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Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA

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A living room with a wooden floor, a red patterned rug, a brown leather couch, a small coffee table, and a television on a wooden cabinet.
Complete Kitchen
A kitchen with white cabinets, a stainless steel stove, and a window above the sink.
Luxurious King Sized Bed
A cozy living room with a large rug, a sofa, a chair, a small table with a plant, and a dresser with shelves.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Balcony
    A rare find - enjoy views from the balcony.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to University of Arizona
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer/dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Tucson, AZ
  • Place, University of Arizona
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, McKale Center
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Arizona Stadium
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, Tucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA

Welcome to Villa Blanca Tortuga

Discover timeless Southwestern comfort blended with bespoke artistic charm at Villa Blanca Tortuga, a delightful loft-style retreat perched in a lovingly restored 1920s building. Perfectly situated in the historic Sam Hughes neighborhood, this second-floor carriage house apartment offers an oasis of tranquility and convenience, just two blocks from the University of Arizona, within a mile of the University Medical Center, and close to Tucson's iconic Gem Show venues.

A Thoughtful Blend of Comfort and Style
Step into a space thoughtfully designed to capture the spirit of old-world elegance while offering modern amenities. The bright and airy interior boasts:

Fully Equipped Kitchen: A gourmet stainless steel range, microwave, coffee maker, blender, and all the essentials to prepare your favorite meals.
Artfully Curated Dining Space: The patio offers seating for four, surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for intimate meals or quiet relaxation.
Luxury Furnishings: The bedroom features a Simmons Beautyrest Classic McCalister Plush Super Pillow Top King-sized bed for a restful night's sleep.
Modern Amenities:
Your stay includes high-speed internet, a deluxe 42-inch TV with 99 cable channels, a DVD player, and a high-efficiency washer/dryer. The vintage bathroom, complete with luxury linens, adds a touch of nostalgic charm to your experience.

Outdoor Serenity:
Savor Tucson's spectacular weather on the spacious rear patio, furnished with comfortable seating and surrounded by local flora. Enjoy alfresco dining, birdwatching, or simply relaxing with your morning coffee as butterflies flit about the small yard.

Convenience Meets Charm:
Complimentary off-street parking ensures a seamless experience, with a dedicated space just steps from your front door.

Pet-Friendly and Smoke-Free:
Well-behaved pets are welcome with prior approval, but smoking is never permitted, preserving the fresh and welcoming ambiance of Villa Blanca Tortuga.

Whether you’re visiting for relaxation, work, or exploration, Villa Blanca Tortuga warmly invites you to experience the charm, creativity, and timeless comfort of this Southwestern gem. Your unforgettable Tucson getaway starts here!

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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 13–17
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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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
🕚 Check-Out Standard check-out is 11:00 AM sharp. Need a little more time? Just text and we’ll see what we can do. Checking out early? Drop us a quick text “Adios” at 📞520-861-1353. Before You Go...
Please don’t leave dirty dishes. If you moved furniture, return it to its original spot. Keys to the basket where you found them. Turn off all lights, HVAC, & TVs. Lock doors using the twist lock.
We’ve got the cleaning covered, so just pack your boots and go. We sure hope to see you again—safe travels and happy trails. Y’all come back now, ya hear? 🌵 That’s it, amigos! Erica at Villa Blanca
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3884940
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Tucson

Located in Tucson, this cottage is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon, while Rialto Theatre and Pima Air and Space Museum are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Tucson Convention Center or Kino Sports Complex. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing, horse riding and mountain biking nearby.
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Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • University of Arizona - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • McKale Center - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Arizona Stadium - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Centennial Hall - 3 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Reid Park - 4 min drive - 2.3 km

Getting around

  • Tucson Station - 4 min drive
  • Roy Laos Transit Center - 14 min drive
  • Tucson International Airport (TUS) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Broadway - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Black Rock Coffee Bar - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Noodies - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Villa Blanca Tortuga: walk to UA?

As of 6 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Villa Blanca Tortuga: walk to UA on 7 July 2026 start from NZ$320, 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.

How much is parking at Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Boutique 1920's Sam Hughes Carriage House ~ Villa Blanca Tortuga & Walk to UA located?

This family-friendly cottage is located in the city centre, within 1 mi (2 km) of McKale Center and University of Arizona. Centennial Hall and Arizona Stadium are also within 1 mile (2 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. 109 out of 111 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 111 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 111 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 111 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 111 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debra M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well located and well appointed. Enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

lisa a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent location. Excellent host. Erica is an 11 on a scale of 1-10!
Stayed 90 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Erica was absolutely wonderful. We felt so welcome. She invited us to check out her other rentals - all absolutely gorgeous. The design and quaint nature of the property was so comforting, amazing and beautiful. We LOVED the place. Incredibly clean, had EVERYTHING you could possibly ever imagine *or not - that you could ever need. THANK YOU ERICA! WE WILL DEFINITELY BE STAYING WITH YOU AGAIN!!!!Love,Melissa, Jeff (honey) and Seven (graduate!)
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

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

Fantastic place and great location

Lovely property very close to everything you might want to do. Wonderful accommodations, excellent bed, decor was very cool, and easy parking.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

alicia s.

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

Fab place!

EAC Ellen’s location and really darling place!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stanley S.

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

Great Host, Great Location

Our host was most helpful and provided a wide range of information and options for activities near and far while we were in the Old Pueblo.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

james f.

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

Highly Recommended

Wonderful stay. Erica is a very thoughtful, accommodating host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa C.

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

Wonderful Stay in Tuscon

Amy husband and I had a wonderful stay in Tuscon at this quaint carriage house. Full kitchen, bath, and comfortable bed made our college bowl weekend great! Wonderful host too!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Missy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect as always !
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charles B.

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

Cute little boutique apt.

