Location: Palm Desert Resorts
Top Hotels in Palm Desert Resorts
Top Things to do in Palm Desert
- 1. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
- 2. Sunnylands
- 3. Indian Wells Tennis Garden
- 4. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert
- 5. Indian Wells Golf Club
- 6. Children's Discovery Museum
- 7. El Paseo Shopping District
- 8. The Nest
- 9. Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center
- 10. The City of Rancho Mirage Public Library
The best available Resorts to stay near Palm Desert
Relax and sight-see in this southern Californian oasis. Located in the center of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a vibrant city featuring top notch resorts, world class golfing, shopping, and entertainment that appeals to many types of consumers. Hike, bike or ride horseback through the desert trails. Or, soak in some culture with seasonal festivals, stylish art galleries, and a thriving music and nightlife scene.
Things to do in Palm Desert
1. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2860 reviews
Escape to your go-to desert playground at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. From the moment you approach the palm-lined path leading to our resort in Palm Desert, California, the excitement begins. Our luxury hotel near Palm Springs has it all, including an active lobby complete with gondolas and meandering waterways, six restaurants serving everything from fresh sushi to locally sourced culinary delights, two championship golf courses, and spacious guest rooms. After an exhilarating day of playing and exploring, you may recharge at Spa Desert Springs, or soak up the sun at any of our four pools with gorgeous views of the nearby mountains. Adding to your options are an onsite fitness center, extensive tennis center and volleyball courts, and a nearby jogging path. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa also features 210,000 square feet of dazzling event space for weddings and conferences. Play in style, experience our resort today!
Amazing staff and service, but not the luxury experience expected from a "JW Resort & Spa"
Reviewed By dummptyhummptyMany of the other reviewers seem to have similar feelings and experiences and I should have made more of an effort to review them before booking. We choose this property to celebrate our anniversary having heard about it from a co-worker. Hearing the "JW" name and "Resort and Spa" we naturally had high expectations. This property's strong points are: friendly staff, above average customer service, good food and multiple pools. Unfortunately it suffers from lack of attention to maintenance and upkeep and a non-luxury environment. It's probably geared more towards business conferences, families or those looking for a Vegas weekend without leaving California. There are various onsite activities, including a golf course which some may enjoy. Arrival & Check In When arriving at the valet, we were greeted by the smell of cigarette smoke. Smoking is allowed right in front of the entrance doors which you have to walk through to enter the lobby. Raymond from the front desk was friendly, personable and pointed out some of the interesting things to do and see around the property. He definitely set the tone for the property's customer service. Being recent Bonvoy Platinum members we were excited to see what new perks we'd recieve for our loyalty. While we did receive an "upgraded" room with a pool view, we'd normally receive that just by asking. There was no effort made to upgrade us to the "best available" room as stated in the Bonvoy terms and conditions. While the wording gives each property an out, we were hoping for more. The Room: We had three different rooms during our stay (we were credited for our troubles). The first was missing the couch and bathtub. While listed as included when booking, we later found are not in all rooms. The second room's AC, still being a top floor room, was unable to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. As the week got hotter, we requested a new room. We noticed that the third room (not on the top floor) felt bigger due to the way the ceiling was designed. We also had "extra" pieces of furniture (bench in front of the bed and footrest for the couch) which made the room feel slightly more high end. The rooms aren't bad, but not luxury and not what I'd expect at a JW. They remind me of what you'd find at a standard Marriott. The furniture was a little bland and the white textured walls cheapened the room's feel. The bathrooms were nice, with tile floors, but the shower toilet arrangement was awkward. Most of my recent stays have had rooms with larger TVs and the ability to stream content from our phones. The TVs here are on the smaller size for 2022 and we were surprised at being unable to stream our own content from our phones. Dinning: One Bonvoy benefit I couldn’t wait to use was the free breakfast! Each property can define what "breakfast" consists of. Here it was a "cold" continental breakfast: pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt and juice. We could unlock bacon and waffles for an extra $10. Having had some good, free continental breakfasts at cheaper hotels this felt like cost cutting. Shockingly our free breakfast would have normally cost $40! There is an on-site Starbucks and we took advantage of