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United States / California / Joshua Tree
The Wheelhouse is an artistic high-desert retreat formerly owned by TV personality Huell Howser.
Overview
A rare example of mid-century modern architecture deep in the California desert, the 2,221 square-foot ranch sits on 12 acres of untouched desert near both entrances of Joshua Tree National Park, offering a feeling of total seclusion less than an hour from Palm Springs with 360-degree mountain and desert views.
An avid collector of found materials and repurposed objects, Howser turned quarry stones into yard sculptures and industrial elements into lighting fixtures. Five large millstones, each more than 100 years old, surround the full-length backyard pool, giving the home its name. In the early 2000s, Howser added a sunroom extension, created by panels of etched glass, and a separate living room and dining area in the same industrial style, making the home further suited to large gatherings.
Now owned by an artist, The Wheelhouse has preserved the industrial qualities that Howser introduced, while incorporating personally created pieces that mirror his style. The light-filled living room, features three owner-created pieces, including a triptych on plywood, a unique wood-based tripod lamp, and a sunset-hued tree light. The gourmet kitchen features a four-seat breakfast nook, stainless steel appliances, the original 50’s stove and plenty of counter space, with a door leading directly outside for easy al fresco dinners. A mid-century dining area features a marble top table with six Eames shell chairs and sliding glass doors that open onto the zero-scaped patio.
Primary Suite
King bed
Chaise-style daybed, which comfortably sleeps one additional person and an en-suite bath features a unique sink made of an old street lamp glass.
Second Bedroom
Queen bed with picture windows and a shared bath with the original 50’s green tile and fixtures.
A den, featuring a large-screen TV and writing desk, provides additional accommodations with a queen sleeper sofa, allowing the home to comfortably sleep 7 guests.
Outside are the elements that truly set the home apart. Howser’s industrial accents remain decades after installation, creating the feeling of a modern sculpture garden. An architect designed paneled steel fence surrounds the perimeter, each piece thoughtfully laid in the ground at the same angle as the mountains beyond. The back patio opens to a full-length swimming pool with baja tanning shelf and outdoor spa surrounded by chaise lounge chairs. Please note the pool is not heated; however, the spa is heated. A vintage two-seat swing, nestled just off the living area, offers the perfect place to take in the views. Also outside is a 12-seat al fresco dining area, which converts into a ping-pong table. A gas BBQ grill and indoor/outdoor stereo system complete the ultimate desert entertaining experience.
Honoring the communal spirit encouraged by Howser, The Wheelhouse has become a place for celebrations, gatherings, and creative retreats. Artists have used the home to write, draw, meditate or practice yoga. Photographers have used the space for creative shoots. And couples have made the retreat their own, taking their vows against the rocky cliffs and desert brush that surround the home. Between indoor and outdoor spaces, The Wheelhouse can comfortably host up to 120 guests for a cocktail reception and 75 for a seated dinner.
This home permits weddings and other events. Please reach out to us directly to discuss hosting an event at this property.
This home welcomes 1 dog with an additional, non-refundable pet fee of $150, plus tax. Please be advised that dogs are not permitted in the pool.
Features
2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms
Sleeps 7 Guests
Wi-Fi
Hot Tub
Washer
Dryer
Towels
Linens
Tea Kettle
Coffee Maker
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Dining Area
Mountain View
Fire Pit
Fireplace - Gas
Patio Area with Outdoor Furniture
Al Fresco Dining
Indoor/Outdoor Stereo System
TV
Ping Pong Table
Dogs Allowed (Additional Fee)
Details
Bedroom Details
Two spacious bedrooms create an indoor/outdoor feeling with big picture windows, sliding glass doors and minimalist decor.
Master Suite: King bed, chaise-style daybed, which comfortably sleeps one additional person and an en-suite bath features a unique sink made of an old street lamp glass.
Second Bedroom: Queen bed with picture windows and a shared bath with the original 50’s green tile and fixtures.
A den, featuring a large-screen TV and writing desk, provides additional accommodations with a queen sleeper sofa, allowing the home to comfortably sleep 7 guests.
Pool Details
Pool
Hot tub
Staff and Services
Concierge
Villa Notes
The Wheelhouse can comfortably host up to 120 guests for a cocktail reception and 75 for a seated dinner. Please note: to have events at the villa, guests must obtain a permit at an additional cost. The permit must be approved prior to the event being scheduled.
