This cozy little cottage is located in an eclectic neighborhood. Some houses and yards are better kept than others and some are newer than others. We have neighbors next door and across the street, but there are nothing but views of the Tonto National Forest and Mogollon Rim in the backyard. In the forest, there is plenty of wildlife, including elk and coyotes. Sometimes, elk bugle loudly and coyo
tes howl and yip, often late at night. Many neighbors have dogs and sometimes you can hear them bark or howl. On the 9,147 square foot lot, there are trees and a chain link fence separating the property from the neighbors, the street, and the forest. We feel it is pretty private but it is not completely isolated from people and other homes. The house is just a few minutes drive from the Houston Mesa Campground, the East Verde River access-First, Second, and Third Crossing, as well as Water Wheel. There are really cool rock ledges you can climb just down the street as well as behind the house. The Tonto Natural Bridge is about a 10-20 minute drive. Pine is a 15-25 minute drive from the house, as well. There are ample hiking trails and all kinds of outdoor activities to enjoy. Time to travel depends on traffic and road conditions. The following are averages:
Woods Canyon Lake-approximately 45 minutes
Willow Springs Lake-approximately 40 minutes
Green Valley Lake in Green Valley Park-approximately 15 minutes-look for “Bernie” the Bald Eagle! East Verde River-about 7 minutes
Grocery stores and restaurants/bars/shops: 10 minutes
Gas station: 3 minutes
Birdwatching-0 minutes, right from the back deck! Walking and Exploring the forest-0 minutes-right out the back gate! Rooms and spaces:
Bedrooms: 3
Bed: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Additional areas: 7
All areas are just for guests
Closet in front bedroom, outbuildings/sheds and basement are not for guest use. Amenities
Kitchen Essentials
Air conditioning
Space heaters
Extra linens
Cooking basics
Dishes and silverware
Hair dryer
Heating
Kitchen
TV
Wifi
Bathtub
Body soap
Conditioner
Hot water
Shampoo
Shower gel
Bed linens
Clothing storage
Extra pillows and blankets
Hangers
Iron and ironing board
Books and reading material
Record player
Board games
Outdoor games
Ceiling fans
Carbon monoxide alarm but not necessary-no gas
Fire extinguisher
First aid supplies
Smoke alarms
Baking sheet
Barbecue utensils
Gas grill
Coffee
Coffee maker
Dining table
Dishwasher
Freezer
Hot water kettle
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Rice maker
Stove
Toaster
Wine glasses
Private entrance
Backyard
Chair Hammock
Outdoor dining area
Outdoor furniture
Patio or balcony
EV charging outlet
Free parking on premises
Free street parking
Single level home
For Guest safety, we have:
-a Ring doorbell on the front of the house and a stickup cam that faces the backyard and forest
-a smoke alarm in each room
Accessibility: Guests must climb two steps to get into the front door and a flight of stairs in the back
Potential for noise-forest animals, neighbors, dogs barking
The property is not flat so there are heights without rails or protection
Potentially dangerous animals-coyotes, mountain lions, elk
Getting around:
There really isn’t much public transportation here. There are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
***No Parties or Loud Gatherings...
The house and property are best used by couples, small families, hikers, hunters, and explorers. We do not allow parties or loud gatherings that might disturb our neighbors or cause damages to any part of the property or forest around it.***
Our goal is for our guests to have the best stay possible and we want to be able to continue to provide a comfortable, cozy place for guests to enjoy for years to come. In order to achieve these goals, we have developed some guidelines.
1.*Supervise children closely-
-For their safety, children must be supervised. The cottage is on a large lot and there is a high deck with stairs. There are also gates to get outside with easy to open latches. Many of the flowers have sharp thorns, as well. There is wildlife in the area and children should be watched closely so they do not interact with wildlife. There are no outlet protectors, child gates, nor are there any other kinds of child safety devices or child bedding provided. We do provide a few toys and books. There are high areas, sloped areas, and areas under the deck where children should not be permitted. The water heater is set to a high temperature, please supervise them closely when using faucets as the water will get extremely HOT. There is bug spray as well as cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink. There is a chair hammock outside that children may think is a swing, but it is not to be used as a swing. Please be extra sure children understand these guidelines.
2.*No flames-NO SMOKING of any kind anywhere in the house or anywhere on the property at any time. Please do not v**e in the house.
-Safety first! Because we are located in the forest and dealing with severe drought, we allow no fires, no smoking, no flames of any kind anywhere inside or outside the house/on the property at any time. The forest is very dry due to severe drought, so all it takes is one tiny little spark. If you smoke, please do so in your vehicle with an ashtray. It can get so dry and we are in a drought, so wildfire is a concern year round. No form of open flame is permitted on the property inside or outside of the house at any time. This includes but is not limited to incense, candles, and charcoal grills. We do provide a gas grill, which is permitted year round. A fee will be charged per butt and all damages incurred as a result of smoking will be charged to the person responsible for the booking. If you have any smokers in your party, please find a different place to stay as we worry so much about the potential of wildfire.
