JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
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Expensive but worth it is my headline! I had some Marriott points and my son and my mom really wanted a resort day with the lazy river and nice big hot tub so I got a room for the night. Turns out with the room you can get an arm band that can be for the day of check-in and then extends to through to the next day -- which was so much fun. So a few things to cover about this great JW Marriott. They have self parking which is $30 day or you can do valet which is $50 overnight -- the valet is kind of worth it because the self parking lot is a bit of a hike. Also the valet is pretty quick -- I never waited longer than 5 minutes for my car. The lobby is expansive and has two levels. They were passing out freshly baked cookies near the registration desk when we checked in! I had called for an early check in and my room was ready by 1pm. There was a bit of a line at the registration but it was a Friday and to be expected. As soon as we checked in we made a b-line for the water park/pools. There was someone checking purses before you entered -- I guess just to make sure no food or outside drink? They also wouldn't let my son bring in his football. It was already around 2pm and the place was filling up quickly -- all of the chairs around the lazy river were taken but we were able to find some chairs by the hot tub -- I guess not many people wanted to be near the hot tub on a 100 degree day -- which was great since we were kind of away from the crowds (but also no service even after asking a waiter to send someone over near the hot tub). The hot tub is huge and is overlooking the golf course -- there is a little pond there too and the kids were all fascinated by the fish (but you can't go into the pond). There was also some cool bird watching too. The lazy river is so much fun and we spent the majority of our time in the lazy river. There are three slides -- two that you go down without a tube and one that you can go down on a tube in tandem. My son convinced me to go on the slide together and it was scary but fun. There is also another pool that is just a pool -- more adults than kids. I did notice they have a splash pad for kids too -- something for everyone! Aqua Nights -- during the summer they have the water park open until 10pm. They switch the tubes over to lit up flamingo, dinosaur and donut tubes and there are lights everywhere and a big speaker with music. Totally different vibe than the daytime but super fun -- also we had no idea they were going to have a drone light show -- that was so cool -- My pics turned out really bad though, LOL. I did notice that you can buy separate day passes for the water park and for aqua nights -- it is pretty pricey though, I would suggest a ResortPass instead -- much more affordable but also so much fun worth it either way. The hotel room was standard but I think all the rooms have a little balcony which is super nice since my son sleeps for hours and I wake up early. The beds though were so amazingly comfortable -- I actually slept longer than I normally do! I did go down to Starbucks in the lobby for coffee in the morning and found the little desert botanical garden walk -- it is not long but there are some really cool saguaros and some other beautiful desert plants. The hotel literally has something for everyone -- we didn't even explore half of it. The resort fee also comes with balls to go to the driving range and there is a spa -- I need to come back and really explore a lot more but the water park is sooo much fun! We didn't check out any of the restaurants because we spent so much time at the water park they were closed (and we had to drive over to the desert ridge mall to find dinner) by the time we were done swimming. The restaurants look really nice though. Also there is an arcade off the registration area in the lobby and down a bunch of stairs -- that was fun! Biggest complaint is that the food and drinks (we only ate at the water park) were outrageously expensive -- and not amazing. The fries are pretty good but don't let them sit too long or they get all soggy in the hot Phoenix air.
I've been to this place a few times! So lovely. Really a beautiful property and conference center. The rooms are $$$$ though, so plan accordingly. I've eaten at most of the on-site restaurants, but also know that there are a ton of other restaurants immediately off-site within a one-mile walk from the resort. Grab your sunglasses, catch some sun, and have some fun!
This is an amazing resort and convention center. Clean, modern and upscale. Has several restaurants and bars and a huge gift shop and fed ex center. The resort has several pools, plentiful lounge chairs and options to reserve cabanas and special seating throughout. There is no bad view. The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful with the mountains and gold course as a backdrop. There is a botanical garden, spa and fitness center. 5 star property. You could vacation here and never gave to leave!
AMAZING STAY & I will be back soon. Where do I start our room was available early which is always a plus. The property is absolutely stunning. I told the front desk it was my sons birthday and they sent desserts like how amazing.The room was spacious and updated. Different restaurants to try. You have so many free activities to choose from. There is a lot of different pools and a waterpark. The food at the pool was really good. I can go on and on. My only disappointment was the arcade. So many games were broke and a waste of money and the pizza place wasn't good unfortunately. I definitely will be coming to stay yearly. We absolutely loved our stay.
I've been to the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa three times: once for their July 4th celebration, once for brunch at Tia Carmen (the upscale Mexican restaurant on the property), and once for Jingle at JW (their extravaganza for the holidays). While I haven't stayed at the JW, it's been an awesome experience each time. Their 4th of July event took place a day early this year (on Thursday, January 3rd). It's kid-focused with putt putt outside and various other activities for children. We were there for the main attraction though, the fireworks. They were selling beverages outside (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and some snacks. We also had cocktails at the small hotel bar in the lobby and at Tia Carmen. Part of the appeal of JW Marriott Desert Ridge is walking around and exploring the resort. In addition to the places I've already mentioned, there's an upscale Asian restaurant, an arcade that serves food, and a gift shop. There are multiple pools (including slides), tennis courts, and golf. And I know I'm not covering it all!. Safe to say, there are some great food and entertainment options. The restaurants are pricey, but they are quality. I've dined at Tia Carmen twice and enjoyed it both times. Don't miss out on checking out Jingle at JW during the holidays. They go all out with all of the Christmas lights. While it's kid-focused (with activities like ice skating, pictures with Santa, sledding, and more), there's plenty of entertainment for adults too. You can even rent your own firepit where you can have dinner and make s'mores (quite pricey yet again). They do a great job decorating both the exterior and the interior of the resort. So whether you're visiting from out of town, having a staycation, or just visiting for a few hours as a local, there's plenty to do! I can't comment on the parking situation as I've walked over each time.
