Tucson Vacation House in a Wildlife Sanctuary

• Paradise in the Desert

  Paradise in the Desert

  • Guest Southeastern Travelers
  • Date of stay 02/08/09
  • Review Submitted 04/04/09
  What a beautiful place, a great location, a home full of amenities and a very gracious, interesting and informative host. The home was convient to Tucson and a wonderful home base for travels all around the area. We had our own wildlife show daily - one morning spotting a bobcat, seeing coyotes on a couple of occasions and daily visits from the Gambel quails which you could always hear before seeing. Sunrises and moonrises were outstanding and on our last day, we watched a hot air ballon over the city. Our stay took place over one of the weeks during the Gem Show for 2009 - totally unplanned. Our host directed us to the best location for viewing some amazing archaelogical finds and gems from around the world. He also offered us excellent recommendations for dinner at a nearby local restaurant. We were in heaven and found our visit extremely relaxing - it was hard to leave and come back to the "real" world. We hope to get back again in the summer when the storm season arrives to enjoy the landscape in a different setting. The home itself was spotless and had everything we could need for our stay. We would definitely recommend this home to anyone needing to get away but also needing the convenience of easy access to main roads, highways and lots of great food and attractions. While in Tucson, we visited Mt. Lemmon (beautiful beyond compare and snowy), Sabino Canyon (ride the tram to the top and walk back - easy trek with amazing scenery), the Desert Museum (definitely a highlight of the trip), Pima Air Base/the Boneyard (get there early, lots to see), the ASARCO Mineral Museum (different and very cool), Titan Missile Base (don't miss doing a Directors Tour), took a day trip down to Tombstone and on to Bisbee for the Queen Mine Tour (great fun). Everywhere we went the scenery was breathtaking. As you can tell, we had a full visit but still made it back home every evening to relax in front of the fireplace and fall asleep listening to the desert wind down its day. We can't wait to get back.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 9/9

• Desert Serenity

  Desert Serenity

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 02/02/13
  • Review Submitted 03/19/13
  We never knew how serene the desert could be but sitting out on the deck in the evening, seeing the lights of Tucson in a cut between the mountains - in silence - was magical. During our two-week stay, our wildlife sightings were restricted to a herd of six deer, Harris' Antelope Squirrels and several desert cottontails. Nothing very exotic, and for the birders - we did have Cactus Wrens, Gila Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, House Finches, Gambel's Quail, Curved-billed Thrashers, Pyrrhuloxia,White-crowned Sparrows and Mourning Doves coming to the suet feeder we brought with us. They also made use of the trays of fresh water we set out each day. Our host, Tom, was very accomodating and we were proud of his new prize-winning documentary on the Sonoran Desert. The house is extremely convenient to special places like the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park, Tohona Chul Park, the International Wildlife Museum, Sweetwater Wetlands (for birders) and all the cultural attractions of Tucson. Superb location, charming house, and the two decks were magnificent.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• A wonderful Sonoran Desert haven

  A wonderful Sonoran Desert haven

  • Guest keith g.
  • Date of stay 04/08/12
  • Review Submitted 06/10/12
  A stay in this wonderful property and location will provide experiences and memories galore to those who love nature. Yet at the same time the property is within easy driving distance of downtown Tucson and its many local attractions. The house has been thoughtfully located to nestle in its surroundings and provides fascinating desert and mountain views from all sides. A wide range of desert wildlife and plants can be seen nearby. We saw mule deer, coyotes, bobcat, Gambel's quail, hummingbirds etc. on the property during our stay. The diversity of cacti and desert flora is astonishing and hiking in the nearby Sweetwater Preserve will show you the Sonoran Desert at its best. The house itself is very well furnished and equipped - including a good internet connection. It has a comfortable & cosy atmosphere both when inside and when lazing on the outside terraces. The owner, Tom Wiewandt, lives nearby and is a charming and efficient host. He is a desert enthusiast, wildlife photographer and author so has a great knowledge of the locality and the best places to visit. In summary - a very special experience. Highly recommended. Keith & Maralyn, Suffolk, England.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• So relaxing....

  So relaxing....

  • Guest Lee S.
  • Date of stay 03/05/12
  • Review Submitted 03/21/12
  The stay at this location is a lifetime memory. The setting was so peaceful and provided a great connection to the desert environment. The listing and pictures, while very clearly and accurately describe the rental and show the setting, do not fully convey the tranquility and wonderful experience a stay will provide. The property was clean, the owner extremely gracious and helpful with local information. The proximity to Tucson and the National Park provided ample opportunity to enjoy the area. Day trip excursions are easy with the close proximity to a major interstate. A wonderful nature preserve with trails is walking distance away to provide an opportunity to get out into the desert I especially enjoyed my morning cup(s) of coffee on the patio. The bird activity was a unique performance each day, Gambel's Quail were the main performance daily. They would be heard before seen, delightful to watch. Looking at the landscape provided a calming and wonderful way to start the day. Definitely a place to relax and get close to the desert.

