By Maxine Albert

A house in the desert splendor of California’s Joshua Tree, once a private retreat for celebrities and getaway for the rock star owner (who prefers to remain nameless) and his A list friends, is now available to rent for overnight stays. And this signature estate is a Wow. Be forewarned: once you enter ‘Desert Dog House,’ you may never want to leave.

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This luxurious two story 4300 square ft stunner includes 5 bedrooms, each unique, from the master suite with an in room soaking tub to the explorers bedroom showcasing an eclectic art and artifacts collection, 3 bathrooms with heated floors, 4 living rooms, chef’s kitchen and 14 person dining table replete with 360 degree views of the sweeping desert landscape. It’s a great escape for family, friends or couples and also an impressive site for a celebration.Think: a playground in the desert that’s whimsical and opulent with a quirky vibe filled with everything you could possibly want to kick back, have fun and relax in style. I found myself uplifted into a state of joy as soon as I entered the fanciful residence with all variety of lavish paraphernalia to delight my senses.The striking interior design features huge glittering geometric crystal chandeliers, solid silver bucket stools lining the 12 foot marble kitchen island, inviting leather tufted sofas, a stand-out lineup of guitars on a living room wall – probably from the musician owner’s private collection, a phone solely to summon champagne, pillows sporting mysterious female faces cozily cushioned on plush burgundy chairs and portraits aplenty of handsome dogs, some with bowties, all tricked out in fashionable attire contrasting the oil portraits of notable historical figures covering the walls.   For those who prefer to be outside in nature taking in the beauty and serenity of the dreamy desert: there’s an outdoor Jacuzzi, professional grade BBQ grill, elevated patio for stargazing and a deck with daybeds, loungers and fire pit where you can meditate, cocktail during sunset or disconnect and recharge while gazing out at the vast expanse.A concierge service accommodates guests' requests including restaurant recommendations, music venues and local atmospheric haunts and provides offerings ranging from private chef dinners,  sound healing experiences and stargazing tours, arranged via email when booking on Foxden Hospitality.Joshua Tree National Park - Mystical Desert TreasureA 20 minute drive from the house takes you to the mystical rock formations and famed trees in Joshua Tree National Park. With nearly 800,000 acres of magnificent beauty, with incredible granite monoliths and fantastical rock and boulder formations, it’s one of the world’s most spectacular desert treasures. This natural wonderland with some of the country’s most scenic trails, for all skill levels - is a hiker’s paradise. The landscapes are home to all kinds of unique wildlife including birds like the roadrunner, jackrabbits and bighorn sheep.You can take a scenic drive through the park with plenty of spots to pull over, get out and take in the exquisite beauty wherever you wander. Get a map from the visitor centre to see all the best places to stop. Hidden Valley, Skull Rock, Arch Rock and Old Woman Rock are just a few of the wonders in this magical landscape that I found to be profoundly healing. Don’t miss the amazing sunset with the desert gorgeously illuminated in red, pink, blue and purple. The golden glow on the ancient rocks looks otherworldly. And that breathtaking starry desert night sky!Superb Sunstone SpaIt’s essential to spa on every getaway and Sunstone Spa located in nearby Rancho Mirage, rated one of the best in the country provides a relaxing oasis in the Southern California desert. This luxe, award winning, adults -only 10,500 square foot full-service retreat with 11 treatment rooms offers an extensive menu of  services with top practitioners. Many come for the famed gemstone therapy as sunstones are famous for their powerful healing properties. These include: brightening moods, heightening mental clarity, dissipating fearfulness, alleviating stress and increasing motivation and vitality.Both body and spirit are the focus here. The Journey of Discovery uses massage to stimulate and energize your chakras. Or you can get blissed out with the Signature Stone Massage as muscle stiffness melts away using heated stones infused with essential oils of rose, sandalwood and vetiver to increase optimism and repair the skin. This is followed by a heavenly scalp repair massage and deep repair foot scrub that left me feeling sublime.Another favorite, Desert Rain Massage uses the aromatic local desert botanicals of sage and lavender inspired by desert rain to help increase immune function, reduce stress levels and boost fatigue. I highly recommend The JetPeel Facial that left my skin looking and feeling oh so soft for quite some time. You can easily spend an afternoon or a day at this serene retreat that features all variety of healing treatments, body scrubs and esthetics along with a eucalyptus steam room, menthol dry sauna, salt booths, coed lounge, whirlpool, fitness center, private outdoor swimming pool and luxury spa cabanas.

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