10 Unique Desert AirBnbs For Your Elopement

*Disclaimer: Always check in with Airbnb hosts prior to booking a spot for your elopement. As of late 2021, there have been updates in Yucca Valley prohibiting events at non-event venues.

Our favorite way to plan an all-inclusive elopement for our clients is to find an epic Airbnb that checks all of their boxes:

  • A home that is well designed and complements the style of the couple

  • A location that is close to lots of fun things to do and bucket list places to see

  • A yard with epic views, either on the property or within an hour drive (perfect for a ceremony backdrop)

The hardest part, sifting through the hoards of Airbnbs to find the rare gems that have it all. So, we’ve done it for you!

This blog series highlights some of the epic Airbnbs we have either worked at in the past or know our couples will want to celebrate at in the future. This installment is all about those dreamy desert oasis’. You know, the ones with miles of desert landscape, mountain views and the best stargazing you’ve ever seen.

  1. MODERN SOLAR HOME in MARFA, TX

“A true artists retreat with world class views" - Host Michael

This modern luxe solar home is 1 hour and 20 minutes south of Marfa, TX. Surrounded by peaceful desert landscape, breathtaking mountains views and luxury hiking trails - this Airbnb should be on everyone’s radar. A home as unique and beautiful as this would make for a stunning elopement destination.

We love this house because not only is the interior bright, open and well designed, but the property the home sits on is what desert wedding dreams are made of! There are so many places on this property that would make an incredible ceremony location. Do you want mountain views? Do you want to stand among the desert foliage? Do you want to climb to the top of the mountain for a mountain/desert hybrid location? With this unique property the possibilities are endless.

IMAGINE THIS

You and your love wake up to the sunrise gleaming over the desert horizon. You spend the morning full of excitement, making breakfast together before enjoying a tranquil hike around the Chinati Mountains or taking a 20-minute trip to take a dip in the Chinati Hot Springs. Eventually you head off to your separate rooms to get ready. Finally it’s time to see your other half in their wedding attire for the first time. You choose a first look location based on what feels right, because you clearly couldn’t pick a bad spot. Then you seal your union with a kiss under the painted sky as the sun sets behind the mountains. Next, eat and dance the night away under the twinkle lights of the covered patio. The ending to your night: cuddling up with your partner to stargaze from your bed.

We have chills just dreaming of this airbnb!

Amenities include:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Solar home

  • 2 bedrooms

  • Full cooks kitchen

  • Fireplace

  • TV the can be rolled outside to watch movies under the stars

  • built in rain plan, with the covered patio and epic views from there

  • Views of Mexico

  • Wifi and Hard-Line Phone

  • No Cell Service

  • 1000 acre property with 360 views

  • 1 hour from Big Bend National Park

  • 1 hour 20 min from Marfa, TX

  • 20 min from Chinati Hot Springs

2. A modern light-filled haven in Bonita, CA

A Tranquil Light-filled escape

Enjoy the romance of the San Diego landscape within this light-filled gem of a home. The entire front of this home is floor to ceiling glass, offering unparalleled landscape views and natural lighting that makes this property feel full of joy. The Scandinavian design brings warmth and minimal texture to the space.

With San Diego only a short 15 min drive, this location has it all: quick access to tons of restaurants, bars, and attractions, while also being surrounded by stunning nature views. San Diego is home to some world famous elopement locations, like Sunset Cliffs and Coronado Beach. This home would be the perfect place to enjoy all that this area has to offer, while soaking in the tranquility with your love.

We’re head over heels

Not to mention, you could elope in one of the most beautiful places on earth, whether that be overlooking the ocean, standing on a cliff or joining together in the living room overlooking the valley. After your intimate elopement, you could enjoy a dip in the two person hot tub located in the garden on the property that overlooks the mountains.

