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 38,000-square-foot Spa Desert Springs has 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 Bistro, 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. Outside, there’s a saltwater pool with views of the golf course and homes lining the lake.
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 Fitness Center, a complete workout center with lines of treadmills, exercycles (recumbent and upright), and elliptical and standard StairMasters plus a full suite off LifeFitness machines, free weights, and dumbbells. It’s is a partly mirrored room with windows on outside entrance. TVs hang from ceiling in front of workout machines and each of the cardio stations has its own television. There are also a variety of classes, including morning power walks (3.5 miles in about 45 minutes), spinning, yoga, and mat Pilates. 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 the Bistro, which serves light snacks, and to an outdoor lap pool bordered by lounge chairs. There’s another small fitness center, with a handful of cardiovascular machines, at one corner of the tennis building where it has windows on the outside.
Children's programs: There is a wide variety of kid's recreation and programming available.
Dining: The main restaurant is the Rockwood Grill, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a garden terrace just off the lake. It is supplemented by the Mikado Japanese Steakhouse, seafood at Fishermen’s Landing, sushi in the Lobby Bar, a poolside grill, and a Starbucks.
490 Reviews on “JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa - Peter Burwash International”
My experience was absolutely fantastic! I took two lessons at the resort and was extremely satisfied with the instruction. I was given excellent information and instruction, was treated very respectfully, particularly since I am an older person taking beginner lessons, and was very motivated by my lessons. My hitting and serving improved dramatically after only one lesson. My instructor, Jeff Leupold, was able to identify my problem areas immediately and gave me tools to fix them. He was very likeable and knowledgable. I found the clubhouse staff very friendly and welcoming. The whole experience was excellent!
I’m in my 40s and haven’t had a tennis lesson since my teens. I never played competitively, but I’m thinking about it now after my “Ground Stroke Fundamentals” class at the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort. I was just looking for a little exercise and my travel companion suggested a clinic.
For $35, I got a racket, balls, water, towels, and access to the court… then the lesson started. It was lively and helpful as all get out! Smashed a few myths about what I should be doing and got me focused on how to return and place the ball successfully. It was a great time with some very competant instructors. The facility was well appointed and everyone friendly. I don’t hesitate in recommending this place for your tennis enjoyment! My only regret was that I wasn’t able to make the tennis comedy show.
I recently visited on a short business trip and was able to take advantage of the 3 surface open round robin run by Jim Luepold.Jim made it lots of fun and it was my first time on a grass court! I returned two weeks later during my twins spring break and entered the entire family as we are all tennis buffs! They all had a better time then expected and went away smiling!The entire resort was great with the spring break tumult being manageable–even had interesting dinner conversations with a college group celebrating a birthday in the Hotel’s Japanese restaurant!!
If you love tennis, try this! The A JW Marriott Resort and Spa has impeccably maintained grass, clay and hardcourts and topnotch tennis instruction, coaching and clinics. My private lesson with Pat Dennehy was a revelation, as I finally learned to effectively self-coach by diagnosing and correcting my mistakes, instead of cluelessly repeating them! The cues are easy to remember and highly effective. It was an “aha” experience after years of fruitless lessons and will forever enhance my enjoyment of the sport. There is also a very nice spa and workout facility, not to mention the gorgeous surroundings.
I really enjoyed the volley clinic and private lesson we took from Jim Leopold. He is a great teacher and runs a great program. They don’t try to change the way you hit the ball so much as add a new dimension to your game.
Go to Desert Springs Tennis Club. Take the clinics and then get a private. Guaranteed you’ll leave with a better serve, volley grip, or overhead wrist snap. Jim Leopold runs a great program.
My family and I have been to Desert Springs a number of times and we always find the tennis facility, including the staff, to be highly skilled and a pleasure to work with. The facility, including Har-Tru, clay and grass courts, is always in excellent condition, and we rarely have a problem getting court time.
