Villa 24 ft x 36 ft pool in landscape of giant quartz monzonite boulders.
Location: Joshua Tree, Deserts, California, USA (located on contiguous boundary of Joshua Tree National Park)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Library, 1 Bath (Sleeps 8)
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, the highest mountain in Southern California. Between the kitchen terrace and the southeast terrace stands a giant Joshua tree, several hundred years of age. The motorcourt is surrounded by mesquite trees and crimson oleanders which conceal the vehicles, 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 deep raspberry and another, magenta, the bath in tangerine, 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, Michele Quence. There are 13 French doors, each room of the house with two glass doors opening upon a private terrace, bringing the outdoors inside.
There is a magnificent library spread throughout several rooms - hundreds of books on subjects as varied as architecture, painting, sculpture, film, theatre, biography, literature, photography, fashion, automobiles, 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, illuminated by halogen lights with dimmers. There is an excellent stereo system with an interesting selection of CDs. There is no cable television so that one can enjoy the quiet natural sounds of the desert without the intervention of what one has come there to escape in the first place. However, there is a DVD and VCR receiver and film videos available. There is a high speed internet connection.
The kitchen is well equipped for gourmet cooking, a spacious refrigerator, a gas oven, a microwave oven, complete cookware and plates, wine glasses and flatware service for ten. The engravings of a French chateau and an église are from the 19th century. Double French doors open upon a dining terrace overlooking a grove of mesquite trees and a Joshua tree amid the boulders. There is a barbecue and an exterior stone fireplace on the terrace by the boulders.
Activities: By walking through the boulders behind the villa, you will discover the hidden valley on the estate. From there you may pass around the giant outcroppings and 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, roadrunners and quail.
The pool situated back in the giant boulders is not warm enough for swimming between October 1st and April 15th. due to cold nights. However, if you are accustomed to water in the 70s, then it is good beyond that time period. It has a salt electrolyte purification system and a beautiful gemstone pebble surface.
If you are fortunate, you may encounter 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.
Horses may be rented near Black Rock campground in the National Park near Yucca Valley.
Excellent restaurants are to be found in Twentynine Palms (29 Palms Inn, Wonder Garden Cafe), Joshua Tree (Crossroads Café and the Thai or Indian restaurant.) Stefano's Giardino in Yucca Valley.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed
- Convertible Bed
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Private Hot Tub
- Private Pool
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Lanai
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Mountain View
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet
- Other Amenities
- 36 x 24 foot custom pool nestled between massive boulders next to wilderness. Pool suitable for swimming from late April to October 1st. Large Library. Six terraces, each with an unique ambiance and view.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Other Activities
- Swimming in late spring and summer, Wild animals and bird Watching, Cave and wilderness exploring. Astronomy, Star Gazing
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
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.
Property Photos
- Villa 24 ft x 36 ft pool in landscape of giant quartz monzonite boulders. - Joshua Tree, CA - Southern California Lodging
- Bedroom terrace, one of five terraces with pergolas of climbing roses. - Joshua Tree, CA - Southern California Lodging
- Villa 24 ft x 36 ft elliptical pool in the giant boulders, gemstone finish. - Joshua Tree, CA - Southern California Lodging
- One of three bedroom terraces in the boulders.
- One of three bedrooms with doors opending onto a terrace and giant boulders.
- Dining in the cave! Through the crevices in the cavern, you can see the stars.
- Dining room in the cave. Through the crevices open above, you can see the stars
- 160 rose bushes on terraces, a startling contrast to the mountains of boulders.
- Bedroom terrace with outdoor fireplace, and pergola with climbing roses.
- Cascades of Alba wisteria, rosa banksia and blaze roses on the north pergola.
- Villa is furnished with exotic Berber carpets, paintings and this antique bed.
- View of the Villa rose garden through the quartz-monzonite boulders.
- Living room with double French doors opening to one of five terraces
- Boulders, trees and pool and spa are illuminated by 40 Malibu lights.
- Dale's Nature Preserve, close to villa.
- Ariana with Mojave yucca blooming in spring.
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #36200
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - October 25, 2009
