Vacation Rentals by Owner

Exceeded our expectations!

Guest: Linda R. (Boston, MA )
Date of Stay: 12/11/10 Review Submitted: 02/13/11

Our stay at Casa Amapola exceeded our expectations in every way. The setting and views are more beautiful than the photos could possibly show. The home is furnished with beautiful, unique artwork and crafts in ever room of the home. Linens, furnishings were stylish and comfortable. Every household amenity was provided and in working order. The location was great for heading out for hiking or heading into town. The owners were attentive and flexible about accommodating an additional stay of two days when our flight was canceled. Perfect, perfect, perfect.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fabulous Home and Location!

Guest: Tim and Donna (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/30/10 Review Submitted: 11/25/10

We enjoyed this great home for a short two weeks. The pictures don't do it justice, and Mark and Paul were great, providing local information and restaurant ideas. We were only two people, so we didn't use half the house, but the outdoor living area is the main attraction. The kitchen was well stocked, and the BBQ area great. A very comfortable place to live, very private ( except for the hot air balloon suddenly appearing overhead), with great grounds where you have your own private desert garden. The location is perfect as there is easy access to everything because you are so close to the I-10 without the noise, in a quiet neighbourhood. The view is fabulous and sunrise over the mountains spectacular! We could easily live here for the winter (would have to heat the pool in the winter though)! We booked a larger house than we needed in order to scope it out for a future visit with family. We will definitely be booking again! Thank you so much Mark and Paul!

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

Amazing View

Guest: Mike (Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

I spent a week at Casa Amapola but could easily have moved right in. The home enjoys a beautiful setting in a quiet neighborhood, and the grounds resemble a miniature botanical garden being nicely landscaped with a variety of desert plants. The home is clean and provided with all the amenities, but nothing can beat the outstanding view from the outside living room and pool area. Watching the full moon rise over the Santa Catalinas was the perfect way to end each day of hiking. There’s plenty to do in the Tucson area, including hiking in the immediate neighborhood, and the house was well-stocked with information regarding attractions and nearby sites. Mark and Paul were perfect hosts, both gracious and informative, and they made the rental process extremely easy and hassle-free. I’d happily recommend Casa Amapola to others and look forward to staying again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

Guest: Rickey
Date of Stay: 01/02/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

From Trip Advisor: Mark and Paul were perfect hosts and their home was warm and inviting and a pleasure to be in for the two months we were there. We especially loved the patio and pool area and the killer view of Tucson. Mark and Paul were ery gracious and quick to respond when we had any questions or needed a visit from them. We would definitely rent from them again. Five stars!!!!

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Guest: Brian & Emma (U.K.)
Date of Stay: 06/19/09 Review Submitted: 06/19/09

We loved our stay at Casa Amapola. The pool and hot tub were wonderful, and the outdoor patio (lanai) was huge and very comfortable with a great view. One of the highlights was watching the sunrise over the desert and the distant mountains. The villa was beautifully decorated and everything we needed was to hand. The location was excellent, very private on the edge of the desert, but still convenient for local shops and downtown Tucson. We would love to stay there again, and thoroughly recommend it to anyone. The owner was very friendly, accessible and approachable at all times. Many thanks Mark!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 03/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/09

Hi Mark, just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay at Casa Amapola. The house and setting easily met and exceeded all of our expectations. The "outside room" was fabulous and where we spent almost all of our time. We really enjoyed the Tucson area and played some great golf courses. We do hope to return again in the future and would love a second visit to Casa Amapola. Mike, Guelph, ON

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Guest: T. C
Date of Stay: 12/03/08 Review Submitted: 12/03/08

From our Guest Book: Casa Amapola has a most wondrous effect on all who are fortunate to come upon it; of this I have no doubt. This is my sixth Gem Show pilgrimage in seven years and our stay at your magical home was by far the best! We lacked for nothing and found ourselves surrounded in the utmost casual luxury. There is much love, peace and joy in the stories Casa Amapola tells.

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Guest: V. Neil
Date of Stay: 11/29/08 Review Submitted: 11/28/08

From our Guest Book: Dear Mark and Paul, I have read this book and noticed how many guests fall under Casa Amapola's spell. There is a wonderful cosmic clean to the special environment that you have created here... ...this special home induces deep and satisfying sighs...Bliss!

