Hi, my name is SJ and I have an Airbnb addiction. And I wanted to share my passion with you. What follows are five Airbnb's you can find right here in our backyard of Arizona. All a perfect weekend's drive away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Enjoy!
What: Vintage Trailer & Bathhouse
Where: Young, Arizona
This little gem is the epitome of what going off-grid should be. The wide open spaces. The wildlife. The farmlife. The cowboy pool and outdoor shower and clawfoot tub. The way the rain beats down on a tin roof and rainbows paint the fuchsia sunset skies. The simplicity in a tiny trailer perfect for a girl and her dog. Cooking outdoors on a propane grill. Front-porch sittin’ with a cold glass of lemonade splashing among clinking ice. Combine the two and you’ll find the respite you’ve been craving – even if you didn’t know it.
What: The Foxbriar Inn
Where: Prescott, Arizona
This slice of whimsy is nestled at the base of Thumb Butte in Prescott, Arizona. Alice and Wonderland would have found this place dreamy. It’s a scavenger hunt of magic. Mick Shepard and his wife Sandy left no rock unturned while reconstructing this 100 year old home. Hundreds of hours were spent tearing out rock and cement slabs, replacing windows with stained glass and putting in new infrastructure – electricity, water and gas lines. But what truly makes this property unique is the repurposed items used to adorn the home. From an old Civil War uniform to multiple clocks all left unwound so time would stand still. A rug made of bow-ties and a breadbox with an ivory beauty set including an intricate mirror. A deep clawfoot tub and weathered upright piano. The list goes on and on. The property even has an outdoor dining area – or vinery - fit for a feast, a gypsy wagon that can also be rented and a beautiful carriage house complete with a vintage car.
What: Zen Chalet
Where: Flagstaff, Arizona
To say this place is unique would be an understatement. It's colorful, warm, eclectic and packed FULL of good vibes. Outside, a private hot tub beckons you and becomes even more magical in the winter snow. A doggy-door leads to a fenced backyard. You're greeted with a waterfall pond, a fire pit and barbecue. There's even a gong, sighing bowl, guitars, drums & shakers and I'd be lying if I said I didn't start a one-man band with my pup one evening. Inside is full of art and an abundance of treasures to discover as well as a spiral staircase leading up to one of the beds in the loft upstairs. A perfect retreat for someone looking for a little escape from the chaos of the outside world.
What: The Penthouse at Old Bisbee Brewing Company
Where: Bisbee, Arizona
Spooky season in Bisbee truly can’t be beat. This copper mining town was founded in the 1880’s is said to have many residents who may not actually be, well…alive. From miners to ladies of the night, the stories abound. So what did Cricket and I find? A shadowy woman walking up Opera Drive, crying…who vanished as we approached…and the sound of a child playing near the city park…in the dead of night….minus the actual child. No ghost tour necessary.
So where should one stay while indulging in the colorful history Bisbee has to offer? Right in the middle of the action at this lovely Penthouse above Old Bisbee Brewing Company. It also makes meals and drinks easy to access beings you get to the apartment through the actual pub! The view from the patio can't be beat as one watches the locals and tourists alike wander the streets. Artists, bikers, families and solo travelers sprinkled the sidewalks and I've never felt so at home.
What: The Sky Suite at Arcosanti
Where: Mayer, Arizona
Arcosanti, is an experimental town in the high desert of Arizona only 70 miles north of metropolitan Phoenix. It looks like a city out of the movie Star Wars, as it was initially meant to be an experiment in living frugally while leaving a limited environmental footprint, Arcosanti is t a prototype of arcology, integrating the design of architecture with respect to ecology. The architecturally fascinating structures at Arcosanti are home to the many performances, workshops, and cultural programming that happen year in and year out.