We stayed on the property during the beginning of the dry season, so traveling up and down the mountain did not seem all that bad. It certainly does require skill and confidence, and could not be accomplished after 5:30 pm when the sun goes down. I was successful in an older Hydaui Tucson, automatic with manual mode. The biggest disadvantage was the ground clearance. There are some areas with rocks that could hit the undercarriage if not avoided requiring that I go very slowly.
For the most part, this house is as described. Nice and big and open. Located on a private lot, but shared with at least 1 other rentable property in addition to the caretaker’s place. You can somewhat see this in one of the area photos. We were unfortunate to have quite rowdy neighbors (8+ people) so some nights were loud. Moreover, the surrounding area continues to be developed and during the daytime, excavators were running leaving our chances of wildlife encounters slim.
The house is probably 20 years old at this point, so showing some signs of wear, especially offered continuously as a short-term rental. (Wine stains on chair cushions, some ripped apart, along with screens, musty basement smell from the Livingroom, dishwasher leaks, and walls need painting). Expect daily power loss, sometimes for hours on end. Moreover, we were told about conserving water due to a leak towards the end of our stay. The sign next to the toilet requests all paper products get disposed of in the trash, making it seem more like a camping experience, than a five-star.
The views are amazing for sure, and the house is still very, very nice. Both Del and the caretaker, Edgar will ensure that everything is taken care of and your stay is most enjoyable. Edgar will show up about 6 am every morning when the sun rises to tend to the pool, and later on in the morning to check on anything you need. The area has a small town, with several grocery stores, banks, drug stores, and restaurants. The Beach area is a state park making it quite safe, well-maintained, and beautiful. The property could benefit from some beach chairs to use when visiting that area. It was a nice break from staying in hotels for over a week, but would I return at this price…probably not.
