Pin itJW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
The valley's largest resort, with 884 rooms, a gondola waterway, and 36 holes on the grounds.
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- Nightly rate
- From USD 250–USD 700
- Distance to courses
- Desert Willow (5 mi)
- What stands out
- The valley's largest resort, with 884 rooms, a gondola waterway, and 36 holes on the grounds.
$250–$700/night
Booking via Expedia
The property
JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert is the largest single property in the Coachella Valley, with 884 rooms, 101 of them suites. The scale builds its own ecosystem: eight restaurants, five pools, a full-service spa, and two on-site courses totalling 36 holes. A gondola waterway runs through the lobby, ferrying guests between the main building and outlying restaurants on small boats. Whether or not you ever ride it, it is the kind of feature that defines the property.
What to expect
A self-contained resort where a multi-day stay rarely needs to leave the grounds. The two on-site courses give you a convenient round without a drive, though they cater to the resort market rather than the destination golf circuit. Desert Willow Golf Resort, five miles away, offers the stronger layouts in the immediate vicinity, and the central Palm Desert location puts Indian Wells, The Classic Club, and El Paseo within ten to fifteen minutes. Rooms run to JW Marriott standards with reliable fixtures and consistent climate control. The 101 suites work for groups. The pool complex absorbs peak-season weekends without crowding, and the spa runs with enough staffing for walk-in availability most days.
Rates and booking
Low season $250 to $400 and peak season $450 to $700 plus, with resort fees on top. Marriott Bonvoy points apply, which can offset a meaningful share of the cost for travellers with balances. Golf packages are available and typically bundle on-site or nearby tee times. Best suited to groups who want a single-property base with deep amenities. Book direct for Bonvoy points or through your preferred travel platform.
Nearby Courses
Golf at Palm Springs, California
Premium
Desert Willow Golf Resort — Firecliff
Palm Springs, California
The more demanding half of Desert Willow, rated among the top public courses in California, where desert washes and elevation changes create a round that earns its reputation.
$73–$217PublicMichael Hurdzan / Dana Fry / John Cook (1997)
GolfNowBook tee time
Mid-Range
Desert Willow Golf Resort — Mountain View
Palm Springs, California
Desert Willow's gentler layout, where the mountain views outperform the scorecard difficulty and the conditioning matches its tougher sibling.
$73–$200PublicMichael Hurdzan / Dana Fry / John Cook (1998)
GolfNowBook tee time
Mid-Range
Escena Golf Club
Palm Springs, California
Generous corridors, clear sightlines, and the widest green-fee range in the valley make Escena the course that fits every budget.
$59–$204PublicNicklaus Design (2005)
GolfNowBook tee time
Mid-Range
Indian Wells Golf Resort — Celebrity Course
Palm Springs, California
Split-level lakes, waterfalls, and television history on a resort course that prioritizes visual drama over strategic subtlety.
$72–$199ResortClive Clark (2006)
GolfNowBook tee time
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