3.*Close gates-
Keep gates closed and latched at all times when not in use. This will discourage destructive and/or dangerous wildlife from coming onto the property.
4.*Don't litter-
-There is no trash service in the forest. Unfortunately, the forest service has seen a severe increase in litter and vandalism. Please be prepared to take whatever you bring into the forest back out of the forest with you.
5.*TP only-
-Toilet paper only in toilets: Please use toilet paper only in the toilets-please do not put “flushable” wipes or any other kind of products that do not come from natural bodily functions in the toilets, please. There are trash cans in each bathroom. We are on a septic system and would hate for you to have a bad plumbing experience during your stay.
***Do Not remove drain basket/cover from tub drains while bathing/showering; they're there to prevent hair from going down the drain-pull hair out of the drain basket in the tub and put it in the trash can to increase drain flow. Please do not put hair down any drain, nor should it be thrown in the toilet. Be sure to share this information with children and guests.
6.*Max of 6-
-Six people is the absolute maximum occupancy for the cottage. No more than six people should be in the cottage at a time. It is small and cozy, so even one more person feels like too many. Please be sure to state the correct number of guests when you make your reservation. Our cleaners depend on it. It is a small town and good reliable cleaners are few and far between! They plan their day by the minute so unexpected guests can really throw a wrench in their schedules.
7.*Quiet Hours-
-Noise: There is a noise ordinance in Payson. Please be respectful of the neighbors. The property is a semi-private setting separated by a short chain link fence and many trees, but loud noises carry. Please enjoy yourself while being quiet enough to allow neighbors to enjoy themselves and their properties as well. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 8am.
8.*No animals of any kind are allowed in or on the property. We love animals but our cleaner will not clean after pets for less than $500. In addition, because the fence has areas to escape and there is wildlife in the forest, the property is not safe for pets. There will be a charge of $500 per animal brought on to property and guests will be asked to leave without a refund. We do not recommend that service animals stay on the property either because there are predators in the forest and neighborhood pets have been injured/killed. If you do bring a service animal despite the danger, please consider keeping it on a leash and do not leave the animal alone inside or outside. Finally, we would greatly appreciate advance notice if you choose to bring a service animal as we would need ample time to find another cleaner due to allergies. We do not accept responsibility for any kind of injury or death to any service animal or pet.
9. Enjoy the trees and garden with your eyes only. Do not pick or pull on any plants, fruit, flowers, or trees. Do not climb trees. Please be sure to share these rules with children and all guests. Nightly rates:
For current nightly rates, see the most current calendar photos in the feed/on the page or see the fees below for dates not included in the photos:
Cleaning fee: $75
Refundable Security deposit: $250
1 bed: 140/night
2 beds: 158/night
3 beds: 175/night
If stay includes use of sleeper/sofabed: 220/night
Payments accepted via Venmo, Zelle, or Cashier's Check. No more than six guests total, regardless of age
House Manual:
Welcome to Cozy Garden Cottage of the Rim! We are so pleased you have chosen our cozy little cottage for your getaway! Our goal is for you to have the absolute best stay possible. Check-in is at 4pm and check-out is at 11am. Use the code I send you to unlock the door. To lock it, you can use the same code. You can also press the top, where it says Schlage. Please double check to make sure the lock mechanism locked before leaving. My cell is 602-448-1366 (Call or Text)
Pop’s number is 602-339-0119 (Call or text). He is 89 years old and hard of hearing but sharp as a tack and can help you if you need something during daylight hours.
-The Cozy Cottage is very cozy. It can sleep six or more but only has adequate seating inside for four people.
*Do not smoke inside or outside. We are in the forest and all it takes is one spark to cause a fast moving forest fire. Because of this, we do not allow any kind of open flames anywhere on the property or in the house. Our neighbors and we are extra appreciative of the observance of this rule.
