Romantic European-Style Villa on Boundary of Joshua Tree Park
- Minimum stay:Contact owner
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:Yes
Villa dei Fiori is a romantic escape on 14 acres on the boundary of the Joshua Tree National Park. Pine log pergolas cover the surrounding five terraces with arbors of climbing roses and cascading purple and white wisteria.
The villa, built amid the surrounding quartz monzonite boulders, was created by Dale Allan Pelton, a Hollywood based film production designer and architect. On the west side of the villa, the terraces of 150 rose bushes with a border of purple French lavender form a dramatic contrast to the savage landscape of boulders beyond.
There is a grove of Italian Stone pines on the north. To the south, a terrace of raked sand with a Zen aesthetic, is in the midst of large boulders, perfect for al fresco dining. In the west one can see the snow-capped peak of San Gorgonio. Between the kitchen terrace and the southeast terrace stands a giant Joshua tree, several hundred years of age. The motor court is surrounded by mesquite trees and crimson oleanders, allowing a feeling of complete solitude and pastoral peace.
Near the house, is a cave formed of giant boulders with a bed of soft sand and a fire pit where guests have dinner parties in the evening by the light of an open fire. Crevices in the boulders open to the sky so that one can glimpse the stars at night.
Features - The villa has an European ambiance, with three bedrooms, one painted raspberry and another, magenta, and the living and dining rooms treated with hand-rubbed colors of cognac and amber over an under layer of gold. The master bedroom has a romantic antique bed, its ornate design formed with the tendrils of metal leaves. The colors of the Moroccan pottery complement the vivid paintings of the Parisian artist, Viviane Quence.
Although the house is modest in size, 1400 sq. foot, there are 1600 sq. foot of terraces with pergolas of cascading wisteria and climbing roses. Each room has its own private terrace, accessed by double doors, 13 glass French doors in total, bring the outdoors inside.
There is a magnificent library spread throughout several rooms - hundreds of books on subjects as varied as architecture, painting, sculpture, film, biography, literature, photography, fashion, gardening, travel, exotic places, anthropology, history, almost any subject one could think of.
The living room features a silk tapestry and original paintings and a rock sculpture from the film, "Battlestar Galactica." There is an excellent stereo system with an Ipod dock, and selection of CDs. There is no cable TV so that one can enjoy the quiet natural sounds of the desert. However, there is a DVD and VCR receiver,film videos available and a high speed wireless internet connection.
Although the kitchen is modest in size, it has top quality cookware, porcelain service for 12, wine glasses, baking ware, all imaginable cooking utensils, blender, coffee bean grinder, oversize toaster, programmable coffee maker, a micro wave, a new stainless steel 22 cubic foot refrigerator. There is a library of cookbooks in the living room bookcase. The stove’s oven has baked many turkeys, but will soon be replaced with one with higher BTU burners. Counter space being limited, a large kitchen table (which expands to 7 feet) may be pulled out to form a work space allowing 2 or 3 persons to work simultaneously. The gas barbecue is on the kitchen terrace just 12 feet from the kitchen. The dining terrace overlooks a Joshua tree amid the boulders. Near the kitchen, there is an tone fireplace for wood fires on the terrace by the boulders.
Since the number of guests vary, numerous tables are set against the wall, so that guests can make their own decision about the size and placement of their dining arrangements. There are 8 wooden chairs inside, and 6 plastic ones outside, with an 8 foot table on the living/dining room terrace which seats 10. On the north terrace, there are two chaise longue chairs. The cushions for the chaise are stored in baskets under the marble table inside.
The large swimming pool has a salt electrolyte purification system and a beautiful gemstone pebble surface. The best swimming months are April to mid October. The two pool terraces have a table with six lounge chairs. When not in use, the pool chairs should not be left close to the water, because a sudden wind storm will blow them into the pool creating a contamination problem. There is a large market umbrella stored in the middle bedroom closet. It is kept inside when not in use, because of the sudden wind storms which spring up unexpectedly which can instantly destroy an umbrella.
Activities: 500 feet, behind the villa, you will discover the hidden valley on the estate. From there you may hike directly into the multi-hued canyons of Joshua Tree National Park. Hiking through the boulders you will spy cactus wrens and ravens, owls and hawks, rabbits, roadrunners and quail. If you are fortunate, you may spy at a distance, a bobcat who lives in my hidden valley, or an increasingly rare Chuckawalla iguana, or Mojave Desert tortoise. This is such an inaccessible region of the park you will not encounter any other hikers to disturb your splendid solitude.