In the 10+ years of attending large conferences (1000+ attendees) this place has been the best experience. The layout, the project plans they have to manage the conference needs - it's perfect. Of course the location and the facility is beautiful. The food offered - very good quality The staff - very attentive, professional and friendly. Very helpful too when attendees get a little turned around/lost in the meeting areas. The landscaping outside - always perfection - they're constantly cleaning and tidying. The room was clean and comfortable. The hotel isn't loud - despite having so many people, it seems to isolate the noise very well. Check in a breeze, especially if you have the app. I would love to vacation here, however, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to visit here for work reasons.
Recently stayed here on a work trip and I can't wait to bring my family back! Seriously one of the most beautiful resorts I've been to. It's situated about 25-30 min from the PHX airport, very easy to get an uber and head north! The resort itself has beautiful open spaces, lots of modern indoor and outdoor seating, and each room has a little balcony. I spent every morning out there drinking my coffee! There are many food options that are actually really good on property. We ate at the pool side grill and Tia Carmen I believe it was called. Both were delicious! And we had food catered for several meals for our conference that was shockingly good! There's a Starbucks on site which is super convenient and it looks super modern and brand new. There's a convenience store which is severely overpriced (I paid $15 for a tiny travel sized dry shampoo), but again nice to have the option. The rooms themselves are spacious, clean, and luxurious. I never sleep well in hotels and I got my 8 hours every night no problem. The beds were incredibly comfortable. Every morning I went to the fitness center and was again surprised by the size and equipment. Everything looks brand new, is well maintained, and there's plenty of space including a cardio room, weight room, and a room for fitness classes hosted by the resort. as for activities, there is plenty to do on site, and you're also close to a lot of major tourist areas. I wasn't able to try it out but my room faced their on site golf course that was also lovely with great views and maintained well. The water park on site was nice, with a lazy river, multiple water slides, and then several pools including an adults only pool. Start everywhere was extremely attentive and pleasant to interact with. Overall I had an amazing stay at this JW and cannot wait to return!
I was here for a conference and I have to say, this was a great experience! The resort itself is gorgeous and the staff is terrific. We arrived early and were fortunate to have a room ready for us. The room was quiet, clean and had a beautiful view of the sunrise. We were on the main floor close to the reception desk and I thought it would be noisy. Additionally, we were right over the outside part of one of the restaurants but everything was so peaceful and serene. I was able to enjoy the pool for an afternoon and that was great. There are so many pools to choose from, not to mention the lazy river and the water slide. I will say that a lot of the chairs by the pools are reserved so you have to pay for them and that amount varies by demand. On a busy weekend, it's more expensive than on a random Tuesday. However, when we were there, there were plenty of open chairs that didn't require payment. The pool water was surprisingly cold even though the air temps were in the 80s. It's great to take a walk in the mornings around the property...there are plenty of sidewalks to you don't feel like you're putting your life at risk. My husband used the spa and got a massage which he said was the best he ever had. The spa isn't cheap but the massage service is at least worth it. The restaurants are good. Tia Carmen was very delicious. Meritage was fine but nothing memorable. Service was great everywhere. The conference facilities are nice and much more convenient than when we have a conference at one of the giant Vegas casinos or at a property like the Gaylord in Denver. I could see this being a relaxing (though pricey) getaway during the early spring.
This review is of their Jingle at the JW! We decided to check out the Jingle at the JW Marriott since we live in Desert Ridge and drive past the huge lit-up signs on Marriott Drive and Tatum all the time. Last year was their first year doing it and we didn't make it, so we were excited to finally go. We bought tickets for the kids online. They offer Groupons, but unfortunately not for the Saturday night we went. Parking wasn't included in the tickets, so that was an extra cost. Once we walked into the lobby, we picked up our wristbands and grabbed pictures in Santa's Sleigh. It's a great size and makes for a perfect photo op. We checked out the gingerbread houses and then headed outside. The fire pits and couches right outside the lobby bar are first-come, first-served. We had family with us who don't get around well, so we grabbed seats there. The fire pits by the ice-skating rink are $100, but the nice thing is that the cost goes toward food and beverage. At the Princess, you pay for the fire pit and food doesn't count toward it, so this is a better deal. There are several more photo ops outside, including a wreath and a gondola. The kids did the snow tubing, which is small. They have snow falling at the end, which made for cute photos. The kids also did the snowball-making activity, which required tickets. Our friends were given some when they paid for their Santa photos in the lobby. The kids had a great time making snowballs and throwing them through the workshop cutouts. There's a walking path around the lazy river with lights, but we decided to head to the musical tree instead. They didn't have it last year so it's a great addition. The lights sync to music, we enjoyed it. There was a concession stand nearby and some rentable igloos. From there, we hopped on the train to ride over to the bounce house area. The train was smaller than we expected, kind of a let down. On the way, it stopped at the front lobby and only two people got off, which annoyed the crowd waiting there. It seemed like they could benefit from having multiple trains running or reorganizing the route. It also has to pass through the parking lot, and the driver has to stop to scan a key card to raise the gate arm, which felt a little odd. I put Christmas music on my phone to make the ride more festive, and honestly that's something they should consider adding. The bounce house area was great. They had a fire pit with plenty of Adirondack chairs, and the kids loved the blow up obstacle course bouncy and big slide. There's a concession stand with hot chocolate, popcorn, and snacks, but no alcoholic beverages. A group of dads definitely wished there were. That's something they should consider for the future. Instead of taking the train back, we walked. We stopped at the ski simulator near the lobby, which the kids loved. They fitted each kid with ski boots and gave them a turn. The employees running it were really friendly and helpful. The kids finished the night with ice skating. They had lots of helper bars, music, lights, and a gorgeous large tree that looks like a lit-up willow. Our kids called it a fairy tree. We grabbed hot chocolate for the kids, and they offered complimentary water bottles if you asked, which was great. Overall, the kids had fun. No, it's not the Princess--this is a smaller-scale version that's less crowded, less expensive, and exactly what we were looking for. Very festive and a really fun night out.
