Hot-Tub Hideaway, Modern Verde River Retreat

Michelle, an Arizona native, has been vacationing with family and friends in Payson for her entire life. She has explored nearly every stretch of the Verde River and spent countless weekends discovering the many twists and turns of Arizona’s backcountry and off-road trails.

Chris, an Oregon native, met Michelle eight years ago, and from that day forward, they’ve been inseparable. Together, they’ve loved exploring everything Arizona has to offer—from its rivers and mountain trails to its small towns and hidden gems.

They enjoy wakeboarding, traveling, skiing and raising their 5-year-old daughter, Ciel, and, most of all, spending long weekends together in Payson.

We fell in love with this property because it gives us the same feeling we’ve always had when coming to the mountains: a place to slow down, reconnect, explore, and enjoy time together. Every single stay here is different and unique. The sky, the stars, the wind, the weather, the river, the wildlife...it's truly a magical property and home. We hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we do and create some wonderful memories of your own.

When Michelle and I started looking for a place in Payson, we weren’t looking for just another vacation home. We wanted a true getaway—somewhere private, surrounded by trees, with beautiful views and, most importantly, close to the river.

After months and months of looking at properties and having one “almost” after another, we finally walked into this one.

I immediately started exploring every room, nook and cranny of the house. Michelle stayed just inside the front door, standing beneath the vaulted ceilings and taking in the expansive sky, the back deck and the hundreds of acres of forest stretching out beyond it.

She looked at me and said, “This is the one. This is it!”

I said, “I know.”

Our original plan was simple. The house had great bones and felt just right, so we thought we would pull out the carpet, make a few small changes, and enjoy it as our own little Payson getaway.

Well… that plan didn't last very long.

Once the carpet came up, our visions started taking over. One project led to another, and before we knew it, we were completely remodeling the house—from the floors and doors to the molding, fans, lighting, kitchen and bathrooms. We added more than 1,000 square feet of deck space, including a lower covered deck connected to a private hot tub alcove, along with a beautiful paver fire-pit area.

What started as a simple vacation home turned into a labor of love—a place we poured our time, energy and imagination into creating.

And then something even more special happened here: we got engaged on this property. ❤️

The arbor where it happened is still here, and we've intentionally left it for our guests to enjoy. We hope it becomes a special spot for you, too—whether you're celebrating something big, enjoying a quiet morning in the mountains, or simply spending time together with the people you love.

This home means a lot to us, and we're excited to share it with you.

It's ever changing...After staying here so many times ourselves, one of the things we love most about this property is that it never feels exactly the same twice.

The sky, the weather, the light, the wildlife—even the sounds of the forest seem to change from one visit to the next. One weekend, we listened to elk bugling throughout the night. Another weekend, there was almost complete silence, with nothing but the breeze moving through the trees.

Sometimes you'll spend the afternoon on the deck watching the clouds roll across the mountains. Other times, you may find yourself gathered around the fire pit, relaxing in the hot tub, exploring the property, or simply sitting quietly and taking it all in.

That's what makes this place special to us. It's not just a beautiful home—it's a place that seems to have its own rhythm and personality.

We can't predict exactly what you'll see, hear or experience while you're here. And that's part of the magic.

We look forward to your comments and what you find unique after your stay.