California Desert Choices for a Stay????????

[rbnhd21]

Which to go to in Palm Desert in later October. Desert Springs Villas II or Shadow Ridge or Shadow Ridge Enclaves ????
Any recommendations ????
Thanks
Bill from Ohio

 

[Steve A]

Actually I prefer DSV I. Much larger rooms and access to the Marriott Hotel as no extra cost.

 

[applegirl]

All four are unique and have their pluses and bonuses. I know the layout of each, so you need to give us more details.
What do you like to do at a resort?
Do you like the Spa?
Is view important?
Do you have kids with you and what are their ages?
Are you able to do stairs?
Is it important to you that the t/s be associated with a large resort hotel?

After you answer these details for me, I can make a good recommendation.

Cheers!
Janna

 

[spasmani]

Shadow Ridge I - The Villages

Hi,

We're scheduleed to stay at Shadow Ridge I - The Villages in Aug. Have 2 kids also, ages 13 and 11.

How are the accomodations here? Suggestions on what to do in the area in the summer heat?

How's the pool situation also?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[rbnhd21]

Apple girl
This is our first time to Cali. Will spend some time poolside for sure. I'm sure the wife will like the spa. A nice view would be great, no kids, limited stairs ( no 3rd floor walkups ) finally large hotel would be nice but not imperative.
Thanks for replying
Bill from Ohio

 

[Latravel]

If I was going without kids, I would stay at DSV I if only for the spa and hotel access. Last time I stayed there, I could not go in the spa because I had the kids (it's adult only) so I feel I missed out. If it was just adults, it would be an easy choice for me even though I own at Shadow Ridge.

I also would not go in August! I went during the month of July once and I wouldn't do that again. It was painfully hot.

 

[csalter2]

you can't go wrong

Which to go to in Palm Desert in later October. Desert Springs Villas II or Shadow Ridge or Shadow Ridge Enclaves ????
Any recommendations ????
Thanks
Bill from Ohio

Bill,

I have stayed at all three. You can't go wrong. They all have an accessible golf course to work on your courses on property so you can work on your game. They all have pools too. They are all very nice and there is little difference in the accommodations of DSI & DSII. DSI has a mucher larger bathroom. They sit on the same property. The difference is that DSI has access to the Spa at the Marriott Hotel which also lies on the property. These two resorts have the advantage of the hotel being there so you have those restaurants and other amenities close by.

Shadow Ridge is nice too. My wife really liked it there and my son too. It is a large property but is quaint. Expect to see a lot of kids. They have 3 pools at various spots on the property. It doesn't have all the amenities that the Desert Springs resorts have because of the closeness of the hotel.

Again, take your pick.

 

[daisy23]

When we go to Palm Desert, we always get 2 bedrooms (love the second bathroom!). We prefer DSV II because the second bedroom/studio is located adjacent to the one bedroom unit and is easily accessible via an interior door in the shared wall. Although we may in the minority here, we are not as fond of the DSV I set up, where you have a shared entry way outside of 2 front doors, and you have to walk outside of the one bdr. unit front door, cross the small foyer/entry way, then enter another front door for the studio unit - not convenient for the second bathroom, and could not keep an eye on the grandkids if they visited, for example.

That being said, DSV I 2 bdr. units do offer nice privacy for you, from your "roommates", be they siblings, friends etc. And the spa access is nice, but since we don't use it every time, not as important to us.

We definitely prefer DSV to Shadow Ridge - we like the property and landscaping better, just 2 story buildings as opposed to 3 story, and we usually don't have kids with us so we don't need the SR kids programming and spaces, which we understand is very good.

 

[funtime]

Also consider Westin Mission Hills - it is a beautiful property and it does have an attached hotel. It is in Rancho Mirage. More info can be found on the Starwood Board or in the review section which is open to TUG members. Funtime

 

[EZ-ED]

If you do the Weston get a second floor unit as the bottom floor can be quite noisy from the sound of people walking in the second floor unit.

We prefer the original Shadow Ridge close to the quiet pool. Nice views of the golf course and the patio is out of the afternoon sun. We just picked up two consecutive weeks starting mid January.

 

[applegirl]

Bill from Ohio,

If it's just adults I would probably second the recommendation to stay at DSV I because of the hotel access and the free spa privileges. We always enjoy taking the shuttle over to the resort hotel for cocktails and dinner and not having to drive! It's very convenient and comfortable. You can also take the shuttle to the spa or for golf.