that instead. The rest of our meals tasted great, but were on the expensive side. Our favorites were the Sushi at Aquifer and the room service pizza! Pool: This and the grounds in general are the redeeming parts of the property. There are two large pools, a lap pool and multiple hot tubs. Some of the lounge chairs required a $75 deposit, but during the week there were enough free ones to not be an issue. Aside from being slightly worn and dirty, they did their job. Bianca, our poolside server, was very friendly and checked on us often. While there’s a sign about using headphones for personal music, it wasn’t being enforced and multiple groups were competing for the loudest music award. On Fridays and Saturdays the pool has a club type atmosphere which was fun! Just make sure to get there early and secure a spot! Security was checking bags for glass and outside alcohol, but didn’t seem to mind our snacks. Wristbands were required (on the weekends) and since we didn’t receive then at check in, I had to run to the front desk while they let the rest of our group into the pool area. There were various issues with the sound, two areas of the pool playing different music and once that was fixed, one side kept cutting out. This was eventually resolved, but many of the guests around us noticed it as well. The weekend was busier and we didn’t receive the same quality of service, having to frequently search for someone to order from. Spa: The spa facility was nice, but the staff were either new or were not well trained in fostering a relaxing environment. Unlike other spas where the staff will quietly find you, our name was yelled from across the room. We booked the Revive Room which gave us an extra hour to enjoy a private hot tub, romantic candles, fruit and champagne after our massages. We did have to remind them to turn on the relaxing music and I felt that my massage was rushed-as if she was just going through the motions. The spa pool was relaxing and Tim took excellent care of everyone there. It's too bad that they no longer off free Spa pool access as a Bonvoy perk. While not our worst stay, it wasn't the luxury, relaxing stay we expected. We love the area and it would have been great to find a place to return to time after time. Unfortunately, this isn't the one for us.
2. Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1314 reviews
Marriott's Desert Springs Villas II features award-winning service and a convenient location near Palm Desert, Joshua Tree National Park and Wet ‘N ‘Wild Palm Springs. Lounge by the seven outdoor pools and enjoy a meal or cocktail from The Water's Edge Bar & Grill. Our resort also offers a children's playground, bicycle rentals, basketball courts, a recreation center and a movie theater. At the end of a fun-filled day, retire to your guest room or condo-sized villa rentals with complimentary Wi-Fi, kitchenettes and scenic desert views. Our villas boast fully equipped kitchens and washer/dryers, as well as soaking tubs in the bathroom.
Great Resort
Reviewed By scotishtravelbugThis is a great resort right in the middle of Desert Springs and ideal location for all the shops, restaurants and bars. Resort has lots of amenities and activities. Stayed in an area of the resort called Jasmine which was quiet and separated from the rest of the resort. Accommodations are fabulous
3. Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I
Overall Ratings
4 based on 593 reviews
Great place to stay in the Desert
Reviewed By GibsoninpaWe were looking to get away from winter in February and came across this oasis in the desert. Gated community, our Villa, in building A, was closest to the main Front desk and Clubhouse Pool. Villa was spacious and lovely appointed. We enjoyed the golf course view from the large patio. Clubhouse Pool and Patio were a delight with great mountain views. The weather was sunny but a tad bit cold so the heated pool and hot tubs were greatly appreciated. We enjoyed the patio seating area and fire table even though one high wind day it was closed. Parking wasn't an issue for us, plenty of spots. We took advantage of the barbecue grills for dinner. The Marketplace, in the main clubhouse, microwave was down the entire week we were there. Geese are very noisy and make a mess. We checked out very early in the morning and used the automated check-out, so communication on that issue could be better. We would recommend and hope to stay there again.
4. Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1167 reviews
At the Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort you're sure to find that little something extra. With our modern amenities and thoughtful design, the Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort will stand out among other hotels in Palm Desert,CA. For the business traveler, a spacious work desk and free internet access are included in all our guest rooms to ensure you don't miss a beat while you're away from the office. For extended stays, each room provides a convenient in-room mini fridge that is ideal for drinks and snacks. We also have an in-house fitness room, so you can keep up your workout routine while you're on the road. As always, the Best Western Plus Palm Desert Resort will provide you with the superior customer service that you are used to at Best Western® Hotels & Resorts.
Worst Western Is More Like It!
