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Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
Palm Desert, California

I am not, as you may have concluded from reading these reviews, a fan of gargantuan hotels, and at 884 rooms the Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa qualifies as a gargantuan hotel anywhere but Las Vegas. If you happen to have a room at the nether reaches of one of its long corridors, you may wish for a bicycle or a golf cart to get from there back to the elevator and lobby. On other hand, having almost 2,000 guests demands a wide range of activities and services, enough that there are people, I suspect, who spend an entire week's vacation there without ever leaving the grounds.

As you walk through the front doors of the hotel you enter an eight-story atrium lobby, with a wall of glass on the far side open to views of the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance. At the center of the lobby stands a 60-foot bar marked by a glass mosaic water wall in muted reds and browns. Behind the bar, water flows over another wall made of textured glass. Boats leave from newly enlarged docks inside the lobby to take you out through a maze of lakes to any of several restaurants, a well-run 38,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, or the clubhouse for either of its two 18-hole golf courses. Those canals flow around an island that holds not one but three large freeform swimming pools, where there is a live band on weekends. There is a second, quieter Springs Pool with tented raspberry-red cabanas and a Kid's Klub.

What you cannot reach by boat is the tennis center, a complex of 20 hard, clay, and grass courts, which stands across from the entrance to the hotel bordering a village of rentable timeshare villas.

Tennis Features

Pro Shop: 760-341-1894

My reservations about the size of the hotel aside, tennis complex I have always been impressed by the dedication and inventiveness of the Peter Burwash International staff who manage this complex. Tennis director Jim Leupold has been there since 1987, long enough to have evolved a program notable for its variety and attentiveness to service. Game matching is given high priority, with a crew to work the phones relentlessly in order to ensure you get to play. Beyond that and the private lessons you'd expect, the calendar includes daily drill sessions (including some for NTRP 4.0+ players, which are very popular), a doubles round robin utilizing all three Grand Slam surfaces, 5-minute quick tips, and "Play the Pro" challenges, complete with a handicap system: Win and the encounter is free.

Meanwhile, spectators turn out in large numbers for the PBI Tennis Show, held weekly from December into April. It has been called "The Harlem Globetrotters of Tennis," a moniker that suggests a combination of extraordinary ball handling served up with large doses of humor. Leupold himself has traveled internationally with the show (which has now touched down in 99 countries), and it never fails to please. The complex is also one of few to have a Sportwall, a computerized backboard that tests your accuracy and control.

Courts & Fees. The complex consists of 20 courts: 15 hard (6 with lights), 3 clay, and 2 grass. These are bordered by beds of flowers, oleander hedges, low flowering shrubs, and a scattering of trees. Court fees: $22/hour on hard, $27/hour on clay, $32/hour on grass.
Caveat: There are times when huge conventions fill the hotel, potentially snatching up all the best tee times, spa appointments, and court reservations. To better cater to its vacationers, Marriott established a Guest Services desk whose staff calls guests 14-21 days in advance of arrival offering to make the same kinds of appointments or reservations for them, including tennis. It's called Vacation Planning, and if for some reason you haven't heard from them, give the hotel a call and set up whatever you need in advance.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa.

"Our instruction was outstanding and the drills helped us immediately improve our game. Both private lessons and clinics were easy to grasp and implement. Our instructor, Jim Leupold was extremely knowledgeable and we had alot of fun while learning. The tennis facility is the best! The resort is beautiful and once you are there you don't have to leave. Every aspect is taken care of!"—R.C., Int., September 2008

"I had not visited the Desert Springs in a few years, and I was happy to see that Jim Leupold was still the director of tennis. He is by far the best tennis instructor I have ever had - and I've had a lot of them. I brought my son there to take a couple of lessons, and he too, thinks Jim is a great teacher. He evaluates your game, and makes instruction simple and fun.
I've been playing the game for over 20 years now and I live on the East Coast. It is well worth the trip to play some great tennis, and get some great tips from a great instructor. It's a don't miss tennis location."—B.C., Adv., August 2008

