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A few weeks ago, on a trip to the Coachella valley, I stayed in a 1-bedroom unit/villa (complete with a kitchen, living area and dining area) at the Marriott Desert Springs Villas I resort in Palm Desert. This is what that unit and the resort are like.
Location
Marriott Desert Springs Villas is in Palm Desert between the I-10 and Hwy-111 approximately 13 miles from Palm Springs Airport (~25 minutes by car).
The complex sits adjacent to the JW Marriott Desert Springs and is a short drive to the Westin Desert Willows and the Hyatt Regency in neighboring Indian Wells.
A 2 minute car ride to the north of the property is a small shopping area within which you’ll find a large supermarket (Ralphs) and, as this is a timeshare resort and therefore a self-catering property, that’s very useful and convenient.
About the property
Marriott’s timeshare resorts (Marriott Vacation Club International or MVCI properties) usually offer a mixture of units that can sleep up to 8 people, and Desert Springs is no different.
Marriott Desert Springs I is the older of the two resorts on this site, and contrary to what you may expect, that makes it the better of the two resorts at which to stay.
The units at Marriott’s timeshares get refreshed every 5 years and get a full makeover every 10 years, so unless there are serious issues with the property management, Marriott’s timeshare resorts are usually reasonably up to date regardless of when they were built.
The older timeshares, however, are usually larger than the newer ones (they were built before Marriott realised that they could build smaller units in greater numbers while still charging the same prices as they did for the larger ones), and this is in evidence here.
The units at Marriott Desert Springs Villas I are noticeably more spacious than the units found next door at Marriott Desert Springs Villas II (the units in Villas I are between 15% and 50% larger than the comparable units in Villas II), and even though there are also a few minor aesthetic differences and even though Villas II has a larger main pool area, villa size is what I think is the key differentiator here.
Here’s a resort map to give you an idea of what the complex looks like:
The resorts are built around two golf courses (the Valley and The Palms) which are managed by the nearby JW Marriott Desert Springs.
Check-in
Check-in at Desert Springs Villas is done at a central building shared by both resorts – the clubhouse.
Inside, is a large space with check-in desks, a concierge desk, and a few amenities like an ATM and a PC for guests to use.
Thanks to a delayed American Airlines flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth, I didn’t get to the resort until almost midnight (I had called ahead to let them know that I would be checking in late) so, unsurprisingly, there wasn’t a line of people waiting to check-in ahead of me when I arrived.
The check-in formalities were swift (I was given the resort map you see above along with a lot of other information on what the resort has to offer), and I was soon on my way to the 1-bedroom unit (villa) that I had booked.
The 1-bedroom villa
The 1-bedroom villa at Marriott Desert Springs Villas I is actually just one side (the larger side) of the 2-bedroom villas this resort offers. A 2-bedroom villa is comprised of the rooms you’re about to see + another bedroom which has with 2 queen beds and an ensuite bathroom.
All the buildings at Desert Springs Villas have just 2 floors …
… and because there are no elevators and because I was traveling with heavy bags and golf clubs, I had been sure to request a room on the 1st floor.
As you open the door to one of the 1,375 sq ft/124 sq m 1-bed villas, this is the view that greets you.
Immediately to your left is a large round dining table which can sit 6 people.
Immediately to the right is a kitchen (more on this in a moment).
And directly ahead, is a large open plan seating area past which are the windows that lead out to the patio.
The kitchens in these villas are fully equipped and contain most things that you may need to serve up three meals a day.
A stainless steel GE cooker/stove top and convection microwave take up a portion of the kitchen.
There’s a stainless steel dishwasher under the counter by the sink.
And there’s a large GE refrigerator/freezer (with ice maker) at the entrance to the open plan kitchen.
On the worktops you’ll find a toaster, a blender, a coffee maker, and a full set of kitchen knives.
One of the kitchen’s countertops acts as a bar-style seating area (good if you need to keep the chef company as dinner is prepared) …
… and the white doored closet next to the refrigerator is where you’ll find the villa’s washing machine and dryer.
While I don’t have any images of these, it’s worth noting at this point that the kitchen also comes with a full set of crockery, tableware, and cooking utensils, and that the resort provides a few sachets of coffee, dishwasher powder, and laundry detergent to get you started (you may need to buy your own if you need more, I didn’t get an opportunity to find out).
