Great location!

Guest: desert<3er
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/28/11

My husband and I have just returned from our long weekend getaway at the Desert House, and we truly enjoyed our stay. The location of this property is perfect for those who wish for a quiet and mostly private accommodation. There is a neighbor across the road that you can see (but at a good distance) and occasionally hear talking and another house on one side that appeared vacant. Behind the home and to the other side is nothing but gorgeous boulders and the flora and fauna of the desert. The view is great from the jacuzzi, either day or night. The stars, well, what can you not say about the stars out in the desert? I spent so long in the jacuzzi each night star-gazing that I think my toes and fingers are permanently pruned! Our 16 year old daughter was with us and she brought a friend. Neither one was much into the desert scene, but they enjoyed putting together the puzzles that they found at the house and listening to music and playing video games (that they brought with them) while the old folks went out exploring. We also had our two dogs along. The house was neat and tidy (just don't look under the beds! I wouldn't have, except that our puppy is very small and I had to drag her out from underneath one!) It was just at our comfort level ... nice but not so nice so that we would worry if we spilled or the dogs had a little accident. We hope to return again some day, perhaps by ourselves for a more romantic weekend. This house can't be beat for the rate, the privacy, the quiet, and the nearness to the park! Highly recommended!! Thank you, owners, for a great weekend!

Owner response:A 5 star review is great. We appreciate you taking the time to write about the Desert House. Thanks too for alerting us to the "under the bed" issue. We notified our cleaning crew immediately after reading your review and it's been taken care of. With our steady stream of guests, sometimes these deep cleaning issues might get overlooked. But it should be all set now. We're glad you enjoyed the spa and the awesome views. Those are two of our favorite things about the house as well. We hope you'll come back. Almost 50% of our visitors are return guests. Many return year after year. We hope you'll be among them.

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

Wonderful place to stay to enjoy Joshua Tree Park!

Guest: J (Boston)
Date of Stay: 01/07/11 Review Submitted: 01/15/11

Our family of 5 just stayed here for 3 nights in January and had a wonderful time. The house is really lovely, even nicer than it appears on the website. Great location and views, wonderful kitchen, eating area and hot tub, very clean and everything worked! We would definitely recommend staying here for anyone who wants to explore Joshua Tree Park, it is perfect.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Everything we hoped for and more

Guest: Desert Rambler (Tujunga, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/01/10 Review Submitted: 05/14/10

SO glad we picked this delightful home overlooking the Highlands, so near the park, but away from the road with privacy, views and your own personal nature trail. We were thrilled at our choice. I looked at a number of rentals, but found out upon driving around that they were mostly right smack on the road, small, overpriced, not private, too minimal. Not the Desert House! Nicely stocked kitchen, dvd and book library, comfy furnishings, incredible views from the windows (nothing beats that desert light with the constantly shifting colors.) Just breathtaking. I enjoy a good soak and the spa was perfection: gazing at the clear mineral blue sky (it feels like you're IN the sky) with a fantastic jagged mountain just steps away. We were fortunate to be there for the full spring lower bloom. Orange mallow cups, magenta and red cactus flowers, creosote and brittle bush, phacelia, purple chia and millions of tiny lavender, pink and white flowers speckling the ground. At the end of the day, when I closed my eyes I saw beavertail blooms and green lichen. I enjoyed testing my new camera, playing with the light until after dark. Other things I noticed: It's so relaxing to not "have" to rush to a hotel miles from the park, only to sit in your box with a TV, avoiding the shady characters in the parking lot. I felt I could come and go to the park at any time, that it was easy, not some big logistical undertaking. The last afternoon we returned to the house early, just to sit on the front porch and enjoy the silence and the sun. That unwinding time made a huge difference in my experience. Thanks to my hosts and their housekeeper for a warm welcome and a fantastic visit. We'll be back!

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

peace and quiet

Guest: desert rat (San Anselmo, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/02/08 Review Submitted: 10/14/08

People are often puzzled why I come to the desert and I am just as often at a loss for ways to tell them. I can't even remeber why I first started visiting the desert. There are so many reasons - and that may explain my quandary. I suppose one of the biggest draws is the peace and quiet. Some may find that that characteristic would be better thought of as desolate. So be it. There is beauty, too, in desolation. In any case, Joshua Tree is a special place, even as deserts go. Not only is it peaceful, it is unique in its geology and flora and fauna - even its history. If you've never been here and are thinking of visiting (if you're reading this, you're probably planning a visit), staying at the Desert House is the place to start from. It's a fabulous "base camp", allowing one to explore the area at one's leisure with the luxury of returning to the amenities of home, and yet still be surrounded by this special land. I've visited JT many times and have usually camped in the Nat'l Park . While I still love that experience, and as my passion for the desert has not waned over the years, having the creature comforts a stones throw away (the entrance is only a mile from this house) contributes to my peace of mind. In all it's beauty, make no mistake - the desert can be relentless, and the Desert House offers a refuge - an oasis, in fact. The view from the house is excellent, as one is able to take in the whole valley leading to the park, as if one were the king or queen of the land. I especially enjoyed the nights and evenings as the moon and Sagittarius would set in the west and the coyotes would converse from who knows how far away. And after a long bike ride, the spa is a godsend, soothing the muscles while letting the days memories sink in. Whether you're a Joshua Tree "veteran", or are thinking of visiting for the first time, the Desert House offers a gentle way to experience all the area has to offer.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children.