See all properties
Entire home

Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

Photo gallery for Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

Hot tub, pool and sunsets!
Heart of the desert
Sunset over the Rincon mountains looking down the road to the house
Sunset over the Santa Catalinas, looking toward the front of the house
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8250.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
Tucson, AZ
  • Saguaro National Park
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Sabino Canyon
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Tucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Casita

1 King Bed

Guest bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Guest bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Primary Bedroom

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Casita Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Hallway Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

Welcome to our beautiful and unique family home on three private acres on the east side of Tucson. Gorgeous views of mountains and desert abound and sunsets always provide a wonderful evening show to enjoy from the spacious patio and pool area. An updated and open living/dining/kitchen space brings all the comforts of home.
There are four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The primary suite has a king size bed and a large attached bathroom. The other two bedrooms in the main house have queen size beds and are just across the hallway from a full bathroom. A private, separate casita off the back patio has a king size bed, walk in closet and full bathroom. Two living areas provide lots of comfy seating for reading a book, watching a movie or playing games. The kitchen is fully stocked and ready for creating delicious meals. A screened-in patio lounge area is perfect for enjoying warm evening breezes and mountain views.
The back of the home shines with a large pool, a hot tub, covered spaces, open areas to take some sun, lots of privacy and, above all, those mountain views! It is quiet and relaxing and, simply, wonderful.
If you can bring yourself to leave the house, activities abound. Shopping, dining, hiking and other local attractions are all nearby. The home is very private and feels worlds away but it is just a few minutes from grocery stores, restaurants and a movie theater. Downtown Tucson, funky 4th Avenue and the University of Arizona are within a twenty minute drive.
Also, since the home is surrounded by lots of beautiful desert, it is important to know that you may see desert wildlife including javelinas, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, coyotes, bobcats, lizards, tortoises, roadrunners and many other kinds of birds. These desert denizens are exciting to see but must be observed from a distance and left alone.
We invite you to enjoy this "gem in the heart of the desert"

Property manager

Michael Smedley
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Rancho Venado Tucson

Rancho Venado Tucson, One of a kind, spiritual desert oasis in NE Tucson

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
10.0 out of 10, (50 reviews)
Rancho Venado Tucson, One of a kind, spiritual desert oasis in NE Tucson

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Adult supervision is necessary
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please DO NOT flush anything down the toilet aside from toilet tissue! NO wipes, hygiene products, paper towels, etc.

Important information

You need to know

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Tucson

Located in Houghton, a neighbourhood in Tucson, this holiday home is in the mountains. Pima Air and Space Museum is a popular attraction and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at The BLOC climbing + fitness or Disruptive Paintball Inc. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Saguaro National Park - 8 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Park Place Mall - 12 min drive - 11.5 km
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base - 16 min drive - 15.6 km
  • Sabino Canyon - 21 min drive - 18.4 km
  • Pima Air and Space Museum - 22 min drive - 22.4 km

Getting around

  • Tucson Station - 23 min drive
  • Tucson International Airport (TUS) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Jack in the Box - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Bread and Butter Cafe - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert located?

Located in Houghton, this holiday home is 1.3 mi (2.2 km) from B & B Cactus Farm and 2.4 mi (3.8 km) from Saguaro National Park. Broadway Trail and 49er Country Club are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brad B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family gathering place

Awesome house. Great location for biking and hiking
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Sunset! Delightful Desert!

Stunning! Tastefully decorated! Beautiful furniture. Perfect in every way! The cleanest home I’ve ever rented. Everyone in the family enjoyed it as much as I did.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Really is a gem

This place had pretty much everything we could want: a delightfully furnished and comfortable place, perfect location especially for nature excursions, a kitchen full of nice things (even the knives were sharp - have you been to a VRBO where the knives were actually sharp?), hot tub and pool, super nice yard, and an incredibly responsive host. If you read the description of this place and think you might like it, then you surely will.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Aviva S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect long weekend get together

Our book club met for a long weekend in Tucson. The house was perfect for having conversation on the patio and ample indoor seating. The kitchen is beautiful and was easy for our group to prep meals in. The owners included many helpful amenities such as sunscreen and robes in each room. The hot tub and stars at night were an exceptional part of the stay. Easy access to national wilderness trailheads kept us busy. We would highly recommend this beautiful property
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

Really enjoyed the views, and lay out of the home!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cora C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving Holiday

My family of 5 stayed at this Tuscon Gem for the Thanksgiving holiday. The house is perfectly described in VRBO. We comfortably made the house our home away from home as we cooked for Thanksgiving and all meals in the well-appointed kitchen, played games, puzzles, and watched TV together in a room big enough for all of us, and enjoyed the amazing outdoor space as we relaxed into the night with beautiful sunsets. Excellent communication with the host. I wouldn't stay anywhere else if I come back to Tuscon.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dessert vibe

Awesome property in a private setting was a great spot for an extended stay with close friends.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patti F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family time

Perfect for a family. Location and size of bedrooms great and wonderful kitchen and eating areas
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful experience

Beautiful property and home. Great hosts.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular

Everything about this place was perfect, from the spectacular desert setting to the expertly equipped kitchen. You will not be disappointed.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patricia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very comfortable, well outfitted house!

