A Desert Beauty!!

Guest: Paul and Diane (Phoenix)
Date of Stay: 11/25/11 Review Submitted: 01/19/12

This review is overdue but I wanted to make sure I added to the wonderful accolades this little beauty is getting! My husband and I stayed for our anniversary and were looking for a place that was private, secluded, cozy and away from the city lights. Casa Luminosa was perfect on all accounts. It's in a beautiful, but very private setting in the desert. We didn't get the chance to meet Allen but Cynthia was a gem! She was a perfect hostess by greeting us, introducing us to the casita and the surrounding area then giving us complete privacy while letting us know she was available nearby if we should need anything. We loved the decor in this casita and were particularly impressed with how large and well-done the bathroom was. The views from all sides of the casita are endless and we loved watching for wildlife, especially a beautiful male coyote that we spotted several times. Thank you Cynthia and Allen! We can't wait to go back and recharge our batteries in this wonderful little haven! Diane and Paul

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Brilliant desert retreat

Guest: Jane (North Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 01/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/07/12

Casita Luminosa is the perfect place to stay in the Tucson area. If you like birdwatching, pick up a copy of Finding Birds in Southeast Arizona and you can start right your birding experience right on the verandah. Pat and I loved the casita. It has everything you need for a vacation stay and was the perfect place to start and end our day. We never did eat dinner out - we were too anxious to get back to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and the peace and quiet of our little home away from home. As others have noted, Cynthia and Alan are wonderful hosts. We will return. As to the surrounding area ... we were blown away! We loved Sabino Canyon, the Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park, Mount Lemmon (when I wasn't nervous about the drop offs), Catalina State Park (the canyon loop). And we went further afield to sample the birding at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, Madera Canyon and other places in between. If you like backroads, try the road from Highway 83 (north of Sonoita) west to Madera Canyon. I think it is called Hwy 62 or Box Canyon Road. Do drive it from east to west unless you like riding on the canyon side of a narrow, twisting, largely unmaintained dirt track! We saw coyotes, coati, white-tailed deer, javelina and other animals as well as lots of birds and that was in the middle of winter. We'll go back in early spring next time.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+.

A desert oasis!

Guest: Elsie (Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/13/11 Review Submitted: 12/20/11

My son and I spent 6 nights at the Casita Luminosa this past week. One could not ask for a more beautiful vista or more welcoming hosts. Well equiped casita with everything one needs for an extended stay or short break. The casita is close to anything you may want to visit in the Tucson area and yet when you are there, nature prevails. The location is perfect for quiet and beauty. Gorgeous sunrises and glorious sunsets. Coyotes sing to you at night and the birdsong is the morning is amazing. The owners are a delight and so helpful and gracious without being intrusive to your time there. I hope to return soon. Thank you for sharing this lovely casita and location with others. A very enjoyable and relaxing visit.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Charming and cozy

Guest: Sadie (Chino Valley)
Date of Stay: 12/10/11 Review Submitted: 12/14/11

We stayed for three nights and enjoyed every minute of it. Allen and Cynthia have provided well for their guests--DVD's, CD's, firelogs, etc. We felt right at home. Of course, the scenery is just wonderful and downtown Tucson is only a 20 minute scenic drive.

Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+.

Beautiful views, lovely casita

Guest: Di (Saint Petersburg, Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 09/18/11

My husband and I stayed at the casita in late August 2011. The house itself was lovely and perfect for the two of us. The owners had it well stocked and we were very happy with our week long stay. The views were spectacular and the night sky, stunning (very little light pollution in the area). I'd recommend day trips to Mt Lemmon and Catalina State Park, as these were easy day trips. Everyday I would look forward to sunsets on the back patio in one of the chaise lounges! Loved our time here!!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+.

Perfect Retreat

Guest: Nancy (Oak Park, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 03/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/20/11

I almost don't want to review my stay at Casita Luminosa because I'd like to keep it a secret so that it's always available if I want to return! The listing is totally accurate, and the online photos can't do justice to the peaceful setting and lovely desert views. The casita is clean, comfortable, and pleasing to the eye, providing for all the needs of daily living. The setting is quiet and still except for the calls and trills of desert birds and the rustling of rabbits in the brush. Mornings can be spent basking in the eastern sun with a good book and evenings watching the sun slowly change the colors of the cactus as it sinks below the mountains in the distance. Cynthia and Allan were friendly but not instrusive, answering all questions thoroughly and providing maps and brochures and suggestions about the area. This would not be a good choice for someone who wants to pop into town in five minutes or walk to a local nightspot. It is, however, an excellent choice if the goal is to experience the desert in a restful, non-commercial setting, away from the pressures of life at home. My husband and I highly recommend this property.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+.

Loved our stay at Casita Luminosa

Guest: J&B (Butler, NJ, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/04/10 Review Submitted: 12/14/10

We just returned from a lovely stay at this little casita tucked away in the desert. The views are fantastic; the night sky at sunset with the beautiful colors over the mountains is stunning! The owners are great people; laid back and easily approachable but unintrusive. The casita looks just like the pictures and has been thoughtfully decorated and stocked. The trip to into Tucson city proper is easy, yet you come home to desert beauty and quiet. If you are looking for a quiet get-away among the saguaro, look no further.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+.

May 14-18 2010 at the Cantina

Guest: Maria and Paul (Mt. Pleasant, SC)
Date of Stay: 05/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

Paul and I had a wonderful time in Casita Luminosa. The Casita was accurately described, perfectly matched to the environment as well as clean and well maintained. Cynthia and Allan are lovely hosts. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful Sonoran Desert in bloom and the opportunity to view and hear the beings (wildlife) of the desert! We are delighted that they are willing to share this place and we are hoping to return.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Wonderful Quiet Retreat

Guest: HRCarl (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 03/15/10 Review Submitted: 03/26/10

We spent six days there and greatly enjoyed the quiet and beauty of the spot. Perhaps the best part of our vacation was siting on the patio reading and enjoying the scenery. We think the Arizona Desert Museum is wonderful and this location makes it very easy to visit there multiple times in the course of a stay. While there are some pleasant restaurants in fairly close proximity, this is not the place to stay if night life or dinner at outstanding restaurants is your thing. But it's a wonderfuly place for a quiet vacation in the Arizona desert

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+.

Guest: Suzanne & Andy Bell (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 02/27/10 Review Submitted: 02/27/10

We stayed in this lovely casa for the last two weeks of February. We saw quail, jack rabbits, coyote and many types of song birds from our porch. The house is set up so you can see both the sunrise and sunset. We slept really well in a very comfortable bed. Cynthia and Alan thought of everything in this rental to make it like a home away from home! Cynthia and Alan - thanks!

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