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    Kate's Lazy Desert

    4.0 (19 reviews)
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    Planet Air - our home away from home.  So Sweet!
    Erin S.

    My bestie and I decided a trip to the desert was in order. This is one of her favorite areas on the planet and I needed to get away. And being avid B52's fans and we used to be in a B's Tribute band, we thought, why not, let's visit Kate's Lazy Desert! I have always wanted to go and my friend made the reservations once we settled on wanting to spend the next full moon there. What a treat! We were greeted by a super cute trailer and a pool full of clean cool water. Planet Air had been our second choice of trailer because, of course we wanted to stay in the one with all the B52s memorabailia, it wasn't available so we secured Planet Air, with all it's Oranges, reds, pinks and yellows. The AC was on when we arrived and we unpacked and immediately made our way to the poolside. It was great. We met Kat and she took such good care of us and was really great! So friendly and helpful. We were the only campers for both the days/nights we were there. Great for us, to be outside under the full moon. The quiet, was just what we needed. Everything worked great, and the trailers are taken really great care of. We will be back, to try out a different trailer sometime, perfect get away. Thank you Kate's Lazy Desert, someday I will do a pilgramage to your Meadow location! It was like going to mecca.

    My husband and I wanted to do something unique for the night so we chose to stay at Kate's Lazy Desert on 11/01/18. The 8 hour drive (from the SF Bay Area) was absolutely worth it. Most of the drive is very easy and simple until you're about half a mile away and then it turns into desert roads. Driving in the sand felt similar to snow. We used our small Toyota Yaris to get there and we had no major issues. I just strongly suggest you get there before the sun begins to set so you know where you're going. It was very easy to get through the gates but our airstream was locked so we had to call Kat but she showed up in less than 2 minutes (she lives across the road from the airstreams). They provide you with her information in the reservation so make sure you print that out. The airstream/area looks the exact same in person as it does in the photos online (super cute and unique). It's very clean and well organized. I can't speak for the other months, but when we got there at 3pm (in November), the airstream felt pretty warm inside but do not worry! It will cool down once the sun sets and you have plenty of blankets to keep you warm. We brought firewood with us so our fire kept us warm outside for most of the night. The bed was very comfortable and we woke up to a beautiful sunrise. A few misc. things: - The airstreams do not have a hairdryer (not that that's very important, I was just trying to figure out if I needed to bring mine and I couldn't see anything in the reviews so I thought I'd mention it here!) - They offer wifi (I think its $12/day) but we had pretty good reception here (we FaceTimed my in-laws) so I just used my own personal data. - Don't attempt to wash your car BEFORE you come here because your car will be very dusty by the end of the trip! ; ) Overall, this place is perfect for relaxation and a fun memory you can look back on. The sun set/rise is breathtaking! I hope you have fun! :)

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    Field Station - Cute puppies allowed. And old ones too.

    Field Station

    (31 reviews)

    The Field Station is all that you want in a hotel. It is…read moreaffordable, clean, and in a good location. I paid about $131 a night. It is close to a lot of great restaurants and hiking trails. The room was very clean and spacious. The design of the room is a little different than other hotels. I myself like the simplicity of it. I also loved the patio access and community fire pit. I got to meet some very nice travelers. I noticed many retired couples and out of country vacationers. The staff at the lobby are great, nice, and funny. They also have a maintenance guy name Mikey. The is very polite, and fast responding to requests. I had an injured foot. So I could not use the pool amenities. In the pool area, they also have games to play. Such as corn hole, and others. The only thing that they are missing. Is a complementary breakfast. I would definitely stay again.

