Mirage & Mesa

Pool terrace with open desert views, a fire pit for starlit evenings, and a separate casita – this house in Twentynine Palms is a serious desert retreat for groups. Sliding glass doors on both sides frame uninterrupted Joshua Tree landscape from nearly every room, while the game room, wet bar lounge, and alfresco dining for ten mean there's plenty to keep everyone busy without leaving the garden. Indian Cove, one of the quieter entry points into Joshua Tree National Park, is a five-minute drive away when the wilder side of the desert calls.

Home truths:
* You're deep in the desert here, with no walkable shops or restaurants nearby. Downtown Joshua Tree and downtown 29 Palms are each around a ten-minute drive, so you'll want to stock up on groceries before settling in.
* The casita bedrooms share a single bathroom between them rather than having en-suite facilities, so if your group is split across the main house and casita, bear that in mind when allocating rooms.
* Parking is available on site for up to six cars, but all vehicles must stay within the driveway or garage – there's no on-street parking, and cars blocking the pavement risk being ticketed or towed.
* The swimming pool isn't fenced. You'll need to keep an eye on little ones at all times.