Entire home

Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything

Photo gallery for Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything

Backyard with 50ft long pool and patio with wood fire pit
50 ft lap pool
Sitting area next to pool. Great space to relax.
Terrace/patio
Different view

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6195.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Phoenix, AZ
  • Oasis Water Park
    5 min drive
  • Arizona Grand Golf Course
    5 min drive
  • Arizona Mills Mall
    5 min drive
  • Phoenix, AZ (PHX-Sky Harbor Intl.)
    13 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest 1

1 Queen Bed

Guest 2

2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Guest

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining Area

About this property

Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything

Overview/location:
Private home on a corner lot. Mountain views from front and backyard. Minutes walk to Western Star Park and South Mountain Park trails. Easy access to everything you need. Easy to get to the airport so you do not have to waste your vacation getting to/from it.

Amenities:
- Backyard with huge outdoor wood grill/fire-pit and 50 ft lap pool for swimming.
- Please note the pool is NOT HEATED (we do not have an option to heat it). Inquire with us prior to booking if using the pool is critical to have for your vacation. In general, November to February is cold enough that the sun cannot heat it during the day.
- Propane grill available too for convenience. Patio heater available.
- Huge living room and family room with wood fireplace.
- Over-sized master bedroom with walk in closet and it’s own private sitting area. King size bed with gel/foam mattress.
- Two more bedrooms: One with queen size bed and One with two twin XL beds (new gel/foam mattresses). Twin beds are fully adjustable electronically if special sleeping position is needed.
- Two full bathrooms fully remodeled.
- Full size two car garage and additional two more spaces available on driveway.
- 70" flat screen TV, HuluTv available. Wireless Internet (Gigablast)

Accessibility:
- Easy access to shopping and centrally located in Phoenix Metro for convenient driving to downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale.
- Airport and downtown Tempe and ASU (Arizona State University) are 15 minutes drive
- Easy access to retail (Costco, REI, IKEA, outlet malls etc all within 2 miles).

Wheelchair accessibility:
- Single level home and minimal to no steps (5” step to enter the house). We raised all the flooring to have as much as a flat floor as possible. Unfortunately the bathrooms shower/tub are not wheelchair accessible. Only steps in the house are in master shower and bathtub in the guest bath.

Notes:
- While entertainment is encouraged, no wild parties please and respect neighbors and the quiet times (see rules in reservation).
- We have over 30 cacti/succulents species on the property. All desert plants have thorns and spines. Please don’t touch the cacti as the thorns are painful and difficult to remove. Back and front yards are not kid/pet friendly due to this reason.

Other:
We offer guided off road daytrip adventures with our vehicle. Please inquire for details if interested.


Local government NOTICE: Using this property for following purposes are prohibited:
1. Any nonresidential use;
2. Holding a special event that requires a permit or license pursuant to a city or
town ordinance or state law or rule;
3. Operating a retail business, restaurant, event center, banquet hall or similar
use;
4. Housing sex offenders;
5. Operating or maintaining a sober living home; 6. Selling liquor, illegal drugs or pornography;
7. Operating a nude or topless dancing;
8. Obscenity;
9. Adult-oriented business; or
10. Other uses prohibited by A.R.S. 9-500.39

Quick note on COVID19 cancellations: if your home location and/or Arizona institute travel bans between the two states, we will refund your stay in full if you cancel through the app (traveler cancel). For any other reasons the current policy applies (you can see the policy when you click on the property on VRBO app)

Property manager

Jen & Calin
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Romanian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Must supervise children at all times.

Events

No events allowed
Friends and family welcomed.

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
Small dog under 50lbs ok. Fee is $150 per stay.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking please.
Please be mindful of neighbors. It is a quiet place so Please respect Quiet Time from 10:00pm to 7am.
Pool has no fence. Use the pool at your own risk. We assume no liability. Please ensure all guests and visitors follow safety policy.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Friends and family welcomed.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Phoenix

Ahwatukee Foothills, a neighbourhood in Phoenix, is home to this holiday home. Arizona Mills Mall and Chandler Fashion Center are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Tempe Town Lake and Desert Botanical Garden. Check out an event or a game at Chase Field, and consider making time for Phoenix Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
Map
Phoenix, AZ

What's nearby

  • Oasis Water Park - 5 min drive
  • Arizona Grand Golf Course - 5 min drive
  • Arizona Mills Mall - 5 min drive
  • LEGOLAND® Discovery Center - 6 min drive
  • Arizona State University - 11 min drive

Getting around

  • University Dr - Ash Ave Tram Stop - 11 min drive
  • Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Whataburger - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Main Event Entertainment - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cactus House - Private home w/pool next to mountains and close to everything located?