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Guest: M&S Slade
Date of Stay: 11/06/08 Review Submitted: 11/05/08

From our Guest Book: Our second visit to Casa Amapola was every bit as wonderful as we anticipated; lovely weather, very comfortable home, great restaurants and totally relaxing. We used the pool and BBQ this time and ate every meal "at home" outside looking at the beautiful view. At sunset we sat by the front door to enjoy the last rays of the sun and saw rabbits, a roadrunner and a bobcat. One morning a falcon dropped by! We are already planning our next visit. Thanks Mark and Paul.

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Guest: G & J Woytas
Date of Stay: 06/08/08 Review Submitted: 06/07/08

From our Guest Book: Thanks for everything! Enjoyed this house so much--just wish we could have stayed longer. So much to do in Tucson--but didn't want to leave this comfortable house and awesome pool! ...mostly we will remember the awesome time we were able to have with our family--so thanks for the perfect "setting" for that!!

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Guest: MJ & G Harrison
Date of Stay: 05/31/08 Review Submitted: 05/30/08

From our Guest Book; Dear Mark and Paul, We enjoyed every minute of our stay here at Casa Amapola. Everything about the house was perfect--the layout, the furnishings, the amenities, the lanai, the spa, the attention to detail...We have every intention of returning to this wonderful oasis in the sun.

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Loved every minute in this gorgeous home

Guest: Canadian sun seekers (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/25/08 Review Submitted: 06/03/08

We spent six wonderful nights at Casa Amapola. Mark and Paul did a fabulous job decorating and furnishing the house - a beautiful and extremely comfortable space to live in, with every amenity you could think of. We plugged in our laptop and had wireless internet service. We plugged in our ipod to the dock on the stereo and enjoyed music indoors and outdoors. We watched movies and Stanley Cup playoff games on the 42" high definition TV. We lounged in the hot tub under the stars, we ate all our meals, read and enjoyed the awesome view on the lanai (outdoor living room), we swam in the gorgeous, deep pool and enjoyed all this house had to offer (and spent less time sightseeing). We slept soundly in the gorgeous master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in. Our 1 year old son played happily on the lanai and was protected from the pool behind a safety fence (Mark happily provided that for us). You cannot go wrong with this place. We recommend it 100% and hope to return!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Guest: L and K Flynn
Date of Stay: 05/15/08 Review Submitted: 05/14/08

We have had a wonderful stay in this beautiful home to gather for our daughter's graduation from the U of A ...The house is really a destination in itself. With the kitchen, BBQ, outdoor living room and pool you never have to leave.

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Guest: J & J
Date of Stay: 04/18/08 Review Submitted: 04/17/08

From our Guest Book: This has been a most wonderful, restful and enjoyable vacation. Your home is most comfortable and provides the most needed quiet and "down time." It is a joy to return after daily excursions, but also a comfortable spot just for relaxing... ...also enjoyed the pool and grill area and your beautiful garden. The resident wildlife interesting too...the quail, hummingbirds, lizards, doves and woodpeckers were fun to watch. The location near the trail head was convenient for early AM hikes in the Tucson Mountains. Really had a great time. We loved it! Thank you!

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Guest: K&C Ross and family
Date of Stay: 04/05/08 Review Submitted: 04/04/08

From our Guest Book: Spring Break! We are so happy that we found Casa Amapola. It is a great house for us: the kids had a blast in the pool, hearty appetites & slept like logs in the comfy beds. We hope to come back again soon! Thank you for your gracious hospitality.

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Guest: D.P.
Date of Stay: 02/14/08 Review Submitted: 02/13/08

From our Guest Book: This is such a great place I didn't want to leave! We shopped 'till we dropped at the Gem Show then home to the comfort and luxury of this place. The view is the best!

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Guest: The Greens and McPeaks
Date of Stay: 01/12/08 Review Submitted: 01/11/08

From our Guest Book: We came from Baltimore, Cleveland and Riverside, CA for a week together as a family--wonderful house--and oh, the country! Thank you for the creature comforts and the creatures!

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Guest: The Brooks Family
Date of Stay: 10/31/07 Review Submitted: 10/30/07

From our Guest Book: We had a fantastic stay, relaxing stay here for Family Weekend at the U of A. We loved the nightlights of the city, we loved waking up to see the mountains, cactus, beautiful sunshine and relaxing by your pool area. We enjoyed our hike at the trail head up the road...Your home is so relaxing! You have everything here!!

