Embarc Palm Desert

This property has an abundance of pools, various room types, and the grounds are immaculate. We find the location to be very convenient to all of the places we enjoy visiting. If you're a golfer, which I'm not, this place is right next door to a great public course, Desert Willow, that actually has two 18 hole courses. Front desk folks and maintenance folks are very friendly and prompt to fix any issues that might arise. We love coming here every year to escape colder weather at home and enjoy the warm sunshine.

Positives: 1) the grounds and pools are beautiful and beautifully maintained; 2) the unit we stayed in was immaculate and extremely well-stocked; 3) quiet, peaceful setting; 4) easy access to Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and great hiking areas. Negatives (or just kind of oddities which other guests might be fine with): 1) after check-in, you are totally on your own -- think more Air B and B style rather than hotel style. Seriously. No one checked in to see if we needed fresh towels, more coffee, trash taken out, had questions about how to work anything, were still alive, etc. Not once the entire week we stayed. It was weird and unexpected but not tragic. I have stayed at hotels that cost 1/3 of this place and at least the trash gets taken out and coffee replenished. When we went to the front desk and specifically requested towels or tea bags or how to work something, items and information were cheerily handed over though so there's that; 2) second-floor units do not have elevators so this old lady recovering from knee surgery had to lug suitcases and grocery bags up and down a set of steep stairs the entire week (my bad for not checking ahead on this but now you are forewarned); 3) insane up charges for things like bike rentals; 4) the world's smallest gym, which was actually pretty crowded. It's just a trade-off on what you are looking for in a place to stay and a matter of knowing what to expect.

We have been visiting this resort for over 20 years and it never disappoints. The amenities are great and the weather never lets you down in the valley. We had the grandkids with us so the pool visits were to the main pool that also has a kids pool that is under 2' deep.

Nicely done, a+ resort people are friendly good location, food store. Right around the corner. Easy access to I -10. Close to casino, living desert, supermarket, Walmart, right aid, Banks,..............very quiet and relaxing.

We stayed in a 2-bedroom villa. My husband's sister stayed in the 2nd bedroom with 2 twin beds. The price was nearly $800/night after fees and taxes were added. It was a splurge but we wanted to pay for my sister-in-law's stay and there weren't many other options in the area. We stayed 3 nights. For the price, we expected more. The decor is a bit dated. The linens on the bed were not especially luxurious; there wasn't a thick blanket, duvet or bedspread so the bed wasn't very cozy. The toilet paper was cheap and rough. Housekeeping was by request only. There was a packet of coffee in the room, but there wasn't any complementary bottled water. A box of date treats would have been a nice touch. There weren't any robes or slippers. All of these are minimal cost extras that would have increased the value delivered for the money. The layout of the 2nd bedroom is really weird. There is a large open shower in the same room as the beds, and a step in tub with a shower. The water in the shower was never hot enough. There is no dining on-site, but there is a grocery store and restaurants nearby. We ended up going to El Paseo for dinner every night. The location of the resort may be great for golfers, but it wasn't especially convenient for the activities we did (Aerial tramway, Joshua Tree, Indian Canyon, dining). There are several pools, including pools designated for adults only. The pool near our room was quiet at first, but then filled with screaming children. It was nice to be able to be able to go to another pool that was adults only. The fitness center is fairly small, but there is a Peloton bike, an elliptical and a treadmill along with a pull down weight machine and free weights. There is a laundry room in the building, but no laundry within the unit itself.