The Best Little Rental In Joshua Tree

Author:Philip Ferrato

There are two kinds of short-term rentals—the forgettable and the unforgettable. Escondite, a magical, Mid-century-inspired and Southwest-inflected compound on five very private desert acres, is one of the latter. 

It’s the creation of Jake Lazere, the L.A.-based residential architecture, interior designer and architectural property specialist at the real estate juggernaut DPPRE/Compass, along with his husband, the illustrator and graphic designer Alexander Vidal. With a simple, cohesive palette of materials and a collection of unpretentious but well-considered furnishings and objects, this inspired duo has made the ideal desert retreat. 

As part of the original property’s extensive overhaul, Lazere designed the block wall to create a patterned backdrop that changes hourly. And perched by the pool, a vintage c1954 Willy Guhl concrete Loop lounge.

Pet-friendly Escondite accommodates six with 2-beds plus a 1-bed, 1-bath casita, available through its property manager, Homestead Modern, and AirBnB.