It sounds like you are traveling just the two of you?

The one bedroom master unit is the largest at DSV I. Quite big, over 1,000 sq. ft. I would estimate and they have recently been refurbished, so new furniture, all new soft goods (hard surfaces will be next). There are some very pretty views of the golf couse and mountains if you request the right buildings. STaying at DSV I you will also have access to the pools at the resort hotel as well as all the pools at the t/s property. The landscaping is very pretty and lush.

We own at Shadow Ridge and it's a beautiful property. Many adults would enjoy this very much even though there may be more families. The whole resort has a different feel and it's very beautiful too. It is not next to a hotel resort so that is one difference. Shadow Ridge does have an adults quiet pool that is very nice and pretty as well as the new Enclaves pool section which is very attractive and different from the main pool area at the Villages section. The only thing I don't like at the new pool section is the extreme lack of shade.

If I can answer any other questions for you, let me know!

Steve, I sent you a PM. Let me know if you need other suggestions.

Janna

 

[jlr10]

First I admit I am biased, since I own at DSVII. But having stayed at DSVI and DSVII I prefer the DSVII units. The entry way of DSVI, as mentioned is a waste of space with the large foyer with 2 entrances, and it makes the second bedroom smaller. Also when we stayed at DSVI we did not have a lovely golf course view. We had a view of the back of part of the hotel, and were able to hear the AC from the hotel when sitting on the patio. The worst view we ever got at DSVII was of a woman putting balls on a grassy slope. It was only bad because she was a terrible golfer.

Also we preferred the DSVI units as they were on one level plain. We did not like the sunken living room or the half wall between the kitchen and living area.

Also we have a tendency to move the furniture, for exercise videos or scrapbooking, depending on who is on the trip. DSVI's floor configuration did not permit that option. Granted you might not move furniture on your vacation, but we do, so that is something we consider when traveling to the dessert.

We talked about going to the spa to work out but found that the exercise room in the club house more than met our needs, so the spa does not figure into our choices.

Both sides of DSV are nice, and I doubt you would be disappointed with either choice.

 

[Kel]

We’ve stayed at all three. We own at Desert Springs II, although we prefer Desert Springs I over Desert Springs II. We like being next to the hotel, restaurants and spa. We wouldn’t even consider staying at Shadow Ridge again. JMO

 

[Cathyb]

EZ-ED: We are going to the older Shadowridge (studio) in February. Which unit numbers/buildings do you recommend? We are seniors, no kids and like golf views.

 

[jlp879]

The Desert Springs Villas I are the largest units are have recently been refurbished. Shadow Ridge Enclaves villas are the newest of the bunch and more are under construction but they represent Marriott's new direction(?) of the lockouts really being small one bedrooms like the Westins.

For location and amenities I would choose either of DSV I or II. The pools are more kid friendly at Shadow Ridge.

 

[Superchief]

I read a review by TJCNewYork regarding the new Shadow Ridge Enclaves units on the Marriott Insiders forum. He owns several MVC resorts and expressed extreme disappointment with the size and layouts of these units. There is very limited closet and storage space and the bathrooms are tiny.

Should I avoid the Enclaves or are some units larger?

 

[jlp879]

Enclaves

I hear at Enclaves they have the traditional two bedroom set up like most other Marriotts plus the new two bedrooms which really have two kitchens the way the Westins do.

I think if you got a two bedroom at the Enclaves, you would be able to call and state your preference for which one you'd prefer.

My concern is when you are getting a one bedroom at Enclaves. Are the new studio designs considered one bedrooms for exchangers? They technically meet II's requirements for one bedrooms.

 

[applegirl]

I Are the new studio designs considered one bedrooms for exchangers? They technically meet II's requirements for one bedrooms.

The new "deluxe" lock-offs are a small one bedroom but they DO NOT have a full kitchen. They have a mini-kitchen with a two burner stove and no oven. Other than that, they have everything you would need. They would be fine for two people, but I think a small family would be way too crowded.

I am not impressed at all with the design of the new Enclaves and would not even buy there on the resale market (someday). The units are much smaller and the bathrooms are tiny. They also took away a dedicated area for dining!!!

Janna

 

[NWL]

I read a review by TJCNewYork regarding the new Shadow Ridge Enclaves units on the Marriott Insiders forum. He owns several MVC resorts and expressed extreme disappointment with the size and layouts of these units. There is very limited closet and storage space and the bathrooms are tiny.

Should I avoid the Enclaves or are some units larger?

