In September 2023 I spent a day with friends in Palm Springs California. I have been to this Coachella Valley city several times, and it was nice to return. One item on the itinerary was to visit the JW Marriott Desert Springs. This beautiful, large resort in Palm Desert is famous to me for being the hotel visited by Saved By The Bell. Surprisingly, the resort is dated but classy as if stepping back in time. The do a good job keeping an old look with modern amenities. It is a true oasis in the hot desert of southern California.
We were there for the arcade which is not what most people are there for. The arcade is on the ground floor to the right of the indoor lake and has about 50 ticketed games. There is a small bowling alley as well. This would be a fun location to have a Coachella bachelor or bachelorette part. Often, I think about things like this since I am a wedding photographer. In 2011 I photographed a wedding in Palm Springs’ Smoke Tree Ranch, and it was surreal.
I spent a few minutes photographing the public spaces I had access to. They don’t allow non-guests to access the pools, so this is the best I could do. One of the unique aspects of the JW Marriott Desert Springs resort is the indoor outdoor boat rides. We didn’t take one because we arrived too early that day. We could see the pool area from inside the hotel atrium, and it looks amazing. It would be fun to stay at this resort for a Coachella Valley vacation.
Palm Desert is one of several desert valley cities that make up the Coachella Valley. It is south and east of Palm Springs, several miles down 101. This hotel is easily accessible from Interstate 10. However, being there feels like you are miles from anywhere. Beautiful pools, drink servers, and excellent restaurants are all available to guests staying at JW Marriott Desert Springs. Certainly, you could stay a week and never leave the property.