JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Celebrates a Decade in the Desert
The fires are lit. The water is flowing. The earth is flowering. The sky is limitless. All of these elements have awakened the senses of visitors at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa since its opening in November 2002. Ten years and 10 million guests later, it has become one of the most highly-rated and awarded resorts in Arizona.
By Richard Romane
Director of Sales and Marketing
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa commemorated its 10th anniversary this past fall and during the last decade earned multiple AAA Four-Diamond Awards, as well as top travel ratings from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Meetings & Conventions, Zagat and more.
Along with being Arizona’s largest resort, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is also big on luxury. With 950 guestrooms (including 81 suites), it is set on 316 acres in the Sonoran desert and features sweeping views of the McDowell Mountains. Conveniently located in northeast Phoenix just 20 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with easy access to the Loop 101, the resort is the centerpiece of the Valley of the Sun’s northeastern corridor.
With 950 guest rooms and 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, the resort has been able to attract larger group business to Phoenix for their conventions that could never come before with the prior hotel landscape.
Inspired by the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa redefines the resort experience. The resort features 10 dining experiences, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s first Revive Spa – a 28,000-square-foot facility – eight tennis courts and four acres of elaborately landscaped pools including the Lazy River with serpentine slide, two championship golf courses and the Wildfire Golf Club. Panoramic views of crimson-hued mountains, fiery Arizona sunsets and the picturesque, cactus-studded Sonoran desert add to the resort’s serene setting.
The elements of nature — fire, water, earth and sky – have been woven into the resort’s architectural design to let every guest experience the pleasures of the distinctive surroundings.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the sounds of splashing fountains under the sun-dappled porte-cochere. Stepping into the expansive tumbled marble lobby, guests are dazzled by the sight of stunning floor-to-ceiling windows opened wide, spilling out onto sparkling waterways and majestic palm-lined pathways.
The resort’s guest rooms feature oversized balconies overlooking wildflower gardens, swimming pools, lakes, waterways and golf course or mountain views. Included in the 950 rooms are four presidential suites, four hospitality suites, 35 luxury suites and 38 executive suites, offering a variety of options for groups large and small.
The rejuvenating elements of nature continue to play an important role in the architecture of the resort’s exquisite Revive Spa. This 28,000-square-foot, two-level oasis features 41 elegantly appointed private treatment rooms. A diverse spa menu offers every massage imaginable, as well as facial and body treatments inspired by native desert plants.
Private balconies are the perfect setting for rejuvenation, while relaxation rooms and a rooftop garden offer guests quiet solitude in between treatments. The spa presents its own sanctuary swimming pool surrounded by nine private cabanas. A spacious fitness center and movement studio feature state-of-the-art workout equipment and a host of classes. While enjoying the benefits of the spa, guests can indulge in healthful cuisine in Revive’s Spa Bistro.
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers dynamic golf experiences at its Wildfire Golf Club. With two on-site courses, including 18 holes of both Nick Faldo and Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf, your golf afternoon can easily turn into a day of golf.
In addition to a fully equipped golf shop, Wildfire Golf Club offers men’s and women’s locker rooms. The expansive facility features Meritage Steakhouse for course-side dining. The resort caters to the tennis enthusiast as well with eight lighted tennis courts and pro shop at the Tennis Center.
Water flows throughout JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, from spectacular swimming pools to wandering waterways that weave through the colorful grounds. The main pool features a free standing, immense waterfall crowned by flames which dance against the night sky. Families and free spirits alike enjoy floating along the resort’s Lazy River in this lush desert oasis.
From fine dining surrounded by romantic fire pits, to casual poolside cuisine, a cornucopia of dining experiences is sure to please every palate at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Among the notable eateries is Roy’s Restaurant, Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. Tuscany features authentic Italian comfort cuisine including handcrafted pastas and specialty pizzas in an inviting, warm atmosphere.
Blue Sage headlines the resort’s all-day dining with contemporary favorites and regional specialties. Blue Sage Marketplace offers gourmet sandwiches to go, while coffee lovers perk up at the resort’s Starbuck’s. Vista Lounge, with its magnificent floor-to-ceiling views, has indoor and outdoor patio seating with charming fire pits – the perfect spot to sip a martini and enjoy fresh fish creations from the sushi bar while enjoying spectacular vistas of the McDowell Mountains.
Meritage Steakhouse at Wildfire Golf Club features bold wines and prime aged steaks for lunch and dinner. Healthy cuisine featuring organic ingredients can be enjoyed at the resort’s Spa Bistro. Room service is available 24 hours a day for intimate, in-room dining.
With wireless access throughout the resort, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa offers the latest in technology and the two largest ballrooms in Arizona. The Grand Canyon and Grand Sonoran Ballrooms are located on the resort’s first level that opens to a circular drive for easy access. The Saguaro Ballroom offers more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space. More than 100,000 square feet provides lushly landscaped flexible outdoor venues. For outdoor events with flair, the resort’s botanical garden features blooming wildflowers and colorful flora. Parties held here under the desert sun or stars are sure to be remembered long after the event comes to an end.
Whether the visit to the resort is for business or pleasure, the guest’s experience is always memorable. Going into its second decade, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has earned its place as an iconic destination in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
For more information about JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, visit
www.jwdesertridgeresort.com or call 480-293-5000.