Reviewed By mazdreamsChecked in to a room that was in desperate need of updating. Went out for dinner and realized that even though AC was set at 74, it was doing nothing but blowing air. Spent an uncomfortable night in a hot room. And, as others have said, pillows are like cement blocks. The next morning we let the front desk know about the issue. When we returned later in the day, they told us it had been fixed. It wasn't so we requested another room. # 228 was sad. Stained and worn bear carpet and sofa. Ripped desk chair, unusable balcony chairs and on and on. We are BW Gold members and have been loyal to this brand for a long while. However, the entire chain seems to be in decline. This stat might have ended our allegiance to BW. One positive was the made to order breakfast.
5. Embassy Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 57 reviews
Guests of the Embassy Suites Palm Desert hotel enjoy their stay in one of our 198 spacious two-room suites with either majestic mountain or lush courtyard views. Included with your suite is a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and a nightly Manager's Reception. This full-service, upscale, all-suite resort hotel is located in the heart of Palm Desert, California just minutes from Fabulous shopping at the renowned El Paseo Shopping District, Westfield's Palm Desert Town Center, and the River, 100+ golf courses, many of which are stops on the PGA tour, such as PGA West, Desert Willow, Classic Club & Indian Wells Country Club and many more, A variety of restaurants such as Ruth Chris, LG's Steakhouse, the Chop House, Mama Gina, Castelli's, Casino gaming at the Agua Caliente Casino, Augustine Casino, Fantasy Springs & Spotlight 29, World renowned medical facilities the Betty Ford Center, the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences and the Eisenhower Medical Center, The Living Desert Wild
Dirtiest room I've ever seen
Reviewed By nnefiodowThe room was very dirty. There was an used soap in the shower. Eyelashes sitting on the bathroom counter, fingernails on the sink, hairs everywhere, the room smelled musty and the AC was not even cooling. Additionally, the state of the room was extremely poor. Walls were peeling off, the bathtub was stained. I checked out after a few hours and even worse than the hotel was the response by Hilton, I am a Hilton Honors Gold member, I have stayed in multiple locations all over the US and the world as I travel very frequently and I have never had an experience like this. Hilton corporate after hanging the phone on me sent me to an email only team which only replies general scripted apologies and they keep dismissing my claims. The rooms were about $600 per night, but being an embassy suite I expected a stay similar to those of other Embassy suites I have stayed which has been very positive, but this one definitely is an outlier of the brand.
6. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2860 reviews
Escape to your go-to desert playground at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. From the moment you approach the palm-lined path leading to our resort in Palm Desert, California, the excitement begins. Our luxury hotel near Palm Springs has it all, including an active lobby complete with gondolas and meandering waterways, six restaurants serving everything from fresh sushi to locally sourced culinary delights, two championship golf courses, and spacious guest rooms. After an exhilarating day of playing and exploring, you may recharge at Spa Desert Springs, or soak up the sun at any of our four pools with gorgeous views of the nearby mountains. Adding to your options are an onsite fitness center, extensive tennis center and volleyball courts, and a nearby jogging path. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa also features 210,000 square feet of dazzling event space for weddings and conferences. Play in style, experience our resort today!