-Please be aware that the forest has insects such as spiders, mosquitos, wasps, ants, etc. There are also animals such as elk and coyotes that can be noisy at inconvenient times. It is a good idea to come prepared with your preferred methods of prevention for your comfort (such as mosquito repellent, ear plugs, sleeves, etc.). Check out directions:
o Please switch off all lights and reset thermostat (80 in the summer, 60 in the winter)
o Please close and lock all exterior doors and windows
o Please place used towels on the bathroom floor. o If there are any spots on sheets or towels that need to be addressed, please let us know or lay them out so we don't miss the spots. o Please rinse and place dirty dishes in the dishwasher. o Please empty trash into the trash receptacle outside behind the front shed. o Please clean grill and grill utensils really well if you use them. o Please send me a text when you leave so we can start preparing for the next guests as soon as possible. o I would love it if you’d leave a note in the pink book with a cool story or your favorite part about your stay! Cleaning-
Our cleaning fee covers laundering linens, remaking beds, putting dishes away, running dishwasher, dusting, sweeping/mopping floors, cleaning kitchen, cleaning bathrooms, and basic cleaning. Other services, such as putting toys and records away, moving furniture, excessive messes, etc. are not included in the base cleaning fee. Our cleaning pro is always grateful when guests tidy up a bit before leaving. Leaving used towels on the bathroom floor, rinsing dishes and loading them into the dishwasher, and taking out the trash is much appreciated.
*Please leave linens that need pretreating out in the open so that our cleaning pro can see them and tend to them
*No need to strip beds. Ring Cameras: Please remember there is video/audio surveillance at the front door and the backyard. We respect your privacy and do not have time or desire to monitor them, but we do check in once in a great while to make sure the house isn’t on fire and to be certain the elk haven't taken up residence. We mostly have the cameras for security when no one is scheduled to be in the house or if a guest cannot be reached and there is some kind of issue. Neighbors also check in with us if they have concerns. Extra Fees are quite rare and exist to protect us from incurring extra fees from our cleaners and handyperson:
*A fee of $30 per 15 minutes will be charged to guests for late checkout. The cleaning crew will pack and remove items left by guests who are not present for an additional fee of $100.
-It is important that you state the correct number of guests in your reservation. There will be a charge of $50 per extra guest per night over what is agreed upon in the original reservation.
-Extra fees for moving indoor/outdoor furniture, cleaning excessive messes, not putting items away after use will vary from $20-$100 per additional task after basic cleaning. This depends on time and/or additional help required.
-Damages that require repair will incur extra fees of whatever the cost is to repair them as well as any lost reservations they may cause.
-$500 per pet and cancelation of reservation with no refund. We want all of our guests to have a safe, five star stay!
-Please avoid going out into the forest behind the house after dark.
-If you are a hunter, please follow hunting laws and regulations.
-Out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you respect their privacy.
-Floors and furniture-Please do not drag furniture on, or cause any other damage to, the wood floors. Please wipe up any spills as soon as possible. Please do not move furniture. The cleaning crew charges extra fees for moving furniture back to where it belongs. Additional Important Safety Information:
-Please be advised that this property is on a slightly sloped lot and it is rugged, especially in the winter months. The ground is uneven; please watch your step. In addition, there is wildlife in the area. It also gets very dark at night, with no street lights. There is a septic tank on the property with a lid covering it in the backyard; please supervise children well.
-Use the chair hammock at your own risk. Recommended weight limit is 165 pounds or less. It is not a swing, just a place to relax under the tree.. For safety, children must be very closely supervised if they are allowed to use it. Towels/Linens:
-Please use your makeup remover wipes, tissue, or provided colored washcloths in the bathroom baskets to remove makeup. Please do not use white towels or linens to wash off makeup or anything else that might stain, like wine or coffee. Please do not use charcoal or coffee based beauty products. We do have paper towels and other colored linens in the hall pantry. Our sheets are 100% cotton. There are additional linens in the linen cabinets next to the front bathroom. The following information is organized and labeled for your convenience (some is repeated from above):
Rugged Grounds: Please be advised that this property is a sloped lot and it is rugged with uneven ground. Please supervise your child at all times. The cottage is on a large lot and there are stairs and a high deck. There are also gates to get outside of the lot with easy to open latches. Lights: Some of the light switches can take a little getting used to. They are set up to work with the ceiling fans, similar to remote controls for televisions and labeled so you can do more than just turn lights on and off. When you come in the front door, there is a remote for the living room ceiling fan attached to the wall on your left; please do not take the remote off of the wall. Kitchen: Look through the cabinets in the small pass-through kitchen so you know what is there. Help yourself to coffee or tea. Manuals are in the left drawer of the buffet. Coffee filters can be found in the right drawer of the buffet. Master Bathroom: The bathtub is on a very high platform, so it can be difficult to get in and out of it. Please use the wooden step with a handle in the corner and the metal handle on the wall to help you. This tub should