As already mentioned, the living area is large and open plan and is dominated by a large sofa which can be folded out into another bed.
Next to the sofa is an armchair (only just in shot in the image above), and the facing wall is where you’ll find the flat screen TV and fireplace.
To the right of the living area and the kitchen is where you’ll find the bedroom and the ensuite bathroom.
The main sleeping area is large and the even the presence of a king size bed doesn’t take away from the feeling of space.
Opposite the bed is a second flat screen TV, a unit with 6 drawers, a large closer (with small in-room safe), and armchair and a lamp.
The windows (behind the curtains in the image above) open out onto a small patio with a pool lounger and a chair overlooking the golf course (more on the exterior of the room later).
Joined on to the bedroom (there’s no door), is an area with a large bathroom countertop, a sink and a large tub (not of the whirlpool/jacuzzi variety).
Past this area is a door leading to the ensuite where you’ll find a second sink and a shower cubicle.
Having two separate sinks can be very useful if you’re a family trying to get ready in the morning and this is especially true when one of the sinks is in a separate room to the toilet and shower.
As I believe is now standard at MVCI properties, the toiletries on offer were full-size and by Soapbox (a brand about which I know nothing).
The final aspect of the villa that I should discuss is the outside sitting area.
Units on the upper floor have balconies.
Units on the 1st floor have patios.
Balconies and patios both offer a table and chairs and pool chairs/recliners and as far as I could tell, all 1-bed villas offer views over one of the golf courses
During the time that I was at the resort (off-season), the golf course was mostly very quiet, so there wasn’t a parade of people passing by every few minutes pretending to be puzzled by the fact that their golf balls had gone anywhere by where they were aiming.
During peak season (winter/spring), I suspect things may be a little different … but at least there’s a roof over the patio which offers some protection from golfers like me (bad ones!).
Overall, I love this room/villa.
It’s huge. It comes with just about everything you need to fend for yourself on vacation (you could also, possibly, accommodate one or two kids). And it’s in a relaxing environment.
Resort amenities
The Marriott Desert Springs complex is designed with families in mind (although during quieter months I think it can be perfect for couples too) so there’s quite a bit going on.
Both resorts have their own full size pool areas and the main pool area for Desert Springs Villas I is at the back of the clubhouse (where the front desk is).
As every time I visited this pool it was full of families enjoying their vacations, I can only offer you one of Marriott’s images showing what it looks like.
The main pool area in Desert Springs Villas II is considerably larger.
Elsewhere in the resort, you’ll find a few other smaller pools located between the buildings (take a look at the resort map published earlier in this article) and the two other pools attached to Desert Springs Villas I are located in such a way that every villa has a pool that’s within a short walk.
These secondary pools are, however, quite small and so can get busy.
Scattered around the resort are nine BBQ areas that guests are welcome to use between 11:00 and 21:00 …
… and three of these BBQ areas have fire pits attached to them which, while mostly useless from March through October, can be a nice place to spend some time when the evening/night temperatures drop during winter.
If it’s exercise you want, the resort offers guests at Desert Springs Villas I a 24-hour fitness center in the clubhouse (this is an image from Marriott) …
… as well as designated walking/running trails interspersed with exercise equipment.
Guests at Desert Springs Villas I are also welcome to use the Pickleball court and Basketball court located on the other side of the complex.
As far as dining goes, there’s not really much on offer – this is a timeshare resort after all.
The pool area by the clubhouse is where you’ll find the Water’s Edge Bar & Grill (open Mon-Thur 11:00 – 17:00 and Fri-Sun 11:00 – 18:00 for, mostly, burgers and salads), and also attached to the clubhouse is ‘The Marketplace’ (open 06:00 to 22:00 daily) …
… selling snacks, sandwiches, drinks, Starbucks coffee, and a few overpriced ‘essentials’ for guests who don’t want to venture out of the resort to the local supermarket.
On the activity front there’s a lot more on offer.
Most of the year round, the resort put on daily activities that should help families keep their kids entertained, and there are a few adult-focused activities on offer as well.
This is what the resort was promoting during my stay.