""—A.A., Adv. Int., August 2008

"The last time I attended this resort, it was off-season (nothing like 110 degrees in June to frighten away most tourists). But the grounds and courts are still lovely. The pro shop is open until 11 am, and at least one clinic is still offered per day, in the somewhat cooler morning hours. But courts are widely available, even the 2 grass courts (which are miraculously still green), and it was really fun to hit on different surfaces. Each day, as we were leaving the courts, a grapefruit tree had helpfully dropped a grapefruit on the grass just off the path, which we took back to the room and enjoyed."—S.M., Adv., July 2008

"Instructor was able to assess some challenges I have in my groundstrokes and gave me 2-3 simple things to "tweak" which made an immediate impact. Although I went during the summer. Wish there were more of the programs they offer during "peak season" (4.0 drills, Grand Slam Round Robin)"—A.I., Adv. Int., July 2008

"Both instructors were great in a few short minutes they had shown me where I can improve my game. The clinics were great fun and learning at the same time. Took my wife for her to get help and have fun and she had a blast. Would like to go again in a few months. thank you"—C.H., Int., June 2008

"A blast. Grass, Clay and Hard court can't be beat. Stellar tennis instruction by the pros directed by Peter Burwash International. A special shout out to Natasha. She improved not only my game in a matter of hours, but improved my competion record after i came home. Desert Springs is first on my list of resorts to come back to. And the resort itself is great too! Rooms are well aportioned, restaurants are fine and the lounge is great as a gathering place. And who doesn't like to go on boat rides in the middle of the desert? Who knew. Only critique - be prepared for a lot of walking. Overall, just loved it."—P.B., Int., May 2008

"Natasha was fabulous as was Jim the director of tennis. We really had no preconcived notions about the program but thought that a clinic would fit our vacation plan.
Although our group of four was split up, we each felt we had heard the same information (group was actually 6 people) and it all fell into place. Somehow it made more sense than some of the recommendations we have heard before.
Both professionals had their own perspective, but they both taught the same fundamentals in each group. It was great how much feedback they both wanted in terms of what they felt would be representative of what was taught.
Each one of us got something different out of the class. But we all got something out of it. It seems that the person (Natasha particularly) was beyond what we were used to in a "pro". I hope she continues to teach others all that she has to give.
Thanks for introducting us to them both. By the way, we have signed up for the doubles class tomorrow as there are 4 of us here who play together a lot of the time. Let us know if you can where Natasha ends us as we would love to have her at out club back home!!!!!!"—M.L., Adv. Int., May 2008

"The Desert Springs program is excellent! I have come to this resort because of the outstanding tennis instruction available as well the variety of surfaces to play. I will continue to come to this facility for instruction for many years to come."—L.V., Int., April 2008

"Great value for your money. Jim Leupold and Pat Denehy (sp?) have been there forever and make sure that you're satisfied. Don't forget to get your 5 minute quick tip from a pro whenever you can. The one-on-one help is priceless (in other words, free!)."—L.K., Adv. Int., April 2008

"Strengths-- Very friendly staff. Terrific tennis matching service for my 16 year old son. Hard, clay, and grass court options all excellent. Benches for viewing at all courts. Conveniently located across from main Marriott hotel. Excellent private lessons from PBI certified coach. Weaknesses-- No lights on courts for night playing."—R.I., Adv., April 2008

"we went to four nice morning clinics that were quite suitable for low intermediates like me as well as good accommodation of beginners like my wife. very well thought out drills and good explanation of concepts. instructors were entertaining in their own way which made it fun. definitely i was satisfied with the value. i don't know enough to say whether their instruction will be equally valuable if & when i progress to solid intermediate level, e.g., there wasn't much talk of using spin or other higher level techniques. we will probably go there again either next year or the one after."—K.S., Low Int., March 2008

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Other Recreation

Golf Courses. There are two 18-hole golf courses, both designed by Ted Robinson, and an unusual 18-hole championship putting course.