The weekly tennis show is highly entertaining, even for people who have seen it multiple times, because it is fun but also because Jim L stresses that tennis doesn’t have to be the most complicated game. Instead, he focuses on the objective of getting the ball over the net and keeping it in play, as opposed to worrying about how your form looks. Kudos to Jim and his staff. And by the way, the tennis center also maintains “lawn games”, including badminton, bocci, and croquet, which are fun, especially for the kids.
great courts, great program to match up with other players, great clinics, and great service at the desk. Head Pro Jim was phenomenal both in terms of tennis wits and his fabulous Tennis show! It can get very crowded during the Paribas Masters turnament in early March.
Great location, beautiful complex, luxury interior. comfortable and relax and kis friendly environment.
Our family stays at this tennis resort about 3 weeks every year for the past 10 years. We love this place for the beautiful setting, the abundance of courts (20) and the variety of courts (hard, clay, grass), excellent pros and friendly staff, and all the programs offered there. We can always find a match if we want to play with new players. The clinics offered are very effective in helping recreation players improve their skills.
The Tennis Show on Saturday is the most entertaining event. We watch it every year. You learn tennis play in the funny demonstrations. The Grand Slam Round Robin is challenging and fun. I was lucky to win it once, and got a certificate for an hour of play on the grass court. Next time you are at the Palm Desert, check this resort out for yourself. The only problem we have is the difficulty of reserving a court during the BNP Paribas Open week.
The tennis clinics are the best that I have ever experienced. The facility is very organized and professional. The instruction is superior. I felt I have learned more in a few clinics at Desert Springs than years of instruction elsewhere. Joachim Hohnstadt, was one of my instructors and was very good at explaining, demonstrating and making sure that I understood exactly what he was teaching me. It was just amazing that he could look at my game so quickly and critique and correct. I asked him to help me with efficiency and he did that very well. I will continue to go back year after year for more of the clinics and instruction.
This is by far our favorite Marriot Resort that we’ve been to. We absolutely love the tennis facility and can’t tell you how friendly the staff is. The courts are very well maintained and are in A+ condition. The tennis show they do on Saturdays is also a real hit for the whole family! I highly recommend this resort to anyone who wants a fantastic vacation experience!
The instructors seemed very knowledgable, however I did not get a first hand option to rate, or reap the benefits of his knowledge as our instructor paired me with the person I came with and all I did was play drills with her for the most of the 1.5 hrs. I can do that at home for free.
Tennis Staff is extremely professional, enthusiastic and accomodating. They were friendly and excellent teaching. The tennis lesson was superb. Courts were located in the stunning environment of the Marriott. Weather is wonderful. Fitness center requires a daily fee, but is comprehensive, clean and the spa is stunning.
The tennis show is terrific! It’s entertaining and funny. You’ll want to see more.
Excellent one on one attention for all levels of play. Well maintained hard, clay, and grass courts.
Incredible setting, the most personal and professional staff, unsurpassed amenities. Where else can you play all three surfaces on one day, then spend the evening watching the pros play the Paribas Open at Indian Wells? We have been fortunate to have Jim Leupold, director of tennis, teaching our sons for over 10 years. Tennis has become a sport for a lifetime for our family.
A great location to play tennis and I have always been able to get a good game here. It is the best tennis resort I have ever been to.
I think the PBI teaching program is one of the best. The instructors were clear personable and knew what they were doing. My entire family from my grandson who is 12 to myself at 69, felt the clinics were excellent the facilities some of the best. Eager to go back soon.
The tennis program here @ the Desert Springs JW Marriott Lawn & Tennis Club was the highlight of my week. Not only are the tennis facilities beautiful and plentiful, the tennis pros are outstanding. The daily clinics were so helpful and fun.
The instructor was very good, kept things moving, explained things well, had good drills, covered a variety of topics. No weaknesses.
The BEST I have experienced in setting up matches. Played every day! Staff was great. First of Oct. great weather but the overseeding is taking place so missed the grass court. Quiet time as the “season” is just beginning. Would go Nov. next time.