Erika has an adorable 2nd floor apt. Beautifully decorated with all the necessary items to make for a delightful stay. Very convenient to shopping and dining. Will definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David P.

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

Happy Days

Very restful and close to a lot of activities
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

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

Great Spot. Loved it

Great place. Erica is an exceptional host and the property is exactly what we hoped for. Looking forward to coming back for other college events down the road and staying in the other properties with more family.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Erica was amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy B.

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

Amazing Host

Erica went above and beyond as a host. She had great dining suggestions and was so accommodating with all our requests. Beautiful historic property and amazing decor.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Valerie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
I loved this casita, I wished I had known about it two years ago when my son started at the University. It had everything we needed, and close to campus and University Blvd. Looking forward to my next visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charles P.

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

Historic Charm, Great Location

Access to the property was excellent. Parking was easy. The place is spacious and clean. The photos are accurate. The host was most welcoming. I would like to stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig M.

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

Wonderful bungalow

Loved everything about your 1920s bungalow on 6th St. Convenient location, amazingly appointed kitchen and bathroom and charmung sitting spaces inside and out. As Arnold once said, "we'll be back!"
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandra R.

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

Great place close to UofA

We really enjoyed our stay and all wonderful small touches. Great communication. Very private. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gwendolyn S.

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

Carriage House

This was one of the easiest and well-appointed stays we have ever had. It suited our needs exactly, was convenient to downtown and campus and was also full of interesting art and chocolate! House Erica and property were both wonderful!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Denise B.

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

Erica is the best host ever!

We’ve traveled to Tucson many times since our daughter relocated when she went to college. Erica’s properties are quaint, spotless, and fully equipped. Love Tucson and all of the Villa Blanca properties!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Missy W.

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

Football game and Half Marathon with our Wildcat daughter

Absolutely wonderful! So comfortable and Charming. I give it 10 star rating. We WILL be back. Lots of nice extra "touches" from our host making us feel very welcomed. Erika is the best!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mara Davis C.

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

Small with a big heart

Charming, comfortable, pretty, lots of character! Such a fun 2-night visit to Tucson to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter. The kitchen is small but functional with plenty of pans, plates, glassware etc. We loved the screened in porch. Everything was great. Will definitely stay there again. Erica was very accommodating! Loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
OMG - the entire holistic experience was beyond expectations. This property reflected a life time collection of pieces that deserve to be in a museum or throughout my own home. Friendly, communicative host - 5 stars aren’t enough
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joe T.

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

outstanding carriage house near U of A campus

Erica is an amazing property manager and provides updated information on what is happening in Tucson. We felt as if we had a friend in town. The carriage house is a wonderful space to venture forth and see Tucson. You can walk the U of A campus, catch the streetcar to downtown, hike the safe neighborhood, etc. There is a private courtyard to do work, which also has a nice grill. We didn't cook much but the enjoyed the local restaurants. We stayed for 10 days and would have liked to stay longer! We had zero issues with the property and Erica even kindly allowed us an early check-in. Great VRBO experience!
Stayed 11 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K.

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

Nice getaway

The unit was comfortable, welcoming, and lovingly decorated with Southwestern art. We enjoyed having breakfast on the cute sun porch. Erika was friendly, extremely helpful and provided us with lots of information about things to do in Tucson. The only issue we had, as seniors, was maneuvering the stairs going up to the unit. We would consider a downstairs unit in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

About the host

Hosted by Erica K.

Host profile image
As a natural-born entrepreneur, I've relished the freedom and flexibility that come with forging my own path. Travel has been a passion of mine, with annual excursions to both sunny beaches and exotic destinations across distant continents. Villa Blanca is adorned with mementos from these adventures, reflecting the eclectic tapestry of cultures I've encountered.

Born in Villa Blanca Tortuga and raised right here in Tucson on this very property, I wanted to pay homage to my mother, my family, and the house's heritage by naming my special bungalow Villa Blanca, which translates to "white house"—a nickname given to our childhood home by friends. When I'm not traveling, you'll often find me landscaping my homes in and around Tucson, tending to mesquite trees, Peruvian apple cacti, and native willows, or assisting guests at Villa Blanca and other properties.

Cooking has always been a joy for me—I love entertaining friends and family and hosting social gatherings. I can't wait to extend that warm hospitality to you during your stay in Tucson!

Why they chose this property

In the 1960s, my parents were tenants of Villa Blanca Tortuga, the carriage house, while they attended the University of Arizona. When I was just a year old, they stumbled upon an ad in the paper listing the entire property for sale. To their surprise, the original owners of Villa Blanca turned out to be our landlords, who had grown fond of my parents and opted to sell the property to them over other potential buyers.

With the generous assistance of my grandmother for a down payment, my parents transitioned to the front house, where they raised us girls. During my college years, I, too, resided in the carriage house, while my sister lived "high above it all" in the upstairs quarters.

In 2010, Villa Blanca made its way through the generations—from my grandmother to my mother and sister—and ultimately landed in my hands. It's now my privilege to share this beloved property with you as Villa Blanca Tortuga.

What makes this property unique

Villa Blanca Tortuga holds a special place in my heart—it's not just a home, but a haven filled with warmth, joy, and countless cherished memories. From lively gatherings with friends to leisurely walks or bike rides to the University of Arizona, and lazy mornings spent savoring breakfast at Rincon Market, this space has witnessed the journey of independence into adulthood.

The patio has seen its fair share of fantastic dinners, and the lofty views are simply unbeatable. And let's not forget about those special stained glass windows—crafted during my college years, they add an extra touch of magic to the ambiance.

Now, it's your turn to create lasting memories and bask in the love and warmth of Villa Blanca Tortuga, a cherished family carriage home awaiting your presence.

Languages:

English, Spanish

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