The Palms: Built in 1987, these 18 holes wind around the resort's waterways.
The Valley: This course shows such classic Ted Robinson features as effective water usage, multi-tiered greens framed by palm trees, and undulating fairways.
The Greens: Located adjacent to the lobby bar at the hotel, this 18-hole putting course stands out for its use of classic features of full-length courses, including sand bunkers, water hazards, strategically placed trees, and rolling "fairways," all played with only a putter. Par 54, 1,435 feet.

Spa & Fitness Center. Located along the lake, a couple of hundred yards from the hotel lobby, the Spa Desert Springs underwent a dramatic refurbishment and expansion during the summer of 2007. It adopted a "California casual" decor of split-face limestone and Brazilian ipe wood throughout its interior. Both the men's and women's areas have saunas, steam rooms, and hot and cold plunge pools, and outdoor whirlpools, the latter overlooking the resort's Ted Robinson-designed golf course. A door from each leads to a Spa Café, which serves light snacks. New to both areas, however, is a Turkish hammam: a spacious steam chamber infused with essential oils and set at 105 degrees (which allows for a longer relaxation period than a traditional steam room). Digitally programmable Kohler Desert Rain showers with five heads let guests fully choreograph their shower experience. The men's side also has a 50-inche flat-screen TV.
The spa treatments draw heavily on the healing ingredients and customs of the surrounding Sonoran Desert—including locally harvested citrus and dates, cactus flower, and aloe. However, it remains eclectic in also adopting European customs of using mud as a detoxifier, Ayurvedic warm oil and crushed herb treatments, Turkish sea salts, and more. There is also a new emphasis on "spa together," in which couples and groups can enjoy treatments together. Finally, they have added a 600-square-foot Spa Sanctuary, a private suite destined to cater to VIPs and the Hollywood elite. It has a private entrance and butler.
Those wanting to workout have The Gym, a complete workout center with lines of treadmills, exercycles (recumbent and upright), and elliptical and standard StairMasters plus a full suite off Body Master machines, free weights, and dumbbells. It's is a partly mirrored room with windows on the foyer of the spa. TVs hang from ceiling in front of cardio machines. Also stages morning power walks (3.5 miles in about 45 minutes). There's also a shop with spa products and workout gear, a salon and hallways leading to women's locker in one direction, men's in the other. These each have tile showers, sauna, steam, and menthol steam and hot and cold plunge pools. A door from each leads to a Spa Café, which serves light snacks, and to an outdoor lap pool bordered by lounge chairs. There's another small fitness center, with 4 or 5 cardiovascular machines, at one corner of the tennis building where it has windows on the outside.

Children's Programs

Desert Springs has a "Kid's Klub" that operates out of a small building adjacent to the Springs Pool. Designed for children ages 4 to 12, it provides arts and crafts and varied indoor and outdoor activities to entertain them.

Lodging

Generous in size, the hotel's basic rooms have elements of residential decor, like crisp white bedding, crown molding, pull-out sofas or an armchair and ottoman, full-width terraces—the best with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains—Italian marble baths with separate showers and tubs, and a CD player. The wings of the hotel wrap around the Oasis Pool putting some of them a long walk from the main lobby.

Travel Essentials

Rates.

See their web site for rates on the days you wish to travel.

Reservations:

Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
74-855 Country Club Dr.
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-341-2211
Toll-free: 800-331-3112
Fax: 760-341-1872
Web Link: Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa

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Travel Instructions. By Air: Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is 11 miles west. From the airport exit, turn left onto El Cielo to Ramon Road. Turn left again and continue to Bob Hope Drive. Turn right and proceed to Country Club Drive. Turn right and roughly 3 miles along you'll come to the entrance to the resort on the right.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention & Visitors Authority web site or contact them at 69-930 Hwy. 111, Suite 201, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. Phone: 760-770-9000 or 800-967-3767 or Fax: 760-770-9001.