"Yesterday I posted a long overdue review of my wife’s and my stay at AZ Lagoon del Sol B&B in Phoenix. Upon leaving our delightful stay at AZ Lagoon del Sol we headed south towards Tucson for
a 2 night, better part of 3 day stay at Desert Joy. Desert Joy was quite a bit different atmosphere than AZ Lagoon del Sol. How can I describe this?.....It reminded me of being in the living desert
but luxuriating within the safe confines of a private home resort architecturally blended with the area landscape and vegetation. Just wonderful.
Our host was a really neat easy going person who immediately made us feel right at home. As I recall there are 2 dogs and 2 cats that are integral members of the household and lend themselves to a
comfortable at home feel to our hosts home. I would like to mention that in getting to know our host my wife felt comfortable in relating a life altering family tragedy that our host had a like
experience(s) with. Their discussions were cathartic for my wife and generous counsel from our host. We are both appreciative of the sensitivity that our host displayed. Finally, we didn't want to
leave and let it be known we would travel back to Tucson in a heartbeat if our host was to travel and needed someone to take care of the dogs and cats!" - Roger from Delaware - November 2014
"Sonoran Aura Extraordinaire!"
Desert Joy exceeded our expectations, which I must admit were quite high to begin with. The lure of some sun and the dry Arizona desert in mid-December is what kindled our interest in the first place, and after spending two nights at this out-of-the-way gem, my wife and I can't wait to go back. Located in a rural residential area north of Tucson, the immaculate home and yard provide countless options for relaxation. Breakfast feasts, which included an assortment of fresh fruit and featured our host's signature "braided" omelet the day we left, kick-started our mornings with flavors galore. As for other meals during your stay, it's just a 20-minute drive to nearby Marana, where you can find restaurants or pick up groceries. Indoor and outdoor kitchens, both available for use by guests, add to Desert Joy's long list of charms. So do the hot tub and sparkling clean, refreshing pool. Resident dogs Kushi and GIngi, as well as cats Timmy and Tipsy, provide excellent company if and when you want it. A word of warning, though – it's easy to get attached. We didn't want to leave! By DaveM -Colorado
"Marvelous"
Desert Joy was a truly relaxing and beautiful experience. The desert locale is amazing, the host is charming and gracious, the meals were delicious and unique, and the outdoor spaces are just the ticket for relaxation, swimming, sunbathing, star-gazing, eating, and reading that 900 page book! As long as you don't have allergy issues, the four-legged friends will be a memorable part of your stay as well. Rey, Minnesota
“Relax in the desert”
Wonderful bed & breakfast far enough from the city to be able to see the stars at night but with good highway access. Great outdoor space with a nice pool, hot tub, patio area, and refrigerator/freezer space. The breakfasts were wonderful and included lots of fresh fruit as well as unique dishes.
Stayed October 2014 Jim, St. Paul, MN Traveled as a couple
"Our host and the entire experience at Desert Joy was truly wonderful. The pool and patio area are incredible. Well laid out, lots of room and very private. A lot of careful thought went into planning and constructing this area. Native plants and cacti make it an incredible oasis. The favorite part of our stay was when our host gave us a jeep tour of the surrounding desert. He is extremely knowledgeable and you can tell he truly loves to share his piece of paradise. We would rate our experience as excellent and look forward to returning." — Nick from Oregon visited October 2014
“An excellent place to relax and feel welcome at every second!
I was totally pleased with my stay at this resort and was treated as a close friend, warmly and respectfully. My host was always so kind and helpful as to make suggestions on what to do at the surrounding cities, and was also eager to offer a variety of delicious options for breakfast that I definitely enjoyed while being there. The kind treatment I received and the interesting conversations about different casual topics made my stay very pleasurable, I'd definitely go back if I can find the chance!" - E.D. from Texas Visited August 2014 what our guests have been saying about their stay at
"We stayed at Desert Joy for five nights. The visit was outstanding from start to finish. When we arrived we were greeted by our host and his four legged companions. Our host made us feel comfortable in his home throughout our stay. A tour of the residence and all of the facilities was provided to ensure that we were comfortable with all of the facilities. The residence and facilities are maintained in immaculate condition. Gourmet breakfasts were prepared by our host that would rival any five star restaurant! The residence is located in an isolated area. Even though there are other houses in the area, the residence is situated in a manner that eliminates any privacy concerns. Our host provided information and personal insight for area attractions and hiking trails. Several beautiful sunsets and evenings of star gazing were enjoyed from the patio and rooftop deck. This was an outstanding experience and we look forward to visiting Desert Joy again."