Amenities Include:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • 2 bedrooms

  • Full kitchen

  • 2 person hot tub

  • Garden

  • 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport

  • Lots of stuff to do in San Diego

  • 2 hours and 45 min from Joshua Tree National Park

3. CASITA CACAO in Hesperia, CA

“A tiny house on a desert homestead” - Host Natalie

A used-to-be-shed converted into a luxurious off-grid tiny desert home? On our way! This tiny home used to be a shed on the hosts property in San Bernardino County and they cut no corners in turning it into the cutest Airbnb. This is the perfect place to unplug and connect with your love while surrounded by nature. Plus, this home features many sustainable touches. The home is solar powered, has a wood stove, has a tankless water heater, runs on its own water tank, and has a composting toilet. Since this home is on a 5-acre property with the host living onsite, you will have peace of mind knowing the property is well cared for. You may also see some livestock on their free range farm!

Wake up with the roosters and have your morning coffee on the front porch while you watch the sunrise over the desert landscape. Spend the morning getting pampered by hair and makeup artists before taking off with your love into the Mojave Desert for your magical elopement ceremony. There are so many hikes and breathtaking views once in Mojave, it may be hard to narrow it down! But don’t worry, that’s what we’re here for.

This cozy home offers endless possibilities

With tons of natural hot springs in the area, spend the evening taking a romantic dip under the stars. We recommend Deep Creek Hot Springs to Bradford Ridge Trail. This is a 5 mile, moderately trafficked trail that winds up at natural hot springs with a magnificent view. This would be a stunning ceremony location and a great place for an end of day dip!

Amenities Include:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Secluded and surrounded by desert views

  • Solar powered off-grid home

  • Indoor wood stove with firewood provided

  • Full kitchen with a mini fridge

  • No wifi

  • On a free range farm

4. Dome House in Palm Springs, CA

Private and secluded architectural dome home

This rare gem offers 360 views from virtually every window of the house of the desert, mountains, Joshua Tree, Coachella Valley, and windmills.

This retreat is nestled on a secluded 5 acre hillside with views as far as you can see

Awake with your love to the pastel desert sunrise above Joshua Tree National Park from the comfort of the master bedroom. Sip your morning coffee and enjoy a romantic elopement day breakfast in the outdoor dining area, soaking in the morning sun. Since this home offers 3 bedrooms, you can spend the morning getting ready separately, eagerly anticipating your ceremony. The loft bedroom with skylights and 360 views makes for a luxurious getting ready location with stunning natural lighting. Once the final touches are complete, you can both head outside to view the San Jacinto Mountain Range and share an intimate first look before making your way to your ceremony.

And then, it’s time to celebrate!

What better way to celebrate your new vows than to share a gourmet meal nestled in the desert foliage. This home offers a full kitchen perfect for a private chef to come and treat your taste buds. As the sun sets over the San Jacinto Mountain Range, you run towards the mountains, laughing and dancing while also get photos to cherish for a lifetime. You end the night dancing under the stars, feeling all the magic of your day.

Amenties Include:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Unique architecture

  • 360 views

  • Living room with 26 foot ceilings

  • Indoor outdoor dining areas

  • Large kitchen

  • 3 bedrooms

  • Views from every window

  • Close to Joshua tree, Palm Springs, and many other amazing things to do

  • Wifi and cell phone reception

5. Architects Off-Grid Stargazing Cabin in Twentynine palms, CA

The ultimate stargazing tiny cabin in the desert

As you drift to sleep all you feel is a light breeze rustling your blanket, you smell is the crisp desert air, and you hear is the soft noises of the landscape in this architectural dream of a home. This property is so unique, because it’s designed to have a completely open air bedroom, meaning you can fall asleep to the tranquility of the desert, but you also get to enjoy a plush, comfy bed!

This innovative oasis was designed by Malek Alqadi, an architect who wanted an off-grid, minimalist retreat situated within nature while still offering an immersive, luxurious experience. There are two bedrooms, one covered and inside of the main house, the second being a completely open air bedroom located up a ladder and at the top of the second building. There is no better way to fully immerse yourself in the desert than by sleeping in it! Or at least day napping. There is also endless adventuring to be done right outside the front door in Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree National Park and Palm Springs.

“Sleeping in the stargazing portal and waking up to a mountainous backdrop cannot be duplicated.”

- Host, Hillary

where luxury and tranquility meet

The modern industrial design set against the bright and crisp desert landscape gives this home a unique feel. We love all of the luxurious touches that the builder included that help this tiny cabin feel like a retreat, such as the rain shower, smart TV, fire pit and world class views.

