Desert Springs Villas II: Which building?

[calberry]

Our DD and kids (G14, B12) live in OC and she is having thyroid surgery as soon as school is out mid June. We will be driving down from NorCal so the DW can help around the house post-op. I will then be taking the kids to DS for a week in a 2BR in a trade I've made with Interval. If the DD feels well enough soon enough, then DW and DD will come and join us.

So my questions are: Where can I find a property/building layout for DSVII, and does anyone have a building/room recommendation that would be close to a pool for the kids, and close to a BBQ for G'pa?

And DSVII was the only PS resort with a 2BR available the week we will be going, but I got the EPlus, so I could try to change resorts if any of you you think another would be better ;-)

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[calberry]

Well, I just answered one of my questions: Property layout. And a great pic from their FB page.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

If you google it, you'll find some layouts. Here is one:

Marriott Desert Springs Timeshare Resort Map, Page 5 of 5

Resort Layout Map for the Marriott Desert Springs timeshare resort in Palm Desert, CA.

www.vacationlovers.net

 

[BJRSanDiego]

There are about 7 pools on the large property. So, you are always within walking distance to one of the pools. For younger folks who might want to splash around and throw projectiles, the Palmeras pool would be a good one. Also, they have bar and grill.

The BBQ grills are placed about every two buildings. So there are a bunch.

Hopefully, Riverside county (Palm Desert) will be out of the "purple" tier by summer and they'll be able to resume their activity center.

 

[calberry]

There are about 7 pools on the large property. So, you are always within walking distance to one of the pools. For younger folks who might want to splash around and throw projectiles, the Palmeras pool would be a good one. Also, they have bar and grill.

OK, that sounds like a winner! So it looks like bldgs. 764 and 848 might be what to ask for.

The BBQ grills are placed about every two buildings. So there are a bunch.

Good to know. Thx.

Hopefully, Riverside county (Palm Desert) will be out of the "purple" tier by summer and they'll be able to resume their activity center.

That would certainly be good news if it was open. We'll have all the grand-kids with us in July at Timber Lodge, and we are hoping the same thing for there. (Except I think 13 is cut-off age for the kids club activities...but they do at least have a teen center.)

 

[clymberz]

Since this thread is open, I have a similar question. Any pros/cons for 1st or 2nd floor? Any pros/cons for the units away from the pools at the end of Via Lantana?

 

[GetawaysRus]

No elevators. So the 2nd floor is not for those who don't want to carry luggage upstairs.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Since this thread is open, I have a similar question. Any pros/cons for 1st or 2nd floor? Any pros/cons for the units away from the pools at the end of Via Lantana?

2nd floor pro: no one with concrete shoes clomping around above you.
2nd floor con: you need to "schlep" all of your stuff the stairs. (I have asked for and received help from some Marriott associates to carry up my "stuff").

Units away from pools? There are 6 or 7 pools scattered around the complex, so, unless you have physical limitations, it is just a short walk to the nearest pool. Or, you can get in your car and reduce the amount of walking. At the end of Via Lantana to the nearest pool - - the Mesquite pool is about 500 feet. To go from the end of Via Lantana to the Palmeras pool complex is about 1000 feet. The only negative (to me) is that there is a basketball court at the end and there may be a little bit of noise.

 

[clymberz]

Thank you so much! Great feedback.

Forgot to ask about exercise amenities... I will call in the morning, but any idea whether there are free weights available to use indoors, or outdoors for exercise? And for swimming laps, is it realistic to swim at Palmeras? Google Maps Satellite view makes me think there are a couple lanes there in the top left. Or is it better to go to the hotel/spa side? If so, what is the best way to gain access? A week pass, or day-use pass?

 

[DaveNV]

Thank you so much! Great feedback.

Forgot to ask about exercise amenities... I will call in the morning, but any idea whether there are free weights available to use indoors, or outdoors for exercise? And for swimming laps, is it realistic to swim at Palmeras? Google Maps Satellite view makes me think there are a couple lanes there in the top left. Or is it better to go to the hotel/spa side? If so, what is the best way to gain access? A week pass, or day-use pass?