— B and M from Iowa visited Sept. 2014
"We visited Desert Joy in May and will return as soon as we can. The home is immaculate and each room is comfortable with plenty of room for your personal belongings. The backyard is amazing. The pool area, veranda, and outdoor living space is just what we were looking for. We were able to relax and enjoy everything Desert Joy has to offer. The hot tub and upper veranda at night is a must. So many stars... Our host was gracious and very friendly. The breakfasts were delicious and we looked forward to it every day. Be sure to see the desert with him in his 4x4. Its a great change of pace for us city folks. We can't wait to return!" — John and Amy from Texas
This was our first time at a bed-and-breakfast location and, for
future travel, I'm afraid it set the bar very high. From our first moments at Desert Joy, until we left 5 days later, we felt pampered by small attention to detail and enjoyed amazing hospitality
from our host. We relaxed more than words can express, felt welcomed by out host and his lovely "family" of well-behaved dogs and cats. We had everything we could ever want available on a luxury
vacation! We enjoyed relaxing in the lovely surroundings of a perfect pool area, large outdoor kitchen, and great outdoor showers after a day of sun. There is no doubt that our host enjoys sharing
his home, which he has appointed with talent and skill. Each breakfast was more amazing than the day before, allowing us to skip lunch altogether! A "to go" breakfast was even provided on a morning
we planned an early hike in a nearby state park.
One highlight—of seeing the desert sunset from a vantage point only a
resident would be able to find, and the fun of 4-wheeling to get there, was such a thrill! The rest of the time, we felt we were in our own oasis of relaxation, to do what we wanted, and to enjoy
time, music, pool, hot tub, and lovely surroundings. A special treat was to share an evening meal with our host in the beauty of the outdoors.
We will definitely return and hope our host knows how special he made
us feel! Thank you seems altogether inadequate. We hope to visit again later in the year and enjoy once again the peace and beauty of Desert Joy! First-timers to clothing optional resorts, this one
is for YOU!- Lee C. Virginia, USA
We are a mature couple who has recently become occasional vacation-nudists.
Previous experiences include both clothing optional beaches and AANR affiliated resorts. During late February 2014, we visited Desert Joy of the Clothing Optional Home Network for a 5 day stay, our
first experience with a clothing optional B&B.
Desert Joy is a Santa Fe-style, three bedroom home (two rentable) in a rural desert location about 45 minutes northwest of Tucson International Airport, about 8 miles north of Marana AZ (closest area
of retail and restaurants) and 4 miles off Interstate 10. Although there are a few other homes nearby, the property is nicely secluded, with wonderful views of saguaro and mesquite desert and the
Tortolita and Santa Catalina mountains beyond. The house, pool and spa areas and ramada are interestingly decorated with art masks, paintings, Mexican tiles, metalwork and statuary. There is no TV,
but excellent wifi connectivity and a delightful musical ambience indoors and out, selected to meet guests’ tastes. Sunsets and the starry night sky are amazing from the ramada roof and hot
tub.
Our host is friendly, helpful and sensitive to his guests’ needs and interests. He is readily available with information and assistance when needed, but also disappears into the background with his
friendly Labrador retrievers when one wants to enjoy peace and quiet at the pool or ramada. His breakfasts are generous and tasty, usually fruits, pastry, eggs, bacon or ham. Sleeping accommodations
are simple and lovely and the B&B is spotless. Our bed was a bit soft for us and there is just a single shared bathroom.
As mature newlyweds and a couple looking for a restful and relaxing vacation, we heartily enjoyed our Desert Joy experience.
We love Desert Joy! My husband and I spent 9 days at
this oasis in the desert. We did not want to leave! Our host welcomed us into his beautiful home and we felt at ease immediately. Our room was very comfortable and we slept in luxurious bed linens!
The closet space was ample. We were able to unpack our belongings and either hang clothing or lay it out on the many large shelves in the closet. Everything was always within easy reach. Bath towels,
beach towels and robes were provided. There was even a night light! The home and outdoor amenities were spotless. We enjoyed sunbathing by the pool while listening to our choice of music. Our host
checked on our needs often but also allowed us as much time to ourselves as we wanted. I stayed in the sun too long on our first day and the umbrellas around the pool gave me protection from the sun
while allowing me to still lay by the pool and enjoy the outdoor surroundings. We hot-tubbed under a million stars in the desert sky. I even saw a shooting star! Other evenings we sat around the fire
and enjoyed interesting conversation with our host. The mornings were amazing! Breakfast was served whenever we wanted it and the food was absolutely amazing! It was not typical breakfast food
but rather works of art. Delicious and oh so plentiful! We brought some food with us and prepared some of our meals but asked our host to provide a few dinners towards the end of our stay.
