22/09/2022
The 9 best pet-friendly vacation homes across the Western U.S.
1. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA. Sleeps 12. 6 bedrooms/5 bathrooms. The surreal landscape of boulders and cacti is illuminated with custom lighting at night so you can admire it during a moonlight soak in the hot tub, or an evening dip in the sunken cowboy tub as the desert sky is speckled with stars. Get a fire crackling in the fire pit to keep the desert chill at bay, and spend days sprawled out in the sun on the wooden deck overlooking the miles and miles of rugged terrain. Our favourite part of this home has to be the round chill-out room where a curved sofa sits in the sunshine of a towering glass atrium and a wet bar awaits for drinks by the fire. Picture frame windows in the dine-in kitchen keep that desert view coming and bedrooms are decked out in boho-chic with macrame wall art and raw wood furnishings. Find inner peace in the yoga room where a curved wall of windows lets the desert light stream in. When it comes to exploring the great outdoors, Joshua Tree National Park entrance is a twenty-minute drive away, and downtown Joshua Tree and Pioneertown are both twelve minutes away.
2. BOISE, IDAHO. Sleeps 10. 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms. Promising a healthy, organic stay, you'll be surrounded by tree-dotted hiking trails and leafy parks, with a quiet outside space to start the day back at your architectural splendour. High ceilings and abundant natural light flood in through the large picture windows. The tinged wood features, stone tiles, cosy furnishings and curated houseplants make for a relaxing, breathable space to unwind, while the sleek chef's kitchen with quartz waterfall countertops will make cooking a joy. When you're ready and raring to explore, we recommend taking the half-hour stroll to the Downtown area – where art deco buildings, public gardens and The Boise River Greenbelt all vie for your attention.
3. LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA. Sleeps 6. 3 bedrooms/4 bathrooms. For the ultimate in California desert chic, it doesn't get much better than this stunning home located a stone's throw from the PGA West golf course. However, there's also much more to life here than golf, with tennis lovers able to watch the top players in the world slug it out at Indian Wells in March, while the month of April is ideal for music lovers, with the Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals just minutes down the road. Back home, with great weather almost guaranteed, ample seating options inside and out, plus an additional outdoor kitchen, ensure that this home is perfect for entertaining. If your stay doesn't overlap with one of the many sporting and cultural events, discover the nine-block shopping district of El Paseo 8.5 miles away, while La Quinta's Old Town offers excellent shopping and dining options less than a five-minute drive away.
4. TELLURIDE, COLORADO. Sleeps 7. 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. There aren't many more dramatic views from a house than the ones you'll get here. The early morning views of the Rocky Mountains from the dining table will be enough to wake up even the heaviest sleeper. Being situated so close to mountains means only one thing – amazing skiing in close proximity. Within nineteen-minutes you can be at Telluride Ski Resort skiing on some of the best slopes in Colorado, as touted by Condé Nast and Forbes. After days out marvelling at the sights, you can look forward to returning to a home just as special. Cook up a feast on the barbeque before heading out onto the front porch for amazing stargazing opportunities. Don't worry about getting cold, the porch is heated! But if you'd rather stay cosy inside, why not curl up around the fire in the lounge with a cup of hot cocoa to hand.
5. BERMUDA DUNES, CALIFORNIA. Sleeps 26. 12 bedrooms/9 bathrooms. The citrus-sweet scent of verbena flowers lingers in the air at this sprawling, Mediterranean-style villa in Coachella Valley. Apart from the inviting smell of desert flowers, the endless entertainment options will have you wanting to spend every second outside. At its heart, a free-form pool fed by a waterfall from the lagoon-like hot tub provides a place to cool off during the day. Stringed lights have been strung up between the palms, illuminating the lawn at twilight and creating a festival atmosphere. Get the fire pit roaring and a few games of co****le in before settling down for dinner on the covered terrace. Inside, the home feels like boho luxury where an acoustic guitar and grand piano await in the lounge, in keeping with the Coachella Valley vibes. There’s a gym if you want to keep on top of your fitness schedule and a steam room and sauna to unwind in after. Or, head to the private basketball court outside and shoot some hoops to work up a sweat.
6. SEDONA, ARIZONA. Sleeps 4. 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. Sparkling and stylish, this modern home is a perfect fit for hikers, runners and mountain bikers who want to stay minutes from the area’s scenic trailheads. Optimising every angle, it’s no surprise that your host is an architect – Sedona’s red rock formations are stunningly visible throughout the home. Sit on the front patio for views of Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock, or hang in the living room or back lounge for views of Coffee Pot and Mogollon Rim. In the evenings, fire up the barbecue in the back garden and enjoy a meal alfresco, followed by some enviable stargazing. Between the garage-turned-gym, garden hammocks and wooden desk, your time at home will be filled with both leisure and activity. Make sure to fit in enough time to unwind and soak in the vibes too – the living room features beautiful exposed beams, a cosy electric fireplace and a huge window that looks out onto the landscape. You’ll be just a nine-minute walk from the grocery stores, coffee shops and restaurants of the area, and just a sixteen-minute walk from the Sugar Loaf Trailhead.
7. NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA. Sleeps 8. 3 bedrooms/3 bathrooms. Have you ever had an indulgent soak in a bathroom with its own fireplace? No? We think you'll agree it's time you did. This luxe home on the Balboa Peninsula has just that, plus a backyard hot tub - perfect for stargazing and enjoying the balmy Orange County weather. The home is fresh and contemporary, with white wooden beams, bohemian rattan furnishings, and elegant natural tones. You'll have enviably close proximity to the beach, so working on your tan or surfing the waves can be your daily ritual. We recommend heading to the beach to watch the sunset (or sunrise if that’s more your thing) - the ones over the Pacific Ocean are about as beautiful as they get. You can also explore the local area on two wheels, courtesy of the beach cruiser bikes left here for your use.
8. LOS ANGELES, CALIFIORNIA. Sleeps 10. 5 bedrooms/6 bathrooms. A spectacular statement home nestled on a tranquil residential street in the heart of buzzy Beverly Grove. Limitless attention to detail and beautiful design combine with high-end amenities create the ultimate home away from home. The main floor features a formal living and dining room with a gleaming black marble fireplace, a home movie theatre for unbeatable nights in and a stunning chef's kitchen for restaurant standard homecooked meals. Step through the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to a lavishly landscaped poolside patio, outdoor dining area, and bespoke white pebble pool and spa. The standout bedroom is undoubtedly the palatial primary suite, with its vast walk-in closet, stunning spa-style master bath, private balcony, and a study-media lounge. Nearby, LA's iconic cultural hotspots - The Grove, boutique stores and fine dining restaurants are within a five-minute drive. Alternatively, if you fancy feeling the sand between your toes, Santa Monica's iconic pier is around twenty-five minutes away.
9. PARK CITY, UTAH. Sleeps 16. 6 bedrooms/5 bathrooms. Relax in front of the roaring fire on the deck, surrounded by fragrant pine trees beside your loved ones. This elegant, yet character-filled home welcomes you with a stunning interior and many fantastic amenities. From the sauna to the racketball court, there's nothing your hosts haven't thought of. Merging alpine charm and modern sophistication, you'll be itching to get back home after a long day exploring the town or hitting the slopes. Open a fine bottle of wine, soothe your aching muscles in the hot tub, challenge someone to a game of pool, then cook up a fantastic meal in any of the two gourmet kitchens. Whether you bring the whole family or just your favorite friends, this spot is sure to provide a space of comfort and relaxation.