This is a beautiful resort that is located across the street from a marketplace that has restaurants and stores, which is convenient. We received great customer service here and were satisfied with our room. The lazy river is relaxing and there are so many pools and the resort is clean. We were allowed early check in which was wonderful after a 5 hour drive. So why the 3 stars? We ordered a couple of pizzas, chicken wings and a couple of beers at the food place, at the pool, located by the water slides. The guy who rang us up was friendly, but when we came to close out, he told me gratuity was automatic and to just sign for it (I was charging it to my room). I asked him "gratuity is automatic? " He said yes. I didn't think much of it and signed for it and got my receipt and went on about my day. But as I was looking at my receipt, it gave me a gratuity option at the bottom, which made me realize gratuity should not have been automatic. I confirmed with the front desk that gratuity is up to the customer. She did credit my room for the amount of the gratuity that he gave himself. In the end, it is not about the gratuity because I was going to tip him regardless. For me, it's the principal.
We had a good trip and stay at the Marriott. Service was great and the activities offered. Additionally, we made a few trips to the gym as there were plenty of machines and cardio machines. The gym is walking distance from the rooms if you don't want to drive. One day we went to the lazy river which is at a nearby Marriott resort.
Sean @ the bar is RAD....Griffin pool service is awesome as well!!!! Appreciate the love for my besties bday!!!!
My family stayed here for a mini staycation for a work-related conference. It is a lovely resort with lots of fun things for kids to do such as the lazy river, the water slide park and great pool. While I didn't have time to check out all the amenities, there are also lots of things to do for 'adult-only' activities. The grounds on the resort have lots of little trails to walk and enjoy the desert scenery. The conference rooms and ballrooms are beautiful. We did have a few catered meals with the conference and the menu was made for royalty. Their staff did an exceptional job serving several hundred people and our families. We had oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster and prime rib for dinner. Breakfast was pretty standard but with plenty of options including an eggs Benedict station and oatmeal for those looking for a healthier alternative to eggs. The hotel's attention to detail for the conference goers was on point. We always love the comfort of the beds and pillows at Marriotts. The bathroom was clean and plenty of towels and fine touches like cotton balls/Q-tips on the sink. As a local, this resort is definitely where I would recommend compared to some of the other options in the area.
Stayed for one night and was impressed. The resort is beautiful, staff is friendly and helpful, and the property is great for walking, with a small Sonoran Desert Botanical Garden. The highlight is definitely the AquaRidge water park with 5 pools, a lazy river, and awesome waterslides. They also have a spa (sadly, no time for me this trip), plus 2 championship 18-hole golf courses. My room even overlooked one of the courses! The room was spacious and clean, and bonus points for having Starbucks near the gift store because vacation calories don't count, but coffee is essential! The only downside? The resort is HUGE with many different wings, so be prepared to get your steps in. Pack comfortable shoes! Overall, a beautiful resort with great views and plenty to explore. I would stay again! read more
Incredible weekend here! We had a girls trip planned here for a weekend in June (yes we chose June in Phoenix). We came for a relaxing weekend by the pool and boy did we get it! We took full advantage of the lazy river and the waterslides on site. We had very little weight to get up to use the waterslides, but I bet you're busy season there's a line. Restaurants on site were delicious and we enjoyed the happy hour at Kembra. The breakfast buffet each morning was absolutely incredible. Thankfully, there were lots of umbrellas available, but they do go fast. We definitely want to come back. read more
3 months ago
Expensive but worth it is my headline! I had some Marriott points and my son and my mom really wanted a resort day with the lazy river and nice big hot tub so I got a room for the night. Turns out with the room you can get an arm band that can be for the day of check-in and then extends to through to the next day -- which was so much fun. So a few things to cover about this great JW Marriott. They have self parking which is $30 day or you can do valet which is $50 overnight -- the valet is kind of worth it because the self parking lot is a bit of a hike. Also the valet is pretty quick -- I never waited longer than 5 minutes for my car. The lobby is expansive and has two levels. They were passing out freshly baked cookies near the registration desk when we checked in! I had called for an early check in and my room was ready by 1pm. There was a bit of a line at the registration but it was a Friday and to be expected. As soon as we checked in we made a b-line for the water park/pools. There was someone checking purses before you entered -- I guess just to make sure no food or outside drink? They also wouldn't let my son bring in his football. It was already around 2pm and the place was filling up quickly -- all of the chairs around the lazy river were taken but we were able to find some chairs by the hot tub -- I guess not many people wanted to be near the hot tub on a 100 degree day -- which was great since we were kind of away from the crowds (but also no service even after asking a waiter to send someone over near the hot tub). The hot tub is huge and is overlooking the golf course -- there is a little pond there too and the kids were all fascinated by the fish (but you can't go into the pond). There was also some cool bird watching too. The lazy river is so much fun and we spent the majority of our time in the lazy river. There are three slides -- two that you go down without a tube and one that you can go down on a tube in tandem. My son convinced me to go on the slide together and it was scary but fun. There is also another pool that is just a pool -- more adults than kids. I did notice they have a splash pad for kids too -- something for everyone! Aqua Nights -- during the summer they have the water park open until 10pm. They switch the tubes over to lit up flamingo, dinosaur and donut tubes and there are lights everywhere and a big speaker with music. Totally different vibe than the daytime but super fun -- also we had no idea they were going to have a drone light show -- that was so cool -- My pics turned out really bad though, LOL. I did notice that you can buy separate day passes for the water park and for aqua nights -- it is