Getting around
As I’ve mentioned a few times now, this is a very large complex and while you’re welcome to drive around it, Marriott also offers a shuttle bus service that operates around the Desert Springs Villas and to/from the nearby JW Marriott (hand if you’re golfing at the resort of if you’d like to dine at the hotel).
If you take another look at the resort map published earlier in this article, you’ll see the shuttle stops marked, and this is the timetable to which the shuttles run.
The main shuttle service runs continually between 09:00 and 21:00 but shuttles are also on call between 07:00 and 9:00 & 21:00 and 22:00.
Other things to note
- These villas can be booked through Marriott.com (cash or points), by using Destination Points (MVCI points), and they can be rented directly from owners via sites like Redweek.com.
- The property is cashless so all purchases must be room changed.
- Purchases made at the JW Marriott Desert Springs (golf, dining, etc,…) can be room changed to the Villas.
- Housekeeping is only offered (every other day) to guests who have booked through Marriott.com. Timeshare owners only get housekeeping if they stay for more than 7 days.
- All pools are open between 07:00 and 22:00.
- Pool chairs cannot be saved, and any items left unattended for more than 30 minutes will be taken to ‘lost and found’ (I love this rule).
- Mobile ordering for inhouse order pickup at the Water’s Edge is available via QR code.
- EV charging stations are available on a first come first served basis.
- Check-out is at 10:00 and you shouldn’t expect this to be extended regardless of your Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
- Elite status counts for very little at MVCI resorts (although it may help you get your preferred room location).
- Complimentary wifi is available for all guests throughout the resort and it should be quick enough for most people’s needs.
- There are no resort fees to pay.
For further detailed information on the Marriott Desert Springs resort, visit this page.
Overall
I’m a big fan of resorts like this for two key reasons.
- They give guests more freedom than most regular resorts because they can pick and choose whether to eat out or whether to cook for themselves. This can be especially useful for families with kids and for people on a budget.
- The 1-bedroom villas on offer are often considerably larger than most rooms you’d get at a regular resort for the same price.
Turning specifically to Marriott Desert Springs Villas I …
This is my favorite self-catering/timeshare resort in the Coachella Valley, and I say that as someone who has stayed at quite a few (Westin Desert Willow, Westin Mission Hills, Marriott Shadow Ridge & Marriott Desert Springs Villas II).
The size of the 1-bed villas is what makes this resort the best for me, but I also like the fact that the JW Marriott is on the doorstep and that you’re just a couple of minutes away (by car) from a major supermarket.
If you’re looking for a luxury experience this isn’t the resort for you. Luxury is not what this resort is about.
This is a resort aimed at people/families who want to be able to mix and match the convenience of an apartment lifestyle with a regular vacation, and who like the extra space that a large (and spread out) resort such as this one offers.
The nearby JW Marriott and Hyatt Regency Indian Wells resorts are both nice (I have stayed at both), but neither offers the sense of space that the Marriott Desert Springs does.
Yes, they both offer a lot more on site than Marriott Desert Springs, but they also feel a lot busier and a lot less relaxing.
If you’re looking to book a vacation where most of what you may need can be found in-house and where you’ll have multiple dining options on site, a timeshare resort such as this one probably won’t suit you.
If, however, you’d like the freedom that a full 1-bed apartment will offer you while still having quite a few amenities available to you on site (something that most Airbnb units can’t offer), a resort such as this one may be perfect.
And if you’re visiting the Coachella Valley, you should probably give Marriott Desert Springs Villas I a try.
All reviews in this series:
Review: American Airlines 777-300ER Business Class (transatlantic)
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Review: American Airlines A321 domestic First Class (DFW-PSP)
Review: Marriott Desert Springs Villas I (a Marriott Vacation Club property)
Review: American Eagle CRJ-700ER First Class (PSP-PHX)
Review: Escape Lounge Phoenix (PHX) Terminal 4
Review: American Airlines 777-200ER Business Class (transatlantic)
Review: Iberia short-haul Business Class A320neo (LHR-MAD)
Review: Iberia Premium Lounge Velazquez Madrid Terminal 4S
Review: Iberia short-haul Economy Class A320neo (MAD-LHR)
