Hi-Desert Dwellings — Local services in Yucca Valley

We had a very bad experience with this management company. Basically, they cancelled our reservation at the time of our check-in, leaving our family of six with nowhere to stay in Joshua Tree for two nights. They were very pleasant and apologetic, but in our opinion, did not offer anything of substance (i.e. for the additional stress they caused and time they consumed).

We had made our reservation in Joshua Tree roughly 9 months in advance thru AirBNB. We proactively connected with this management company (Hi-Desert Dwellings) one month prior to check-in and everything was a "go" at that time. On the morning of our check-in the company sent us check-in details and how to access the home. We sent the company a message that same day, asking if we could check-in 30 minutes early, and the company responded that the house was being cleaned and that we could not check in early. When we finally arrived at the home (about an hour after the designated check-in time), the company cancelled our reservation (via e-mail) and told us that there had been a "mix up" and that we would need to find somewhere else to stay.

We spent the next two-and-a-half hours on the phone with the owner of this company and AirBNB, trying to resolve the matter, only to learn that the house had been sold 3 months earlier, and it was no longer a rental property. WHAT??? Yep, that's correct. It didn't occur to the company (that professionally managed the property) or AirBNB to notify us of this issue, until AFTER we were supposed to check-in.

The management company was very pleasant and apologetic, but blamed the homeowner, indicating that it was the homeowner's responsibility to notify us, and not the responsibility of the management company. AirBNB was also very apologetic and blamed the management company, indicating that the management company should have notified us, since AirBNB didn't professionally manage the property. Needless to say, we didn't get anywhere with either company, because we are just one customer among thousands (or in the case of AirBNB, millions).

After two-and-a-half frustrating hours on the phone, the only thing we were able to accomplish was to get assurance from AirBNB that our money (paid over 9 months ago) would be refunded in full to us within the next 2 weeks. Both the management company and AirBNB were very apologetic; however, in my opinion, that was not enough. The management company offered to switch us to some other homes (they only had three available), but informed us that these were much smaller and not as nice; however, the AirBNB support person advised us to NOT work with the host because of potential "bait and switch" and that they (AirBNB) would not be able to refund our money if we accepted another home from the management company. The support person from AirBNB advised us our best bet was to book a different home thru AirBNB (by searching on-line) or to try to find someplace else to stay (i.e. a hotel), otherwise we could lose our down payment (roughly $1,600).

At this point, we decided to drive thru Joshua Tree and the neighboring towns to hopefully find a hotel with vacancy (at 7pm) for two nights that would comfortably accommodate our family of six. We were tired from the day's activities, had not eaten dinner yet, and were very stressed by this situation. Needless to say, everyplace that we stopped was either booked, or didn't have enough room for a family of six for two nights. After three hours of driving around (it was 10pm), we were finally able to find a run-down MOTEL that had two rooms with two queen beds each. It was not very nice, but better than sleeping in the car after this exhausting ordeal.

I would recommend staying away from any properties managed by this company. If they don't realize that a house that they professionally manage was sold three months ago and is no longer available for rent, I can't imagine what else might fall...

Truthfully, if you’re getting the property because of the garage converted room, it’s not worth it as it isn’t sealed off properly and the desert bugs/insects were finding their way in. If it wasn’t for my partner and I making the best of a bad situation our stay would’ve been worse. When we arrived we began inspecting the rooms and we started finding bugs all over the house floors and beds. We would lift the pillows from the bed and we’d find either dead or live bugs under them. The couch cushions once lifted 1inch spiders would come crawling out along with other bugs it was horrendous and we were not gonna clean that and find out what insects were hidden in the cushions. We couldn’t sit in the living room, or stay in any of the rooms except 1. The cabinets where the dishes are stored had either dead or live bugs so best believe we washed every single dish before using it. When we told the owner all we were told was they would see if they could send someone but their only solution was to wash the sheets and no one ever showed up to clean. For a place that’s professionally cleaned the first day we spent cleaning and washing all the sheets and floors to get rid of all the bugs. The only area we were able to stay at was the kitchen, yes we knew there’d be bugs because it is the desert, but this was excessive to where we were very unsettled and disgusted. We found dirty underwear from the previous guest who knows how long ago that would’ve been. Once we were about to go to sleep in the garage room spiders started darting across the room, Eleode beetles found their way in but we drew the line as soon as we saw a scorpion fall from the ceiling. We left the room and never opened it again. We had to sleep in one of the other bedrooms that had sealed windows, but even the bugs were finding their way through the bottom of the door so our solution was to lay out a towel and hoped we’d wake up with no issues. Definitely a bad experience and would not be retuning to this...

Make sure to get your tetanus shot before coming to the Astra house! A lot of rusty nails and glass found throughout the property, right at the front entrance which could give you a flat tire, since this place is in the middle of nowhere you could be hooped. No hot water in the bathroom, as well as filthy floors and hair everywhere. The outside property does not match with the photos. Overgrown bushes and a fallen tree branch, as well as bullet ants everywhere. We had to collect the glass and address the pests which should have been taken care of by the owners. Not sure why the policy states no breakable glassware outside, but then they say to beware of glass. The funny thing is they say that the glass blows in from the desert, but this was recent and the property is fenced in so please tell me how that makes sense. Once we arrived I received a message that the water had to be shut off for 4 hours the second day we arrived, I replied with ok that’s fine and the water was not shut off and they did not provide any update. Very unprofessional and disgusting property. Beware of these hosts as they will not refund you anything, only a nights stay. They apparently "sweep" the property every month although we found rusty nails and glass buried deep which has been there at least over month. Please have the decency to sweep before every guest arrives. Ended up leaving after 4 nights and they only wanted to refund me for 1 night out of the 8 nights. Would never book with them again. See photos attached. Beware of this company. I wish I could attach...