We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Adriaan's house in Ancon. This is a truly unique property and location. If you’re up for a bit of adventure, keep reading. If you're looking for plush luxury and convenience, this may not be the best choice for you.
The house is so beautifully designed, with incredible attention to detail, and was thoughtfully and carefully planned to blend into its environment. And the environment is absolutely stunning. The house looks down onto La Ventana and has an unobstructed view of the entire bay, and is surrounded by cactus and desert plants. Outside seating areas are wonderfully appointed and comfortable, with amazing views. It was so relaxing to sit on the patio drinking coffee in the morning, enjoying the view of the bay and the sounds of the birds and the breeze. Beds are comfortable, sheets and towels are soft, and the kitchen has pretty much everything you need to cook great meals. The house is furnished with comfortable, well-designed furniture; each room features beautiful artwork and design touches. Though the house is remote, it’s well-located – it probably took us 15-20 minutes to get down to La Ventana and maybe 40 minutes to get to La Paz.
Yes, you have to drive on a somewhat bumpy dirt road for five minutes or so to get to the house (our rented VW sedan handled it, no problem). Yes, you will find spiders in every room – we didn’t bother them and they didn’t bother us. You’ll probably also find lizards in the house, and maybe even a scorpion. Such is life in the desert. Herds of cows (and if you’re lucky, goats) will share the road to the house with you and wander through the property with their gently ringing bells. If any of this concerns you, you probably shouldn’t rent Adriaan’s house. But if you’re up for a little adventure, and if you appreciate great architecture, stunning views, peace and quiet, and rustic luxury, RENT THIS HOUSE. You won’t regret it! I wish Adriaan could design a house for me in Seattle – but since that’s probably not going to happen, I’ll be looking forward to my next visit to this magical place.