My 12 year old son and I took two tennis clinics while we staying in Palm Desert Marriott. I had not played in well over 15 years and my son has had no formal instuction. Our clinics were fun, and well taught. I felt my game coming back to me after all these years, and my son made huge improvemnts. Our pro, gave clear and simple tips on on stratgies and how to serve more effectively with less effort.
I am all fired up to bring tennis back into my life. I would definately recommend this tennis club to anyone who is interested in enjoying a good clinic and improving thier game.
Great Tennis Program, Superb facilities, 3 surfaces, excellent instruction. I’m looking forward to my next visit!
Absolutely the most fabulous tennis program I’ve ever been to, and I’ve been there 3 years straight. Has courts in all 3 surfaces, grass, clay and hard court. Especially good value is their 2.5 hour “Around the World Round Robin” twice a week for $30. Best time ever.
Terrific tennis vacation! Spent mornings taking daily instruction/clinics and then spent time on court afterwards practicing what we learned with other couples from the resort. Very fun and informative experience! Definitely picked up new techniques that we’ll continue to practice and build upon throughout the year. Cannot wait to find another PBI at our next vacation destination!!
Jim Leupold runs an excellent program with good clinics plus lessons and always player matching. Beautiful setting adjacent to hotel and spa.
It has no weaknesses as far as I am concerned. They guarantee you will have a game when you want it (24 hours notice)with a comparable player or players and the instruction and clinics are wonderful. The facility has all court surfaces and it is beautiful.
Awesome facility and staff. 15 hard, 3 clay and 2 grass all in great shape. the surrounding hotel and grounds are incredible…you will love it.
Great staff – pros and desk attendants. Very accomodating. Will never cancel a clinic or drill.
I really liked the weather obviously but also the people and staff there. Everyone was friendly even in some of the harshes situations or with the most difficult customers. They are always on the ball about things and can help you with any problems that you may have. The villas there are gorgeous and very relaxing. We arrived late at our hotel but were still able to get good homes near the tennis courts thanks to the staff and all the arrangements they were able to make. My family and I really enjoyed our stay at your resort and will definately be coming back next year.
Great Resort, great tennis, golf, beautifull grounds, super service.
Gorgeous setting and fabulous weather. Three different surfaces including grass. I had never played on grass before and loved the experience. The staff was warm and very accommodating and did a great job with game matching. I can’t wait to return!
I played in the Round Robin at the Desert Springs Marriott Resort and Spa. I was able to play on 3 different surfaces, one being grass. I had never played on grass before, and found the experience very entertaining! The tennis pro that set up the Round Robin was very positive and stressed that we should be having fun. That helped me be less nervous playing with strangers.
I would definitely play at Desert Springs Marriott again, and look forward to visiting next April. I have taken lessons at the D.S. Marriott in the past years, and have found the instruction very good.
This is the third time that I have been to the Desert Springs Marriott Resort and Spa and it won’t be the last. We specifically choose to vacation here because the tennis is so great. The instructors are knowledgable and fun. Twice a week they have a Grand Slam round robin where you get to experience playing on all three surfaces. The clinics and drills are awesome as well.
It is hard to imagine a better tennis program than the one at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert, California directed by Jim Leupold.
The facilities are superb. The teaching is extraordinary; all the pros use the same PBI method, so there is remarkable consistency in their approach, regardless of which pro we work with. We are strong 3.5 recreational players, but serious about improving our skills and this program at Desert Springs has never disappointed us. We have been to twelve other tennis resorts across the U.S., Hawaii and the Caribbean and this one is our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. We return for “continuing education” courses regularly.
On twenty courts (two grass and three clay), 18 clinics and drill sessions are offered each week during the high season (October through April) and a smaller array during the warmer months.
We don’t stay at the Marriott, which is not our style, but it is, to our mind, a typical 5 star mega-resort, with the expected amenities, extravagantly landscaped with flamingos, fountains, an indoor waterfall and even a boat to ferry one from the lobby to some of their restaurants.
The daily tennis clinics were great allowing us to pick and choose what we wanted to work on, after warm up they break us into groups by experience.