We had a great experience staying in this home. All bedrooms were very comfortable, kitchen well outfitted, hot tub wonderful! Perfect spot to watch the superbowl Bonus, we saw a bobcat, roadrunners and great horned owl in back yard.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Crystal K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best VRBO we’ve ever had

We do VRBO’s at least a few times a year. With family in Tucson we come a few times a year and this was the best yet. Beautiful views and grounds. The best stocked VRBO- and not yard sale stuff but quality cooking tools, dishes, etc. Beds were very comfortable. Very clean and well maintained. We plan on making this our go to for our future Tucson stays.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark T.

Wonderful home in the desert

Your renovated desert home was a true joy to live in for our family. From a great kitchen to very comfortable beds and furnishings, we wanted for nothing more than just to spend another day by the pool enjoying the view and quiet. Thank you for making our stay so enjoyable!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tammi Jo B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home and area!

We were at this property for 3 nights and were so pleased with everything! The home is beautifully decorated, cozy, clean and had all the comforts of home. Kitchen was well-appointed and spacious. The backyard and pool area was wonderful, and the sunsets were spectacular. Our host, Michael, was extremely gracious and responsive. Highly recommend and would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Gem in Tucson

This was our 2nd stay at this incredible home! It is the perfect space for us and our extended family to come together for vacation and not be falling over one another. Nothing beats the sunrises and sunsets from the back patio. Michael and Brian are superb hosts and have the house stocked with everything needed for a vacation away from home.

10/10 Excellent

Betty Jo B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Top-notch in Tucson

What a wonderful place. The view is spectacular; the home so comfortable AND interesting--full of local art and decor. Nothing hotel-ish here. We drank in the view every morning and evening and loved "coming home" every day after doing some sight seeing. I almost hestitate (but of course I did) to give it five stars because I fear it won't be available if we try to come again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Todd N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our 2020 Tucson gem show extravaganza

Our 2020 Tucson gem show extravaganza was absolutely amazing. Our stay at this property was wonderful. Fantastic kitchen, dining areas, and luxurious relaxation spaces made this one of our greatest trips ever. Beautiful sunsets every evening. What a place!
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ellen L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing once again!

Tucson holds a special place in our hearts and Michael's home is the cherry on top! Everything is wonderful, no complaints whatsoever.

10/10 Excellent

Ronald S., Maumee, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dessert Oasis

This property is the perfect dessert getaway. Beautiful sunsets, mountain views , a pool, hot tub and so much more. And, close to activities and restaurants. The house was very clean and ready for our arrival. Michael was a great host and was very communicative. The kitchen is well stocked as we cooked several meals during our stay finding everything we needed. Great place to unwind!

10/10 Excellent

Dan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxation in a desert oasis

What a special house, the backyard landscaping, the pool, the hot tub and the views of the desert and mountains were all so fantastic. The house itself is beautifully done with all the amenities and a nicely stocked kitchen. I also loved that I was a 10 minute drive from numerous hikes in Saguaro National Park. Truly a special place to gather with friends/family. Highly recommended.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Glenn D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing

We could not be happier. The house and grounds are immaculate with everything you need. This was a perfect 5 night getaway before a family wedding. The pool is great. The birding is excellent. We felt surrounded by peace, quiet and nature. The views are spectacular. A perfect rental.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Staycation

Enjoyed this "Staycation" with family from out of town for a week. The pool temperature was perfect (85 degrees) and hot tub worked great. This house had all the extras you could ask for. Kitchen was fully stocked and outdoor grill worked well. Located in a quiet area away from the city. You won't be disappointed with this Tucson Gem!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenny V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Desert Dream

We were a three generational family on vacation for the week and the home was perfect for us. My parents stayed in the beautiful casita, which gave them a litte privacy and my kids played in the pool until sunset. We enjoyed cooking our meals in the well stocked kitchen and eating at the outdoor table. The art and furniture around the home added to the ambiance of being in the desert. The house was very clean,and Michael was easy to connect with. The sunsets from the backyard were amazing and all the different birds were so peaceful to listen to in the mornings. Looking forward to a return visit.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben W., United States

Best in Tucson

Lovely house with stunning mountain views, beautiful desert landscaping and interior finishes. We were glad to get back there after a long day and some days just sat by the pool and never left. Michael was friendly and helpful, the house was immaculate. We visit Tucson once a year to see family and this is the best house we've had in 5 years. Highly recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

AQhA194AAACqAQICAHhRqf5uyCh4rhrpAEcd0Lr3O2ECPWffSl2fK29sG1pXlAEsMK7kNfa/m7sfiF0mhXg9AAAAcDBuBgkqhkiG9w0BBwagYTBfAgEAMFoGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMsTub5UfZ+Xbbd2ItAgEQgC3Q/9MXWFCuwYSVXMXm8sjHU/elzZxw6kCldED8Hnm65V9Ue6Tbp8YLmKb6g1vEmJMjdaLdKtJmqvYP77GfuaYO3uhVH4GKiskZS6qOT5c A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving week

We had a wonderful week at this lovely house which is in a beautiful setting just west of Saguaro NP east. The house is very private, beautifully landscaped and well appointed. The views are spectacular and each and every sunset was stunning. A very nice pool and hot tub were popular with our kids. Highly recommend this house. The pictures don’t do it justice.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2019

About the host

Hosted by Michael Smedley

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests