinlein

4. The Spa at Desert Springs is the largest spa in Palm Desert. This sanctuary offers an extensive massage, facial and salon treatment menu. The new Kombucha Wellness Facial is designed to refresh skin with a combination of kombucha, white tea, ginger and jasmine. Spend the day in the 38,000 square feet sanctuary with 48 treatment rooms inspired by Palm Desert’s stunning physical, historical and social environments. The Spa’s luxurious amenities and upgrades include co-ed and gender separate relaxation lounges, an aromatic Lavender and Eucalyptus sauna, outdoor salt water lap pool, and a Spa Bistro with seating to enjoy a beverage and meal during your stay.

5. The Desert Springs Tennis Club offers 15 premier hard courts, 3 clay courts and 2 grass courts. Since pickle ball is the craze right now they recently debuted pickle ball courts and offer morning sessions. Private lessons are offered to those who want to learn or improve their game.

Early morning golf and black swans. Photo by Jill Weinlein

6. Refresh your golf skills on the two championship courses at Desert Springs Golf Club. Tee off amidst serene water features with black swans swimming nearby, towering palm trees and majestic mountain views. This beautiful Palm Desert course was designed by architect Ted Robinson, and welcomes players of all levels.

Aquifer 65 and lobby area. Photo Jill Weinlein

7. There are an array of casual to fine dining venues at the resort. Aquifer 65 is one of the first you will see when you enter the main lobby. This bar and lounge also is where JW Sushi Bar makes fresh rolls to pair with creative cocktails, beer and wine. This is a popular before dinner spot to watch guests step into the resort boats that cruise inside the lobby out onto the lakes.

Chef Eric Theiss leads the team in offering seasonal menus at other dining venues. Utilizing locally and organically sourced produce to curate his menus, guests can cross over a Japanese red bridge to the sophisticated Mikado for Japanese Steakhouse fare. Rockwood Grill offers all-day innovative cuisine among picturesque water and fountain views. Indulge on freshly-caught seafood and local produce, plus Instagram worthy desserts at the award-winning Fisherman’s Landing restaurant.

Tour the resort gardens on your way to the SPA

8. The Marriott Hotels and Resorts reconnect people to nature. This particular property celebrates the desert’s diverse landscape. Green areas are inspired by the founders J. Willard Merritt and his wife Alice, as they enjoyed daily nature walks. The JW Garden is a meditative, aromatic garden that features herbs that are staples of the hotel’s culinary program. One of the most beautiful gardens to visit is across from the Japanese Mikado Restaurant. This area features an olive grove, walking paths and a garden filled with endemic sage, desert marigold, milkweed, and wildflowers. These habitats help support desert fauna and ecosystems. Desert Springs uses sustainable practices and inspires guests to connect with nature.

Fun inside the JW Zon

9. Families can enter the state-of-the-art JW Entertainment Zone. This is the largest hotel resort arcade in California. Besides an arcade game room, there is skee-ball, duck bowling and virtual reality games for all ages.

Meet the resorts parrots inside the resort’s aviary

10. Before leaving, visit the bird aviary across from Fisherman’s Landing. The resort takes care of a variety of exotic birds and offers enrichment opportunities during feedings for guests to learn more about their lives and wildlife conservation.

Right now “Stay 3, Save 33”. Guest who stay 3 nights at JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS save 33% per night. Rate valid June 1–Aug 31. Booking code SUM.