It’s good to be a kid—or even a kid at heart—when visiting Phoenix and staying at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.
Set on 316 acres, the AAA Four Diamond resort features 869 guest rooms and 81 suites. It’s a large property designed to make guests want to stay put; at every turn, it seems there’s something new to discover. I spent two nights and didn’t see everything. You’ll get a map when you check in. Keep it handy for the first day while you learn your way around.
Accommodations
The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge offers a myriad of room categories ranging from four presidential suites to first-level guest rooms with fire pits to rooms featuring Peloton spin bikes. I stayed in a king room with a balcony overlooking the pool.
Guest rooms were part of an $80 million resort-wide renovation in 2022. Expect a subdued feel and design with a palette of muted browns and greens. The king bed sported fresh white bedding, black accents gave the wood furnishings a modern feel, and the sage green sofa provided a welcome pop of color.
The bathroom boasted a single sink vanity with a decent amount of counter space for two. Along with a corner shower, there was a separate bathtub. A sensor operated nightlight under the vanity worked well, brightening the space only when needed.
Along with a small refrigerator, rooms are equipped with an Illy coffee machine. Electric tea kettles are available by request. Oddly, there were no coffee mugs in the room, just paper cups individually wrapped in plastic. I was also disappointed to see bottled water provided in single-use plastic.
Public Spaces and Facilities
There’s a myriad of reasons to get outside at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. The massive AquaRidge WaterPark features a handful of pools, a waterfall, and a lazy river, as well as a trio of water slides.
For guests seeking a more serene soaking experience, there’s an adults-only hot tub. Guests can also access the Revive Spa pool and hot tub; there’s a $50 fee on weekdays and $75 on weekends. Resort guests who book a 50-minute service in one of the spa’s whopping 41 treatment rooms enjoy complimentary access.
Wildfire Golf Club features two championship golf courses. Kids 15 years old and under play for free after 3:00 pm, when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Guests can also practice their swing at three tennis courts and 17 pickleball courts.
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Additional perks include:
- Daily resort activities range from yoga practice, sound baths, and garden tours
- Family Escape Center for children ages 4-12 offers activities, games, crafts, and seasonally themed night parties
- Game room
- Laundry rooms stocked with detergent, dryer sheets, and microwave
- Fitness center with movement studio and six Peloton spin bikes,
- Bike rentals
- Seasonal and holiday programming like Jingle at JW which includes ice skating, snow play, and a gingerbread village
Dining Options
With seven dining outlets, there’s no excuse to go hungry during a stay at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. Led by “Top Chef” alum Angelo Sosa, Tía Carmen is open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner.
It’s worth saving a night in your schedule to experience the Southwestern dinner menu. Most of the dishes are perfect to share. Favorites include steamed mussels with mesquite and chorizo, as well as ember, roasted purple yams in queso sauce. But when it comes to the tuna crudo with chilled corn coconut broth with jicama and garnished with dill, order your own. You won’t want to split it with anyone.
Twenty6 is a casual gathering spot for small plates, cocktails, beer, and wine. Open for lunch and dinner, Meritage, An Urban Tavern, is located next to Wildfire Golf Club. Revive Spa Bistro, Just a Splash Bar & Grill, and Starbucks round out the list of eateries.
Meeting & Event Space
Expect to share the resort with a number of business travelers. The resort offers more than 240,000 square feet of event and conference space, including 29 event rooms and more than a dozen meeting rooms for small to midsize conferences.
Good to Know
The resort is within walking distance of Desert Ridge Marketplace. The outdoor mall is home to more than 100 brands, many of them recognizable chain stores and restaurants.
Phoenix Sky International Airport is a touch more than a 20-mile drive and seven miles from Scottsdale Municipal Airport. Rideshares are readily available, but if you plan to explore beyond the resort, a rental car might be a more economical bet.
The rate for a Pool-View King room at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is $447. Be sure to budget for the $55 daily resort fee. It covers amenities such as Wi-Fi, a daily bike, tennis, and pickleball for two people for two hours, access for four to AquaRide Waterpark, and a one-time dessert at one of the on-site restaurants. Valet parking is an additional fee.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge welcomes pets. A non-refundable $150 per stay pet fee and a daily $20 per pet charge apply. A maximum of two pets per room is allowed.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
