Looking to book a Palm Desert resort with a water slide for the family?
You’ve come to the right place, because I visit Palm Desert yearly for family vacations! I have put together this guide to point you in the right direction on where to stay.
This article will cover the 7 best Palm Deserts with waterslides or a lazy river, for the whole family to enjoy.
Ready to find out the best family-friendly Palm Desert resorts? Let’s dive in!
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to purchase through these links we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you.
Top 3 Picks: Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
#1 Top Pick
8.4/10
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
- 3 Outdoor Pools With Waterslides And Lazy River
- Full Breakfast Available, Bike Rentals, And 3 Outdoor Tennis Courts
- Restaurants, 2 Bars, and Cafe On Site
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa (Photo by: Expedia)
#2 Top Pick
9/10
The Western Desert Willow Villas
- 4 Outdoor Pools With Waterslides And Basketball Hoops
- Kid-Friendly Activities Available (Ping Pong, Movie Nights, Build-A-Bear)
- Rooms Equipped With Fully Stocked Kitchenette
The Westin Desert Willow Villas (Photo by: Expedia)
#3 Top Pick
8.4/10
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
- 4 Outdoor Pools With Waterslides And Lazy River
- Children’s Club And In-Room Baby Sitting Available
- 2 Restaurants, 2 Bars, and A Cafe On Site
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Photo by Expedia)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
1. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
Just a 5 minute drive from El Paseo Shopping Center, the Hyatt Regency is an ideal resort for families. This resort has 3 outdoor pools with large waterslides and a lazy river, with lifeguards on site.
Additionally, it has a cycling facility, fitness center, spa rooms, saunas, outdoor tennis courts, and much more for the whole family.
Enjoy breakfast at one of their 2 cafes, or from their full service restaurant at an additional fee.
What Past Guests Have Said
“Beautiful grounds, the pools were exceptional, as were the waterslides and lazy river. Rooms were spacious and the one restaurant we sampled was great. We loved the little store with selections of food, baked goods, s’mores kits, etc. We used the bikes as well – super fun. We will definitely be returning! ”
– Andrea (View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
2. The Western Desert Willow Villas
The Western Desert Willow Villas (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
With 4 large outdoor pools with waterslides, The Western Desert Willow Villas is a popular family friendly resort choice.
Besides pools, this resort has a restaurant, fitness center, arcades, golf courses, basketball courts, spas, bars, and more.
They offer kid-friendly activities such as movie nights, ping pong, and build-a-bear for an additional fee.
It’s located in the heart of Palm Desert, just a short drive from the El Paseo shops, and the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens.
What Past Guests Have Said
“I came here to celebrate my birthday and my stay was amazing. The entire property was very clean and the staff was friendly. The Villa was beautiful and it felt like home. The communication with this resort was excellent and the view was beautiful.”
– Armani (View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
3. Marriott’s Shadow Ridge II – The Enclaves
The Marriott’s Shadow Ridge II (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
With 4 outdoor pools, waterslides, a waterpark, playground, and mini-golf, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge is a popular choice for families. Plus, this resort is just 10 minutes away from Palm Desert Aquatic Center – that has a full waterpark.
Besides pools, this resort has a fitness center, golf courses, tennis courts, basketball hoops, and bike rentals to explore the surrounding areas.
Every room is equipped with a coffee maker, fridge, cookware, and utensils. In addition, there’s an outdoor grill that serves food and drinks.
What Past Guests Have Said
“So much to do….kids were busy with mini golf, swimming, basketball, bike riding, and tennis. The room was great. We had the one bedroom villa which was perfect so we had our own space when needed. We made most of our meals in the room with the well stocked kitchen.”
– Ursula (View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
4. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
Having both a waterslide and lazy river, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort is a popular resort for families.
It has a fitness center, restaurants, cafes, golf courses, spas, a children’s club, and more. Plus, they offer in-room babysitting at an additional fee.
Enjoy food and drinks at one of their poolside bars after you float along the lazy river.
This resort is also in a prime location, minutes away from the El Paseo Shopping Center and Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
What Past Guests Have Said
“Our bellman was at our room within just a couple minutes (amazing for how big the campus is). There was a fridge, microwave, and coffee maker in our room. Live music by the adult pool/ cafe in the evening. Flowers were still in bloom in august heat. Great friendly environment with staff/ guests. Game room for kids. Food was delicious.”
