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Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

Holiday home in Tucson with private pool and kitchen

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

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Saguaro National Park
  • Place, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
  • Place, Sabino Canyon
  • Airport, Tucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)

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"

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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi

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House Rules

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

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

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon. B & B Cactus Farm and Golf N' Stuff Family Fun Center are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • Saguaro National Park - 5 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Park Place Mall - 12 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Davis-Monthan Air Force Base - 17 min drive - 15.2 km
  • University of Arizona - 22 min drive - 20.8 km
  • Sabino Canyon - 23 min drive - 14.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬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 within 3 miles (5 km) of B & B Cactus Farm, Saguaro National Park and Broadway Trail. 49er Country Club is 3 mi (4.9 km) away.

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. 44 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

Ron W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We found everything about this property just as described (or even better)! It is a place secluded enough to be very quiet and afford views of the mountains beyond, yet is near to the city. There is space both inside and outside for a group like us (of 6, all older) to relax, spend time together (or apart to read or snooze). The home is equipped with anything and everything we needed, and is simply beautiful. Someone with an eye for echoing the desert's beauty with the colors, art and inside furnishings created the indoor ambiance. And, best of all, we had easy and quick communication with our host, Michael. His immediate advice and answers to questions were so helpful. If all this sounds too good to be true--you simply haven't been here. Our family gathering couldn't have happened in a more lovely, secluded spot. Our hats off to Michael.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

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

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

Laura N., Pebble Beach, CA

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

Another fantastic stay!

This is our second stay -- our family loves this home! Some of the things that we appreciate -- the home is really spotlessly clean, it's incredibly well-stocked with everything we need, the hot-tub is perfect after a day of hiking and mountain biking, it's quiet but still close to everything, the open floor-plan is nicely furnished (not old crappy furniture), the outdoor areas are really wonderful...I could go on and on. It really feels like a vacation home and not just somewhere to stay while we're in town, because the home is so well furnished and maintained, and everyone can just relax and enjoy. We would definitely recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb H.

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

Truly a GEM

This truly was a GEM of a property. The house is as functional as it is beautiful - an abundant of amenities!! The inside was impeccable and stocked with necessities as well as comfortable for spending time together as a family. I have never seen such exquisite sunrises and sunsets as the ones that we viewed from the pool area every day. Our son is stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB for the next several years and we will be coming from PA to stay here many more times! Michael was excellent at communicating, very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Excellent Stay

The house is set on a very nice private area. It came with everything we needed except groceries. We really enjoyed the view and surrounding wildlife. You could hear the coyotes at night and had seen them in the morning. We also had wild pheasant and a bobcat in the area. The view of the mountains with the sunrise and sunsets where amazing. Micheal was very professional and very cooperative and accommodating when we had an early check in. The house was clean and well maintained and look forward to a return visit. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Heidi B.

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

Nature with Mountain View’s

This is a fabulous property! My husband and I stayed for a week with our 8 & 10 year olds. My sister joined us for a few days as well and loved having her own space in the casita. The home is beautifully furnished. The property has stunning mountain views and the twinkling city lights were also so beautiful at night or early before the sunrise. Even though it was winter, the kids did cold jumps into the pool and everyone enjoyed the hot tub while watching the sunsets. The wildlife was abundant and we all loved listening to the coyotes at dusk and dawn. The house was so clean and wonderfully stocked with everything you could possibly need. Communication with Michael was fabulous. We truly enjoyed staying at this home for our family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gem in the Heart of the Desert is the perfect name for this property! All expectations were exceeded. Host was very responsive to questions. House and yard were gorgeous. Location was private and offered a true desert experience. Easy access to all needed amenities.
Daily sunsets were gorgeous
Pool was wonderful
House is nestled in the desert
Loved the wildlife
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jocelyn V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of four was looking to decompress after the school year ended. We found that and more-some with this location! The thoughtful design and decor, comfy porch for morning coffee, cozy bedding and amenities are top notch. The outdoor space is awesome with expansive views and a fantastic pool and hot tub! A note for those with kids under 8 or 9–this pool isn’t for you due to its depth. The lounge chairs are tucked away from the sun early and late in the day but are easy to move if needed. Finally…it was very private and quiet, which we so appreciated. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary Z.

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

Most amazing sunset

We were so happy with this home. We loved floating in the pool and watching sunsets. Very clean and lots of amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clare B.

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

Beautiful place in a peaceful location

The house is beautiful, comfortable and exceeded our expectations. Serene views of the mountains, secluded location. So lovely to sit on the patio and watch the sun set. Highly recommend if you love being out in nature. Would stay again in a heartbeat.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

About the host

Hosted by Michael Smedley

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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