SoCal’s JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa – Never the Same Twice!

By Barbara Beckley

It’s true. There always seems to be something new at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California. At least, whenever I visit.

What’s the Latest?

The JW Garden! Described as a “kitchen garden with a twist,” this lush collection of edible native plants and a budding olive tree grove debuted in May 2022 in a quiet space beside the lake. The new plantings are “rooted in mindfulness,” explained its creator, landscape designer Lily Kwong of Studio Lily Kwong, inviting guests to relax and “smell the roses” so to speak – as well as providing fresh ingredients for cocktails and cuisine in the resort’s nine restaurants and bars; and oils and scrubs in The Spa at Desert Springs.

As a garden enthusiast myself, I was charmed on several levels.

First – the plants are colorful and lush. Pink cactus – the entire plant is a beautiful dusty rose hue – golden flowers and silver leaves. All local to the desert including sages, desert marigold, milkweed, wildflowers (providing habitat and ecosystem support to fauna and insects), rosemary, prickly pear and olive trees. Sage is the garden’s “signature herb,” according to Kwong, and will be incorporated into the resort’s recipes and spa products.

Second – the JW Garden is easy to enjoy. No slogging through dirt here. The plants are growing in organically-shaped, waist-high stucco planter beds with built-in-seats. Yet another beautiful resort location in which to relax.

Why this new garden? Turns out Alice Marriott, the wife of founder J. Willard Marriott, grew fruits, veggies and herbs for her Sunday dinners. So it’s an appropriate way for Marriott “to honor family tradition and highlight its commitment to mindfulness for guests to be nourished in body and revitalized in spirit,” stated Marriott’s global brand leader, Bruce Rohr.

And it’s unique – one of only three JW Gardens in the chain! The other two are at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Florida and the JW Marriot Essex House New York.

As the garden grows (using repurposed low-emission materials, water-conserving techniques and no spray pesticides or fungicides) and the olive trees spread their limbs and stylish new white sails shade the walking paths and benches – look for it to become a favorite spot to sit and watch the swans on the lake and enjoy sunset views of the lake and Santa Rosa Mountains.

Incredibly Fun Guests!

As the valley’s largest event resort, the Lobby Bar is a must for people-watching. Of course, people-watching is fun everywhere in the desert – but when I sat down in a cushy chair at the Aquifer65 & JW Sushi Bar (part of the late 2021 make-over) I got more than I bargained for. Sequins, flowing gowns and high heels dominated the scene! Turns out my stay coincided with the Desert Classic Dancesport (Ballroom Dancing) Championships, being held in one of the ballrooms. After cocktails, I couldn’t resist “crashing” the party, enjoying close-up views of the dancers’ skill and incredible discipline. Plus loads of glittery merchandise.

Back at the Lobby Bar, I struck up a conversation with three fun, fashionable women and their seven-year-old grandson, who introduced me to “The Pink Flamingo.” An over-the-top frothy pink concoction of strawberry ice cream, half-and-half and whipped cream topped with donuts, lollipops, cotton candy, French macarons and rainbow sprinkles sipped through a pink flamingo straw! “It’s our grandson’s favorite every time we come,” they said. The grandson of course takes it non-alcoholic. For us, we added vodka.

Also New!

My incredible room. I hadn’t overnighted at the Desert Springs since its property-wide redesign in late 2021. Wow! The breezy cool décor of my eighth-floor Main Building Standard Room was the perfect match to its truly astonishing view! From on high I gazed down on EVERYTHING. Directly at the sprawling lake, the pools, both Desert Springs Golf Club championship courses and the private JW Marriott estate homes – all framed by the magnificent Santa Rosa Mountains and blue, blue sky. The best room ever!!!