pretty pricey though, I would suggest a ResortPass instead -- much more affordable but also so much fun worth it either way. The hotel room was standard but I think all the rooms have a little balcony which is super nice since my son sleeps for hours and I wake up early. The beds though were so amazingly comfortable -- I actually slept longer than I normally do! I did go down to Starbucks in the lobby for coffee in the morning and found the little desert botanical garden walk -- it is not long but there are some really cool saguaros and some other beautiful desert plants. The hotel literally has something for everyone -- we didn't even explore half of it. The resort fee also comes with balls to go to the driving range and there is a spa -- I need to come back and really explore a lot more but the water park is sooo much fun! We didn't check out any of the restaurants because we spent so much time at the water park they were closed (and we had to drive over to the desert ridge mall to find dinner) by the time we were done swimming. The restaurants look really nice though. Also there is an arcade off the registration area in the lobby and down a bunch of stairs -- that was fun! Biggest complaint is that the food and drinks (we only ate at the water park) were outrageously expensive -- and not amazing. The fries are pretty good but don't let them sit too long or they get all soggy in the hot Phoenix air. read more
9 days ago
3 months ago
I've been to this place a few times! So lovely. Really a beautiful property and conference center. The rooms are $$$$ though, so plan accordingly. I've eaten at most of the on-site restaurants, but also know that there are a ton of other restaurants immediately off-site within a one-mile walk from the resort. Grab your sunglasses, catch some sun, and have some fun! read more
2 months ago
This is an amazing resort and convention center. Clean, modern and upscale. Has several restaurants and bars and a huge gift shop and fed ex center. The resort has several pools, plentiful lounge chairs and options to reserve cabanas and special seating throughout. There is no bad view. The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful with the mountains and gold course as a backdrop. There is a botanical garden, spa and fitness center. 5 star property. You could vacation here and never gave to leave! read more
3 months ago
AMAZING STAY & I will be back soon. Where do I start our room was available early which is always a plus. The property is absolutely stunning. I told the front desk it was my sons birthday and they sent desserts like how amazing.The room was spacious and updated. Different restaurants to try. You have so many free activities to choose from. There is a lot of different pools and a waterpark. The food at the pool was really good. I can go on and on. My only disappointment was the arcade. So many games were broke and a waste of money and the pizza place wasn't good unfortunately. I definitely will be coming to stay yearly. We absolutely loved our stay. read more
I've been to the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa three times: once for their July 4th celebration, once for brunch at Tia Carmen (the upscale Mexican restaurant on the property), and once for Jingle at JW (their extravaganza for the holidays). While I haven't stayed at the JW, it's been an awesome experience each time. Their 4th of July event took place a day early this year (on Thursday, January 3rd). It's kid-focused with putt putt outside and various other activities for children. We were there for the main attraction though, the fireworks. They were selling beverages outside (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and some snacks. We also had cocktails at the small hotel bar in the lobby and at Tia Carmen. Part of the appeal of JW Marriott Desert Ridge is walking around and exploring the resort. In addition to the places I've already mentioned, there's an upscale Asian restaurant, an arcade that serves food, and a gift shop. There are multiple pools (including slides), tennis courts, and golf. And I know I'm not covering it all!. Safe to say, there are some great food and entertainment options. The restaurants are pricey, but they are quality. I've dined at Tia Carmen twice and enjoyed it both times. Don't miss out on checking out Jingle at JW during the holidays. They go all out with all of the Christmas lights. While it's kid-focused (with activities like ice skating, pictures with Santa, sledding, and more), there's plenty of entertainment for adults too. You can even rent your own firepit where you can have dinner and make s'mores (quite pricey yet again). They do a great job decorating both the exterior and the interior of the resort. So whether you're visiting from out of town, having a staycation, or just visiting for a few hours as a local, there's plenty to do! I can't comment on the parking situation as I've walked over each time. read more
In the 10+ years of attending large conferences (1000+ attendees) this place has been the best experience. The layout, the project plans they have to manage the conference needs - it's perfect. Of course the location and the facility is beautiful. The food offered - very good quality The staff - very attentive, professional and friendly. Very helpful too when attendees get a little turned around/lost in the meeting areas. The landscaping outside - always perfection - they're constantly cleaning and tidying. The room was clean and comfortable. The hotel isn't loud - despite having so many people, it seems to isolate the noise very well. Check in a breeze, especially if you have the app. I would love to vacation here, however, I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to visit here for work reasons. read more
Recently stayed here on a work trip and I can't wait to bring my family back! Seriously one of the most beautiful resorts I've been to. It's situated about 25-30 min from the PHX airport, very easy to get an uber and head north! The resort itself has beautiful open spaces, lots of modern indoor and outdoor seating, and each room has a little balcony. I spent every morning out there drinking my coffee! There are many food options that are actually really good on property. We ate at the pool side grill and Tia Carmen I believe it was called. Both were delicious! And we had food catered for several meals for our conference that was shockingly good! There's a Starbucks on site which is super convenient and it looks super modern and brand new. There's a convenience store which is severely overpriced (I paid $15 for a tiny travel sized dry shampoo), but again nice to have the option. The rooms themselves are spacious, clean, and luxurious. I never sleep well in hotels and I got my 8 hours every night no problem. The beds were incredibly comfortable. Every morning I went to the fitness center and was again surprised by the size and equipment. Everything looks brand new, is well maintained, and there's plenty of space including a cardio room, weight room, and a room for fitness classes hosted by the resort. as for activities, there is plenty to do on site, and you're also close to a lot of major tourist areas. I wasn't able to try it out but my room faced their on site golf course that was also lovely with great views and maintained well. The water park on site was nice, with a lazy river, multiple water slides, and then several pools including an adults only pool. Start everywhere was extremely attentive and pleasant to interact with. Overall I had an amazing stay at this JW and cannot wait to return! read more