Amazing staff and service, but not the luxury experience expected from a "JW Resort & Spa"
Reviewed By dummptyhummptyMany of the other reviewers seem to have similar feelings and experiences and I should have made more of an effort to review them before booking. We choose this property to celebrate our anniversary having heard about it from a co-worker. Hearing the "JW" name and "Resort and Spa" we naturally had high expectations. This property's strong points are: friendly staff, above average customer service, good food and multiple pools. Unfortunately it suffers from lack of attention to maintenance and upkeep and a non-luxury environment. It's probably geared more towards business conferences, families or those looking for a Vegas weekend without leaving California. There are various onsite activities, including a golf course which some may enjoy. Arrival & Check In When arriving at the valet, we were greeted by the smell of cigarette smoke. Smoking is allowed right in front of the entrance doors which you have to walk through to enter the lobby. Raymond from the front desk was friendly, personable and pointed out some of the interesting things to do and see around the property. He definitely set the tone for the property's customer service. Being recent Bonvoy Platinum members we were excited to see what new perks we'd recieve for our loyalty. While we did receive an "upgraded" room with a pool view, we'd normally receive that just by asking. There was no effort made to upgrade us to the "best available" room as stated in the Bonvoy terms and conditions. While the wording gives each property an out, we were hoping for more. The Room: We had three different rooms during our stay (we were credited for our troubles). The first was missing the couch and bathtub. While listed as included when booking, we later found are not in all rooms. The second room's AC, still being a top floor room, was unable to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. As the week got hotter, we requested a new room. We noticed that the third room (not on the top floor) felt bigger due to the way the ceiling was designed. We also had "extra" pieces of furniture (bench in front of the bed and footrest for the couch) which made the room feel slightly more high end. The rooms aren't bad, but not luxury and not what I'd expect at a JW. They remind me of what you'd find at a standard Marriott. The furniture was a little bland and the white textured walls cheapened the room's feel. The bathrooms were nice, with tile floors, but the shower toilet arrangement was awkward. Most of my recent stays have had rooms with larger TVs and the ability to stream content from our phones. The TVs here are on the smaller size for 2022 and we were surprised at being unable to stream our own content from our phones. Dinning: One Bonvoy benefit I couldn’t wait to use was the free breakfast! Each property can define what "breakfast" consists of. Here it was a "cold" continental breakfast: pastries, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, yogurt and juice. We could unlock bacon and waffles for an extra $10. Having had some good, free continental breakfasts at cheaper hotels this felt like cost cutting. Shockingly our free breakfast would have normally cost $40! There is an on-site Starbucks and we took advantage of that instead. The rest of our meals tasted great, but were on the expensive side. Our favorites were the Sushi at Aquifer and the room service pizza! Pool: This and the grounds in general are the redeeming parts of the property. There are two large pools, a lap pool and multiple hot tubs. Some of the lounge chairs required a $75 deposit, but during the week there were enough free ones to not be an issue. Aside from being slightly worn and dirty, they did their job. Bianca, our poolside server, was very friendly and checked on us often. While there’s a sign about using headphones for personal music, it wasn’t being enforced and multiple groups were competing for the loudest music award. On Fridays and Saturdays the pool has a club type atmosphere which was fun! Just make sure to get there early and secure a spot! Security was checking bags for glass and outside alcohol, but didn’t seem to mind our snacks. Wristbands were required (on the weekends) and since we didn’t receive then at check in, I had to run to the front desk while they let the rest of our group into the pool area. There were various issues with the sound, two areas of the pool playing different music and once that was fixed, one side kept cutting out. This was eventually resolved, but many of the guests around us noticed it as well. The weekend was busier and we didn’t receive the same quality of service, having to frequently search for someone to order from. Spa: The spa facility was nice, but the staff were either new or were not well trained in fostering a relaxing environment. Unlike other spas where the staff will quietly find you, our name was yelled from across the room. We booked the Revive Room which gave us an extra hour to enjoy a private hot tub, romantic candles, fruit and champagne after our massages. We did have to remind them to turn on the relaxing music and I felt that my massage was rushed-as if she was just going through the motions. The spa pool was relaxing and Tim took excellent care of everyone there. It's too bad that they no longer off free Spa pool access as a Bonvoy perk. While not our worst stay, it wasn't the luxury, relaxing stay we expected. We love the area and it would have been great to find a place to return to time after time. Unfortunately, this isn't the one for us.
7. Desert Breezes Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 207 reviews
Situated at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains you'll find 10 buildings clustered around a beautiful water feature, and surrounded by lush landscaping; Desert Breezes Resort condominiums offer exquisite luxury and comfort. Each Mediterranean-style villa has a fully equipped kitchen and cozy furnishings, and the resort includes multiple pools and spas and on-site clubhouses. It's your perfect home-away-from-home.
Locked out!
Reviewed By 986katieaThis place is awful and so is the staff! We had no hot water for three days! Very outdated for sure with no maid service at all! You can call and get clean towels because we had a total of four bath towels in a two bedroom! We got locked out of the dated community two evenings in a row called the emergency number and they didn’t even call me back! If it wasn’t for residents that live in there our 30 minute wait could have been so worse! Greg and Erica front desk are totally helpless they offered us a free week for our worst stay ever! Who would want a free week! We booked this thru interval international and have voiced our concerns with them and hoping they remove them from their getaway list for Palm Desert?