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Guest: M & E Preze
Date of Stay: 10/13/07 Review Submitted: 10/12/07

From our Guest Book: We enjoyed our week at Casa Amapola! The weather was perfect and allowed us to enjoy this beautiful home and Tucson. We especially enjoyed the backyard, outdoor living room and garden. We spent many evenings enjoying the view from the outdoor living room. What fun it was to notice different plants in the garden; every day finding something new to admire. Thank you for making the home so comfortable and inviting. We had a wonderful stay and hope to return soon.

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Guest: The Hanson's
Date of Stay: 04/30/07 Review Submitted: 04/29/07

From our Guest Book: Your lovely home was everything we hoped for--and more! We only wish we could stay longer. We took several hikes from the El Camino del Cerro Traihead just up the road--so much beauty, so close to "home", especially with the cactus in bloom! Tried Purple Mountain Goat Tours as well. Tom DiMaggio puts together a wonderful tour with a great lunch, carried by the goats. We hope to be back.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Sara & Paul Hanson (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Date of Stay: 04/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/29/07

We spent a week at this wonderful home, and it wasn't enough. The view from the patio was spectacular and the home delightful. It is by far the best vacation property we have ever rented. We came with another couple and they were as delighted as we were. We would love to return.

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A great vacation home!

Guest: Firefighter Pete (Madison, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 02/03/07 Review Submitted: 04/12/10

After a few days at Casa Amapola, you'll want to own it -- the house is that nice. We spent most of our time outside -- which is where we ate all of our meals. We watched the sunrises, the hot air balloons, the rain as it crossed the city (yes, we were lucky enough to be there during a thunderstorm), and the glow on the mountains at sunset. The neighborhood is quiet and the house is quite private. We did not bother to heat the pool -- it was not so cold after all -- and really enjoyed the spa. The kitchen is well-equipped. The house is nicer than the photos show it to be. This would be our first choice on any return trip to Tucson.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Geraldine & Tony Miskelly (Darlington, Co Durham England)
Date of Stay: 01/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/06/07

Everything said on the web site is true and more. We have been to Tucson in the past and wanted a home rather than a hotel stay.This home delivered on all fronts - private, but close to amenities. As my husband remarked "understated luxury" We had a wonderful holiday ! Our hosts were very helpful and gave us plenty of information on good places in the city.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Bob & Patsy Nichols (Oceanside Calif)
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/26/06

The web site cannot describe this home, it was beyond our expectations! The view, the amenities, the furnishings, all made for a fanastic four days with our two children and their spouses and our grand child. Mark and Paul put up a security fence at the patio for our grand daughter, which made it safe. We will return!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jon_HAC67750 (Portland, OR.)
Date of Stay: 10/01/06 Review Submitted: 10/29/06

My wife and I just returned from a week at this wonderful home. We traveled with another couple and the house was plenty big with room to spare. The house and property felt like a mini resort. We travel frequently to Tucson and plan to make Mark and Paul's home a regular destination.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Jack and Judy Hackett (100 Mile House, British Columbia)
Date of Stay: 05/01/06 Review Submitted: 05/20/06

This is a lovely home, very unique with wonderful views and privacy. Everything you could possibly need is provided including laundry soap etc. All furnishings, dining items, bedding have a real touch of class. Although we intended to do some sightseeing we stayed in to enjoy the house, view, pool and wildlife in total peace and tranquillity. This would be a wonderful place to enjoy visits/reunions with family/friends. We would not hesitate to stay again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Linda and Hank (Wolfeboro, NH)
Date of Stay: 05/01/06 Review Submitted: 05/14/06

The house is amazing! Spent a week in April with two other couples--there was plenty of room for six! Beds are all so comfortable with beautiful linens. Kitchen is well stocked with every gadget you might need and everything is top quality. Enough dishes, serving pieces, wineglasses, etc. to have a wonderful party. We had a totally awesome week and spent most nights eating in because we didn't want to leave the house!

Owner response:Thanks for your nice comments and for leaving things in tip-top shape! Mark Casa Amapola

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Clint_HAC41816 (Pittsburgh,PA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/05 Review Submitted: 12/29/05

This house is everything as advertised. To be honest, we were a little concerned that the description of the house was too glowing to match the asking price. Nonetheless, we took the plunge. We travel a lot and usually have the "been there done that" attitude after visiting an area. I would come back to Tuscon just for the house. Spent too much time sightseeing and not enough time just lounging at the house. Mark was very accomodating. He met us at the door to give us the lowdown of the house and answer the inevitable tourist questions. Every house rental should go as well as this one did for us.

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