  Owner response: Our guests all come here to enjoy this spectacular and private location, rich in wildlife and hiking opportunities. As a wildlife photographer, my favorite months are February - April and July - August. Surprisingly, most Tucson visitors overlook July and August. This is our summer monsoon season, the time when you'll experience dramatic sunsets, rainbows, lightning shows, cactus flowers and wildlife not seen in other months of the year. Days may be hot, but tempered by afternoon relief from clouds and wonderfully pleasant, balmy evenings and refreshing mornings. Daytime temperatures commonly drop 20-30 degrees F from day to night. Our house has central AC and remains comfortable round the clock. Give summer a try -- you won't be disappointed! ~ Thomas Wiewandt, Your Host

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Perfect in every way

  Perfect in every way

  • Guest Dave& Ellen from NYC
  • Date of stay 01/08/11
  • Review Submitted 01/23/11
  This is the perfect rental property - roomy, immaculate, comfortable, and accommodating in every way. It has everything you could possibly need or want in a home: washer/dryer, desktop computer and wi fi, satellite TV, a superb kitchen, bedrooms on opposite sides of the house, 2 great decks, gas fireplace, a 15-minute walk to a nature preserve, etc. etc. etc. Plus, virtually total privacy inside and out. You would really have to work hard to spot or be seen from another house. Most importantly, at least for us, it is in the Sonoran desert with spectacular views in all directions. This means sunrises, sunsets, saguaro cacti, coyotes, humming birds, quail, and no people or vehicles in sight. Great nature viewing and photography right from the deck. Located near and with easy access to all the attractions on the west side of Tucson - the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Gates Pass, Saguaro National Park West. Central and downtown Tucson and museums and restaurants a very easy 20-minute drive. Very good shopping nearby (10-15 minute drive). Also easy access to Sabino, Mt. Lemmon, San Xavier Del Bac, Saguaro East, and even Kartchner Caverns. Tom is the perfect host and only a phone call or a 6 minute walk away. All in all, a simply magical desert experience. Recommended without reservation (but be sure to make one).

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Do go!

  Do go!

  • Guest UAP
  • Date of stay 10/10/08
  • Review Submitted 10/22/08
  A lovely, comfortable house; a delightful, peaceful, calm place; a very special setting, beautiful views. For us northern Europeans it was a remarkable opportunity to be immersed in this stunning desert landscape and simply wonderful. We enjoyed every second.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Guestbook Comment

  Guestbook Comment

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 03/01/08
  • Review Submitted 03/09/08
  It is a place that I would recommend with no reservations. The gracious owner lives nearby if you have questions. The rental home itself will almost assuredly be beyond your expections. A unique opportunity to enjoy and learn about the desert literally right on your doorstep,and within easy driving distance of many things you might want to do around Tucson. We loved it, and felt as many other guests have felt in their comments. cb

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/4

• Guestbook Comment

  Guestbook Comment

  • Guest Anonymous
  • Date of stay 01/01/08
  • Review Submitted 01/17/08
  The Tuscon Retreat without question is the jewel in the crown of our first attempt at life as 'Canadian Snow Birds'! We experienced the most comfortable winter temperatures the Sonoran Desert has to offer and greedily soaked-up the sunny rays that warmed each and every day of our 17 day stay here! Tom's gracious presence added the perfect human touch and the love, knowledge and respect he holds for not only this part of the world but for the all the wonders of this earth are deeply inspiring. This retreat is as good as it gets, hands down!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/6

• Guestbook Comment

  Guestbook Comment

  • Guest Pat & Ben Martin_HAC116868
  • Date of stay 12/01/07
  • Review Submitted 12/12/07
  The Tucson Retreat vacation home is a superb vacation spot. It is the only accommodation we have ever rented that surpassed our expectations. Location of this house places you in a "wilderness" area -- yet parks, art galleries, scenic attractions, native craft centers, museums, observatories, restaurants, shopping centers -- whatever interests you-- are easily accessible (even with the closure of the I-10 Highway). The house is very comfortable and outfitted not only with kitchen necessities (including many food items), but wonderful books, music CDs, videos, and games. The owner is a gracious and friendly host. And Tucson itself is a great place to visit. There seems to be an endless list of interesting things to do, along with friendly people to help you. We hope we will be able to return to Tucson and the Tucson Retreat soon. Our visit was in October 2007.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/8

• Guestbook Comment

  Guestbook Comment

  • Guest Carl and Carol Muller_HAC102264
  • Date of stay 08/01/07
  • Review Submitted 08/20/07
  The Tucson Retreat was wonderful. The house was perfect, comfortable with everything you could possibly need. We saw all kinds of wildlife! Great to watch!! Seemed very secluded but we really were close to everything we wanted to see. We were there for the 1st 100 degree day of the season. House was always comfortable! Tom was great! We were there in the middle of May 2007.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/2

Payment is usually accepted in the quoted currency ($) unless the currency and the amount is specifically agreed in advance with the owner / advertiser.

Additional information about rental rates: