JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

Surrounded by huge lakes, which guests can tour via manned gondolas, the JW Marriott provides a resort experience like no other. Boasting an incredible 450 acres, the lodging is unbelievably massive, with 884 rooms, seven restaurants, two golf courses, three pools, a Starbucks, a putting green and a myriad of shops. It’s like Disneyland in the desert! Even if you don’t book a stay, the hotel is a must-see for its grand scale and overall spectacle alone – especially during the holidays. Each Christmas, the property truly comes alive with a smorgasbord of activities for children such as story time with Santa, cookie decorating and games galore. Bonus – the hotel is also a filming location! It was here that Jesse Spano’s dad got married on “Saved by the Bell.”

★★★★