Excellent restaurants are to be found in Twentynine Palms: Bistro Twentynine, Wonder Garden Cafe, 29 Palms Inn.) Joshua Tree: Crossroads Café and the Thai or Indian restaurant.
Keywords: House
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Children Welcome
- Non Smoking Only
- Pets Considered
- Wheelchair Accessible
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 8
Kitchen & Dining
- Cooking Utensils
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Amenities
- Parking Off Street
- Wood Fireplace
- Parking For RV/Boat/Trailer
- Linens Provided
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- Video Library
- Television
- Music Library
- CD Player
- Stereo
- DVD Player
- VCR
Communications
- Broadband Access
- Wireless Internet
- Telephone
Pool & Spa
- Hot Tub
- Private Pool
Outdoor Features
- Gazebo
- Lanai / Gazebo
- Outdoor Grill
- Deck / Patio
Location & View
- Mountain View
Activities
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Golf
- Cycling
- Rock Climbing
- Mountain Biking
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Horseback Riding
- Sight Seeing
- Wildlife Viewing
Other Activities
Reviews
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"Better than Disneyland!"
"Better than Disneyland!"
- Guest Anon
- Date of stay 02/15/13
- Review Submitted 03/04/13
We had a great time staying at the Villa dei Fiori. There's so much to do for young children right on the property, from the cave, to the dollhouse, to the all the wonderful boulders to climb. The review title is a direct quote from my 6yo nephew. I highly recommend, especially for families with small and active kids.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
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The perfect desert retreat!
The perfect desert retreat!
- Guest Taigne
- Date of stay 10/19/12
- Review Submitted 01/21/13
My wife and I, along with a couple of very good friends, stayed here in October for the weekend. It was the -perfect- weekend getaway in the desert! We came out to Joshua Tree to watch the Orionids meteor shower, and wanted a quiet place far from the city lights. The property was ideal -- not just a retreat away from town, but a beautifully landscaped property nestled right up among the boulders at the edge of Joshua Tree National Park. The grounds have been reshaped to provide privacy, and the property is simply beautiful! We showed up a little late in the evening on Friday, but the owner nonetheless was happy to greet us and give a detailed tour of the home and property. He reviewed all of the info we'd need for the weekend -- pointing-out where all of the kitchen items are (there are even pictures posted inside the cabinets and drawers to help find what you need), extra bedding and towels, as well as all of the switches for the outdoor lighting. He also took the time to give us information about the unique artwork found throughout the home, and had even placed freshly-cut roses throughout the home! Although it was October, the afternoon weather was warm and we spent some time by the pool. The pool area is surrounded by huge boulders, some of which were moved specifically into place in order to create the perfect setting. The pool is very nice, with plenty of room for lounging, and even a private area with a small table and chairs for a nice dinner under the stars! One thing to note, the pool faces towards the closest neighbors, and since it is so quiet, noise can easily carry; the owner asked us to keep aware of our noise levels after 9pm (only on that side of the house) so others can enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings, too. The home has three bedrooms, and is the perfect size for 4-6 persons (sharing bedrooms). The kitchen is fully equipped, and we enjoyed using the outdoor BBQ grill, too! There are plenty of places to relax and read a book, or sit with friends and chat -- inside and outside the house. The house easily accommodated the four of us, and our friends were even able to bring their dog, who loved it, too! There is just one bathroom, but no one was in a hurry, so it was never an issue to share. We very much enjoyed our weekend, and can't wait to do it again! The home and the property are as beautiful as the photos suggest. I hope to make staying here an annual event, it really is the perfect weekend getaway in the desert!Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.
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fantastic getaway in Joshua Tree
fantastic getaway in Joshua Tree
- Guest Anna
- Date of stay 11/21/12
- Review Submitted 11/26/12
My family and I just spent a few days at Villa dei Fiori and absolutely loved our time there! The grounds are stunning and the house is full of interesting and artistic details. Beautiful hand-picked roses decorated every room in the house when we arrived, courtesy of the owner. Dale was very gracious throughout the renting process, and shared with us very interesting information about the area and the art pieces in the house. The villa is very conveniently located and has amazing amenities like a gorgeous pool and spa. I highly recommend this villa for your Joshua Tree vacation!Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, people with disabilities, families with young children.
