Desert Mountain Retreat is a contemporary southwestern home nestled in the foothills of the Sandia & Manzano Mountains. Recently renovated, Desert Mountain is at once modern yet traditional, reflecting the deep history of New Mexican architecture & style, with contemporary design elements. Our home is surrounded by mountains & high desert with plenty of space & hiking trails, yet only 18 minutes to the airport, 12 minutes to downtown, and 5 minutes to grocery stores & other services.
THE SPACE
Feel remote without being remote.
Desert Mountain Retreat sits on over 1 acre of land, backing up to wilderness with miles of hiking & wildlife, yet only minutes from services and other Albuquerque destinations. Our unique location - in the mouth of the Tijeras canyon dividing two alpine mountain ranges, yet right off I-40 that runs right through town - lets you have it both ways: A remote mountain house feel, yet minutes from the highway and everything in Albuquerque.
Inside are three distinct living spaces: In opposing sides of the home are the master suite & guest wing, creating space & privacy for those sharing the house. Both meet together in the large open floor plan common area with kitchen, dining area, craft cocktail bar setup, lounge, and living room area with a large TV, gas fireplace, and 180 degree views of the surrounding mountains. A full office, perfect for remote work, separates the two bedroom areas.
Outside are multiple sitting areas overlooking the mountains surrounding the house, patio with outdoor sofa chairs, and Adirondack chairs with a 70 mile view into the Rio Grande Valley. Catch a perfect New Mexican sunset, watch monsoon thunderstorms roll across the city below, or enjoy the stars in the dark night sky above.
*We offer a Hot Spring hot tub as well as an added service upon request (no fee), but due to water restrictions in the area and time it takes to drain & refill if necessary, we are not able to make it available for each stay. All requests for use are considered on a first-come basis, so we suggest contacting us as soon as possible to determine availability, as we cannot guarantee that the hot tub will be available unless confirmed prior.*
Our home is a "smart home:"
• Easily control lighting by room or by house with the double-click of a wall switch • Low-energy LED & smart bulbs keeping energy consumption minimal • Keyless entry with individual guest code for ease & security • High speed Wifi (consistent, with download speeds over 100mbps)
Throughout the house, thoughtfully chosen design elements blend old world New Mexican charm, desert southwest minimalism, and contemporary deign features:
KITCHEN/LOUNGE/DINING:
• Gorgeous granite countertops with patterns resembling the mountains outside • Custom walnut bar top, island, & plant wall • Craft cocktail setup & vintage stemware (alcohol not included) • Gas range & oven • Oversized sink with touch-activated faucet • High-end appliances including KitchenAid mixer, Ninja blender, Instant Pot, Breville smart oven, & more • Coffee setup with choice of Keurig or drip coffee - pods included for your convenience • Cooking necessities from avocado & olive oil to gourmet spices, hot sauces, & more. • High end cookware featuring plenty of pots & pans (nonstick, cast iron, stainless steel) & utensils (basting brushes, spatulas, etc.) • Crate & Barrel dinnerware • Comfortable leather barstools & luxurious lounge chairs for after-dinner cocktails • 6 person dining room table overlooking the mountains • Wireless phone charger
LIVING ROOM:
• Comfy sectional with chaise lounge - plenty of space for family & friends • LG smart TV with Netflix login and connected Apple TV • Gas fireplace (seasonal) operated easily by wall switch • Southwestern blankets for cozy nights by the fire • Real cacti & succulents, bringing the desert indoors
MASTER SUITE:
• King bed • Over-sized windows - wake up to desert wildlife • Jacuzzi tub • Modern backlit & anti-fog mirrors • Dual shower • Dual vanity • Extra towels & linens • Rotating selection of invigorating shampoos, conditioners, & body soaps • Spa bath products (e.g., eucalyptus oil spray for shower, bubble bath, lotions) • Large sliding barn door for privacy • Skylight for natural lighting • Blow dryer • Wireless charging stations (bedside)
2ND/3RD BEDROOMS & BATH SUITE:
• Queen bed in each bedroom • Dual vanity with large backlit, anti-fog mirror • Shower/bath combo (kid friendly) • Rotating selection of invigorating shampoos, conditioners, & body soaps • Spa bath products (e.g., essential oils, lotions) • Skylight for natural lighting • Additional half-bath for convenience • Pack 'n Play for those traveling with a small child • Phone/device charging station (bedside)
FULL OFFICE
• Large wood desk with office chair overlooking the mountains • Smart TV • Fully separate space, with dedicated WiFi satellite - perfect for remote work • Wireless phone charger
LAUNDRY
• High-capacity front-loading washer & dryer • Stocked with Tide, OxiClean, & stain remover • In-wall ironing board with iron • Utility sink
OUTDOORS
• Weber BBQ grill • Fenced rear terrace with Adirondack chairs • Amazingly comfortable CB3 outdoor sofa chairs • Dual Adirondack chairs on the front porch with 70 mile view into the Rio Grande Valley and the city of Albuquerque, extending to Mt. Taylor & the San Juan mountains in the distance.