I was here for a conference and I have to say, this was a great experience! The resort itself is gorgeous and the staff is terrific. We arrived early and were fortunate to have a room ready for us. The room was quiet, clean and had a beautiful view of the sunrise. We were on the main floor close to the reception desk and I thought it would be noisy. Additionally, we were right over the outside part of one of the restaurants but everything was so peaceful and serene. I was able to enjoy the pool for an afternoon and that was great. There are so many pools to choose from, not to mention the lazy river and the water slide. I will say that a lot of the chairs by the pools are reserved so you have to pay for them and that amount varies by demand. On a busy weekend, it's more expensive than on a random Tuesday. However, when we were there, there were plenty of open chairs that didn't require payment. The pool water was surprisingly cold even though the air temps were in the 80s. It's great to take a walk in the mornings around the property...there are plenty of sidewalks to you don't feel like you're putting your life at risk. My husband used the spa and got a massage which he said was the best he ever had. The spa isn't cheap but the massage service is at least worth it. The restaurants are good. Tia Carmen was very delicious. Meritage was fine but nothing memorable. Service was great everywhere. The conference facilities are nice and much more convenient than when we have a conference at one of the giant Vegas casinos or at a property like the Gaylord in Denver. I could see this being a relaxing (though pricey) getaway during the early spring. read more
This review is of their Jingle at the JW! We decided to check out the Jingle at the JW Marriott since we live in Desert Ridge and drive past the huge lit-up signs on Marriott Drive and Tatum all the time. Last year was their first year doing it and we didn't make it, so we were excited to finally go. We bought tickets for the kids online. They offer Groupons, but unfortunately not for the Saturday night we went. Parking wasn't included in the tickets, so that was an extra cost. Once we walked into the lobby, we picked up our wristbands and grabbed pictures in Santa's Sleigh. It's a great size and makes for a perfect photo op. We checked out the gingerbread houses and then headed outside. The fire pits and couches right outside the lobby bar are first-come, first-served. We had family with us who don't get around well, so we grabbed seats there. The fire pits by the ice-skating rink are $100, but the nice thing is that the cost goes toward food and beverage. At the Princess, you pay for the fire pit and food doesn't count toward it, so this is a better deal. There are several more photo ops outside, including a wreath and a gondola. The kids did the snow tubing, which is small. They have snow falling at the end, which made for cute photos. The kids also did the snowball-making activity, which required tickets. Our friends were given some when they paid for their Santa photos in the lobby. The kids had a great time making snowballs and throwing them through the workshop cutouts. There's a walking path around the lazy river with lights, but we decided to head to the musical tree instead. They didn't have it last year so it's a great addition. The lights sync to music, we enjoyed it. There was a concession stand nearby and some rentable igloos. From there, we hopped on the train to ride over to the bounce house area. The train was smaller than we expected, kind of a let down. On the way, it stopped at the front lobby and only two people got off, which annoyed the crowd waiting there. It seemed like they could benefit from having multiple trains running or reorganizing the route. It also has to pass through the parking lot, and the driver has to stop to scan a key card to raise the gate arm, which felt a little odd. I put Christmas music on my phone to make the ride more festive, and honestly that's something they should consider adding. The bounce house area was great. They had a fire pit with plenty of Adirondack chairs, and the kids loved the blow up obstacle course bouncy and big slide. There's a concession stand with hot chocolate, popcorn, and snacks, but no alcoholic beverages. A group of dads definitely wished there were. That's something they should consider for the future. Instead of taking the train back, we walked. We stopped at the ski simulator near the lobby, which the kids loved. They fitted each kid with ski boots and gave them a turn. The employees running it were really friendly and helpful. The kids finished the night with ice skating. They had lots of helper bars, music, lights, and a gorgeous large tree that looks like a lit-up willow. Our kids called it a fairy tree. We grabbed hot chocolate for the kids, and they offered complimentary water bottles if you asked, which was great. Overall, the kids had fun. No, it's not the Princess--this is a smaller-scale version that's less crowded, less expensive, and exactly what we were looking for. Very festive and a really fun night out. read more
4 months ago
This is a beautiful resort that is located across the street from a marketplace that has restaurants and stores, which is convenient. We received great customer service here and were satisfied with our room. The lazy river is relaxing and there are so many pools and the resort is clean. We were allowed early check in which was wonderful after a 5 hour drive. So why the 3 stars? We ordered a couple of pizzas, chicken wings and a couple of beers at the food place, at the pool, located by the water slides. The guy who rang us up was friendly, but when we came to close out, he told me gratuity was automatic and to just sign for it (I was charging it to my room). I asked him "gratuity is automatic? " He said yes. I didn't think much of it and signed for it and got my receipt and went on about my day. But as I was looking at my receipt, it gave me a gratuity option at the bottom, which made me realize gratuity should not have been automatic. I confirmed with the front desk that gratuity is up to the customer. She did credit my room for the amount of the gratuity that he gave himself. In the end, it is not about the gratuity because I was going to tip him regardless. For me, it's the principal. read more