    I want to like Field Station. I like their concept, renewing an out of date motel and curating an…read moreadventure hub that you can rely on for a consistent experience across their brand (though their Moab location was sold to a corporate chain). But after multiple stays, I'm concluding it's all a bit half-assed, and not well-thought out. The good things: the entire campus is so clean. Our rooms were immaculate, very modern, and common spaces were cute and welcoming. The beds are 1000% the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever stayed on. Towels are comfortable, and I ended up ordering a set the first time I stayed here. Our spacious room was great for organizing and sorting gear before/after JTree adventures. And the Nomadix blankets are great for winter stays - they turn into a cape that I can multitask in (read: have a drink by the fire pit) while staying cozy. Oh, and I was given a returning customer discount when I emailed ahead of booking. Now for the not so good things that you should consider before staying here: 1. It's an old hotel with thin walls, despite the refurbishment. You will hear your neighbors, and your neighbors will hear you. And if you have a grumpy guest yelling at the poor staff for things out of their control, you'll hear that too. 2. It likely depends on the room, but don't plan to use all 5 beds if you book the double bunk room. We booked the room for a group of climbers, and luckily our 5th opted to get a separate room with their partner because one of the top bunks is directly beneath both the ceiling lamp (heating the bed space and blocking the light from reaching most of the room that doesn't have any other lighting) and beneath the only air vent in the room (which kicks on every 30 minutes, directly into the pillow side of the upper bunk). I "slept" in this bunk one night, and couldn't figure out a way to block the air from sweeping onto me and waking me up every time. 3. No matter the room, it comes with an uncomfortable camping bench for two. Yes even in the room supposedly meant for 10. The luggage bench, with its bumpy rubber rails (our room was missing the bench cushions other rooms had) was not suitable for anyone trying to play board games (nor was the tiny table). We grabbed the folding chair out of the primary bedroom and pulled in the 2 Adirondack chairs from the balcony. 4. There's two outlets in the main living area - one for the fridge and one for supposedly 8 people's worth of rechargeables. No extension cords or surge protectors at Field Station, we asked. In a smaller room I stayed in, they were part of the furniture next to the bed. In the double bunk room, plan to invade the primary bedroom with your phones, watches, headlamps, battery packs, etc. 5. The WiFi was shoddy enough in our building that not even the TV could connect to anything. After 20 minutes of letting it buffer, freeze, and snow, we gave up. 6. The bathroom is claustrophobically small, you'll have to spin in place to close the door. The window looks directly into another bathroom. And there is extremely limited spots to hang a wet towel - ONE hook in or near the bathroom, no crossbar under the sink, no rod in what used to be the closet alcove, anything. We got creative hanging it from chairs and bed posts, but this felt ridiculous for it not being a hostel. 7. No amenities in room except for a fridge and a thermostat (which was a plus that it worked well). The microwave is in the lobby, purchase coffee at the cafe, and we brought our own camp kitchen to slap some sandwiches together before we headed out for the day. 8. Don't expect to use the fire pit for s'mores. I'd called in advance to ask, and got incorrect info that we could roast mallows, but staff politely asked us not to because they can't have things dripping into the metal rings. 9. Gear shop doesn't have much in the way of gear. It's 90% clothing with a few technical items under a glass display case. Familiar brands like Outdoor Research and Black Diamond though! All in all, our stay was nearly $1,000 and there were far more cons than pros. I'd recommend Field Station for a couple or family, but if you want to book as a group in a suite, I'd continue looking.

    Rimrock Ranch - Magic and Celebration!
 Love and JOY!

    Rimrock Ranch

    (83 reviews)

    $$

    We had the honor of celebrating our wedding at Rimrock Ranch on November 1st, and I cannot…read moreemphasize enough what an incredible experience we had. From our first meeting, Gwen made sure we were taken care of -- from a detailed list of recommended vendors (all of whom were amazing), so check-ins as we got closer to our date, being available as my stress started to spike, her rockstar team who welcomed us and made sure we had everything we needed -- and most of all, the most magical backdrop for our special day. Rimrock was perfect. We had about 120 guests, which felt like the perfect size for us. There was enough parking for all (we did encourage carpooling and pre-booking taxis just to be sure). We had several of our friends stay on the ranch with us, which made the weekend even more special. We held a welcome dinner Friday night, with about 40-50 people -- Ranch staff made sure we had plenty of adult beverages while we enjoyed everyone's company. The Hatch House was lovely, and the perfect spot for me and my ladies to get our hair and makeup done before the ceremony. And the ceremony location -- pure magic. The venue naturally created so many beautiful photo opportunities for our guests, with that gorgeous sunset leaving everyone in awe. Gwen even offered to let us take some wedding photos with one of her horses! Not too hot or cold, but they had plenty of blankets for anyone who needed one. By the time it was over, my gratitude was endless -- Gwen, Eric and their team took such good care of us, and I felt so happy with every single moment. Five stars, highly recommend!!! Love you, Rimrock!!

    Beautiful desert venue for any special occasion. Sprawling property with lots of Country Charm and…read morevery nice rooms for guests.