During that time there was another couple staying at Desert Joy and we enjoyed dining and visiting with them. They, and my husband, are vegetarians and our host accommodated their dietary needs. We
ate like kings!
We asked our host to take us on a desert
tour. His 4 wheel drive vehicle is perfect for this activity. We watched a movie about the desert coming alive before our tour and it was extremely informative. We planned our outing so that
we'd be in the desert at sunset and it was breathtaking! Watching the sunset from the upper terrace of the ramada at Desert Joy will also have you oohing and ahhhing. We just can't say enough
wonderful things about this clothing optional property. From showering in the sun while gazing at the mountains to swimming in the chemical-free pool and everything in between, Desert Joy proved to
be the perfect getaway spot for us! We are already planning our return visit! TimnJude Chicago, IL March 27, 2014
"Desert Joy is just that—a unique joy in the
Southwest desert. This is where you get a flavor of what it is like to be in quiet of the Arizona desert with views of mountains in the distance. We loved the feel of the home and the area. The home
and grounds are gorgeous and absolutely immaculate. The food is extraordinary. In the home you can enjoy the owner's interesting collection of masks, sculpture and other artwork that ranges from the
whimsical and fanciful to the sublime. The owner is an intelligent, traveled gentleman with an open smile and quiet, clever friendliness who obviously relishes catering to his guests and doing
anything and everything to make them feel at home and comfortable. He intuitively knows whether to engage you in conversation or leave you to enjoy the solitude. The pool area is just amazing as it
has the feel of what you might expect in a first class resort. There is a very large open area with many places to lounge or just walk around. The portable heater and open hearth are terrific for the
Arizona evenings, and the hearth is within a covered, full outdoor kitchen, the roof of which doubles as a large stargazing area with swings. The clear, dark skies of the nights offer a wonderful
opportunity to see the stars as you have never seen them before. You would feel completely comfortable here clothed or unclothed. We were fortunate enough to arrange for the owner to take us off
roading in the surrounding desert and mountains - an experience unlike we have had anywhere else. We cannot wait to go back. We are very familiar with the Tucson area, having visited here for many
years. You will not find anything comparable. Thank you, Desert Joy!"
— Roger from Indianapolis,
Indiana
I have just enjoyed one of the most relaxing special
weeks in a long long time, here at Desert Joy. The B&B home has every amenity you can think of! The bedrooms are extremely comfortable. Great bathroom. The living area is amazing. The host does
an amazing job of making you feel right at home. Breakfast, omg! Awesome dishes, felt so bad I could never finish off any of the overly generous portions. And tasty, yummy! The pool and back patio
area is so relaxing. It truly is an oasis! I enjoyed Desert Joy on my own so if you're single or a couple, it works great. Didn't wear a stitch of textile the entire time, was so comfortable and
naturally relaxing.
The booking and payment was so easy with
Clothing Optional Network.
Give a clothing optional B&B a try....it is an amazing wonderful experience. ManinBoots Vancouver, BC
March 14, 2014
We only had two nights at Desert Joy but wish we could have stayed longer. It is a wonderful, beautiful, peaceful refuge. Our friendly host went to great lengths to make our stay comfortable and to make sure all our needs were taken care of. We really enjoyed the four legged hosts at Desert Joy (two dogs and two cats) all of whom did their part to make us feel completely at home. (Note to those who aren’t animal lovers, they are very well behaved and aren’t allowed into the guest rooms.) The pool area is spacious and beautifully landscaped, and includes the hot tub, firepit and a complete “summer” kitchen. Breakfasts were delicious, presented beautifully and bounteous. Desert Joy is fairly remote, and it is a long way to restaurants or other shopping, but if you’re looking for a clothing-optional getaway in lovely southwest style we highly recommend it.
Totally surrounded by the desert you feel it's life and serenity. Bask in the sun, stars and moonlit nights. Feel the magic of the magestic saguaros right on the property. It doesn't take long to ease into relaxation mode at this beautiful property!
I just spent 2 nights at Desert Joy and what a joy it was! Comfortable, clean and a wonderful host who made the stay memorable. Great amenities with the beautifully landscaped yard with absolute privacy around the pool, fire-pit and outdoor living/dining area. The stars were AMAZING...with desert sunsets and sunrises to enjoy every day. I was impressed with the full breakfast prepared each morning...dishes that were delightful to look at and scrumptious! I'll be back to Desert Joy on my next trip to Tucson. Oh, and ask the host to take you on a desert Jeep tour...I couldn't believe how beautiful it was!
Stayed January 2014, traveled on business LarryF Phoenix, AZ