I tried luxury hotel with private boat fleet where Frank Sinatra sang his final song

Have you ever stayed in a hotel that has its own resident flamingoes and a boating lake? I hadn't either, until a trip to a desert oasis.

Driving around Palm Springs, famed as a retreat for old Hollywood money, you'll rarely see a building more than two or three stories high, which all helps to preserve the California city's serene atmosphere and majestic mountain views. But for JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, there's an exception. It rises above the rest, the desert town's largest resort.

Spanning 450 acres across pristine gardens and glistening lakes with a dramatic mountain backdrop, set within the heart of the Coachella Valley, I was mesmerised by the luxurious four-star resort from the moment I rolled up. With a whopping 884 guestrooms, including 101 luxury suites, it's impressive how the sprawling resort feels tucked away within its own secluded paradise, where 'Old Hollywood glamour meets modern day luxury'.

As I walked into the hotel lobby, I was blown away by the sheer scale of this JW Marriott property. There were towering floors of rooms on either side, the bar Aquifer65 and restaurant JW Sushi Bar in the middle, a Starbucks on one side, with the space decorated with palm trees, flowers, and water features for a total serene setting.

But one of the most spectacular features of this resort was the Lobby Boat Dock. The dock has a fleet of blue-and-white electric boats that transport guests around its 18 acres of waterways, and I was lucky enough to experience it, gliding through its automatic double glass doors, under bridges, and past immaculate lawns with birds perched along the edges.

Wildlife can be found throughout the resort, thanks to its ample green space, including its resident flamingos in a lake near the entrance. Their expansive lakeside home, with its very own mini island, is lined by palm trees and white Adirondack chairs, where I enjoyed my morning coffee while admiring the beautiful birds in all their glory.

I immediately felt at home as I checked into my luxurious bedroom with views across the resort's waterways and huge pool area, and, of course, with that iconic mountain backdrop. A cloud-like bed was my retreat with its stylish and rattan frame, and it was where I returned each night to pillow chocolates and a QR code to the resort's bedtime playlist - what a touch!

The room had chic interiors and a mountain-inspired silhouette mural on the wall, creating a calming sanctuary after a busy day exploring the desert. The bathroom was just as beautifully curated, with a light-up circular mirror on a speckled wall, a gorgeous free-standing bath, and doors that slide open into the bedroom, offering views out to the balcony backed by peaks.

For downtime, the resort has five swimming pools, including the Oasis upper pool, which is where I spent my afternoons. The outdoor pool is surrounded by the resort's serene waterways, and as I soaked up the rays with a cooling drink in hand, I admired the dramatic mountains in the background, framing the resort in multiple directions.

Thanks to its sunny climate and desert landscapes, Palm Springs is known as a premier golf destination, so it's only right that JW Marriott Desert Springs has two championship golf courses. There's also tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness centre, the Spa at Desert Springs, and JW Entertainment Zone.

The resort really does have it all, even its own selection of shops, whether that's for gifts, fashion, beauty or sport. I couldn't resist picking up a Palm Springs t-shirt to wear on my flight home.

The resort is also home to The Sinatra Ballroom, famously named after Frank Sinatra, after he made his final public performance at the venue in 1995. And of course, with any stay, be it A-list stars or holidaymakers, you'll never go hungry,

There are 10 resort dining options across the resort, including Rockwood Grill, where I devoured a hearty breakfast burrito, along with the Mikado Japanese Teppanyaki Steakhouse and Fisherman's Landing. One special addition is the T&T Innovation Kitchen that serves up an "ever-changing five-course tasting menu", and while it's for private events, it can't go unnoticed with its open kitchen and screens to watch the action unfold.

A package from Purely America is as follows:

• Flights with Air Alaska from London to Palm Springs via Seattle
• 3 Nights at the Hilton Palm Springs, King Mountain View Room, Room Only
• 4 Nights at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, King Balcony Room, Room Only
• From £1,999 per person based on 2 sharing

For more information or to book your stay, visit the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa website. Or to plan your trip in the desert, go to the Visit Greater Palm Springs website.

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