ACCESS, GATE, & PARKING
• Security gate (code provided before check-in) • Large driveway with parking for 5 cars • Space for a trailer (consult with us for sizing needs before booking) • All paved roads (many mountain houses are accessible only via gravel)
GUEST ACCESS
Guests have access to the entire house, except for locked storage areas including the master bedroom closet & garage, used to store personal property.
HOUSE RULES & NOTICES
• No more than 6 guests • No more than 4 daytime visitors who are not registered guests. Daytime visitors may not stay overnight • No pets • No parties or events • No fireworks • No fires: Please note we are currently not allowing outdoor fires because of frequent fire restrictions and high wind • Amazon packages sent to the house/address unfortunately often get delivered to a locked mailboxes that guests do not have access to. If you would like Amazon packages delivered, it's best to have them delivered to Whole Foods or another location for pickup. • Security camera outside the front door monitoring the parking and entrance areas, including noise detection. • No access to the hot tub or hot tub area without prior approval (see notes above) • Areas not accessible to guests: Locked cabinet, master closet, & garage - all used to store owner personal property • No local overnight guests (guests who reside within 50 miles of the property) • Must be 25 years of age to book • No smoking on property or consuming Illegal substances of any kind (inside or outside). We should note that, because the house is in a private community, there are no public spaces in the neighborhood where is smoking is permitted (e.g., the streets, sidewalks, etc). As such, this property is likely not suitable for smokers. • No moving furniture or appliances • Guests must maintain property in reasonably clean & orderly conditions (e.g., no trash left out, spills & messes cleaned up) • Must obey house occupancy limits • Home must be secured by locking all doors and windows anytime you leave the home • Reservations over 28 days may require security deposit, background and credit check, and are subject to approval. • For stays over 28 days, a monthly cleaning fee will be applied • Guest agrees to report any issues at home to Host immediately. • Your safety matters. There may be a Noise-Aware anti-party device or similar devices at the home. • Winter weather: We are located in the mountains, and do get occasional winter weather. Because ours is a private community, there are not snow removal services. Snow often melts quickly and rarely do we get "snowed in," but it does happen. While we are happy to try and arrange private snow removal services, we can't guarantee they will be available. As such, please watch the weather, plan vehicles accordingly, and have backup plans if snow does inhibit travel!
Please note: There are multiple real cactuses & succulents in the house, some of which have very sharp spines. Please do not touch any of the plants, and keep children away from the plants as well.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
- If adjusted, return central heat to 63, and wall thermostats (heat) in each room to 55. Or, if using AC, return to 78. Be sure “fan” on thermostat is set to “auto”
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No access to the hot tub or hot tub area without prior approval
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3611155vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Albuquerque
Located in Albuquerque, this holiday home is in the mountains. First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater and National Museum of Nuclear Science & History are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit ABQ Uptown and Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market. Hinkle Family Fun Center and Expo New Mexico are also worth visiting.
Sandia Foothills Open Space - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
Icon Cinema 4 Hills - 4 min drive - 4.9 km
Beverly Mountain Guides - 5 min drive - 4.9 km
Tijeras Open-Air Arts Market - 6 min drive - 9.8 km
Four Hills Country Club - 6 min drive - 6.4 km
Getting around
Alvarado Transportation Center - 17 min drive
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) - 21 min drive
Restaurants
Maverik - 7 min drive
McDonald's - 8 min drive
McDonald's - 6 min drive
Olive Garden - 7 min drive
Dutch Bros Coffee - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport?
As of 28 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport on 6 Jun 2026 start from £364, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Mountain house 18 minutes from ABQ airport located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Sandia Foothills Open Space and 2.7 mi (4.3 km) from Icon Cinema 4 Hills. Beverly Mountain Guides and Hinkle Family Fun Center are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful home to celebrate my mom’s 75th birthday! The house was spotless, beautifully maintained, and offered stunning views and sunsets that made the trip even more memorable. The owner was incredibly attentive, checking in regularly to ensure we had everything we needed. My mom truly enjoyed her stay, and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate such a special occasion. Highly recommend and would love to stay here again!
