JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Every employee we encountered, from room service to the lifeguard, impressed us with their hospitality. We'll definitely recommend this hotel to everyone we meet! The fitness center was one of the best equipped hotel gyms I've ever seen. Our visit was incredible, starting with Bernard, our lovely bellhop. Even with a busy day, he took the time to suggest things to do with the kids and nearby attractions. He was so kind.

The water park was awesome, and the whole place was relaxed and very kid friendly, with tons of activities across campus for adults and kids alike. Dining costs a lot, but the food was delicious and the atmosphere worked wherever we ate. Staff were friendly and doing their best. It's a huge campus, so I can see why things might be challenging. Be patient with them. We had an amazing time and will be back. The room was nice, though TV connectivity lagged. Internet worked well on our devices.

Housekeeping didn't service our room, and we hadn't been told in advance that it came with a shared deck. The staff, though, were very friendly, the amenities were nice, and the parking attendants were polite and helpful. Our stay was a letdown because the waterpark was closed for “inclement weather” at 61°, which doesn't seem especially cold. There was no notice that it might close in those conditions, and we chose the property specifically for the waterpark. If you're visiting with children, know it may be closed when temperatures are around 60°. Update: Marriott reached out directly and is trying to make things right. I appreciate the follow-up and am changing my rating.

The pool area and cabanas were nice, and poolside service was great. But the stay was just okay, nothing special. We arrived for a weekend staycation around 1 pm, then went looking for food at about 2. Everything was closed except the pool bar, where we'd have had to sit outside in 105° heat. It's crazy that you can't get food at the indoor bar or even the arcade until 4 or 5 pm. If you don't want to eat outside by the pool, room service is the only option, and then you have to eat in your room. The room was okay too, but there was someone else's hair in the shower and some pretty big carpet stains.