Located in Ahwatukee Foothills, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (1 km) from South Mountain Park and within 3 miles (5 km) of Oasis Water Park and Arizona Grand Golf Course. Kiwanis Park is 3 mi (4.9 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

D.E. L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property and terrific owners!
We had an amazing stay at the Cactus House. The pool was refreshing and the house relaxing. It's spacious and comfortable with perfect amenities for an extended stay. We loved the step-down shower in the master suite. We'll definitely be returning to enjoy it in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cactus House
The house is justly named since there are numerous cactus on the property. Our stay was wonderful. The house was spacious with plenty of area to spread out. We loved walking around the neighborhood in the evening. We always felt safe. This was a nice home and we will stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

MARTHA C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just as pictured!
We were spending time in Arizona just trying to figure out what areas we wanted live in, if we potentially retire here. This property is centrally located to Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert And just south of Scottsdale. While it is an older home, the property hosts made sure that it had all the amenities you would need. My only con was that the air conditioning unit seem to be locked so that the temperature was set to 75 during the day and I’m not sure about the evenings. I would have liked to be able to control it myself, As a menopausal woman with hot flashes! Lol. All in all, I would recommend this property! The hosts are very, very responsive and available!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break Getaway
This house was the perfect getaway for our northwest family. We found a lot of beautiful hikes nearby. We got out and explored Phoenix and Scottsdale for some shopping and food. We spent most of our time at the house lounging by the pool. The fire table was so nice to have in the evenings. Everything was well stocked and comfortable. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jarame B., Denver

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great House and great communication!
My family enjoyed our stay at this location. The owners were fantastic to work with and had great communication with clear instructions for checkin and departure. The home is well stocked with everything you need for a great vacation. I would stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roxy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect!
The house and location were perfect for hiking and close to outlet malls and other attractions we were interesting in. The house and yard were clean and well equipped. Jena and Calvin were very responsive and easy to communicate with. We had an amazing stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Phoenix rental
Beautiful home! It had a well appointed kitchen, comfy beds and ultra clean!! Jen and Calin are easy to converse with and checked in a couple times during our stay. Highly recommend the Cactus House!! Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris S., Chicago, IL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
EXACTLY as listed!
What a great experience from booking to check-out! Great communication with the hosts throughout. We even had to "shift" our reservation back a day due to a flight cancellation and they were thankfully able to accommodate us. The property is 100% exactly as described in the listing. Plenty of cacti to look at (don't touch!), a nice outdoor area to relax, sip your favorite beverage and watch the sun set over the mountains. New LG appliances make meal prep easy. The welcome binder has everything you need to know about the property and surrounding area. We had no issues arise during our stay that required contacting out hosts, but I'm certain if there were, they would have been as responsive as they were during the booking process. The pool was too cold for us to use (it is still January, after all), but this was not a surprise as the listing very clearly states that it is not heated. It looks like a very well-kept pool and I'm sure it is great fun during the AZ heat! Located in a very quiet neighborhood, it's a great place to wind down and we will definitely consider it on our next trip to Phoenix!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jerri L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely Perfect!
Our long weekend getaway at Jen and Calvin’s was absolutely perfect. The place was very clean, very comfortable, and well appointed. The neighborhood was very quiet and the location was close to the airport, restaurants, and shopping. Our hosts were very responsive and helpful. We’ve added this to our list of favorites and will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mostafa E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing house!!!
This property was excellent for my honeymoon with my wife! We loved the private pool, especially since my wife wears the hijab, and no one could see her swim! The house was spotless, and it had some valuable supplies for cooking and baking. I would return here if I ever needed to stay in Phoniex again!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

James A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Property
Pictures as listed. Nice place to stay, no regrets.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Moved Youngest Daughter from NJ to AZ, ASU
The Cactus House was perfect for our family as we moved our youngest from New Jersey to Arizona to attend ASU. Conveniently located within fifteen minutes of the campus and within a 1-3 mile radius of any and every store you'll need to find last minute items for your college kid's dorm! IKEA, Target, Home Goods, Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart - you name it- it's close by and worked out well for us. The house is spacious, clean and comfortable and Jen and Calin are very communicative and responsive to anything you might need. Would highly recommend to anyone moving a kid from out of state to ASU!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely South Mountain gettaway.
This house is quite nice for a couple and a family. Our family joined us for about 4 days and we all enjoyed. Beds are comfortable and the amenities are sufficient for a nice visit. My wife and I stayed on and hiked the nearby trails almost daily. The trailhead is accessible with a 15 min walk from the house but there are many other trail sites a short drive away. We all enjoyed the museums (the Musical Instrument Museum is special) and restaurants. Calin and Jen are superb hosts.
Stayed 23 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our Christmas trip
The home had a great location. It was very clean upon arrival and the property owners were very attentive to our questions and needs. Check in and out was simple and we plan to use the home again for future trip to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacob A., maricopa, united states