Jennifer M.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Jun 2025
Thank you so much Jennifer! What a kind response. We really appreciate your visit, and are so glad you enjoyed everything. Hope you can make it back!
Excellent stay with two other coiples all Navy Veteran friends. Love the house, the amenities, and the surrounding area. Close to main transportation routes so easy to get anywhere in the ABQ and Santa Fe area.
The house was beautifully designed, impeccably decorated and located in a serene mountain setting with gorgeous views from every window.
It is the perfect place for a family get together or a happy celebration or both.
Sandra C.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Feb 2024
Thanks so much Sandra - you were a pleasure to host, and hope you're able to stay again when you come back in town.
Stayed here for balloon fiesta and to ride our e-bikes in the desert. House was amazing and clean and wonderful. Host was easy to reach and helpful. Highly highly recommend!!
Renee B.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2023
Thanks so much for staying Renee! So glad you were able to enjoy New Mexico. You both were a pleasure to host, and are most welcome back anytime!
Overall this was an incredible property and was exactly what I needed for this trip. I could not imagine staying somewhere else. The host leaves great little notes to help you through your trip and is always checking in to make sure you have everything you need. It is the best spot to wake up, fall asleep, and even spend some time during the day just enjoying.
Nolan H.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jan 2024
Really appreciate the positive review, Nolan, and it was great having you and your friend stay out at the house. Was really great connecting over the camp stuff as well, and hope you're able to make it out again soon!
We spent a week at this property and enjoyed every aspect of this home and location. The home is gorgeous, very well stocked, and incredibly comfortable. The owner is super responsive and checks in occasionally to make sure everything is going well. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets everyday; close to everything; quiet neighborhood. It was a wonderful place to return to after a day of exploring!
Karen A.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Apr 2024
Karen, thanks for your incredibly positive review - it was so nice being able to host you, and very much appreciate your positive comments! Please come back soon!
This home was exactly as advertised. Very spacious home in quiet neighborhood with amazing views! Communication was great the host replied quickly. Check in/out were easy. We loved the location right off the highway making it easy to get to where we wanted to go.
We enjoyed our stay and would def book again if we came back to the area.
We rented this place with our 3 adult children over Christmas and the pictures don't do it justice. The house was beautiful well laid out and tastefully furnished. the owner was excellent to deal with and helpful. It's a quiet area and easy to drive to anywhere you want to go. Stayed around Albuquerque many times and this place is wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to stay at your place
david e.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan 2024
Thanks so much for your review David - very kind of you. Really appreciate you coming out, and hope you're able to stay again before too long.
This house was amazing. The beds were very comfortable. The kitchen was beyond well-stocked. It is a great place for relaxation, as it is right next to the mountains and is very private. The owner was very responsive. There are trails into the mountains from the top of the neighborhood. The only negative is the smart lighting, which is a little annoying, as others have noted. But...that is not a big negative.
Emily N.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2025
Thank you Emily! We really appreciate your stay and positive review, and hope you can make it back out. Yes, the smart lighting can be an adjustment for sure. It was a balance for us between efficiency of not having to turn every light on and off in the house, and the convenience of - for example - the lights all coming on at sunset, with the learning curve. We will continue to evaluate that balance, though, and appreciate your comments in that effort! Thank you so much again, and glad it worked out for you!
The house was wonderful and worked very well for our family. The neighborhood is quiet and secluded from the city hubbub but it is only a short drive to all the great area attractions. Love the scenery in the area and the house has some amazing views out the large windows in the living and dining areas. The lights in the house are a little tricky to get the hang of initially but we eventually figured things out! The host has a video that certainly helps to view a couple of times in this regard! The only negative was that the living and dining area get a bit warm but I imagine most of that is due to the enormous windows and the intense Sun scorching the house. Would absolutely consider staying again if we visit the are in the future!
Ryan F.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jun 2024
Thanks Ryan! Really appreciate your stay, and I appreciate that you saw the same positives as we do in the house ;).
Yes, agreed - that afternoon sun can be a bit warm, which was a tradeoff of course for the unobstructed views we chose over curtains. We have always found that the dual zone AC system keeps things cool enough, but we totally get it.
And yes - the lights can be a bit tricky at first. Glad the video helped, and hopefully the once you got the hang of it, the automatic lights made it easier than having to turn off each light in the house individually!
Anyway, thanks again for your visit!
About the host
Hosted by Trey Caples
Hello everyone! I'm originally from Ohio, now living in New Mexico. I travel quite a bit for work in the nonprofit sector, so now offer my home in New Mexico to share the beauty with the rest of the world while I'm away!