The Joshua Tree House
Step into the world of The Joshua Tree House, a remarkable hotel brand renowned for its immersive experiences in breathtaking natural settings. In our latest edition of Cultivating Conversations, we spoke with the owners Sara and Rich about their unique approach to blending design and nature, their journey from a creative space to a sought-after destination, and their long–term vision focused on sustainability. With emphasis on the healing power of nature, commitment to providing a space for reflection and reset, the journey ahead for The Joshua Tree House is filled with exciting possibilities.
WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION BEHIND STARTING THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE AND THE JOURNEY THAT LED TO ITS CURRENT FORM?
We were working as web designers in San Francisco, always on our computers and found ourselves craving time away from the screen to work with our hands and be outside more. We decided to leave our full–time roles that bound us to office life to go freelance so we could travel while figuring out what was next for us. We went on a cross–country road–trip through the southwestern national parks (including Joshua Tree National Park and Saguaro National Park).
“We found ourselves falling in love with the kind and creative communities in each place, and the surreal landscapes that made us feel inspired again.”
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE KIND OF EXPERIENCES YOU AIM TO CREATE FOR YOUR GUESTS DURING THEIR STAY?
“Our goal is to offer our guests the time and space to slow down and reconnect with nature – two things that are often put aside for busy work schedules and big plans.”
We’re all about unplanned days here so we can take in what’s around us – maybe it’s an incredible sunset, looking at the stars, or an owl sitting above us in a palm tree.
To enhance the experience of slowing down, we also have private chefs that can be booked as well as options for a sound bath, tarot reading, massage, yoga, or a portrait session.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT GUESTS FEEL A STRONG CONNECTION TO BOTH THE BEAUTY OF NATURE AND THE COMFORT OF YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS?
While our guests are staying with us, this is home. We’re always around if our guests need us, but in order to give our guests an immediate sense of home we avoid tours of where the light switches are located or how to use the coffee maker etc so they can immediately get settled in and feel that the space is theirs.
“We also focus on all of the senses in each room: comfy beds and linens, fresh room sprays, delicious local coffee and granola, custom playlists, and sunny spaces all make for a relaxed experience.”
For me at the beginning I was not that connected with the idea of my identity in my work, and what my place is as a Latin American designer. I didn't have that need and wasn’t that connected with the idea.
Guests that are interested in staying at a JTH property in Joshua Tree, CA or Tucson, AZ tend to be interested in both design and nature from the start, so we design the experience of a stay here around a connection with nature by blurring indoor and outdoor space and designing for ordinary experiences. We go into more detail on this in our book, At Home in Joshua Tree.
AS THE FOUNDERS, WHAT IS YOUR LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE? HOW DO YOU SEE IT EVOLVING AND GROWING IN THE FUTURE?
Our biggest hope is that during a stay at one of our places, our guests re-fall in love with nature and in turn find a reason to take care of it.
“We are so lucky to have access to our national parks and nature in general, so we hope to grow with conservation efforts and sustainability.”
HOW DO YOU STRIKE THAT IDEAL BALANCE BETWEEN DESIGN AND NATURE?
“From the very beginning our goal with these spaces has been to combine design and nature, and provide our guests with a space to slow down and take a much needed deep breath.”
We’re all generally moving so fast these days, so we feel that a few days spent in the desert where the biggest plans are simply watching the sun set, taking a hike or enjoying some coffee is much needed.
Our design mantras guide us as we design: Blur Indoor and Outdoor Space, Curate a Home that Enhances with Use, Design for Ordinary Experiences, and Always Add Plants (Real Ones). These mantras help guide us in considering our surrounding landscape when designing interior spaces, and in choosing materials and pieces that celebrate age and imperfection and bring joy to ordinary experiences at home.
CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT SOME SPECIFIC DESIGN ELEMENTS OR FEATURES IN YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS THAT EXEMPLIFY THIS HARMONIOUS BLEND OF DESIGN AND NATURE?
“Much of our design is focused on using natural materials and allowing the exterior landscapes to remain the main focus.”
We tend to start our design process with getting to know the land around us – and what colors, textures, materials etc that we find there. You’ll find elements of stone, wood, raw brass, as well as natural fibers and natural paints throughout our spaces.
HOW DO YOU BELIEVE THAT STAYING AT THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE CONTRIBUTES TO THE HEALING AND REJUVENATION OF YOUR GUESTS?
“Nature is full of incredible lessons.”
We recently experienced one of the tougher moments we’ve yet to experience while living in the desert, yet we came out from the experience with so much new appreciation for life here.
Last week, a strange low and wide rainbow crossed the sky. It quickly turned to rain and extreme winds, sending us running inside. A microburst swept through the national park and through our inn's property taking down any trees and saguaros in its path. We’ve heard that the park may have lost as many as 500 mature saguaros, and we lost at least 20 here on property that we know of. Even in that heartbreak this place has held us in processing it all – both the highs and the lows. The simple everyday moments and those life changing ones.
GIVEN THE CHALLENGING TIMES YOU’VE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY, HOW HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A SPACE FOR REFLECTION AND RESET EVOLVED?
We’ve realized that without difficulty, beauty loses its meaning.
“We hope that our guests are able to find beauty here, but also hope they feel embraced to utilize this as a space to process loss or difficult times.”
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH YOUR GUESTS, ENSURING THAT EACH STAY FEELS SPECIAL AND MEANINGFUL?
“A stay begins before arrival, so we love sharing personal notes and a playlist we curate seasonally with our guests for their trip out.”
We also have a copy of our book at all of our locations which shares so much of what we love about design and nature.
ARE THERE ANY GUEST STORIES OR FEEDBACK THAT PARTICULARLY RESONATE WITH YOU AND REFLECT THE IMPACT OF THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE EXPERIENCE?
The connections made here and the sense of community we hear about from guests is always touching. Some lifelong friends have been made here, and in that way it’s a place to connect both with nature and with others. Here’s a sweet review about this:
Life changing. Those are the 1st words that come to mind. One thing I really loved was the presence of community in this space (if you wanted it). There was plenty of space to either connect w/others or be alone together. We did a bit of both and that was so refreshing.
“You'll leave this place feeling so much peace and calm.”
THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE HAS PROPERTIES IN JOSHUA TREE AND TUCSON. ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO EXPAND TO OTHER LOCATIONS OR TO INTRODUCE NEW CONCEPTS OR OFFERINGS IN THE FUTURE?
The original road-trip we took that made us fall in love with the southwest took us from Joshua Tree to Tucson to Marfa and beyond. Before having our daughter (who is now a little over 1), we bought a ranch in Marfa to eventually build on and expand the Joshua Tree House road–trip. We are taking things slower with our daughter Flora for now, but this project is still something we dream about.
“There is such incredible quiet and peace on that property that we’d love to share with our guests.”
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE JOURNEY AHEAD FOR THE JOSHUA TREE HOUSE?
We love that the possibilities are endless, that The Joshua Tree House can be so many things.
“We’re currently most excited about the start of our vegetable garden so we can incorporate some food grown on property into the chef meals at The Inn.”
We’re learning as we go, but we hope to share what we learn about rainwater harvesting in the desert with our guests along the way!
