Hi! I’m Warren Driscoll. I’ve traveled to fancy villas for seven years. I’ve stayed in places like Ibiza and Saint-Tropez. Now, I’m sharing a simple guide about Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II in Palm Desert, California. This place has big villas, many pools, and pretty desert views. My guide tells you about rooms, what guests say, and tips to make your trip great. I use easy words so everyone can understand. Let’s explore this resort together!
Why Stay at Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II?
This resort is in Palm Desert, a sunny spot near big mountains. It’s part of Marriott’s Vacation Club. That means you get villas that feel like home. They have kitchens and washing machines. Families, couples, and friends like it here. Why? Because it has seven pools, a golf course nearby, and a shuttle to a fancy hotel next door called JW Marriott. You can also visit cool places like Joshua Tree National Park.
The resort isn’t super fancy like a top hotel. It’s more about being comfy and having lots of space. Guests love the big villas and desert views. But some say the sofa beds are hard or the pools need cleaning. I’ll tell you everything about the rooms, what people think, and how to plan your stay. I’ve used real guest reviews from 2024 and 2025, plus my own villa experience, to make this guide helpful.
What Are the Rooms Like?
Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II has three room types: guest rooms, one-bedroom villas, and two-bedroom villas. They all feel like home with kitchens and balconies. Let’s look at each one. I’ll use guest reviews and Marriott’s details to explain.
Guest Rooms
Guest rooms are the smallest. They sleep four people. You get a big king bed and a sofa bed. There’s a small kitchen with a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker. You also get a TV, free Wi-Fi, and a balcony. The balcony shows the golf course or desert. Guests say these rooms are nice but small. A 2024 TripAdvisor review said, “The room was clean. But the sofa bed was hard. Good for a short trip.” If you’re alone or with one other person, this room is okay. Families might want a bigger villa.
One-Bedroom Villas
One-bedroom villas are bigger. They also sleep four. You get a private bedroom with a king bed. The living room has a sofa bed. There’s a full kitchen with a stove, dishwasher, and fridge. You also get a washer and dryer, a dining table, and a balcony. Guests love how big it is. A 2025 Booking.com review said, “The villa was so big and clean. The kitchen had all we needed.” These villas are great for small families or couples who like to cook. Some guests say the balcony has nice views, but some rooms face the parking lot.
Two-Bedroom Villas
Two-bedroom villas are the biggest. They sleep eight people. They mix a one-bedroom villa and a smaller studio room, connected by a door. The one-bedroom side has a king bed, full kitchen, and living room. The studio side has a king bed, sofa bed, and a small kitchen. Both sides have bathrooms with big tubs. A 2025 TripAdvisor review said, “The two-bedroom villa felt like home. We loved the golf course view.” These are best for big families or groups. But some guests say the sofa beds are not comfy for adults.
Lock-Off Villas
Two-bedroom villas are often “lock-off” units. This means they can split into a one-bedroom villa and a studio. Each side has its own door and key. This is nice for privacy, like if two couples travel together. But a 2024 Red Timeshares review said, “The studio side is small for families. Some views are just the parking lot.” If you book a two-bedroom villa, ask for a golf course view to get the best scenery.
Accessibility Information
The resort has no elevators. All buildings are two floors, so you might need to climb stairs. If you use a wheelchair or don’t like stairs, ask for a ground-floor villa when you book. A 2024 Expedia review said, “We got a first-floor villa. It made our stay easy.” Marriott’s website says they have rooms for people with disabilities. Call ahead to check for things like walk-in showers.
What Can You Do at the Resort?
The resort has lots of fun things to do. I’ll tell you about them using guest reviews and my research.
Pools and Outdoor Activities
The resort has seven pools outside. There’s a kids’ pool and hot tubs, too. The main pool is called Palmeras Pool. It has a bar and grill called Water’s Edge. Guests love the warm pools, especially in winter. A 2025 TripAdvisor review said, “The pools were warm at 87 degrees. Perfect for cold days.” But some guests say the pools can get dirty. A 2024 KAYAK review said, “Check the pool before you swim all day.” There are no lifeguards, so keep an eye on kids.
You can play basketball or tennis. You can rent bikes, too. There are trails for walking or biking, about 2 to 3 miles long. The resort has a playground and fire pits for relaxing at night. If you like golf, there are two golf courses nearby. But golf costs extra.
Fun for Kids and Teens
The Shade is a fun place for families. It has a movie theater, a teen lounge with video games, and crafts for kids. A Family Vacation Critic review said, “The Shade is great for kids. They loved movie nights.” Adults can do free classes like water aerobics. A 2025 Booking.com guest said, “Water aerobics was so fun. The teacher was nice.”
Food and Drinks
The resort doesn’t have many places to eat. Water’s Edge Bar & Grill serves lunch and drinks by the Palmeras Pool. Guests like the burgers and salads, but the menu is small. A 2024 Red Timeshares review said, “The pool bar is nice but closes early.” For more food, take the free shuttle to JW Marriott. It has four restaurants with things like seafood and steak. The Marketplace and Marketplace Express at Jasmine Court sell snacks, Starbucks coffee, and groceries. Many guests cook in their villas to save money.
Other Features
You get free Wi-Fi and a gym with exercise machines. The shuttle takes you around the resort or to JW Marriott. Parking costs $25 a day, with a limit of four cars per villa. You can’t bring pets. There are no electric car chargers. Marriott’s website says there are no resort fees, which guests like.