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Paula (sons) Wedding
Paula (sons) Wedding
- Guest Paula
- Date of stay 10/01/12
- Review Submitted 10/22/12
We had a wonderful enjoyable stay at the Villa grounds are immaculate and the pool is wonderful the setting says it all. Dale was most gracious in all the pertinate details, found in and around the property. Solitude, full moon, stars very private location. Perfect location for Josha Tree N park, 29 Palms and Pappy & Harriets, grocery stores, right in the middle. I would consider returning, first time using VRBO extremly helpful, & detailed.Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.
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Superb!
Superb!
- Guest Dawn
- Date of stay 07/26/12
- Review Submitted 08/18/12
This is a wonderful property. Dales house is very comfortable and private. The grounds are gorgeous and the pool to die for. The photos and the description of the home are accurate. Its very serene. Dale, the owner was very helpful with the introduction to the house and the surrounding area. Great property- I would return!!Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing.
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Relaxing Solitude - An experience away from it all
Relaxing Solitude - An experience away from it all
- Guest Tom T.
- Date of stay 07/15/12
- Review Submitted 08/08/12
We just left our favorite "get-away-spot" once again... and once again we vowed to return just as soon as possible. This was, our third stay here and believe me this place has "NO EQUAL". Our criteria for the "ultimate" vacation away from the stresses of our daily occupations (entertainment & medical fields) was as follows: We wanted a place that offered privacy amidst unique surroundings with activities and experiences that can be found no where else....and of course we needed to bring our two Pomeranian dogs (our kids) along as well. This special "pet friendly" home-away-from-home was a perfect fit. I feel that I should have written this review a year or so ago, after our first stay, but not until this last visit did it really hit me just how important the Villa dei Fiori is to us. Staying here is like a "massage for the soul". Within the solitude that this place offers we are able to "re-connect" with each other put work "on hold" for a while. Dale, the owner of this fantastic place is an extremely accommodating host and you can tell that he has put his heart and soul into this place just for our (or your) enjoyment. Dale lives either in his Los Angeles home or at his other property which is also in Joshua Tree. When he is in town he will get you all set up at the Villa and then leave you to enjoy your stay. If he is not in J. Tree, You will get all the information that you need via e-mail, phone or written instructions on the premises. I know that singles, larger groups, and people with kids would absolutely love this amazing place as well...(just check the other reviews). It has so much to offer and it is perched right up against the northern border of the Joshua Tree National Park. The view out the windows from any of the 3 bedrooms when you wake up is that of huge "car or house-sized" boulders ascending hundreds of feet up. The remote and secluded location offers unparalleled privacy. Hiking around the property is amazing and of course the unique, "on property Cave" is just not the sort of amenity that one gets to experience everyday... or anywhere else. Dale has told us about many activities and great restaurants in town, but we just can't get enough of this place, so besides the occasional trip the the grocery store, we just "stay put" and enjoy the Villa dei Fiori.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Beautiful, pristine
Beautiful, pristine
- Guest Mike
- Date of stay 06/29/12
- Review Submitted 07/12/12
Just stayed here in June of 2012 and had a great time. The property is pristine, beautiful and quite secluded. It's literally up against a small mountain comprised of giant boulders, on the other side of which is JTNP. Well air-conditioned house, well maintained jacuzzi and gorgeous pool (non-heated, but perfect temp), and there is a cave in which you can have a fire (literally have to walk/crawl through several openings before you get into the main chamber). The owner also has a fairly extensive library of books (mainly coffee-table type books) which are really fun to delve into (nobody has books anymore!). Only complaint would be that it did feel like the owner (who lives there) was checking up on us several times a day. This place would be the perfect place to take a romantic excursion with a special friend, but honestly his drive-bys with a short honk and morning walks (that just happened to pass right by the property) felt a bit intrusive, especially given the rental rate. If I pay that much I expect a bit more privacy. I think this is the result of the owner renting out his home rather than a vacation house -- he has a lot of pride in it (and rightly so) and probably feels very protective -- but there are some things you have to let go of if you are renting it out. So, just be-forwarned about this. Not a huge deal really, but might be nice to know if you plan on laying out naked or doing some other adult activity around the pool.Recommended for: Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
Owner response: This is a very strange review. I don't know what to make of it because it has so many false statements. If someone reads 30 other reviews over a period of ten years, they will find absolutely none similar to his views. Error: the owner does not live at the villa. He lives in L. A. and on his nature preserve 1/2 mile distant. The owner never takes walks on the road. Absolutely no one comes onto the property unless the guests are in-formed. We never depart from this rule. We receive high profile guests from Hollywood who require absolute privacy. The only maintenance required is for the pool and spa once a week which if requested, can be scheduled when the guests are away. This is an iron clad rule. Once a year we receive a visitor who is strange. Despite the strictness of our policy, it raises the question why this reviewer would fabricate comments that are untrue. As one traveler from Paris recently said, “This place has a lot of soul.”
