JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review
Last week I escaped to the desert for a little rest and relaxation at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. An oasis set among a backdrop of snow-capped mountains with acres of plush golf courses and a palm tree-lined entrance complete with flamingos gracing the pond out front.
Our Room’s View
We were greeted and shown to our room with an incredible view looking over the pools, golf course, and the mountains in the distance. I had expected the weather to be a bit cooler however it ended up being a perfect 75 degrees Fahrenheit during our entire stay.
The Best Romantic Couples Massage
The first event was a massage with CBD oils at the Desert Springs Spa. After the massage, I got to enjoy the whirlpool tub that had been prepared with aromatic oils and bath salts, chilled towels, and plenty of water for the ultimate detox experience. This was the best massage experience I have ever experienced! The Desert Springs Spa was its own slice of heaven with steam rooms, couples lounges, a Turkish hammam (like a less intense traditional steam room), and better for those who tend to find steam rooms a bit stuffy.
I actually wish I would have come back to the spa on our second day there to take advantage of the spa pool, steam rooms, and saunas. It is on my list for my next visit to Desert Springs. The spa also offers a full salon for makeup and hair services, manicures, pedicures, a 24-hour gym, and all kinds of services including body wraps, facials, body scrubs, and therapy baths. Here is a full list of all their treatments on their website.
Dinner at Mikado
On our first night at Desert Springs we took a gondola ride to dinner at Mikado, a Japanese steakhouse where guests dine at Teppanyaki tables watching the chefs twirl knives as they cook up a delicious meal. There was never a dull moment at dinner. Our chef was constantly making jokes while serving the best-fried rice. By the end of the night, our table and the one across from us were having a contest of who could catch a shrimp in their mouth from farther away. Even if you have other dinner plans that night, I suggest coming and experiencing the Mikado’s bar for a drink.
Touring the Grounds
After a delicious buffet breakfast at Rockwood Grill, we toured the expansive grounds of the hotel taking in the fresh air with the mountain backdrop. The array of colorful flowers seemed like it was never-ending. We stopped by the flamingo pool at the front of the hotel to say hello to the locals before heading to the pool and jacuzzi.
Trying to fit in with the locals.
Dress: Selfie Leslie / bag: Amazon / shoes: Gucci
dress: Chicwish // bag: Amazon // belt: vintage // earrings: Lisi Lerch
Dinner at T&T Innovation Kitchen: An Experience Like No Other
Our second night at the Desert Springs Resort included a unique dining experience at their T&T “Time and Temperature Innovation Kitchen. We were led through the Rockwood Grill kitchen which leads back to a cozy room well-styled room for an intimate dinner setting. The event was led by Desert Springs Executive Chef Peter Smith, his team and in-house pastry chef, along with GRGICH Hills Estates’ very own Sommelier.
Peter lead us through the incredible creative process that it took to bring each of his team’s seven dishes to life. My absolute favorite was the tomato mousse with vegan sausage. Each course was paired with one of GRGICH Hill’s wines to bring out the flavors. Hearing Aaron recount the story of Mr. GRGICH’s life will make one truly appreciate the brand and hard work he put into creating his business. You can read more about it here.
Note: T&T Innovation kitchen is normally only open on Friday & Saturday evenings. This experience was definitely a highlight of our trip to the Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
Course #4- Colorado Lamb
Ras El Hanout paired with 2014 Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel
Course #7 – Dessert
Honey Gelato with apricot cheesecake and almond panna cotta served with 2016 Grgich Hills Estate Violeta
Lunch at Rockwood Grill
Another one of my favorite meals was lunch at Rockwood Grill. Definitely get a seat outside to enjoy the beautiful view which overlooks the lake with the pools and mountains in the distance. Omeed ordered the date and prosciutto flatbread pizza while I enjoyed the spinach and beet salad mixed with glazed pecans and fresh goat cheese.
See more of the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa on my Instagram story highlights.
And check out my stay of other JW Marriott properties in Vancouver, Miami, Marco Island, and the JW LA Live!
You can always find all of my travel guides and hotel reviews under the ‘TRAVEL‘ tab on the top menu.
As always, thank you for reading!
xoxo,
Laura