    Hicksville Trailer Palace - Brought my own stuff

    Hicksville Trailer Palace

    (333 reviews)

    $$

    I cannot say enough good things about this charming little oasis out in the high desert of So…read moreCalif. Eleven wonderful and eclectic themed trailers, a swimming pool, hot tub, miniature golf, ping pong, bows and arrows and BB guns, the list goes on. (My favorite trailer is the Sideshow, based on a late 1800s circus train and the term "macabre" doesn't do it justice.) If you go, ask to talk with Erica who runs the place and she'll steer you to all the cool things to do, places to eat and drink in town as well. You will just plain LOVE it here!

    Review for Hicksville Trailer Palace Rating:…read more Hicksville Trailer Palace is definitely an experience. It's a great spot if you're looking for something unique in the Joshua Tree area, but there are a few things you should know before you head out into the desert. The Arrival & Check-In Getting here can be a bit of a puzzle. If you follow your GPS to the provided address, it will likely take you to Foxy Flats Road. The HTP directions suggest a different route but aren't the clearest. Pro Tip: Drive past Foxy Flats until you hit the stop sign, then take a left on Boarder and another left on La Brisa. If you have a truck or SUV, don't bother going the extra mile. Foxy Flats is bumpy in places but not that bad. Once we arrived around 7:00 PM, the vibe was a little awkward. Check-in is technically 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM, but the innkeeper, Jessica, seemed a bit put out that we didn't arrive earlier. It wasn't the warmest welcome, which set a bit of a rough tone for the start of the trip. The Stay & Maintenance The property itself is showing some age. We ran into a few maintenance hiccups during our stay: Lighting: We had a blown bulb in the bathroom (Jessica did fix this quickly once reported). Plumbing: We had no hot water initially. When we finally figured out how it worked, we found that there were only 2 settings: scalding and freezing. At least it was better than having to use the communal shower and toilet that most guests have to share. Overall Condition: You can tell there's been a general decline in the upkeep of the property and some of the equipment. The Highlights (The "Fun" Factor) Despite the rough start, the "Palace" shines when it comes to activities. It's 21+ and dog-friendly, which makes for a very chill, adult-playground atmosphere. We had a blast exploring the quirky amenities: Activities: Archery, BB guns, shuffleboard, and mini-golf. Games: Ping pong, darts, and a ball pit. Relaxation: A pool, hot tub, fire pits, and a cute little library. Final Verdict Is it worth it? If you want a one-of-a-kind, kitschy desert experience, it's worth staying once. It's fun, quirky, and full of personality, but just go in with managed expectations regarding the service and the "wear and tear" of the grounds.

    Mojave Sands Motel - Outstanding heat/air with convenient remote.

    Mojave Sands Motel

    (66 reviews)

    $$$

    For my Joshua Tree National Park vacation I was traveling with a ten month old and really wanted to…read morefind a unique hotel. I searched and searched until I finally found this one. Mojave Sands was perfect for our stay. Only a few rooms on site, pretty secure to get in, easy to get to our room, and large enough to be comfortable for our little family. We were able to set up our Pack and Play in our room and then layout a play area in the living room by the kitchen. I really enjoyed our stay and what I mention next is not bad just tips that I would have liked to have known: We stayed in Suite 1 which was closest to the road and it was tough for baby to take his naps. The rooms have lots of windows but none of the shades fully block the window, again making it hard for him to take naps and, for adults, hard to sleep in when the sun is blistering through the windows at 7am haha (it doesn't matter we're up at 7 anyways), the kitchen was very small, I so wish it had a microwave or an oven. Lastly, the floors are concrete, which I'm sure is appreciated during the summer, but in the winter, even with the heaters on at almost 80 F, I was absolutely freezing when sleeping, i had to wear my slippers and a turtle neck to stop shivering. My husband was fine, but I'm a cold person and I wished I had an extra blanket. Location was great and close to the West entrance and super close to the visitor center and Road Runner cafe (side note, just go to Walmart a little further and get food for the park, Road Runner was expensive and the sandwiches were ok at best). Overall, loved our stay and so glad I booked it!

