Reached along an avenue lined with flower gardens and palm trees, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa rises from the desert suburbs roughly 20 miles north of downtown Phoenix.
It spreads across 300 acres, enough to contain a 950-room hotel and a wealth of amenities, most notable of them a four-acre waterpark with four pools and a 1,600-foot-long Lazy River navigable by inner tube. All the rooms, each with a balcony or patio, fan out in spokes from a vast lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows and views across the pool of the McDowell Mountains to the east. The fairways of two 18-hole championship golf courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer, the other by Nick Faldo, extend their green fingers into a desert of cacti and palo verde trees.
The racquet sports complex occupies its own corner, a complex of 5 hard and 17 pickleball courts on either side of a stucco building housing a full-service pro shop and framed by red, orange, yellow, and purple flowers—many in terra-cotta planters—and a smattering of palm and palo verde trees. Guests can rejuvenate in the Revive Spa—which has its own bistro—workout in either of two fitness centers, dine on Southwestern cuisine at the Stonegrill, have a quick bite or cocktail and catch live music at Twenty6, or grab lunch or a drink at the golf club’s urban tavern Meritage. Kids have a Family Escape Kids club as well as other attractions in the area, like mini golf and other activities at Cracker Jax or the hands-on exhibits at the Arizona Science Center. Also nearby is the shopping and restaurants at Desert Ridge Marketplace and the not-to-be missed Musical Instrument Museum.
In recent years, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge has gone all in on pickleball. Although three of its original tennis courts remain, they are dwarfed, both in size and passionate interest, by a campus of 17 pickleball courts, one of them a stadium, whose spectator seating and space for cameras although it to host major pickleball tournaments. Though attached to the resort, these courts also serve as a private pickleball club, whose membership has rapidly burgeoned to over 200 players. That is a boon for hotel guests, who can participate in the club's activities. A full-service pro shop has clothing, equipment, racquets, paddles—all the essentials tennis and pickleball players need.
Tennis Staff: Paul Fragoso oversees the racquet sports operation at the resort. Originally from New York, where he played tennis and baseball growing up, he moved to Arizona in 2004 looking for "a better quality of life for my young family and the ability to be active year-round." When the pickleball craze hit Phoenix, he latched on, competing and teaching and getting certified by the Pro Pickleball Registry. He oversees a staff of three tennis and 10 pickleball pros. Tennis players can look forward to clinics and private lessons, but for obvious reasons the pickleball options are far more extensive, with option for clinics, private lessons, social play, and tournaments.
Court Complex: There are three hard courts and 17 pickleball courts.
Off Court
The Club at Arizona’s JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa provides unparalleled service, endless recreation and exquisite dining far beyond those offered at a typical private club. Our unique "country club within a luxury resort” means you and your family have constant access to over 300 acres of amenities to serve as your private country club playground. Our 36 holes of Championship Palmer and Faldo golf, world-renowned Revive Spa, fitness center, tennis courts, eight dining options, resort water complex with 5 pools, a lazy river, water slides, the Family Escape and so much more are waiting for you at The Club.
Accommodations
950-room hotel
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round; however high season is October to May.
Travel Instructions: The JW Marriott Desert Ridge is roughly 21 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
1 Reviews on “JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa”
Huge number of pickleball courts and very active club. As a hotel guest, I got to participate in one of their social pickleball events.