I'll be at this resort in May. When I called them about a month ago, they said a lot of facilities were closed, due to Covid. I think that also included the gym and all but one swimming pool. Things may have changed. When you call them, maybe ask the current status, and report back? I'm curious to know what's what. I'll be calling them again in early May, to request a unit, but the unit I request will depend on what's open at the resort.

Dave

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Thank you so much! Great feedback.

Forgot to ask about exercise amenities... I will call in the morning, but any idea whether there are free weights available to use indoors, or outdoors for exercise? And for swimming laps, is it realistic to swim at Palmeras? Google Maps Satellite view makes me think there are a couple lanes there in the top left. Or is it better to go to the hotel/spa side? If so, what is the best way to gain access? A week pass, or day-use pass?

I recall that there are some lanes at one of the pools at Palmeras. But being able to swim laps depends on the courtesy of others and the number of people in the pool. I suspect if you got there early enough in the morning that you could do that. If you were staying in DSV1, you get access to the JW Marriott but since you're in DSV2, you'd have to buy a day pass. I think that it costs $20 per person per day and is available Monday to Friday. Perhaps others can opine or correct this if incorrect.

Currently the DSV fitness center is closed due to Covid. But that is likely to change as things ease up in California. Here is Marriott's link on what is open and what is closed: https://hub.vacationclub.com/properties/marriotts-desert-springs-villas-ii/

 

[LisaH]

Actually the picture above is mostly for DSV I and the hotel. Part of DSV II is in the lower left and majority of it is outside the above picture. We have stayed there three times in the last two years. We really like it there. We always request upstairs which IMO have better views but some might prefer downstairs for easy access to pools etc. Most units have golf course views, some are better than the others. We usually request unit with water view. It's just soothing to look at it

 

[clymberz]

Thank you BJRSanDiego. Great link and agree about swimming laps on the courtesy of others. I don't want to flip turn into a wader, and I can only keep up my butterfly to intimidate people for a lap or two lol

DaveNV - Will definitely report back. I saw in another thread you are in Mesquite. It's a modest drive from where you are to Palm Springs. I was very curious about resorts similar to the Palm Desert Marriotts, but near Mesquite -- because you have cool rock formations and high desert heat there.

 

[DaveNV]

DaveNV - Will definitely report back. I saw in another thread you are in Mesquite. It's a modest drive from where you are to Palm Springs. I was very curious about resorts similar to the Palm Desert Marriotts, but near Mesquite -- because you have cool rock formations and high desert heat there.

Thanks very much. Yes, I'm in Mesquite. We moved here last year precisely because of those rock formations. Zion National Park is 90 minutes from here. I've been coming to the southern Utah Red Rock country for almost fifty years. When I retired, it was an easy choice of where to live. We really like living here.

There are several casinos in Mesquite, but nothing I'd consider Marriott-quality. You might want to look at St. George, Utah for that. That's even closer to the red rocks.

Location matters. We booked into Desert Springs because it's a great facility, and an easy location between here and San Diego. My brother and sister in law from San Diego are joining us in our 2br Villa, and we're going to have some great kick-back family time. I haven't seen them since our older brother passed away in 2019. It'll be a good time.

Dave

 

[calberry]

Actually the picture above is mostly for DSV I and the hotel. Part of DSV II is in the lower left and majority of it is outside the above picture.

I realized that after I posted the pic. I then found the PDF map and looked on Google Earth and realized although it was a nice pic, it didn't include DSVII ;-( Here's a screen save from Google Earth:

We have stayed there three times in the last two years. We really like it there. We always request upstairs which IMO have better views but some might prefer downstairs for easy access to pools etc. Most units have golf course views, some are better than the others. We usually request unit with water view. It's just soothing to look at it

We live on a golf course, so that view would not be "novel". I too prefer upstairs, so which water view units do you recommend?