    This is a one of a kind boutique hotel. It calls itself a motel but I think it's far too special…read moreto have that demotion. I and friends from Canada stayed here after a day in Joshua Tree National Park. This place is in a great location with lots of places to enjoy local color within walking distance. Assuredly the perfect spot to decompress. We found this place online and the owner was wonderful, over the phone, to book our stay. Everything went exactly as she'd said it would regarding receiving necessary gate codes, etc. We were not disappointed on arrival; this place is spectacularly special. Literally, a hidden oasis that has been thoughtfully, artistically created to provide a very unique zen experience. We loved the secluded, quiet vibe and it was so beautiful. We used the suite and one of the regular rooms. The suite was a two level masterpiece with plenty of seating, a small kitchen and carefully chosen art pieces that elevate the ambiance. It has picture windows that provide a dynamite view and you've got the option to draw blinds for privacy. The beds and linens were so comfortable that my Canadian friend said her husband got the best night sleep here; out of their entire trip to California. My room was perfect. Warm, so comfortable, and with a thoughtful artistic touch. The architectural details of modern, mixing hard and soft with an Asian zen/Americana 50' vibe. The icing on the cake was my golden retriever was also welcome. He thoroughly enjoyed having a safe, enclosed area to chill with his humans. For sure, the next trip to the 29 Palms side of Joshua Tree will include another stay here. Highly recommend here for a very unique, relaxed, pet friendly respite!

    Spark by Hilton Yucca Valley Joshua Tree - Nice bed and bathroom. But the Forced air unit  by the bed not good..

    Spark by Hilton Yucca Valley Joshua Tree

    (10 reviews)

    The room that I booked was a three room suite for my boyfriend's birthday and we went with his…read morelittle brother. We planned to explore Joshua Tree and Pioneer town for one day/night. We arrived closer to 4:00pm and according to the front desk staff the room was not ready yet due to the previous guests leaving their luggage that the housekeeping or staff could not touch. My bf was excited and was disappointed our room was not yet ready (check in is at 3:00pm) and requested a discount and I didn't want to cause issues so I suggested a late check out for the next day. The front desk staff said she would speak to the owner. The owner called himself the "manager" and for some reason checked their computer and said he would give me until 2pm check out the next day which I thought was fair. I requested a physical print out of the 2:00pm check out. He said he would. We went to get food at the Mexican fast food restaurant nearby for close to 45 minutes, which was good by the way. We had our luggage held in their room while our suite was "not ready" which had printers set up next to the check in area. You can clearly hear this man talk to his front desk member about our belongings. We came back 40 min later it's already almost 6pm and the "manager" aka "owner" was there (because that's who the front desk member identified him as). So according to the front desk staff, our room is still not ready. She said she would check in with the housekeeping and it would be ready in 20-30 min. So let's see it's already about 6:15-620pm. The manager proceeds to tell us to get some refreshments and snacks in the waiting area. We wait... I confirm that we can check out the following day at 2:00pm like he said earlier and he checks in the computer again that supposedly I'm not a diamond or gold member which I never said I was (I don't even know why he had the idea that I was) and the best he can do is 12:00pm. REALLY!! This is when I go off on him. Saying he was the one that was late on having the suite ready and he brings up me booking through a 3rd party (Orbitz) and he can't do anything about it. This is to the damn manager aKA OWNER Alex**Your employee literally said YOU ARE THE OWNER. NO WONDER YOU ARE SHORT STAFFED AND HAVE THE NERVE TO RAISE YOUR VOICE AT YOUR EMPLOYEES and GUESTS. They look like they hate their job! They do not seem to respect you and you clearly made me feel uncomfortable and disrespected at your establishment.** Also, I just fractured my left foot 3 weeks ago, not that it matters but this man is literally raising his voice to a temporarily disabled woman WITH A MEDICAL CAM BOOT aka me ugh!!! I told him that I've been so courteous this whole time and I was going to write a thorough review and that's when he changed his tone. By the end, I said I was done and he even had the nerve to tell me if I check out at 2:01pm he would charge me a full day. Overall, the suite itself was spacious, clean. There was a pool area, but you can hear through the walls, family's screaming, and the suite does not even have toiletries replenished completely, no hair dryer, or freezer. I was also looking for maybe a plastic cup or two. The staff seem so miserable based on my observation. They did not give any info of location and fun stuff to do, but based on my experience with the owner/manager no wonder they want to get the heck out of there. Breakfast is a joke and ends so early because the owner or one of the "managers" wants to be cheap. I'm never booking there ever again. I rather pay the extra money closer to Joshua Tree for the full experience at an air b and b or a nicer hotel. I called the next day to confirm the 2:00pm check out with no charge again. He again went off saying he never said that like a little child. Pull the cameras sir and let's see who is right. I will always defend myself when I feel like I am being taken advantage of. It's a shady hotel. Never book here. Unless you want to be screamed at and lied to. Trust me.

