REVIEW: JW Desert Ridge Marriott Resort & Hotel

[Kristie]

I gotta rave about the JW Desert Ridge Marriott Resort. we were there for 2 nights, one full day and it was AWESOME!! the only thing i didn't like was that the bed was a bit too soft for me (my back still hurts even tho we got home this morning).

Technically speaking, i live 15 minutes away from Desert Ridge and even while there, I felt like i *was* somewhere... and that i *was* someone... their service is extremely good, makes you feel pretty high class.

The theme at the resort is Earth, Air, Water, Fire and they have an abundance of all 3... they have a ton of different water features, different waterfall heights, water level amounts...with river rocks that make it seem like there are "high" waterfalls, babbling brooks etc - enough to make you sleep really good while sitting in a lounge chair under an umbrella (cuz by the time May comes around, it can get pretty hot with the sun). when your sitting out poolside under an umbrella, they have staff that comes around asking for drink or food orders and dropping off a pitcher of ice cold water (seriously!), anytime it looks like the ice has disappeared, they replace it with new. even if it's 100+ degrees outside, you'll still feel nice and cool under the umbrella with your ice cold pitcher of water.

I was so comfortable there that i did get some serious relaxation in which did me a whole lotta good (even in one day).

I did make an appt at the Revive Spa for a couples massage. Doug had only had one massage before and i know i needed one for my neck/shoulders.. so figured we should treat ourselves. He had a female masseuse, i had my first male masseuse (whose hand shake was like a very petite female) and he did a really great job getting some of my serious knots out. Doug said he didn't even think about his masseuse being a woman because she was pretty tough on him.. haha

After doug left for his medical, i went up for a pedicure. The lady who did my toes (Marisa) was from Russia, so her and i talked abit about what to see, what to do, what to eat.. it was really nice AND my toes looked fabulous afterwards!!

Once you have one treatment at the spa, your welcome to use their facilities all day. they have their own adult pool (no one under 18 allowed) that has soft soothing spa like music outside with nice comfy foam lounge cushions on the chairs and wait people who automatically bring you out a cold glass of water with lemon. Each ladies/mens dressing room has a sauna, steam room, showers, whirlpool bath and a patio area where you can get some sun in comfort (no other guys around - could probably go topless if you wanted to). The woman's dressing area has a few free things like razors, brushes/combs/qtips... a hairdryer and curling irons to use... basically all the amenities just in case you forgot any after your shower before leaving the spa. they do give you a locker (with key) and those hold a long bathrobe, sandals and towel... it was REALLY classy... now, i went to the spa at the phoenician a few years ago and i have to say i actually liked this spa a bit better. it was just more relaxing (to me).

There was even an owl up in one of the trees, it was HUGE! he must've liked the music too.. haha

after my massage/pedicure, i relaxed at the spa pool for a bit (wanted to make sure i used *all* the amenties for the prices they charge (haha)), then went up to the regular pool area, sat at the "splash" bar area, had a quesadilla for lunch and a pina colada (expensive at $10 but large plastic cups with lots of alkihol), then moved over to my *decidedly already* favorite river rock waterfall area and practically fell asleep cuz i was so relaxed! haha

after a while, i was out of pina colada and went up to get another (yea, could have used the waitress but decided not too, she had full hands at the time). and just sat there all afternoon loving the sounds of water, birds and seeing little young rabbits go out for a bite to eat.. yea.. lots of wildlife at this place believe it or not!

During our 2 nights, we ate at the Blue Sage.. doug had filet mignon, i had seared salmon which i have to admit was DAMN good. yea, the final total came to about $95 but that was also with a few drinks.. still DAMN good food there, just expect to pay for it!

the other night, we ate at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion which i also had to admit, was so DAMN good, i even had dessert!! their chocolate molten lava souffle...yeah, it WAS that good. doug had the ohno fish (which he really loved cuz it wasn't "fishy" tasting) and i had the blackened ahi tuna (AWESOME!!!). if i had to pick Blue Sage over Roy's, i don't think i could do it!

Every drink we got was pricey (at least $10 or $11) but worth the cost cuz they were always made just right....so yea, we spent some duckets ($$$$) but it was worth it. I did get a good deal on hotel and we did gain some points, but most of all, with just one full day at the resort there, i felt refreshed and ready to hop back to life. Never, ever, had that type of experience before.. so i'd say Desert Ridge Marriot is well worth the $$ but i do hear that August and September is when rates really do go down under $200/night...

oh, i suppose i should mention that each room has a balcony with 2 chairs and a small table... the showers are hot with full spray even if the shower area is a bit small, kinda like a 4x4 square area, but the bathroom itself is HUGE. the rooms are a good size and the room we got (deluxe, i think) had a loveseat with chair/desk as well.

Each night, they do "turndown service" as long as you don't have the "do not disturb" sign up which includes putting a "what's going on tomorrow" sheet on your bed and turning on the sony cd/dvd sound machine onto "smoooooooooth" jazz station. really nice! and everynight from 6-10, they have live music outside on the vista lounge patio. good singers too! the resort really is all encompassing. you don't really need to go anywhere for anything else but they do have a shuttle that goes every hour and 1/2 hour to desert ridge marketplace if you really want to.

but overall, it was lovely and i'll definitely be going there again for my breaks! hahaha

[Kristie]

oh, one more thing. if your going to book dinner at Roy's.. use opentable.com, not the marriott virtual concierge because it won't go thru. for some reason, they just never fixed that problem. why, i don't know.

[skyrocketocelot]

Thanks for the review! Well Done I'll have to check it out for meself... next time I can go on a vacay, that is!

[Dana]

Kristie,
I have heard nothing but great things about Desert Marriott and this just makes me want to check it out myself even more. Thanks for the excellent write up!

I love Camelback Inn too, I don't think it is as elaborate as DM sounds but still very enjoyable and I LOVE thier SPA.

[mcmuffinpilot]

I've been to the Spa and it is fabulous , a girlfriend and I went there for our birthdays. I had an hour massage and facial, we sat by the pool and ordered lunch afterwards, I felt like a queen ! I don't live that far from Desert Ridge myself, wish I had the luxury of going there more often though . Every woman deserves a day at the spa at least once a year !

[Kristie]

wish I had the luxury of going there more often though

don't we all?! I wouldn't mind being a weekly and/or monthly participant but i already asked if they had memberships - nope