It’s not hard to imagine the picturesque elopements that could take place here. Especially with so many possibilities close by. Stand outside the Airbnb and promise forever with the mountains as your backdrop or take a short trip to Joshua Tree National Park. There are so many natural wonders in this area.

Amenties Include:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Fully equipped kitchen

  • Fast wifi

  • Artfully designed

  • Hospitable host

  • Air conditioning

  • World class views

  • Close to Joshua Tree National Park

6. Starset Tiny House in Twentynine palms, CA

“a place for dreamers to reflect, reset, and connect” - Host Keith

Starset is a stargazers paradise. This shipping container tiny home is nestled on 2.5 acres of desert landscape close to Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms. The home was professionally designed by GYPSETTY as a place to find relief, discover new inspiration, and connect with yourself, your love, and nature. How soon can we come?

With views from every window, Starset feels like you are fully immersed in the desert while still being close to lots of things to do. A large glass garage door opens the living room to a covered front porch, doubling your living space and bringing nature indoors. Have a soak in the soaking tub during the day and the hot tub at night, or enjoy a restful evening around the fire pit or stargazing from the lounge bed on the roof deck.

a tranquil desert haven

This is the perfect retreat for couples who would rather enjoy the entirety of their wedding day side-by-side. Giddy and excited as they get ready together, enjoying each others company before they say ‘I do’. All of the amenities make for a restful and rejuvenating experience. After your ceremony, enjoy an intimate sunset dinner on the roof deck before taking a dip in the hot tub and finishing the night off with s’mores under the stars. Is there any better way to celebrate forever with your love?

amenities:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Wifi

  • Full kitchen

  • Pool

  • Hot tub

  • Fire pit

  • Stargazing deck

  • Luxurious design

  • Close to Joshua tree and Twentynine Palms

7. Sky Suite @ Arcosanti in Mayer, AZ

“third floor sky suite overlooking the amphitheater and high desert landscape” - Host of Arcosanti

Arcosanti is a prototype archology community built by architect Soleri as an experimental urban planning concept in Meyer, AZ. Soleri designed this community to oppose radical consumerism and experimentally reorganize sprawling urban landscapes into dense integrated systems. He believed that as cities evolve and grow in complexity, they should form a more integrated and dense system rather that spreading out over long distances. Arcology - the integration of architecture and ecology is designed to combat many problems caused by urban civilization such as population growth, pollution, depletion of natural resources, food scarcity, and quality of life. Arcosanti is one of the most unique urban civilizations in the world.

Host of Arcosanti, “The Sky Suite is a spectacular space to fully immerse yourself into the architecture and communal environment of Arcosanti.” The two bedroom suite overlooks the amphitheater down below, with expansive panoramic views of the high desert. The space offers a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and access to all of the public area of Arcosanti. Enjoy a dip in the pool, your morning coffee in the local cafe, and a day stroll along the many hiking trails in the area.

A place to unplug, recharge and connect

Arcosanti is a place where peacefulness and rest blankets the community. This would be an excellent location for an elopement focused on flow and ease, without a strict plan and schedule. Only 1 hour north of Phoenix, and a quick drive to the Sonoran Desert, there are so many amazing options for a ceremony location and a wedding day adventure with your love.

amenities:

  • Entire apartment to yourself

  • Cafe

  • Pool

  • Amphitheater views

  • Panoramic high desert views

  • Unique experience

  • Kitchen

  • Two bedrooms

  • Close to Phoenix, AZ

  • Easy access to desert

8. Villa Kuro in Joshua Tree, CA

“a serene and minimal hideaway” - Host Elanie + stanley

Villa Kuro, located in Joshua Tree, CA, is an organic modern retreat nestled on 3.6 acres of unfenced desert landscape backed up to ancient boulders. This home is truly a luxurious desert oasis. Designed with tranquility and relaxation at the forefront, immerse yourself in a spa like experience throughout your wedding weekend. We’re strong believers that the best way to celebrate your love is through rest and connection, and this is the Villa to do it in.

the warm desert light recharges the soul

We can’t even imagine the stunning photo opportunities in this peaceful hideaway. The home was originally built in the 1960’s and has been lovingly designed to reflect the desert landscape. Hosts Elaine + Stanley explain the design of their space, “Inspired by its desert surroundings and the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection), many elements of the home utilized hand-built techniques and the use of natural and reclaimed materials to bring out the subtleties in texture and light Furnished with a mix of new and antique finds collected through the years, the pared-back décor and neutral color palette provide the ideal setting for you to recharge.”