    This was one of the most concerning hotel experiences I've ever had…read more Our group booked ~12 rooms for a work trip, and on the first night, multiple guests had an unknown man enter their rooms in the middle of the night. He also banged on doors and made disturbing phone calls to rooms. It was a serious safety issue--not just a "bad stay." On top of that, check-in took over 2 hours late at night because staff didn't know which rooms were available. Management's response was just as disappointing. The issue was handled dismissively at the time, and it took weeks to get a follow-up. Even then, they acknowledged errors but only offered a minimal partial refund and tried to justify it by saying the hotel also experienced "loss." Completely unacceptable. Safety should never be compromised like this. Would not recommend.

    Pioneertown Motel - Spacious and clean room. Bed was comfy.

    Pioneertown Motel

    (159 reviews)

    $$

    Booked a week prior to our stay. Our first half of original…read moreroad trip itinerary was cancelled due to bad weather in the upper Sierras. Thank goodness, my impulse gave me some patience to scroll through available rooms at Pioneertown Motel's website. The Red Cabin caught my attention immediately. Although the website's description doesn't offer further detail on cabin amenities, feel free to call the office and ask your questions. At least Red Cabin parking is available at the backyard, next to Red Dog Saloon. I thought we had to park closer to the motel property and trek- since parking on Mane Street is frowned upon. I felt a review for the Red Cabin, specifically was needed- since I haven't stumbled upon one on Yelp or Google. There are NO tv's. If you are aware of that ahead of time, you were given a heads up. Since this is not mentioned on their website. Yes, there is a guitar & tambourine available. And I happily enjoyed both. Although, I'm sure I annoyed my husband and friends. LOL Record player available & many awesome records to listen to. Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Mama & The Papas, The Beetles, & Alan Jackson to name a few. Sadly, no needle available for the record. I spoke to the front desk & management said they were on order. Nespresso machines just arrived the day before our arrival. And one is also available in The Canteen. WiFi is strong inside and near the Red Cabin. Huge front porch that has cushioned seats and provides great shade from blistering sun. The AC was up and running when we unlocked the doors. Which would definitely come in handy during hotter days. Both bedrooms also offer tower fans and mini space heaters. In the middle of the night, somehow the heat kicked inside the cabin & I thought my friend who slept on the couch turned it up in the middle of the night- she didn't. And she thought it was us! So, I wonder if it's on an automatic timer? Also, when we checked into the office, I asked if there'd be enough blankets and pillows. She told us to check the chest/ trunk in the bedroom. When we did- there were pillows. So, after dinner (Pappy & Harriet's) we walked to the office for the extra blankets. As for the picture of the L shaped leather couch on the website for Red Cabin... that couch is no longer available. Which was one of the reasons we booked the Red Cabin. Instead- there are 2 couches. The black leather couch sits on a wooden frame. The leather support straps under the cushions won't hold much weight and there's no support DIRECTLY under both cushions, and you could fall through. Use with caution. The brown sofa has three sections and will shift while you're sleeping- if you move while sleeping. Yikes. The mattresses in both rooms are comfortable and we all got a good nights sleep. KITCHEN: *Mini stove *No microwave *Mini fridge *Toaster *Blender *Nespresso machine *Pots/ pans/ dishes Bathroom: *Shower stall w/ great pressure *Extra toilet paper/ tissue *Shower gel/ shampoo/ conditioner *Towels The backyard is huge! Covered patio w/ outdoor string lights. Propane grill & Traeger Hammocks Horseshoes I love Pioneertown and loved my first night at the Red Cabin. Definitely would stay again

    Fantastic! What…read morebetter way to attend a concert at Pappy and Harriet's than to be walking distance, at least that was my thought when booking! Pioneertown Motel turned out to be so much more! Everyone here was SO friendly, just amazing! They have camp chairs in the rooms that you can use to go stargazing on the backside of the motel (also plenty of places to sit there). The room was super clean, the bed actually very comfortable. The Canteen was awesome, could grab some snacks, coffee, water and for us play some backgammon. Remember to book ahead as it seems that this place does book out (as it should), this will be our go to in this area every time. Thanks for the great stay Tom!

    Kate's Lazy Desert - hotels - Updated May 2026

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