Glass & Desert

Sliding glass doors dissolve the boundary between inside and out, so the desert landscape becomes as much a part of the living space as anything within it. Come dusk, the terrace and the elevated cowboy soaking pool – positioned squarely for valley views – make it hard to go back in at all. On quieter evenings, a projector and a vinyl turntable with a curated record collection give you plenty of reasons to stay put. Joshua Tree National Park is a five-minute drive, and the village's restaurants and shops are closer still.

Home truths:
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can arrange a cot and high chair. You'll need to request these in advance.
* Mobile signal varies depending on your network provider here, so don't rely on your phone as your only means of navigation or communication.
* The cowboy pool is seasonal, so it may not be available depending on when you visit – worth checking with your host before you arrive if that's a priority.
* You can enjoy complimentary access to a nearby swimming pool complex during your stay – this is available from May to September and is located 4.7 miles away.
* You'll need a car to get around – there's no public transport in this part of the high desert, and everything from groceries to the national park requires a drive. You can park up to two vehicles here.
* The access roads to this home are unpaved dirt tracks that can develop ruts after rain. A standard car is fine – four-wheel drive isn't required – but take it steady if the weather has been wet.