What Do Guests Think?
Guest reviews tell us what it’s really like to stay here. I’ve looked at reviews from 2024 and 2025 to share the good and bad.
The Good Things
Guests love how big the villas are. A 2025 TripAdvisor review said, “The two-bedroom villa was super clean. We cooked meals and watched sunsets on the balcony.” People like the staff, too. A 2024 Booking.com review said, “The staff was so kind. They helped us check in early.” The pools and desert views are popular. A 2024 Expedia review said, “The golf course views were so pretty at sunset.”
Families enjoy the activities. A TripAdvisor review said, “Our kids loved The Shade. The teen lounge was fun.” The shuttle to JW Marriott is handy. A 2025 review said, “The shuttle was always on time. It made dining easy.” Guests also like being close to shops and Joshua Tree National Park.
The Not-So-Good Things
Some guests have problems. The sofa beds get many complaints. A 2024 TripAdvisor review said, “The sofa bed was so hard we got an air mattress.” Pools can be dirty sometimes. A KAYAK review said, “The pool had leaves one day.” Dining is limited. A 2024 review said, “The bar and grill closes early, so eat elsewhere.”
Jasmine Court is a quiet villa area, but it’s far from the main resort. A 2025 TripAdvisor guest said, “Jasmine Court was nice but too far to walk to the big pool.” No elevators are hard for some. A 2024 review said, “Stairs were tough with heavy bags. Get a first-floor villa.” Some guests felt confused about room size. A 2021 TripAdvisor review about Villas I said, “We booked a two-bedroom, but it was small with no stove.”
Tips to Make Your Stay Great
I’ve stayed in villas around the world, like in the French Alps. I’ve also read guest reviews to give you simple tips for a better trip.
How to Book
- Ask for a ground-floor villa if stairs are hard. Call a few weeks early.
- Request a villa with a golf course or mountain view. A 2025 TUG forum post said, “Building 628 or 619 has awesome mountain views.”
- Make sure you know if you’re getting a full two-bedroom villa or a lock-off unit. Studios might face the parking lot, per Red Timeshares.
- Book in May, June, or August for cheaper prices, per KAYAK. Avoid Saturdays, as they cost more.
- Ask if the villa is renovated. Some were updated in 2015, per a 2024 TravelUpdate review.
What to Pack
- Bring food for the kitchen. Order groceries from Albertsons to save time, like one TripAdvisor guest did.
- Pack swimsuits and sunscreen. Pools are warm, but there are no lifeguards.
- Pack light if you’re on the second floor, as there are no elevators.
- Bring a mattress topper if sofa beds bother you, based on guest reviews.
At the Resort
- Use the free shuttle to get around or go to JW Marriott for food.
- Check The Shade for fun activities like crafts or fitness classes.
- Visit nearby places like Joshua Tree, just 35 minutes away.
- Check pool hours. The Water’s Edge Bar & Grill closes early.
Saving Money
- Cook in your villa to avoid expensive restaurant meals.
- Parking is $25 a day, but Wi-Fi is free. No resort fees help.
- Book early for deals. KAYAK said rates can be $145 in low season but $330 on busy days.
What’s Near the Resort?
Palm Desert has fun places to visit. Here are some ideas from my travel experience and guest reviews.
- Joshua Tree National Park: It’s 35 minutes by car. You can hike and see desert views. A 2025 TripAdvisor guest said, “It’s a must-visit.”
- El Paseo Shopping District: Six minutes away, it has fancy shops and art galleries. It’s great for a calm day.
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: A short drive to see mountain views. Guests say it’s fun for families.
- Indian Wells Tennis Garden: Close by for tennis fans. It has big events, per a 2024 Expedia review.
- Living Desert Zoo: Five miles away, it’s great for kids to see animals.
How Does It Compare to Villas I?
Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas I is next door. It has similar features but bigger villas. Villas I has 638 units, while Villas II has 402, per Family Vacation Critic. Villas I guests get free JW Marriott pool access Monday to Friday, but Villas II guests might pay on weekends, per TravelUpdate. Villas II feels newer, with updates starting in 2015. Both share the same check-in and shuttle. A 2024 Traveling for Miles review said Villas I is bigger, but Villas II is good for smaller groups. Pick Villas I for more space or Villas II for a newer feel.
Is It a Good Place to Stay?
Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas II is great for families, groups, or anyone who wants a comfy desert trip. The villas are big, with kitchens and washers, so you feel at home. The seven pools, kids’ activities, and shuttle are awesome. But there are problems, like hard sofa beds, no elevators, and limited food options. Guest reviews from 2024 and 2025 say the space and views are amazing, but some want cleaner pools and better room details.
Disclaimer: This article is only for sharing travel information. It is not a promotion or an ad. I am not paid by Marriott or any other company. I do my best to give correct details, but prices, services, and features can change. Please check with the resort for the latest information before booking.
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Warren Driscoll writes about luxury travel. He has over seven years of experience. Since 2018, he has stayed in private villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and chalets in the French Alps. Warren’s stories have been shared by Indvidual Magazine. He writes honest reviews and gives helpful tips to help people plan great holidays. He also shares his own photos and real experiences to make his advice clear and useful.