Entire home

Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

Photo gallery for Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert

A desert landscape with cacti and a house with a red roof, surrounded by mountains and a sunset sky.
A palm tree in a landscaped area with a paved path and a table.
A poolside area with lounge chairs and a palm tree.
A brick house with a covered porch, a satellite dish, and a chimney.
A bedroom with a brick wall, a bed, a dresser, and a ceiling fan.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Games
    A rare find - enjoy a variety of games available on-site.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Spa pool on site
  • Patio
  • Private pool
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Tucson, AZ
  • Place, B & B Cactus Farm
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Saguaro National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Broadway Trail
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)
    ‪37 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

Add dates for prices

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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 Kino Sports Complex or Udall Park Tennis Center. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.
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Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • B & B Cactus Farm - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Saguaro National Park - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Broadway Trail - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Forty Niner Country Club - 7 min drive - 5.7 km
  • Rincon Mountain Visitor Center - 7 min drive - 9.1 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Los Nopales - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬3 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.

How much does it cost to stay at Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert?

As of 5 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert on 18 November 2026 start from NZ$3,413, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Tucson Gem in the Heart of the Desert?

On-site parking is available at the 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 Forty Niner 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. 50 out of 52 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 52 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 52 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 52 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We very much enjoyed staying in this lovely home. It is in a quiet neighborhood and close to grocery stores,restaurants and shopping centers. The property is beautifully landscaped and the house is very comfortable.It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the Arizona sunshine!
Stayed 42 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House is perfectly put together with many entertaining areas though it was hard to move off the terrace with its expansive views and plethora of birds. Fully equipped kitchen. Host is very responsive. Looking forward to a return visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 15 March 2025
Thanks Brad! We are glad you all enjoyed your stay! Look us up again if your travel plans bring you back to Tucson. We’d be happy to host you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed here two years ago and knew we would have to come back. We returned last week and it was as beautiful and peaceful as we remembered. The backyard is a perfect place to enjoy meals, watch the sunrise/sunset, swim, and observe the wildlife. The kitchen has anything you need for cooking and the casita is an amazing extra space. We arrived late at night and Michael was kind enough to leave lights on for us. The house is so clean and the art is such a pleasure to look at in each room. We had the best week!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a phenomenal stay at this house. There was plenty of room for everyone, and the home was very well stocked with towels, utensils, dinnerware, and everything we needed. The house was extremely clean, and the backyard view was absolutely beautiful.Michael, the host, was very welcoming and incredibly responsive throughout our stay. The bedrooms are spacious, the beds are comfortable, and having two master suites was such a nice bonus.We highly recommend this property and would gladly stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 January 2026
Thank you for choosing our home for your stay and thank you also for the excellent review! We are so happy that you enjoyed your time at our Tucson Gem. If your travel plans bring you to Tucson in the future we would be delighted to host you again. Happy New Year and best wishes!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful experience

Beautiful property and home. Great hosts.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 February 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review! We appreciate it and we are glad you enjoyed your stay!! Let us know if your travel plans bring you back to Tucson. We’d be happy to host you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 20 February 2023
Thanks for the great review! We appreciate it and we are so glad you had a great stay. It is a great bonus to see the wildlife, especially the rare bobcat!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 23 March 2025
Thank you Susan! What a wonderful review and we are very happy that you loved your stay at our home. We’d be happy to host you and your family again if you come back to Tucson sometime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We booked this Tucson VRBO specifically looking for a quiet, secluded home with plenty of privacy for a romantic getaway, and it was absolutely perfect. From the moment we arrived, we felt like we had our own little private oasis in the desert.The house is beautifully maintained and very well equipped — the kitchen had everything we needed, and the layout made it feel spacious and comfortable. My wife especially loved starting her mornings on the patio, sipping coffee and watching the wildlife (quail, rabbits, and even a few lizards made appearances). The Southwest vibe throughout the home was charming and relaxing, with thoughtful touches that made it feel warm and inviting.If you're looking for peace, privacy, and a true desert escape, this property is ideal. We’d definitely return on our next trip to Tucson!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Thank you! It was great to meet you. We loved sharing the home with you and your family and we are so glad that it was a wonderful stay!!! We totally understand wanting one more day to enjoy the beautiful pool and views and always find it hard to leave. We hope to see you again the next time you visit Tucson. Best wishes!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family had an absolutely wonderful week. The property is gorgeous in the house is simply lovely. We were four adults and 3.5 month old, and the setting and accommodations were perfect for us. The house is very well equipped. There is everything you need for cooking, for enjoying time by the pool or in the hot tub, and looking at wildlife out in the yard. The house is also conveniently located a short drive from restaurants, stores, and Saguaro National Park. The owners have so thoughtfully prepared a book with instructions for the house, a guide to local wildlife and information on local activities. Any questions directed to the owners received very quick responses. I highly recommend this location and hope to go back again soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 24 March 2020
Thank you so much for the kind words! We are very happy that your stay at our home helped make your Tucson Gem Show vacation one of the best!! That makes us very happy :) Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 18 October 2022
Thank you so much for the great review! We're really glad you loved your stay and we'd be happy to host you again if your travel plans bring you to Tucson again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 June 2023
We are very glad you enjoyed another stay at our home! Thanks for being a return guest and if you come back to Tucson look us up!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 June 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review! It makes us happy to share our beautiful with our guests and we love it when people come back! Thanks again, until next year :)
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 29 March 2025
Thank you for the great review and thanks as well for choosing our home for your vacation! We are so happy that you enjoyed the house and that it was a great fit for you. Please look us up again if your future travel plans bring you back to Tucson!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Response from VrboOwner on 29 January 2025
Thanks for the great review and thanks for choosing our home for your book club weekend! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay :)
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