Thx,

Steve

 

[LisaH]

We live on a golf course, so that view would not be "novel". I too prefer upstairs, so which water view units do you recommend?

Thx,

Steve

We have stayed in Buildings 539, 575 and 488. I like 488 (and that side in general) better. Just request a water view unit and they are very accommodating, especially if you have higher elite status.

 

[clymberz]

DaveNV, We took a roadtrip through Yosemite, Vegas, Zions, etc., once. Love it. I've heard Mesquite is a great place for golfing - last time I was in Vegas for work (pre-covid), I overheard a group of folks who flew into Vegas then drove up and then watched March Madness.

Anyway, I called Marriot this morning. They say that the gyms at the Villas I&II are closed, but the Hotel has moved some of their gym equipment out to the area between the atrium building and the conference center building. "Outside the starbucks." I also asked about the pool. The Villas II guests don't get access to the Hotel amenities (lap pool at Spa). We'll see what happens when I show up with my goggles and budgy smugglers. ;-)

 

[clymberz]

Forgot to ask... Does anyone recommend a good, socially-distanced, outside crossfit studio with a desert rocks backdrop near Palm Desert -- doesn't need to be crossfit technically, but some kettlebells and dumbbells would be great.

 

[calberry]

We have stayed in Buildings 539, 575 and 488. I like 488 (and that side in general) better. Just request a water view unit and they are very accommodating, especially if you have higher elite status.

Thank you!

 

[calberry]

Anyway, I called Marriot this morning. They say that the gyms at the Villas I&II are closed, but the Hotel has moved some of their gym equipment out to the area between the atrium building and the conference center building. "Outside the starbucks." I also asked about the pool. The Villas II guests don't get access to the Hotel amenities (lap pool at Spa). We'll see what happens when I show up with my goggles and budgy smugglers. ;-)

When is it that you are going?

 

[clymberz]

in a couple weeks

 

[calberry]

March 29-April 4 -- spring break

Well good luck with everything and I hope you report back. Since we don't go until June I'm sure hoping Riverside County goes from purple to red (or beyond) by then!

 

[DaveNV]

DaveNV, We took a roadtrip through Yosemite, Vegas, Zions, etc., once. Love it. I've heard Mesquite is a great place for golfing - last time I was in Vegas for work (pre-covid), I overheard a group of folks who flew into Vegas then drove up and then watched March Madness.

Anyway, I called Marriot this morning. They say that the gyms at the Villas I&II are closed, but the Hotel has moved some of their gym equipment out to the area between the atrium building and the conference center building. "Outside the starbucks." I also asked about the pool. The Villas II guests don't get access to the Hotel amenities (lap pool at Spa). We'll see what happens when I show up with my goggles and budgy smugglers. ;-)

Mesquite is a smaller town, (~20K residents, many of which are Snowbirds), only about an hour north of Las Vegas. If you drove to Zion from Las Vegas you drove through Mesquite. Golf is a big deal here. There are six or seven golf courses. Lots to do - outdoor stuff, off-roading, desert hiking, biking, you name it. If you're active, you can find it around here. Close to Vegas, but not too close. Close to the Utah red rock country, but far enough away to avoid the insane crowds. Great central location.

Thanks for the heads up about Desert Springs facilities. Sounds like it's about the same as what they told me. I hope by late May things will have opened up some. I'll try the same trick with the goggles. My budgie smuggler days are behind me, (You're welcome. LOL!), but a lap pool is a lap pool, right?

Dave

 

[calberry]

My budgie smuggler days are behind me, (You're welcome. LOL!

LOL, I had to Google budgie smuggler...but the DW said she knew what they were...she reads a lot ;-)

 

[DaveNV]

LOL, I had to Google budgie smuggler...but the DW said she knew what they were...she reads a lot ;-)

They're a perfect suit for sunning and swimming laps. I wore them a lot, back in the day. But they're best suited for those with the shape for them. Those of us who have outgrown our GQ days are best suited with something a bit more, well... more.

Dave