AutoCamp Joshua Tree — Hotel in Joshua Tree

We had read about and seen pictures of AutoCamp accommodations in the past and were always curious about what it would be like to stay in a classic Airstream trailer. When we decided to visit Palm Springs and Joshua Tree we checked it out and booked a 2-night stay.||There was ample parking. There were several Level 2 chargers for those driving EVs. When checked in there were several RadioFlyer-style rolling carts available out front to haul luggage to ones Airstream. We quickly found out this to be the exception rather than the rule. The spacious main lodge housed not only the reception desk but also the convenience store and “The Kitchen”. Checking in at reception was efficient. The giant Quonset-style main building was where breakfast and other meals were served. Pre-packaged meals for grilling were available. We never tried the latter.||There was an outdoor pool a few steps from the main building; even though the water was heated we did not go swimming as it was unseasonably cold. There was an outdoor living area with couches and large coffee table on which a Jenga tower had been set up; strong winds had knocked it down, however. Just beyond the main building complex a gas-fueled outdoor fire pit encircled by chairs was ready for use in the evenings.||Sadly I spotted only 2 Joshua Trees on the property, small ones at that.||Our Airstream was on the far side of the property. The sand / gravel road and paths would make it very difficult for most wheeled luggage hence the need for the carts. We had no issues securing one when we arrived but had to search for one on departure. ||Our Airstream featured an indoor shower; others offer an outdoor shower which would be fine in the hotter months of the year but would have been unusable at the time of our visit. It dropped to near freezing on all mornings; it even showed up in the national park one weekend. There was good water pressure and hot water. The bed was comfortable enough and the heater did keep us warm. Using the heater took some figuring out, though. There was enough space to move around inside.||The one thing that surprised us was how the Aistream rocked when struck by wind. It was disconcerting at first but we eventually got used to it.||We had clear skies the first night and while the site had some light pollution we got to enjoy a mostly clear view of the stars. There were a lot of planes passing overhead, leaving contrails that the wind eventually dispersed. The same wind at ground level also limited the time spent watching the stars.||One morning a flock (“kettle”) of turkey vultures formed overhead then eventually flew off to the east. We spotted a few Black-throated sparrows flitting between the shrubs.||We had an OK stay. It was definitely a unique experience to sleep in an Airstream trailer. We used AutoCamp as a base to explore the area and thus did not hang around to use the pool or cook meals on fireplace. This might have worked better during a warmer time of year, and perhaps with a group of friends, each with their own Airstream nearby. There would definitely be ample space for communal gatherings at this AutoCamp. We’re glad we tried it out but will most likely not be staying at an...

UPDATE: This review was posted on July 7th. I received a response from David L, the owner of AutoCamp Joshua Tree, on July 9th saying that I would be contacted in the following days. Today is now July 18th and I haven't received any form of communication. This is quite possibly one of the most inept customer service experiences I've ever had. I stayed at the Joshua Tree Autocamp from 6/6 to 6/8. The day I checked out, I realized that I had left my AirPods in my Airstream. I called back, and as instructed, filed a request on ileftmystuff.com, but received no response or confirmation of my filing.

I called and texted Autocamp for 2 weeks while tracking the location of my AirPods via FindMyiPhone. I received a voicemail from Sarah, the guest experience director, and continued to keep her posted on my AirPods location, which had at this point made their way back to the Autocamp lobby. After a few days of not hearing from Autocamp, I decided to call back and check-in. I did this four or five times. Each time, I was promised a call back from Sam, the lost and found director, or from Sarah. I'm not sure if the message got to them but I never received any calls.

Shortly thereafter, my AirPods moved to a nearby residence: 4808 Avenue la Espana Daga, Joshua Tree CA 92252. Sarah and the Autocamp staff were and are well aware of this and my AirPods remain there and in active use by the residents there to date.

I admit— it's completely my fault for leaving my AirPods behind and I also realize that Autocamp has no obligation to return them to me. But, it is the lack of customer service at Autocamp that is prompting me to write this review.

As a guest at Autocamp Joshua Tree, I would expect that a case like this would have notes attached, and people following up to provide the customer service any guest would expect. Each time I called in, I had to explain the situation over and over again.Each time, I was promised that a manager would call back to which, they never did. I was given the runaround for 2 weeks, with absolutely no progress, and simply lip service given that they would be on top of it. Only when the AirPods were located off of the Autocamp grounds, I was able to get into contact with Sarah who simply told me that she had done all she could, that Autocamp isn't responsible for lost items, and that I could alternatively file a police report (which I will do). Knowing the address my item is located at, it would have been easy for Sarah to cross-check employee mailing addresses and possibly figure out who took my AirPods after I reported them lost. Whether or not she disclosed that information to me is a different matter but I would feel much more satisfied knowing that this was being dealt with internally.

I’m writing this in the hope that someone reading this review will see that customer service at Autocamp is all talk and no help. It is most likely that an employee took my AirPods and decided to keep them, but the worst part of this is the blatant lack of effort that the team put in to help me recover my item. I am very...

Concept is cool. Who wouldn't want to "glamp" in an iconic airstream in the desert? I wouldn't really call this glamping though and I definitely wouldn't call it luxurious.

Check-in was smooth and problem free. Our walkup to our airstream was filled with excitement and the way the camp is set up is really cool.

We arrived at our airstream and the door was flung wide open. I thought that odd, but maybe protocol here, like a "Welcome Home." Upon entering the airstream, I thought, ok, still cool. Big enough for two without being cramped. Cute little living space, nice sized bed. No amenities though other than a drip coffee maker, but not a problem, we're only here for 1 night. Location to the Joshua Tree National Park was fantastic so, plus for that.

My problem began when I started looking at things closely. The floor was dirty. Everywhere I turned, crumbs and detritus. In the bathroom, the one drawer under the sink was filled with long strands of black hair. Filled to the point where I wasnt gonna waste tissue or paper towels to clean it and I asked my husband not to use it at all.

Next, I went to check out the bedroom and first thing I see is a long black hair stuck in one of the window pulls. Good grief. I pulled back the cover to inspect the sheets, great, no hair. Flipped the cover back and sat down. What do I see now but a long black hair trapped between the top cover and the sheet. Peeled the cover back and plucked out an 8 inch long black hair. Ugh. After coming back to inspect the bed again, what do I notice on the floor beside the bed waving in the air? A clump of black hairs. Pic of hair against the wood is hard to see, but it's there.

After cleaning that up, further close looks revealed long black hair everywhere. Especially in the shower. I don't know what guest was there before that didn't leave absolutely bald-headed-nekkid, but he or she needs to see a trichologist because they left enough hair behind in Airstream 115 to make me think there's a problem.

All that to say, CLEARLY no staff cleaned this airstream. At all. A broom or hand vac would have taken care of 99% of this hair and the dirt and food crumbs before we got there. They changed the towels between the previous guest and us and maybe? hopefully? the sheets. But that's it and that's all. No way was this unit cleaned. Pics show only a portion of the hair that was in here.

Also, the door to the airstream would lock but not fully close, you could literally see daylight through about a 1/2" gap in the door and inner seal.

Hubs only complaint was water pressure and water temperature in the shower. We only stayed for the one night, thank God, so I didn't have to shower there. I showered at the next hotel, where there was no (visible) shed desert-sasquatch hair anywhere.

Cool concept, DIRTY, DIRTY accomodations. And for that price per night, it should have been spotless. This is not a place we'll return to. We came, we saw, we resolved to never come back. Our boutique hotel in WEHO in Los Angeles was way cheaper, and was...