TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Room was not quiet. Noise and voices from adjacent room were clearly audible through the adjoining door between rooms. On Monday April 30, we called front desk to complain of noise occurring on our third night after 10PM. We could hear that the room received a phone call and that the person responding to the call said their kids were told to go to bed but refused and were making noise. However much of the noise we heard was also adult in nature . Another 10 minutes of noise persisted and we called front desk again who responded they would send a security officer to the room. About 10 minutes later the security person arrived, but several of the visitors to the room had just left. The officer was invited into the room and offered cookies, which it sounds like he accepted. After some minutes of kitchen sounds and around 10:30pm, it was finally quiet. The next day we approached the front desk in person to ask to be relocated to another room. The initial response was not an apology for our experience. Front desk person said there were no rooms available, but would approach the manager on duty to assist. The manager was busy so front desk person took our phone number and said manager would call us to discuss. We never received a call. We heard nothing more of our request to move rooms, and no acknowledgment of our concerns. This was very poor management and communication. We would not recommend this property or any vacation club to anyone.

Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II is unparalleled as resorts/vacation destinations go. If you’re looking for a resort that offers an abundance of sports and activity venues—as well as a place to escape the demands of daily life—this is it. We truly can’t say enough great things about Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II. First, the resort is spectacular in its appearance, features, amenities, and staff. Desert Springs Villas II is a Marriott timeshare resort, comprised of two-story buildings that house studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom villas, all spread across a very large, gated campus. The resort sits on the grounds of one of the two JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort golf courses, and most villa buildings appear to be surrounded by the course. There are many pools, including two main pools and multiple satellite pools, as well as sports courts, extensive walking, running, and biking paths, and two highly functional fitness centers—one of which was recently remodeled and equipped with all-new, state-of-the-art cardio and resistance equipment. Our two-bedroom villa was spacious, immaculate, well maintained, and equipped with everything you would expect at home: a living room, dining area, full kitchen, two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a balcony, and a washer and dryer. We visited in March 2026, which was an uncharacteristically hot month. We had bright sunshine every day and hot, dry air. The air conditioner in our villa had no difficulty keeping up, even with temperatures reaching 110°F. There is a limited-service, food and beverage outlet at the Palmeras Pool, known as Water’s Edge Bar and Grill. Water’s Edge is open for lunch and cocktails, and poolside, food and beverage service at the Palmeras Pool. In my opinion, Water’s Edge is very expensive for food that does not meet the quality typically associated with Marriott. I’ve long felt that, given Desert Springs Villas’ close proximity to the highly acclaimed JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa—and Marriott’s reputation for excellent food, beverage, and hospitality—that Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas should leverage that expertise, and engage the JW Marriott to provide food and beverage service at the Palmeras Pool, at Desert Springs Villas, in lieu of the Marriott Vacation Club, in-house food and beverage operation at Water’s Edge Bar and Grill. There is an outstanding outdoor, poolside restaurant at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, the Oasis Poolside Grille and Bar, that could, potentially, be replicated at Desert Springs Villas, and become a very appealing, convenient, in-house food and beverage outlet for Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas owners and guests (if it is operated by the JW Marriott Desert Springs). In addition to Water’s Edge, there is a convenience store at the clubhouse offering limited grocery items, sandwiches, pastries, and soft drinks. This store was previously a Marriott Vacation Club operated, “Marketplace,” and, in my view, was significantly better when it was operated as such, by Marriott Vacation Club, not an outsourced vendor. Currently, prices are ridiculously high, relative to the quality of the food and beverages offered. Palm Desert is a world-class vacation destination with abundant culture, dining, sports, fitness opportunities, and proximity to Joshua Tree National Park. Palm Springs International Airport is less than 30 minutes away. The staff at Desert Springs Villas are friendly, welcoming, professional, and largely efficient. If you walk the property around 7:00 AM, you’ll see the hardworking team cleaning and maintaining the resort to near operating-room standards. In my opinion, the housekeeping staff are among the resort’s greatest assets and unsung heroes. The landscaping is also spectacular and beautifully maintained. Observing employees at shift change near the parking garage, you’ll notice a workforce, coming to work, that is polished, professional, meticulously attired, and genuinely appears happy to come to work—something that stands out in 2026. Desert Springs Villas offers a variety of activities, though we did not participate in them during this visit. On this trip, we noticed that the front desk operation has become notably inefficient, in particular the pre-arrival, check-in, and follow-up on At Your Service requests, aspects of the front desk operation. Check-ins took an inordinate amount of time—sometimes 20 minutes or more, of face to face time, per party of guests, between the guest(s) and Front Desk Associate (not including a very long period of time, in line, to check-in). Marriott Vacation Club’s “Mobile Check-In” does not appear to have streamlined that process; in fact, we were asked many of the same questions, in person, that we were asked during the Mobile Check-In process, prior to our arrival. Much of the delay stems from guests reviewing a property map and tablet-based visuals of villa views before selecting their villa. While I understand the importance of location and views, the check-in/pre-arrival process is in desperate need of reengineering. It used to work, I don’t know what happened to it. Self-service kiosks—similar to airline seat selection systems—could allow guests to choose their villa location, view type, and floor before approaching the desk, potentially reducing check-in times significantly. Another notable change is the absence of the once-excellent Desert Springs Villas concierge team, which was a valuable resource for enhancing the guest experience. The Desert Springs Villas concierge team has been replaced by Marriott Vacation Club (timeshare sales) marketing representatives, whose primary role appears to be promoting “Owner Updates,” which are, in reality, timeshare sales presentations, disguised as “Owner Updates." In my opinion, the guest experience at Marriott Vacation Club properties has become increasingly dominated by sales and marketing efforts, at multiple guest touch points, beginning, prior to a guest's arrival, continuing to a guest’s arrival, and throughout their stay. This detracts, in my opinion, from what should otherwise be a hospitality-focused, guest experience. Despite the few opportunities, identified above, I would still rate Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II, a 10 out of 10, overall. That 10/10 is a testament to the Desert Springs Villas management and Associates, and the regional operations leadership, who, in my opinion, are Best in Class. We look forward to returning to Marriott's Desert Springs Villas, several times a year.

This place works on several levels. The room we had was perfect - clean, nice furnishings, quiet, great bathroom, nice sitting area, beautiful balcony, golf course setting. Everything in the room worked as it should - TV remote, shower, lights, etc. Property is well maintained, very nice pool and fitness center. We will be back here on our next trip

Beautiful location and facility, but for some reason, the desk gave us a room with an obstructed view of the golf course.

Great location. Enjoyed being able to walk from condo to JW Marriott, without walkling on the street. Very comfortable, quiet and clean. There is also a shuttle that runs between the properties. Better than Westin Desert Willow, which we were at Nov 2025. Discovered we could book on go-Koala.com, which we will do next time we go. Better rates than AirBNB and VRBO. We enjoyed the Christmas lights and food at JW. Some shaded parking available as well. Can manage without a car, if you uber. Good dining choices near by. Fresh air, snow covered mountain views, Peaceful and Relaxing.