Rates
Travel Dates | Bedrooms | Min. Night Stay | Nightly Rates |
---|---|---|---|
December 02, 2023 - December 14, 2023
|
2 | 3 | $ 550 * |
December 15, 2023 - December 20, 2023
|
2 | 4 | $ 600 * |
December 21, 2023 - December 31, 2023
|
2 | 4 | $ 750 * |
January 01, 2024 - January 01, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 448 * |
January 02, 2024 - January 02, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 451 * |
January 03, 2024 - January 03, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 452 * |
January 04, 2024 - January 04, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 445 * |
January 05, 2024 - January 05, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 463 * |
January 06, 2024 - January 06, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 458 * |
January 07, 2024 - January 07, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 421 * |
January 08, 2024 - January 10, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 400 * |
January 11, 2024 - January 11, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 426 * |
January 12, 2024 - January 12, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 462 * |
January 13, 2024 - January 13, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 467 * |
January 14, 2024 - January 14, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 433 * |
January 15, 2024 - January 15, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 401 * |
January 16, 2024 - January 16, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 404 * |
January 17, 2024 - January 17, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 407 * |
January 18, 2024 - January 18, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 427 * |
January 19, 2024 - January 19, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 464 * |
January 20, 2024 - January 20, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 477 * |
January 21, 2024 - January 21, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 448 * |
January 22, 2024 - January 22, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 459 * |
January 23, 2024 - January 23, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 475 * |
January 24, 2024 - January 24, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 445 * |
January 25, 2024 - January 25, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 452 * |
January 26, 2024 - January 26, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 485 * |
January 27, 2024 - January 27, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 493 * |
January 28, 2024 - January 28, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 465 * |
January 29, 2024 - January 29, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 467 * |
January 30, 2024 - January 30, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 476 * |
January 31, 2024 - January 31, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 454 * |
February 01, 2024 - February 01, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 469 * |
February 02, 2024 - February 02, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 503 * |
February 03, 2024 - February 03, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 510 * |
February 04, 2024 - February 04, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 486 * |
February 05, 2024 - February 05, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 470 * |
February 06, 2024 - February 06, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 511 * |
February 07, 2024 - February 07, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 513 * |
February 08, 2024 - February 08, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 512 * |
February 09, 2024 - February 09, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 529 * |
February 10, 2024 - February 10, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 530 * |
February 11, 2024 - February 11, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 504 * |
February 12, 2024 - February 12, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 494 * |
February 13, 2024 - February 13, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 496 * |
February 14, 2024 - February 14, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 501 * |
February 15, 2024 - February 15, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 515 * |
February 16, 2024 - February 16, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 552 * |
February 17, 2024 - February 17, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 554 * |
February 18, 2024 - February 18, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 529 * |
February 19, 2024 - February 19, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 513 * |
February 20, 2024 - February 20, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 521 * |
February 21, 2024 - February 21, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 507 * |
February 22, 2024 - February 22, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 514 * |
February 23, 2024 - February 23, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 546 * |
February 24, 2024 - February 24, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 549 * |
February 25, 2024 - February 25, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 522 * |
February 26, 2024 - February 26, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 506 * |
February 27, 2024 - February 27, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 505 * |
February 28, 2024 - February 28, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 507 * |
February 29, 2024 - February 29, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 515 * |
March 01, 2024 - March 01, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 544 * |
March 02, 2024 - March 02, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 549 * |
March 03, 2024 - March 03, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 522 * |
March 04, 2024 - March 04, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 509 * |
March 05, 2024 - March 05, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 508 * |
March 06, 2024 - March 06, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 509 * |
March 07, 2024 - March 07, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 516 * |
March 08, 2024 - March 08, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 544 * |
March 09, 2024 - March 09, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 550 * |
March 10, 2024 - March 10, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 524 * |
March 11, 2024 - March 11, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 517 * |
March 12, 2024 - March 12, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 518 * |
March 13, 2024 - March 13, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 519 * |
March 14, 2024 - March 14, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 523 * |
March 15, 2024 - March 15, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 552 * |
March 16, 2024 - March 16, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 554 * |
March 17, 2024 - March 17, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 526 * |
March 18, 2024 - March 18, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 515 * |
March 19, 2024 - March 19, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 516 * |
March 20, 2024 - March 20, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 514 * |
March 21, 2024 - March 21, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 518 * |
March 22, 2024 - March 22, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 544 * |