We had a good trip and stay at the Marriott. Service was great and the activities offered. Additionally, we made a few trips to the gym as there were plenty of machines and cardio machines. The gym is walking distance from the rooms if you don't want to drive. One day we went to the lazy river which is at a nearby Marriott resort. read more
3 months ago
Sean @ the bar is RAD....Griffin pool service is awesome as well!!!! Appreciate the love for my besties bday!!!! read more
1 year ago
My family stayed here for a mini staycation for a work-related conference. It is a lovely resort with lots of fun things for kids to do such as the lazy river, the water slide park and great pool. While I didn't have time to check out all the amenities, there are also lots of things to do for 'adult-only' activities. The grounds on the resort have lots of little trails to walk and enjoy the desert scenery. The conference rooms and ballrooms are beautiful. We did have a few catered meals with the conference and the menu was made for royalty. Their staff did an exceptional job serving several hundred people and our families. We had oysters, shrimp, crab, lobster and prime rib for dinner. Breakfast was pretty standard but with plenty of options including an eggs Benedict station and oatmeal for those looking for a healthier alternative to eggs. The hotel's attention to detail for the conference goers was on point. We always love the comfort of the beds and pillows at Marriotts. The bathroom was clean and plenty of towels and fine touches like cotton balls/Q-tips on the sink. As a local, this resort is definitely where I would recommend compared to some of the other options in the area. read more
1 year ago
We love the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge. We have been doing a staycation here every year for the last three years. We enjoy the pool, the lazy river, the great gym, the spa and definitely the food! Tia Carmen is one of my favorite restaurants. It's gorgeous and delicious. Service around the resort is awesome. We have had zero complaints. I have never met a more positive and energetic person handing out towels at the pool. We do not have kids, but the resort is very family friendly Our only disappointment this time was that they stopped having live music outside at night. We had really enjoyed that in the past. Still a really nice resort with things to do for everybody. read more
6 months ago
Real time update for JW Marriott @desertridge 1. Here for our son's birthday, brought 2 of his friends and needed to pay $50.00 for an additional wristband as each reservation allows for 4. 2. Poolside chairs, mostly reserved for an additional charge. We inquired for 2 chairs as it's 2:00pm and service closes at 5:00pm. $175.00/chair with an additional $30.00/chair reservation fee's. We opted not to do this and am hoping to find available 'free' chairs provided with the resort fee. 3. Ice cream is another issue, 3 cups of Dippy Dots (picture attached) was $38.00, not including tip. It's a nice hotel but the cost to be at the hotel once you arrive is crazy... consider this before booking, I haven't ordered the prerequisite chicken fingers yet that come with every hotel stay. Again, 5 stars for the hotel/service and amenities but 3 stars for the value... averaged out to 4. read more
Was at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge recently for a few day work event summit. The hotel is nice and there is self parking and valet parking available. The hotel is pretty large and easy to get lost! Haha. The rooms were clean, employees were friendly anytime I encountered one and there is restaurants, gift shop, bar etc. I would definitely do a family staycation here as I am local! read more
This was an amazing hotel close to the Scottsdale airport about 40 mins from Phx Sky Harbor not far from a nice shopping center area, a lovely lobby and restaurant on site for its guest. The staff was very accommodating with allowing us to check in early. The rooms are a nice size and easily accommodated 3 people. I would definitely recommend you staying here. read more
We stayed at the Marriott Canyon Villas and had access to the JW Marriott. We had lunch at Tia Carmen. We ate there last year and loved it, so we decided to go back. We got the same thing we got last year, except remembering how big it was, we split it this time. We liked everything we got except the bread and butter appetizer. It was balls of bread in a bowl liked with slightly melted butter. The server asked if we wanted it and I thought she was asking if we wanted complementary break and butter so I said ok. The fish sandwich more than made up for the appetizer. It was as delicious as we remembered. The outdoor ambiance was luxurious and cheerful and just what two refugees of a harsh Oklahoma winter needed. read more
11 months ago
I just stayed here for a conference and this hotel was fantastic! The multiple pools, water slide, outdoor fire pits, spa were all amazing! GAWI took the best care of everyone! He definitely made the stay better! What a wonderful happy staff. Loved staying here and will be returning with family for the next stay. The only thing that was disappointing was I paid $50 for 2 mimosas at the pool. That shocked me a little lol read more
A beautiful place to stay! I came here with my husband during the first week of March. He had a conference in the hotel. I wish we could have stayed here the entire time we were in Phoenix, but the hotel was booked so we only got two nights. The weather was great! We ate at Tia Carmen's twice during our stay, and at the bar, Twenty6 twice. Unfortunately Kembara (Asian restaurant) has very limited hours, so we were never able to try it. The Meritage restaurant was also closed whenever I tried to go there. Once, it was closed because it was only open to the conference attendees. The grounds are very nice. We had a beautiful east facing view from the 5th floor of the golf course and mountains. I was able to enjoy the tennis courts a couple of times. I never used the pool or hot tub. But I did walk around and enjoyed the grounds. There are plenty of waterfalls and fire pits to enjoy. There's a Starbucks onsite. I chose that over the $42 breakfast buffet at Tia Carmen's since all I have is toast and coffee for breakfast. There's a beautiful gift shop right next to Starbucks. It has lots of local artists and businesses in the store. If you don't want to eat onsite (after eating at Tia Carmen's two nights in a row and Kembara still being closed), there are plenty of options just a short drive away. There were at least 3-4 steakhouses with a ten minute drive. The service in the restaurants was great! Everyone from the bell hop, to front desk, to the bar tender, and housekeeping were incredibly friendly and helpful. Even though the hotel had been taken over by 500 aviation professionals, there were still plenty of people there for golf, or families enjoying the lazy river. I never got to enjoy the spa, but I'm sure it's great. I really enjoyed the fire pits at night. Everyone enjoyed the bar every night! Staff handled the crowd pretty well. I hope I'm able to return someday soon. I'd love to be able to try the other restaurants, the golf course, and the spa. read more