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Wonderful Property!!
Wonderful Property!!
- Guest Beau
- Date of stay 06/06/12
- Review Submitted 06/12/12
Wonderful Property...I look forward to visiting again!Recommended for: Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
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Oasis in the desert
Oasis in the desert
- Guest Larry
- Date of stay 05/20/12
- Review Submitted 05/29/12
If you are looking for a desert property near a gold course, tennis court, shopping mall or gourmet restaurants, this is not the place for you. However,the "Casa dei Fiori" will provide a comfortable oasis with spectacular views of the tumbling rocks of Joshua Tree. My wife and I stayed for four days and we hated to leave. The owner warmly and graciously greeted us as we approached and wished us well when we left. He was always available by phone if we had a problem, which we didn't. The home is artistically designed and meticulously maintained. We have never seen a pool like this one. It is not heated, but very comfortable as the temperature went up. The views from the pool are unmatched. There are plenty of good restaurants and markets nearby. In particular we liked the Crosswinds Cafe. The property looks exactly like the pictures on the web site, but they do not do it justice. Most of all, from my point of view: you can hear a pin drop at this property. We hope to return when we can!Recommended for: Tourists without a car, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
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Villa Dei Fiori - Joshua Tree Gem!
Villa Dei Fiori - Joshua Tree Gem!
- Guest Nancy B.
- Date of stay 12/22/11
- Review Submitted 01/05/12
We could not have asked for a more perfect vacation than the week spent at Villa Dei Fiori. The accommodations are bright, comfortable and a visual feast! The well-appointed kitchen, outdoor grill and especially the hot tub and beautifully landscaped pool make it a perfect place to unwind after a day of spectacular hiking. The owner is gracious and helpful and it is perfectly located for accessing many area points of interest. Consider contacting the Desert Institute to hire a private guide to explore more remote parts of Joshua Tree. Thank you Dale!Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1
Rates
Fall,Winter $750-850 weekend(extra night-$350)week $2000 - 2600 except holidays Spring $800 to $1000. Summer -inquire for rates (two-night minimum) Price varies with number of guests. Holidays & some spring dates, week: $2400-$3200. Rates vary, dependent on season. Week days rates are lower than weekends.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Before paying contact the owner to confirm payment details.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Location
Owner info
Contact us
- Primary: +1 3232876528
- Secondary: (323) 287-6528 (California, USA)
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - for Villa dei Fiori - More Information!
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Photos
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Villa 24 ft x 36 ft pool in landscape of giant quartz monzonite boulders.
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6 person Jacuzzi with air jets in the boulders on the master bedroom terrace.
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One of seven terraces in the boulders. All rooms have private terraces.
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Dining in the cave! Through the crevices in the cavern, you can see the stars.
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Master bedroom ornate iron bed. Costume designs from Three Musketeers.
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Cascades of Alba wisteria, rosa banksia and blaze roses on the north pergola.
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View of the Villa rose garden through the quartz-monzonite boulders.
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A grove of pines, Arizona cypress and palo verde lies to the North of the pool.
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North and west terraces with pergolas of climbing roses and wisteria.
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Villa dei Fiori's Valley of the Moon, view from mouth of cave.
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Kitchen terrace with pergola with climbing wisteria and propane barbecue.
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Villa 24 ft x 36 ft pool in landscape of giant quartz monzonite boulders.
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Boulders, trees and pool and spa are illuminated by 40 Malibu lights.
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24 ft x 36 ft elliptical salt system pool w gemstone finish amid giant boulders,
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Salt system pool has a gemstone surface of black, bronze and cobalt blue.
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The cave, perfect for family picnics. Stars visible through crevices above.
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Our hidden valley lies beyond the pool. The National Park immediately contiguous
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French sleigh bed in guest bedroom. Paintings from traditional Chinese opera
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Living room with double French doors opening to one of five terraces
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Kitchen with LG double oven range and view of kitchen terrace with pergola.
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Mouth of second cave in Valley of the Moon on 20 acre estate of Villa dei Fiori.
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Second cave in Valley of the Moon behind the villa.
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Playhouse for little girl's tea parties.
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Villa kitchen with LG double range oven, with infra red grille, five burners.
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Date last modified - Tuesday, May 21, 2013