March 23, 2024 - March 23, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 548 * |
March 24, 2024 - March 24, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 520 * |
March 25, 2024 - March 25, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 506 * |
March 26, 2024 - March 26, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 503 * |
March 27, 2024 - March 27, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 509 * |
March 28, 2024 - March 28, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 513 * |
March 29, 2024 - March 30, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 542 * |
March 31, 2024 - March 31, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 514 * |
April 01, 2024 - April 01, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 502 * |
April 02, 2024 - April 02, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 499 * |
April 03, 2024 - April 03, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 500 * |
April 04, 2024 - April 04, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 506 * |
April 05, 2024 - April 05, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 533 * |
April 06, 2024 - April 06, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 536 * |
April 07, 2024 - April 07, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 508 * |
April 08, 2024 - April 08, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 501 * |
April 09, 2024 - April 09, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 499 * |
April 10, 2024 - April 10, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 497 * |
April 11, 2024 - April 11, 2024
|
2 | 4 | $ 503 * |
April 12, 2024 - April 12, 2024
|
2 | 4 | $ 527 * |
April 13, 2024 - April 13, 2024
|
2 | 4 | $ 533 * |
April 14, 2024 - April 14, 2024
|
2 | 4 | $ 506 * |
April 15, 2024 - April 15, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 490 * |
April 16, 2024 - April 16, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 484 * |
April 17, 2024 - April 17, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 479 * |
April 18, 2024 - April 18, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 480 * |
April 19, 2024 - April 19, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 499 * |
April 20, 2024 - April 20, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 500 * |
April 21, 2024 - April 21, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 468 * |
April 22, 2024 - April 22, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 452 * |
April 23, 2024 - April 23, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 446 * |
April 24, 2024 - April 24, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 440 * |
April 25, 2024 - April 25, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 441 * |
April 26, 2024 - April 26, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 461 * |
April 27, 2024 - April 27, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 460 * |
April 28, 2024 - April 28, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 426 * |
April 29, 2024 - April 29, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 412 * |
April 30, 2024 - April 30, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 402 * |
May 01, 2024 - May 01, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 400 * |
May 02, 2024 - May 02, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 402 * |
May 03, 2024 - May 04, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 425 * |
May 05, 2024 - September 30, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 400 * |
October 01, 2024 - November 21, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 750 * |
November 22, 2024 - November 25, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 775 * |
November 26, 2024 - November 30, 2024
|
2 | 3 | $ 750 * |
USD rates above based on approximate currency conversion. Holiday dates may not be listed in rate chart. Rates are subject to change without notice. Please confirm rate, holiday dates, and currency with your Villa Specialist at time of booking. | |||
Check In TimesCheck in: 5:00 pm - Check out: 9:00 am | |||
Tax Service Charge Details *Please note there is a 20% service fee during April 13th – April 17th 2023Departure Cleaning: $350 plus tax Lodging Tax: 10.5% Booking Fee: 6% plus tax | |||
Security Deposit DetailsDamage Waiver $165 plus tax |
Exclusive Offers
To qualify for 3 miles per $1 spent, bookings must be made through the Villas of Distinction for United MileagePlus program. Miles earned are awarded to only one traveler per villa booking. The actual number of miles earned by a member will be based upon the total base nightly villa rate excluding taxes, fees and optional fees. MileagePlus number must be provided prior to travel for mileage offer to be fulfilled. Miles are posted to member's accounts 6-8 weeks after travel has been completed. Bookings must be paid in U.S. currency. New bookings only. Offers are subject to availability, capacity-controlled and may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice. Other restrictions may apply.
Calendar
Available
Available
On Hold
On Hold
December | ||||||
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  |   |   |   | 01 | 02 | 03 |
04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
January | ||||||
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01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 |
08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 | 31 |   |   |   |   |
February | ||||||
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05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 |
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19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |   |   |   |
March | ||||||
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25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
April | ||||||
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29 | 30 |   |   |   |   |   |
May | ||||||
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27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |   |   |
June | ||||||
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July | ||||||
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29 | 30 | 31 |   |   |   |   |
August | ||||||
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26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |   |
September | ||||||
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02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |
09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
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30 |   |   |   |   |   |   |
October | ||||||
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07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
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21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 |
28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |   |   |   |
November | ||||||
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04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 |
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18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |   |
December | ||||||
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Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
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02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 |
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16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 | 31 |   |   |   |   |   |
Location
Villa information may change without notice and should be confirmed with our villa rental specialists.