6 months ago
Went for a long getaway. Pros great property, nice 3 mile walk loop, plenty of pickleball courts, one of the better workout facilities and staff was very accommodating. Cons it was spring break and also numerous back to back conventions. It was very packed and resort still allowed locals to come in using day passes. As a titanium elite that's a little frustrating having to scramble to find chairs at the pool. Last couple of days decided to bite the bullet and pay the $100 a day for a chair at the spa pool. Breakfast option was only to get the buffet. Was looking for an à la carte menu as we didn't want to spend $70/meal for a buffet we wouldn't eat all that food. Spa food was great! read more
1 year ago
Stayed here and rented a cabana out with family service was great never had to look for anyone always was getting checked up on , place is clean around the pool and inside the hotel , all amenities in the hotel worked and are nice , the food here was pretty solid chips are a bit stale and on the thick side but the dips were flavorful , the slides are fun and didn't wait very long to go on it fun day trip read more
7 months ago
Andrew served us at the pool, and he was really outstanding, so friendly and upbeat, and so helpful in wanting to get us anything we needed. Wonderful setting, multiple different pools with beautiful view of the desert landscape. Really a fantastic day. read more
I stayed at the JW Marriott for three nights while attending a conference for work. In years past, the conference has been held at the Royal Palms in Scottsdale (my #1 favorite) and also at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which is also a 5 star resort. This was the first time it was held at the JW Marriott. I arrived early (around 1 pm) on my check-in day. It was 104 degrees outside, I was hot and tired from a long morning of travel from the east coast, and the resort was absolutely mobbed with people celebrating Mother's Day. But, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they already had a room ready to go for me. The room was on the lower ground level. It had a door connecting it to an adjacent guest room, which was unlocked upon my arrival. It also had a sliding glass door which opened directly onto a common area and some of the locks on that door didn't work. Both of these things made me a little uneasy as a solo female traveler, but I was exhausted and didn't want to deal with waiting for/moving to another room. I decided to let it go. Initial observations of the room: two comfortable beds with nice crisp sheets, decent towels, separate soaking tub (without any jets), too small shower. High quality bathroom toiletries. No mini bar, but there was a mini fridge (which is what I prefer anyway, when I'm traveling for business) and an annoying Illy coffee maker that kept eating all of the pods instead of brewing them. A smart-ish TV that streams Netflix but connects to no other apps. After a short rest in the a/c, I ventured out to the pool area. I had my heart set on a frosty drink immediately followed by a nap in the shade. But, as I mentioned earlier, the resort was absolutely mobbed with families for Mother's Day, and it was a hot mess. Wet towels and dirty dishes everywhere. Gross things floating in all of the pools. Exhausted looking staff. Kids screaming. Dads shouting. It took me a good 45 minutes to find an open, unreserved lounge chair anywhere, but I finally did. You can scan a QR code to have food and drinks delivered to your pool chair. I proceeded to order the best frozen pina colada of my life. After about an hour, the noise and the heat really started to get to me. I went back to my room and ordered a turkey club sandwich with fresh fruit on the side from room service. It was crazily overpriced but tasted very good. I passed out at 7:30. It was quiet. I slept all night undisturbed. The next morning before my conference began, I treated myself to a facial at the on-site spa, which was lovely. Then I ordered brunch by the spa pool, which was a calm and soothing experience - the opposite of what I'd witnessed at the other pools earlier. I ordered the avocado "toast", which was actually a cold, chewy flatbread - not a toast, at all - and it cost something like $38 after all of the fees... but, it was fairly tasty. After that, the conference that I came here for began. I was pleased that the conference room was cool but not meat locker-freezing, and that it had nice, comfortable chairs. The food we were served was all super healthy and kind of weird (spicy turmeric and ginger carrot juice shots, baba ghanoush "snack cups", vegan deserts and baked goods) but I think that might have been the catering choices of our event planner and not the resort's fault. We had a group dinner out on the lawn on the first night of the conference but instead of setting up the typical chairs and dining tables, we were set up to eat at a couple of awkwardly placed couches and backless stools and coffee tables. It was really strange and uncomfortable and not exactly conducive to eating. There was also only enough seating for about 75% of our group, so the overflow logically ended up spreading onto the patio tables at what looked like an empty nearby common area. The hotel staff immediately came over and kind of scolded us for moving into the "restaurant seating area", then urged us to finish eating as quickly as possible and then scoot on out of there. That felt pretty uncomfortable. I'm not sure why they weren't more accommodating. Other general notes on the resort: they don't offer complimentary coffee or tea anywhere in the lobby, which seemed kind of weird, until I realized that it's because there is an onsite Starbucks with those items available for purchase. They have a selection of chilled bottles of wine in the gift shop, which is convenient (though pricey - like 3-4x what you'd pay for the same bottle at Total Wine). I wished there were some longer pedestrian paths for my early morning walks, but I made my own routes, which included a pass through their resort garden - a beautiful, calming spot that definitely should not be missed. Overall, I'd call this hotel ok. I'd easily rank it #3 of the 3 local places where they've held this conference before and I don't think I'd rush to come back here on a leisure trip - but it wasn't what I'd call unpleasant, either. It's just ok. read more
2 months ago
