Staying at The Folly Collection in Joshua Tree, California


We headed east of Los Angeles for about 2.5 hours for the ultimate desert retreat. The most luminous glow of red and orange hues lit the sky as we made our way off the paved road and onto soft sand. The course set directly towards the mountain range slightly northeast of Joshua Tree and into Twentynine Palms. As the night grew darker, we couldn’t help but wonder if we had made a wrong turn. It was finally, about a quarter-mile off the road, we saw the lonely, barn-turned-hideaway we would be staying at known as The Folly Collection. 

The Property

The Folly Collection (click here for $55 USD off your stay) is all about disconnecting and really getting in touch with the sun and stars above you. Known as a place with “the luxury to unplug, while reconnecting with your surroundings,” you’ll find that the experience is a lot more about facetime and less selfie time (although as a travel blogger, there was a bit of both).

Nestled between State Route 62 and the Bullion mountain range lies this eco-friendly property that really goes the extra green mile. For starters, the place has a solar panel that powers the entire place between the hours of 9am-6pm. Wifi, lights, AC, all of it powered through sustainable means.

There’s also a grey water system, meaning it’s gently used water from your bathroom sinks, showers, tubs, and washing machines. Don’t worry, you’re not drinking super gross water. In an attempt to recycle water that ain’t too dirty to waste, The Folly Collection simply recycles it (though the renovated home does have a filtered water pitcher so you can drink safely).

The entire place is also accessed via remote control. There’s a central iPod that controls the locks, the window screens, bluetooth music system and more. As my girlfriend connected Ariana Grande’s then-recent single ‘7 rings’ through the house bluetooth system and cranked up the volume while we chugged champagne, we couldn’t help but feel like we had reached ultimate, desert-chic bliss.

Amenities

I had heard about this sustainable haven through the wonders of Instagram. And while I knew it was a newly renovated property, you can imagine my surprise upon finding just how comfortable the owners had made this house.

In addition to the control system and solar panels, the Folly Collection has some amazing features:

  • Rainfall shower with floor-to-ceiling view of the desert
  • Two super comfy mattresses (one indoors and one outdoors)
  • Pull out couch that sleeps two
  • Organic toiletries
  • Robes and plenty of towels
  • Netflix, Hulu and Cable
  • Fully equipped kitchen stocked with utensils and basic cooking supplies
  • Medium-sized Fridge
  • Drinking water filter
  • High-end Ratio Coffee Maker
  • Outdoor grill and campfire with plenty of firewood
  • Two comfortable hammocks
  • On-site Parking
  • Wifi (both inside the home and the observation deck)
  • Multiple, in-house remote controls
  • Air conditioning/heat
  • Outdoor soaking tub

Things To Do

Joshua Tree is one of those places to go if you’re really into nature. Still, there isn’t a whole heck of a lot to do if you’re used to a jam-packed schedule. You can explore Joshua Tree National Park, go to the Integratron, go thrifting, maybe visit for a festival and… did I mention you can check out Joshua Tree National Park?

That’s why the Folly Collection’s Joshua Tree property gives you a couple of extra things to do in case you just want to relax and truly unplug.

It may be a home of leisure, but you’ll be doing so in style. The outdoor soaking tub allows you to take a quick dip and relax while enjoying the view. You can also BBQ with your friends while lighting up a bonfire. And if you wanna just chill indoors, the place has plenty of board games and TV with Netflix and cable.

But the best part of this property has got to be the star-gazing observation deck. Too cold you say? Not in a heated bed with a fireplace! Never have I ever seen the sky so lit up by the stars. And for the first time in, well ever, I was able to see the Milky Way Galaxy in all of its delicious glory. Not on a screen, not in a photograph. In real life.

And while we did not get a chance to experience these extras, you can even order healthy meals from a locally owned business (think juices and vegan deserts) as well as in-home spa experiences (this does in fact cost extra).

Staff

This is the part in my review where I would normally gush or rip the staff apart (okay, maybe I’m not that dramatic).

As an AirBnb property, you can assume there is no staff here. You check in and you check out. But what the space lacks in an actual staff, it makes up for in the charm of its complete isolation.

Sure, you’re pretty much on your own in the desert (I mean. You have neighbors not too terribly far). But you do notice homey touches that the owners left behind. Handwritten notes, a guest book and fully stocked toiletries are just some of the things you’ll find that doesn’t make it seem like you’re entering a completely abandoned, yet renovated, shed. From checking in to a list of things to do and house procedures, this house has literally everything.

Want Your Own Stay At The Folly Collection? Click here for $55 off your stay at this awesome Airbnb!

*Thank you to The Folly Collection for hosting us during our stay in Joshua Tree. As always, thoughts and opinions express are entirely my own.
**This post contains some affiliate links. Clicking these links is at no additional cost to you but helps me earn a living so I can continue writing for you fine people 🙂

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