Here's a link to another thread on the Enclaves. I posted a link with pics of the "deluxe lockoff".

http://69.16.236.4/~tugbbsc/forums/showthread.php?t=102786

The new "deluxe" lock-offs are a small one bedroom but they DO NOT have a full kitchen. They have a mini-kitchen with a two burner stove and no oven.

The microwave in the deluxe lockoff is also a convection oven. It works just like a regular oven, although obviously not as large. The biggest problem, IMO, is the lack of counter space. You have evrything you need to prepare a full dinner, but no place to prepare it.

I agree, the Enclaves units are not very "kid friendly". We like the fact that we have 2, 1 bedrooms to use. And yes, the deluxe lockoff does trade as a 1 bedroom. They are not everyone's cup of tea, but we like them!

Cheers!

 

[CA Richard]

Questions for Applegirl or others...

I'm thinking about purchasing a DSI or DSII. It will usually be just my wife and I, especially once we get to retirement, and would be locking off the units to get two weeks. My question involves the lockoff (efficiency unit). We traded and stayed in a DSII 1-bedroom so I'm familiar with that. I've looked at the floorplans on Marriott, but I'm still left with questions. I understand the the DSI units are larger and have acess to the resort spa, but the lockoff looks like it has two beds and no mini-kitchen? I'm not sure which lockoff unit would be most practical for an adult couple for a week.

Is anyone familiar with the efficiency units of both DSI and DSII? Could you comment on bed size, any mini-kitchen facilities in either one? Any other comments or comparisons of the DSi and DSII units, either the 1 bedrooms or lockoff units? Thanks!

 

[Superchief]

. And yes, the deluxe lockoff does trade as a 1 bedroom.

If trading through II, will the 1 bedrooms all be treated the same way? I don't think I would want to be surprised with the smaller units without the full kitchen. I hope this will be clear when trying to trade into the Shadow Ridge and the Enclaves. Thanks for the information.

 

[JT]

Applegirl

My friend is staying at a studio in DS1. He wants to be as close to the hotel pool as possible with a view of golf course. At the same time I will be with my family kids 6 and 3 at Shadow Ridge in a 2 bd. We want a bottom floor, close to the pool, and shade on patio in afteroon. What buildings/rooms would be our best options. Thank you for your time.

 

[jlr10]

I'm thinking about purchasing a DSI or DSII. It will usually be just my wife and I, especially once we get to retirement, and would be locking off the units to get two weeks. My question involves the lockoff (efficiency unit). We traded and stayed in a DSII 1-bedroom so I'm familiar with that. I've looked at the floorplans on Marriott, but I'm still left with questions. I understand the the DSI units are larger and have acess to the resort spa, but the lockoff looks like it has two beds and no mini-kitchen? I'm not sure which lockoff unit would be most practical for an adult couple for a week.

Is anyone familiar with the efficiency units of both DSI and DSII? Could you comment on bed size, any mini-kitchen facilities in either one? Any other comments or comparisons of the DSi and DSII units, either the 1 bedrooms or lockoff units? Thanks!

Unless things have changed:

The efficiency units will usually have a mini fridge, microwave, toaster and coffee maker. They would not be a good choice for cooking, unless you are good with microwave cooking. But there are BBQs on site for grilling if that helps.

DSVI had 2 full size beds, DSV II had a queen size bed with a sofa bed in the efficiency units.

 

[NWL]

. And yes, the deluxe lockoff does trade as a 1 bedroom.

If trading through II, will the 1 bedrooms all be treated the same way? I don't think I would want to be surprised with the smaller units without the full kitchen. I hope this will be clear when trying to trade into the Shadow Ridge and the Enclaves. Thanks for the information.

Good point! As an owner, I was only concerned with how the deluxe lockoff traded into another resort, but you bring up a good question. I would suggest you ask what the square footage is of the unit you trade into.

Deluxe Lockoff:

Interior: 576 sq ft
Balcony: 130 sq ft
Total sq ft: 706

Master unit:

Interior: 754 sq ft
Balcony: 145 sq ft
Total sq ft: 899

Also, you could ask how many burners on the stove ( 2 burners in lockoff, 4 burners in full 1 bedroom), or how many people can sit at the table ( 4 in the lockoff, 6 in the other).

I'm not sure if you will get good answers, but you have a valid point.

Cheers!

 

[Glynda]

I'm wondering...

What is there to do in this area besides play golf, sit by a pool or get spa treatments?