Andrea (View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resort With Lazy River
5. WorldMark Indio
The WorldMark Indio (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
With 2 large outdoor pools, a lazy river, and 36 holes of golf, WorldMark Indio is another popular resort option for families.
This resort has a fitness center, arcade rooms, pool tables, tennis courts, spas, and complementary laundry facilities. Enjoy scenic views of the mountains from the balcony or while floating in the lazy river.
WorldMark Indio is a prime location for those looking to visit Joshua Tree National Park, which is just a 30 minute drive away.
Note: WorldMark Indio is located in Indio, which is around a 20 minute drive to Palm Desert.
What Past Guests Have Said
“The rooms are huge! The amenities are endless. The teenagers played ping pong, pool, pickle ball, in the hot tub, the lazy river. I had coffee that got right on the property outside every morning. We will definitely be booking next year. And the staff was so nice!
Leslie -(View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
6. The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
From 3 outdoor pools with waterslides to arcade rooms, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa offers fun for the whole family.
This resort has golf courses, tennis courts, bowling alleys, arcade rooms, spas, free bicycle rentals, and much more.
Each room is equipped with a coffee maker, mini fridge, complementary water, and 24 hour room service. Enjoy a buffet breakfast or Italian dinner at one of their 2 onsite restaurants.
This resort is a prime location if you plan on visiting both Palm Desert and Palm Springs, being that it’s a short drive from both.
What Past Guests Have Said
“The pool area is awesome. My kids loved the water slides and every evening they do movie night at the pool. Also the daily complimentary happy hour for the adults and sugar rush for the kids at the arcade was so much fun!”
– Rosa (View More Reviews)
Best Palm Desert Resorts With Water Slides
7. Palm Canyon Resort
The Palm Canyon Resort (Photos by Expedia)
Why Guests Love It
Just minutes away from the Indian Canyons, Palm Canyon resort is a prime location for those looking to hike in the Coachella Valley.
This resort has 2 large pools with a waterslide, gym, spas, basketball courts, golf, complementary laundry facilities, and a restaurant and bar.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the canyon from the balcony, or while lounging out at the pool.
Note: Palm Canyon Resort is located in Palm Springs, and is a 25 minute drive away from Palm Desert.
What Past Guests Have Said
“1st time here, it is fabulous for family’s with kids. Love the rooms with a view of the pool, the rooms are big with mini kitchenette that helps save money on going out to eat. We are coming back for another vacation, staff were so accommodating.”
– Stephanie (View More Reviews)
Palm Desert FAQ
Is Palm Desert the same as Palm Springs?
No, Palm Desert and Palm Spring are two distinct cities in the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs is known for its abundance of tourist activities, whereas Palm Desert is known for its upscale resorts and country clubs.
For more information on how these cities differ, read our article on Palm Desert vs Palm Springs.
How far is Palm Desert from Palm Springs?
Palm Desert is 14.6 miles away from Palm Springs, which is around a 30 minute drive on average.
Is Palm Desert or Palm Springs better for a family vacation?
Palm Desert and Palm Springs both offer plenty of family-oriented tourist activities.
Palm Springs has a popular cable car ride, and an artsy downtown area with museums, art galleries, and gift shops.
Palm Desert has a zoo, aquatic center, and plenty of kid-friendly resorts.
What can you do in Palm Desert?
While in Palm Desert, you can go golfing, hiking, visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, shop luxury boutiques at El Paseo shopping center, and cool down at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center.
How far is Palm Desert from Los Angeles?
Palm Desert is 122 miles away from Los Angeles, which is around a 2 hour drive in normal traffic conditions.
How far is Palm Desert from Joshua Tree?
Palm Desert is 49.4 miles from Joshua Tree, which is around an hour drive on average.
What county is Palm Desert in?
Palm Desert is in Riverside County, in the center of Coachella Valley.
What is the closest airport to Palm Desert?
The closest major airport to Palm Desert is the Palm Springs Airport, located 11.8 miles away.
The drive from Palm Springs airport to Palm Desert is 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
