This 50-acre Joshua Tree Airbnb Is Like Living in Your Own Private Spa — With a Massive Sauna, Hot Tub, and Yoga Studio

Joshua Tree National Park may be a magnet for creatives, but the park’s quaint desert landscapes, star-filled nights, and wondrous Joshua trees are also the perfect setting for a wellness-focused getaway. This is exactly what led husband-wife duo and Joshua Tree regulars Kristi and Nate Benedetto to create Halcyon Hideaway, a private vacation escape nestled outside the town of Joshua Tree.

“Joshua Tree is a perfect place to escape and focus on what matters most: health, fresh air, starry skies, and connecting with friends and family,” Nate Benedetto told Travel + Leisure. “When we found 50 acres of land set amongst rolling hills and hundreds of Joshua trees, we knew it was an ideal setting to craft our version of a Scandinavian spa.” He explained that he drew inspiration for Halcyon Hideaway after visiting Canada’s Scandinave Spa Whistler, a thermal spa destination that combines digital detox with wellness activities.

So the Benedettos tasked architect Andrew Hall of AHA with building a 1,700-square-foot four-bedroom two-and-a-half bathroom house. There’s also a separate multi-purpose pavilion where guests can practice yoga or host dinners, as well as a variety of outdoor amenities such as a hot tub, a cold plunge bathtub, a sun deck, an outdoor shower, a bocce court, a disc golf course, hammocks, and a smokeless firepit. Another highlight of the property is the eight-person sauna with large windows looking out to the national park.

Inside the home, the decor oozes minimalism, but it is filled with sunlight, cozy details, and soothing earthy tones. Think high ceilings, exposed wood beams, Zellige brick living room floors, and a unique natural stone bathroom vanity.

“My design intention for Halcyon drew on Scandinavian warm simplicity but with nods of rustic charm and Moroccan notes. I was inspired by the raw and rugged beauty of our high desert setting and drew on many natural elements, textures, and tones,” Kristi Benedetto, an interior designer, told T+L.

The sunken living room with a built-in bench is oriented toward a large picture window to maximize those stunning desert and mountain vistas, while the kitchen, living room, and patio were designed to encourage gatherings and “late-night conversations,” she added.

Custom artwork from Spain, handmade ceramic cactus paddles, and wallpaper add an artsy vibe to the space.

While guests enjoy the property in complete privacy, the town is a four-mile drive, where visitors can explore Joshua Tree’s restaurants, art galleries, music venues, and independent boutiques. 

Halcyon Hideaway’s nightly rate is $703 on airbnb.com.