only be used by very able bodied people. Others should use the tub in the other bathroom. Middle bedroom: There are some toys, a vacuum cleaner, a fan, an iron, and an ironing board in the closet. This room is the warmest of the house when the heater is on and the coolest when the air conditioning is on. Front Bedroom: There is no closet available for guest use, but there is a dresser. The Forest behind the cottage: There is a little clip in the latch of the gate. To get out of the gate, remove the clip and clip it onto the fence so you can put it back when you return. The clip helps prevent the gate from being opened by animals, please put it back on the latch if you remove it. The path behind the house is also used by animals, including cattle. Every now and then, people walk or ride bikes/ATVs on the path. The cottage is in a neighborhood, so there are neighbors who live year round on one side and across the street from the cottage. You may hear neighborhood dogs bark. There is outdoor furniture outside. Some of it is worn as it is exposed to the elements. To fish or hike mountains, you will need to drive as little as three miles or as many as however far you want to go! To explore the forest, you only need to walk outside the back gate. The First, Second, and Third Crossings and Water Wheel require a parking pass. The parking pass may be purchased at the Houston Mesa Campground (on the left almost immediately after you enter Houston Mesa Road from the 260) for $10/day or $25/year. The Garden:
Please do not pick any flowers or fruit from trees or bushes. Grill: Please be sure to turn the gas off completely. Also, please clean the grill well after using. Use the grill at your own risk. Gas is not guaranteed. If the tank runs out, I may not be able to bring a replacement tank. For your safety and the well being of others, do not use the grill if you are unsure how to use it correctly. Flame/Fire:
No type of open flame is permitted. If you smoke, you must do so in your vehicle with an ashtray so that no ashes get outside. Even when the fire ban has been lifted, we are choosing to continue caution until further notice. This includes ci******es of any kind, candles, incense, etc. Parking is on the street, just outside the gate, or in the driveway. The driveway is low (below street level) and rugged. Use caution if you park in the driveway and be aware that your car may get dirty. You should not park in the driveway if your car is very low to the ground. Parking on the street is not permitted when it is snowing as there is a plow that comes through to take care of the street. Fun Stuff:
-Try stargazing in the backyard at night. Just be careful! Bring a flash light and remember that the ground is uneven.
-There are many great hiking trails within a few minutes' drive of the cottage-too many to name!
-Left (driving) on Houston Mesa Road will take you to various crossings where you can take pretty simple hikes along the East Verde River. These day use areas do ask you for a $10 day use fee.
-Further down Houston Mesa Road, driving past Whispering Pines, you will find Washington Park. This spot is amazingly beautiful. There are trails you can take from this area. One trail is what locals refer to as the Railroad Trail. Most of this trail is relatively easy, but the last stretch to get to the actual tunnel is really tough and definitely not for everyone.
-Right on Houston Mesa Road will take you to Highway 87. About a mile or so from Stallion Road right on Houston Mesa Rd, there is a small dirt area where you can park to hike up to the rock ledges that you see when driving to the cottage from the 87.
-If you drive back to the highway from the cottage on Houston Mesa Rd, you can turn left to go towards Payson where you can catch a movie, take a hike, or have a meal. Turn right onto the highway to head towards the Tonto Natural Bridge or further to Pine. Pine is a super cute little town that offers artisan shops and more trails. There are some really good restaurants up there, too. I have not been able to try all of them yet, but The Old County Inn is really great and they usually have pretty good live music, but it is a very popular spot, so be prepared for a long wait. If you go out at night, please be aware that it gets very dark here at night. Please be extra careful on the roads, especially at night. Hitting an animal like an elk will total your car and cause injury or worse. Seasons-
The following is typical but not guaranteed, of course:
o December-February: Brrr! Cold and chances of rain and/or snow
°March: Can be rainy, even snow now then! o April: Flowers start to appear, starts to warm up a bit o May: Flowers are blooming!! Weather is warm during the day, cool at night o June-Starts to get hot during the day, nights in the 60s- Monsoon may begin o July-August: Hot during the day, nights in the 60s to 70s- Very dry until monsoons which
could occur during this period
o September: Starts to get cooler o October-November: Cool, may see rain, can even snow
The Review Process-
Please write a review for us! Here is a good guideline when reviewing:
5 Stars: Knowing that perfection does not exist, you were happy with the conditions of your stay and the host’s behavior-I would consider staying here again and I might even recommend to others.
4 Stars: There were multiple things that made your stay less than pleasant and the host did not make adequate efforts to fix it quickly enough after you alerted her to the issue(s)-I would not stay here again and might not recommend to others.
3 Stars: There were multiple things wrong and the host was difficult to connect with/slow to respond, and did not try to fix the problems that we pointed out to her. Little to nothing was done to rectify the situation once I alerted the host. I would definitely not ever stay here again, nor would I recommend it to others.
2 Stars: Things were so bad that the host should take down the listing, get rid of the house, and find something else to do.
1 Star: Things were so bad that the host should be arrested! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