They are a very welcoming group of pros going out of their way to learn your name and make you feel comfortable. We really enjoyed our tennis lesson with Jim he was great in enhancing our enjoyment and player skills, we definitely will be back next year if not sooner!!
all surfaces are there and great service.
Excellent tennis programs for recreational tennis players. The game matching program is very well organized. Highly recommended for tennis vacations.
This hotel is AMAZING!!!! I especially loved the tennis lessons they provide there! This spring break was my third time returning and I have learned more there than I have ever before. All of the tennis pros are exceptional and VERY nice! I took both private and group lessons and in the group I didn’t feel like I didn’t learn as much just because there were more people, they were sure to pay attention to each person and help ALL of our games. I am definitely planing on going back as soon as I can!
we have visited the area now for the last 2 years and both times attended clincs and participated in the round robin matches. Both times we were impressed with the knowledgable and friendly staff. The only negligible downside, was that we didn’t get to play everyone and/or the time was too short. However, we really enjoyed the event and will plan to attend next year also.
Love this tennis resort! Perfect resort for those tennis addicts out there like myself. It offers a wide variety of tennis clinics at both a.m.& p.m. times. You can pick up loads of tennis tips to bring back to your game. Tennis pro’s are awesome~ especially Jim! They even have a tennis comedy show every Saturday for free that all ages will love. I frequent this resort 2-4 times per year…because of the tennis program!
Love your program…don’t change a thing!
I have already told many that this is the best. It offers three types of courts, great lessons, and the team works with you to get you court times and matches. Marriott itself cannot be beat for their ammenities. Everyone that I have sent agrees.
I go out to Palm Springs once or twice a year and always go to the Marriott for the tennis drills and am now on a first name basis with many of the Pros. This is one of the best tennis programs I’ve ever experienced with incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and friendly Pros. The Tennis Show that they put on during the fall/winter season is so funny and unfortunately so accurate that you can’t help but laugh and recognize yourself in their antics.
I Participated in the 4.0 Drill Sessions a few times in March. The first class was conducted by James and Katie, who are very good teachers in suggesting improvement tips. We had one drill where Katie and I volleyed 152 times over the net without missing!
The second clinic was just last Sunday, where James was very diplomatic suggesting tips and working with each student. All of the drills are focused to make you a more consistent player. My wife came down to take a video of the class, but all I saw when I returned home where the beautiful flowers surrounding the tennis courts and tennis pro shop.
I am going to recommend the clinics to my tennis buddies back home.
My wife and I spent a week in Febuary 2009 at the Desert Springs Marriott for the tennis. It could not have been better The tennis program there is the best. Jim Leopould’s program, staff, and courts are the best.
Opps, I left out teaching methods. We have been to at least 10 of the top 25 Tennis Resorts and this is our favorite. We are both 3.5 players. We had clinics and lessons in the mornings and matches in the afternoon with great competition. Its hard to imagine how they consistenly matched us so closely with opponents.
The grass courts are the best in the U.S. We played on all clay, grass, and hard .We can’t wait to return. We are from Alabama and Jim and staff make sothern hospitality seem rude. And, the firepit at the starbucks on the outside patio was our favorite hangout.
My special thanks to James Rutherford, Dave Kensler and Jim Leupold. I learn so much from these guys in two days than I have in 6 months at my local club. Would go back in a heart beat just for lessons with these guys.
Outstanding facility and outstanding instruction by James Rutherford. (2009)
My wife and I spent Christmas week with Jim, Dave, Pat and James and were elated with quality of the instruction. We’ve gone to a number of other highly ranked programs here on the TennisResortsOnline website, but none provided equivalent instruction as what we received from these guys–the PBI system was superb for us (3.0 level) and coaches make learning fun. Can’t say enough good things about the school, it’s instructors, or the resort. There’s nothing quite like playing on a grass stadium court with blue skies above, the Santa Rosa mountains in the background–and improved strokes to boot.
Strengths- Given a tidbit in each clinic which was something new or had not heard before. Quality players.
Weaknesses-A few of the things I signed up for were beyond the stated capacity. I understand that they did not want to turn anyone away, but it took away from the people who had signed up early.