You will wake up feeling refreshed and recharged, after a restful nights sleep in the luxurious DreamClous bed with organic cotton sheets. Enjoy a dip in the salt water hot tub surrounded by sweeping desert views as you sip your morning coffee. Connect with nature in the outdoor shower before getting pampered in one of the luxe bathrooms before your ceremony. Head outside to see your love standing among of the ancient boulders for a magical first look before promising forever overlooking the Joshua Tree Desert. Finally, indulge in a gourmet meal under the covered outdoor eating area as you watch the sunset behind the mountains. Dance in the rock and cactus garden courtyard under the stars to end your magical day.

amenities:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Two bedroom

  • Luxurious design

  • Full kitchen

  • Wifi

  • Secluded but close to Joshua tree

  • Backed up to an ancient boulder mountain

  • Hot tub

  • Outdoor dining area

  • Garden

  • Outdoor shower

  • Fire pit

9. Casa Mami in Pioneertown, CA

pueblo style desert retreat

Casa Mami is an eco-friendly retreat designed to spark inspiration. This home is unique because it is curated with a selection of goods and products that are all available for purchase during your stay. Interact with products and your weekend retreat in a new way, an immersive stay and shop experience. We always find so much design inspiration from Airbnbs that reflect the landscapes they are in, and wish we could take everything home with us. Here, you can!

A mix of retro and pueblo inspired design brings this space to life, but the main feature of this house is the landscape. Set on 5 acres of sprawling desert landscape, this fully renovated home is the perfect retreat to soak in all of the beauty of the desert. You may even run into some wildlife during your stay! Being only 20 minutes outside of Joshua Tree, you are secluded, yet still close to bars and restaurants.

This space is full of light and energy

This light filled oasis would make for an ideal elopement location. Two bedrooms allow for separate getting ready locations, a full kitchen for a delectable catered meal, and plenty of outdoor space to roam and enjoy the landscape. The large glass doors were intentionally included in the design to bring the feeling of the outdoors in, for a fully immersive experience.

amenities:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Two bedrooms

  • Lots of natural lighting

  • 5 acres of secluded land

  • Indoor fireplace

  • Full kitchen

  • Outdoor dining

  • Stunning products and decor in home for sale

10. Off-grid ithouse in pioneertown, CA

a serene desert oasis, unplugged and off grid

Host Linda, “The Off-grid itHouse brings together raw industrial aesthetics with the tactics of green design to forge a new home in the sunbaked wilds of the California high desert.” This home is one of 10 IT homes built in California and is noted as one of the top 10 Airbnbs worldwide. Being fully off-grid, the house observes key green principals of smaller footprint, minimal disturbance to the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, use of renewable resources, and living simply and minimally.

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Enjoy an elopement weekend completely unplugged and surrounded by serene landscape. Wake up with the sun to panoramic views from your master bed. Every step you take in this house has expansive views since all of the walls are windows. The secluded nature of the home brings extreme privacy for you to enjoy the desert landscape in peace.

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this home feels like a deep breath

Exchange intimate vows just outside of the home, overlooking the sprawling desert landscape, not a soul in sight. Then indulge in a meal catered nearby either in the indoor dinging room with epic views, or in the outdoor space with equally epic views. Find a place to cuddle up and stargaze for a while, literally anywhere inside or outside will do. Then light the fire as you reminisce on the beauty of your day.

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amenities:

  • Entire home to yourself

  • Off grid

  • Top 10 airbnbs world wide

  • Panoramic views

  • Secluded

  • Satellite wifi only for emergencies

  • Kitchen

  • Indoor fireplace

  • World class stargazing

Want help planning your own Day? We created a Planning Workbook just for you. Get your copy HERE.

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Airbnb Elopement at Split Rock in Joshua Tree National Park | Katie + Ronnie