This was our second stay at this resort so we knew what to expect.The big concern this year was the ongoing construction of the two new additional buildings that are going up on the south?side.When we arrived at the front desk we asked for a top floor unit anywhere in the complex except in the two buildings that were adjoining the construction area(2500 & 2600?).The front desk clerk was more than willing to look and called over her supervisor to confirm the best spot for us,a family of four in a two bedroom unit.
The unit we were given was perfect,overlooking the pool,and we heard no construction noise at all during our stay.The staff training here seems to be very good and if I compare it to,say,a previous vacation at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas,then I would have to say that it is vastly superior!
Having the full access to the adjoining JW Marriott hotel is great,especially for the Lazy River.The resort is entirely non-smoking which is a welcome relief and I know my children really enjoyed that aspect.
We will definitely come back again and enjoy the pools and the adjoining 36 holes of golf.(get your best rates the day before at golfnow.com).

WOW! What a timeshare property. I have stayed at a couple of timeshare properties in the past and they have been OK, but nothing like this. I might have to consider purchasing a place here.

Before Our Trip:

We were contacted by the resort a week prior to checking in to see if there any special requirements that we had. This caught us off guard because we has exchanged through interval to stay here, and we are not even Marriott's owners. We had told them that we would be arriving the morning and they said it would be no problem to drop off our bags at the front desk and get started on our vacation.

Check-In:

Check-in was a breeze, we arrived about 11am. The guy at the front desk was extremely friendly. Gave us a detailed overview of the Villas and the JW Marriott across the way. Also gave us recommendations of restaurants at the Desert Ridge Marketplace that was close by. He then realized that our room was not ready yet, but checked to see if anything else was available. The was an available room and he let us check-in to that room right away.

Room:

We were only able to find the efficiency available when we booked on interval, but it was just fine for the two of us. It was just your standard Marriott hotel room that was clean, comfortable, and enough space for the two of us. It did not have a full kitchen, but had a small sink, mini refrigerator, and microwave. If traveling with a family I would recommend at least getting the one bedroom unit. That has more room and a full kitchen and dining area.

Pools:

I found the pools at both the Canyon Villas and the JW Marriott to be very nice. They were both clean and had plenty of towels to use. I thought the pool at the Canyon Villas was not nearly and busy and cramped at the one at the JW, but the one at the JW did have the benefit of having a lazy river. At the Canyon Villas they gave us a key card to access the pools at the JW. None of them worked, but if you go the the front desk at the JW they will exchange it out for one that will work.

All and all it was a fun and relaxing vacation that was further enhanced by the helpful and friendly staff at the Canyon Villas.

We traded through II into this property. We stayed from April 26th to May 3rd. The weather was perfect - high 80s to high 90s during the day and at night you needed a light sweater. We didn't see one cloud the entire week. The villas are only 20 minutes from the airport - very easy access to the highways. We checked in around 5 pm and the staff were very friendly. We were in unit 2959 (the third floor). The units are very nice and comfortable. The bed was great. We had a walk in shower and jacuzzi tub. The balcony was small .. had a table and 4 chairs, but it was a squeeze. The resort offered a few activities as well as activities at the JW Marriott, where you would walk to or take a shuttle. The shuttle also went to the Desert Ridge Marketplace - plenty of shopping and restaurants as well as an 18 screen movie theatre and a supermarket. They are building a new shopping area (right next to the Marketplace) called City Place that will open in the next few years. It will be a more upscale shopping center with Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. I've been told it will be similar to Kierland Commons (near the Westin Resort). We ate dinner at Kierland Commons twice .. once an italian restaurant called North and at a french bistro called Zinc. Zinc had a nice courtyard room where the roof retracts in nice weather. Both had very good food. We went to the Chart House for dinner one night and had a great meal. Their chocolate soufle was wonderful! We also had dinner at Roys over at the Marriott Hotel - very nice. We had dinner on the patio - it was lit with Tiki Torches and they have a firepit. If you dine there on Friday and Saturday nights, you can hear the music from the band that plays outside on the Marriott patio. The pool areas at both the resort and villas was very nice and kept very clean. My husband golfed every day. He loved that he could get out very early in the morning - just after 6 am. We bought the par n'pamper pass for $500 which entitled us to 5 rounds of golf, 5 spa treatments or a combination of the two. Good deal - especially in the high season months! The spa was the nicest I have seen. It had it's own pool with a jacuzzi and very plush lounge chairs. The spa has it's own restaurant and the two services I received were WONDERFUL! I can't wait to go back. Feel free to email me with any questions.

Timeshare Swap via Interval International - Wonderful family vacation resort with clean villas, pool, playground equipment and all other resort amenities. We stayed in a 1-Bedroom Master Suite that was handicapped accessible - great accommodations for wheelchair/disabled in the bathroom and kitchen for my husband. The shuttle is handicapped accessible for JW Desert Ridge Resort as well as the Marketplace. Great resort activities to keep the family entertained, our 7-Yr old daughter loved the pool selection, and playground, as well as resort activities (Chess/Checkers, Water Balloon Toss, Arts & Crafts, etc).

We will definitely return back to the Desert Ridge - after traveling to the West Canyon - welcome vacation resort for rest & relaxation.