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Desert Writer's Retreat

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Living area
Private kitchen
Room
Living area
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Kitchen

About this property

Desert Writer's Retreat

Spacious one bedroom cabin. Fashionably furnished. A Creative space that feels like stepping back in time and into the future. Full kitchen, Air Conditioning, Swamp Cooler, washer and dryer. Peaceful outside area to star gaze with fire pit. 3 Minutes to the entrance to Joshua Tree Natinonal Park. Great base camp for adventures into the National Park, getaway for couples or the loan wolf looking to channel his/ her inner genius. Vintage record player/ console with auxiliary input. No TV.

The space
This cabin was built in 1948. Its 3 Miles to the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. It’s has finished cement floors, mid century modern/ minimal interior design., full kitchen suitable for minimal cooking but nothing elaborate, outside seating area and fire pit, off street parking.

This is a quirky old cabin, which we love, but if you are looking for a modern place without idiosyncrasies this may not be a great match for you.

This house is on a divided acre with another (Forever 29). The two houses are separated and there is a ton of privacy. There may be some interaction with other guests while parking. If you’re interested in renting both this house and Forever 29 together we can do a package for both. $20 Pet fee per pet. Let us know if you plan to bring any pets.

Guest access
Guests have access to the small house, full kitchen, private washer and dryer, private bathroom, private parking behind the small house, and private outdoor seating area with fire pit.

Other things to note
This is a rural part of the desert with quite a few creatures. You may see snakes, spiders, mice, lizards, etc. Don't panic they generally keep to themselves.

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Exterior
M&L Desert Cottage - 3 miles from the North entrance of Joshua Tree!
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (35 reviews)
M&L Desert Cottage - 3 miles from the North entrance of Joshua Tree!

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
$25 pet fee per pet. We must approve pet first.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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
Property Registration Number VHR038

About the area

Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms is home to this holiday home. Ryan Mountain and Split Rock are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce and Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center.
View more Holiday homes in Twentynine PalmsOpens in a new window
Map
Twentynine Palms, CA

What's nearby

  • Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Twentynine Palms Art Gallery - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • 29 Palms Historical Society - 1 min drive - 1.2 km
  • 29 Palms Creative Center - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Theatre 29 - 3 min drive - 2.3 km

Getting around

  • Bermuda Dunes, CA (UDD) - 81 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Desert Writer's Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Desert Writer's Retreat?

As of 26 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Desert Writer's Retreat on 19 April 2026 start from NZ$161, 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.

What time is check-in at Desert Writer's Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Desert Writer's Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Desert Writer's Retreat located?

Situated in Twentynine Palms, this holiday home is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center and 1.8 mi (3 km) from Joshua Tree National Park. Twentynine Palms Art Gallery and 29 Palms Historical Society are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 14 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew D.

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

Cozy! Great Location!

Super close to Joshua Tree! We enjoyed our stay. It was so nice having a kitchen and access to laundry . Super close to the park too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen R.

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

Great place, so close to Joshua Tree

Thoroughly enjoyed this quaint, convenient home. Close to the Park and the Marine base. I enjoyed a beautiful day at the Park and reconnected with old friends from the base. Perfect getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

emily c.

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

Lovely stay at writer’s retreat

This place was truly a wonderful retreat! Very cozy and relaxing. Hope to be back soon.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

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

Great retro vibe.

Excellent location just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. The bed was comfortable, the shower was hot, and the accommodation was very clean and comfortable. Loved the organ, the record player and vintage albums.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen A.

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

Visiting Joshua Tree NP

Location was perfect for exploring Joshua Tree NP. We were very close to the North entrance. Twentynine Palms was a great place for eclectic dining. Jelly Donut was my favorite for Vietnamese bakery and pho
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

AnhVi N.

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

Amazing stay!

The unit was clean and had one of the more spacious bathrooms that we've stayed in. The check in/out process was simple and hassle-free. The entrance to Joshua Tree was literally a 10-15 minute drive down the street, so it was super convenient for us. Great place for 2 people, and we would definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew F.

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

Simple and comfy

This was exactly what I was looking for in a place to stay. Good location, clean, and all the essentials. Also, Jack was great with the communication at the beginning of the booking and I’m already thinking about when I can get back.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn R.

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

Writer’s Retreat

The property had all that was advertised plus a record player and old records. The shower was hot and the kitchen had what we needed to prepare meals.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg P.

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

Nothing fancy but totally worked for us

Great location right outside the entrance to the park All appliances worked great including laundry. Easy checkin. Prompt and helpful communication with the host. Would totally rent again
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tira P.

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

Great location, Cozy Cabin

My husband and I needed a small place for a trip to Joshua Tree, and we chose this place because we’re both artists, and everything about the place seemed perfect for us. It was! Just a quick drive to one of the Joshua Tree entrances, the cabin is off the beaten path, but still easy to get to. We loved the very unfussy but nicely put-together interior — especially the turn table and LPs! The small kitchen gave us the opportunity to come back to a quick meal on our own rather than spending tons of money in restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josie C.

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

Great stay!

The property manager was very easy to communicate with. It’s a cabin, not a hotel. He describes it exactly as is. It had everything you need for a stay if you’re not looking for super fancy. This is a perfect time to stay there by the way! It gets cooler at night and wasn’t too hot. We even made s’mores outside in the fire pit without burning up. It was a perfect stay for two for a weekend of exploring Joshua tree and Twentynine Palms! The only suggestions we have is maybe a better gate situation. We recommend and would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sharon H.

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

What a wonderful landing place for us!

We needed someplace at the eleventh hour and the host not approved our request but did so within a couple hours of my asking. We loved this little cottage, which was perfect for the two of us. It was cool inside even though the temperature outside was over 100 degrees every day! Handy to MCAGCC, it had everything we needed for an unexpected multi-day stay. We loved the turntable, albums, David Bowie watching over us. Kitchen was just right, vintage look that I loved at first sight. The bed was super comfortable. We washed clothes day 2 and hung them on the line, dry in one hour with that fresh outdoor scent instead of using the dryer inside. Communication with the host was excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Megan V.

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

Awesome location!

Really wonderful location. It is a straight shot pretty much to the north entrance to Joshua Tree. The space was as pictured and was clean and tidy when we arrived. Basic dishes, cooking implements, a coffee maker, microwave and a kettle were provided. There is a stack washer/dryer in the unit. The oven has to be lit manually by design, but it’s not difficult or dangerous. There is a swamp cooler and a window air conditioner by the bed which kept the place cool in late September. The bed was comfortable. Didn’t love the sheets, which I think might have been synthetic. I understand the choice, but it made for sweaty sleep in spite of the A/C being right there. We didn’t use the fire pit, but the chairs outside were a nice spot to eat breakfast as the sun came up. Overall it was a great place to come back to, rinse off, and crash after a long day of hiking in the park. The one thing that didn’t work for us is the toilet. The exit from the toilet has a limited capacity. So if you or your fellow traveler(s) tend towards larger BMs, bring your poop knife or scope out alternative crunching options.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Sidney S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sofia S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Simon E.

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

Excellent Desert Writer's Retreat!

Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Sheila L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

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