Attended a conference here! The meeting rooms were convenient and spacious. The catering was good. For breakfast, they served peppered thick sliced bacon and for lunch there marinated chicken and steak were tasty. Incredible staff. I got lost in the heat and could not find my car. I walked to the tennis center. They provided me with a cold towel, water and drove me around until I found my car. I was so touched. Ty, Angels at JW Marriott! read more
My friends and I decided to rent a cabana for the day. For the amount of money spent... I wouldn't do it again. We ordered kid free cabana. It was located... Way off the beaten path. it was a hike from the lazy river Poolside service in the kid free zone was pretty much nonexistent. A couple times I had to walk out to a station to get an employees attention, to come over to our cabana. There was one young man that was pretty helpful. When asked he was really nice and brought us cool refreshing towels. They smelt amazing. We ordered food off the menu and it was a little on the disappointing side. The let us on the burgers look like it had been sitting out for a couple days. It was really wilted and dead.. At one point ... I had to stop eating it just was not appetizing. The outdoor area is beautiful. I bet the fire pit experience at night is amazing.... There really should be some type of cubbies close to the lazy river for people with phones and car keys that don't feel comfortable, leaving them out on the concrete to get wet by other guests. read more
What a fantastic day!! Purchased Resort Passes for the pool and it was a much needed girls pool day!! We had two great spots - one reservation at the Sky area pool that is closed to children and is very tranquil with views of the golf course! We also scored a spot by the lazy river! So, all day we were able to enjoy some adult time with Champagne, veggie shots, and a cold towel scented with rosemary!! Then, we'd get crazy riding the lazy river dodging folks like bummer cars!! It was fabulous!! The service was impeccable and we loved the ambiance of the hotel!! Bravo!! read more
If I could give a 3.5, I would. Writing my review based off a resort pass experience. My boyfriend and I came here with resort pass. It seemed busy for a Monday, so I can only imagine the weekends. My recommendation - get here early unless you pay extra for a cabana or reserved seating. We did the standard resort pass that was first come, first serve. I think what bummed us out a bit was the service. The girl at the pool area entrance seemed bothered by having to work. We walked up and she asked if we had already received wristbands. After telling her the front desk had sent us to her to get them, she told us no and that we would need to go to the welcome table in the pool area to get them. She let us in, then we went to the welcome table only to find out that we needed to get our wristbands at the pool entrance. They told us to go back out and ask her for them. When we went back out, she seemed pretty irritated, said "oh, here you go then" and grabbed some wristbands off her table then went back to looking at her phone. However, there is a locked gate that is key card entry, so we asked for her to let us back in and again, she just seemed bothered to do so. Everything else was great. The bartender was friendly, food came super quick and was good, our poolside server was nice and frequently checked in on us. The pool area itself is super clean. We checked out the lazy river and of course all the water slides. Lines moved fairly fast and we had a lot of fun here. read more
7 months ago
I've stayed at the resort before and it is wonderful, as are the restaurants. The spa is a completely different story and such a let down! When I arrived, they tried to charge for services and gratuity in advance which is always a bit of a red flag for me because I haven't enjoyed the service yet. The women's sauna was out of order which also meant that you had to go through the main lobby to get from the women's locker room to the pool. The pool is simple and there were a decent number of open seats. The highlight was actually the food at the pool--the chicken kabob plate was great and big enough to share. I waited for my massage in the relaxation room and it was so warm people were complaining. They had snacks but they were stale. I had one of their signature services, the turquoise massage and it was unique but I wouldn't get it again. I was ultimately really surprised that the locker room was pretty run down and the showers were awful. There are so many good spas in Phoenix and Scottsdale that I wouldn't come back to this one. read more
2 years ago
We had an absolutely fabulous experience. My young daughter and I spent four nights here in mid August. We booked through Costco travel for a great deal, and they surprisingly also recognized my Platinum benefits. We were upgraded to a beautiful one bedroom suite because occupancy was low. My daughter was so impressed and happy. Pros: - Pools area is divine for children, and adults who enjoy lazy rivers. Towels and water for drinking very easily available. - Service was top notch throughout. Especially Shay at the Kids Club and the wait staff at Tia Carmen breakfast. - Good variety of included activities. Some were crowded but they were free. - Griffin Club was great for the two of us. We are our lunches and dinners there. For some it might not be enough food but we ate huge breakfasts so it worked. They are not stingy with "good" snacks. Nice cocktails. - Property was very clean. Cons: - Everything on property is expensive - think $20 kids meals and $22 cocktails. Vegas prices. - Saturday the pools were packed. We reserved pool chairs for Saturday. I do not recommend for other days this time of year. Outside of Saturday, plenty of chairs were available. We knew both these cons going in, and adjusted our expectations. Our Costco credits easily covered our expenses since we had the Griffin Club. read more
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More info about JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Ask the Community - JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Is there a ping pong table on the property?
I've seen one outside of the kids club next to the pool entrance
Is the lazy River heated? Concerned about water temperature in october
Yes it's heated
Is the Lazy River an extra fee to use or is it included in the room fee?
I wish someone would have posted that the lazy river and all jacuzzis are under construction!! Well, there's a Costco above ground hot tub, but it doesn't work. We specifically chose this hotel for the lazy river for my 7 year old daughter to have…
Is there a shuttle to and from the airport to the hotel?
No shuttle to airport. The shuttle goes to the condos and the desert ridge shopping center
Can you pay to utilize just the pool amenities without renting a room?
No. Pool for guests only
Review Highlights - JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
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48 reviews that are not currently recommended
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