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
great location & great home.
overall, this trip was amazing. the hosts were v attentive and checked in a couple times throughout my stay. they were quick to respond when the door code wouldn't work, like lightning speed, lol. the house was perfect. amazing views, lots of space, and amazing backyard space / pool. the house is soooo close to the freeway and close to major shopping locations, so we didn't worry about travel time anywhere. it was not stressful whatsoever. my only concern was the front living room window, which is quite large, didn't have a curtain! so not a lot of privacy from the outside. other than that, everything was great! also, the skylight in the guest bathroom was a trip and now i want a skylight in my house too LOL. thanks again for a great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent choice
A large house in a great area. Very convenient for anything you might require while away but far enough away for plenty of peace and quiet. Great hosts that respond within minutes and are local but are not intrusive in anyway. Very reassuring to know that they are there if you do need assistance though. To be honest, there's not a lot not to like about staying at the cactus house and would recommend it whole heartedly.
Stayed 13 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kolette T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pool was wonderful and house close to hiking, shopping and airport
Very good! Host was super nice and even willing to pick us up at airport
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Four Day Graduation Weekend
Jen was very accessible for quick questions and reached out to make sure all was as we'd hoped. Nice neighborhood, including the big family of brand new bobwhites living in the massive front yard cactus.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenny R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing family getaway!
The house was fantastic for our family of 5. From the first step into the house we knew we were going to enjoy. The house was extremely clean, comfortable beds, plenty of room throughout the home to lounge, though the real gem was the backyard. There is a large pool in the back that was used by our family often, along with a gas fire pit & lounge chairs that were comfortable. You have views of South Mountain and the neighborhood is so quiet, it was very relaxing. The house is so close to the mountain that it was so easy to hike without having to find a parking spots at the trailhead. I do have to mention the owners Calin and Jen, they were accommodating and wonderful to work with. Calin came over after we were settled to explain things and answer any questions we had about the property which was very nice. He sent us so much great information about local restaurants and sites to see. When we did need to ask questions, he was very quick to answer. I would totally recommend this property, you will not be disappointed!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Monica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Everything!
We were SO pleased with our stay at the Cactus House and would absolutely stay again. Calin is the consummate host - always available and so quick to respond - making sure everything is satisfactory and we have what we need. Incredibly clean home, fully stocked kitchen for cooking, comfortable surroundings, and plenty of seating space for larger families. Outdoor setting is unmatched! Chilly (unheated) pool in March, but we are hearty Minnesotans and went in quite a few times regardless. Safe/quiet neighborhood super close to various shopping (grocery/coffee/etc) and access to I-10. You will NOT be disappointed!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert R., St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovin’ the Cactus House
Wonderful hosts and a clean, pleasant home!
Stayed 17 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our Winter Escape!
We so enjoyed our month long stay at the Cactus House. The home was better than we expected, and the location was great for local walks / hikes, attractions to visit in the Phoenix area, dining and shopping. Communication with the owner was great too - welcoming and helpful when needed. Thank you!
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cactus house Stay
Host was very communicative and helpful with local attractions and very willing to help in any way pertaining to the property. Everything was clean and well stocked with kitchen/bath supplies. Even seasonings and sugar etc. I would highly recommend this property and would stay again if ever back in the phoenix area. The patio/pool area is great as well!!
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Eva G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Getaway
This was the perfect spot for our sisters getaway! Calin was great and very accommodating! I would stay here again and recommend it to anyone traveling to Phoenix! I would suggest renting a car if you plan on exploring the city!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

David B., United States

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
It was a beautiful house! Nice and clean! We used the pool everyday! Took pictures with the different Cacti, and Calin gave us good recommendations to places to visit. We enjoyed the house and Phoenix. We would come back here again, and recommend it to friends and family.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

About the host

Hosted by Jen & Calin

Host profile image
We lived in Pacific North West for a long time and we moved here several years ago and are loving it. Southwest is absolutely charming. There are so many things to do and places to explore. Culture is diverse and traveling in the various regions of AZ will each provide a different experience. Old Southwest, High Mountain area, Grand Canyon, Sky Islands and vast desert to name a few. Phoenix has a good geographical position with relatively easy access to Southern California (LA downtown is about 6 hrs away, we tested it, we even did a daytrip to San Diego once on a whim), to Las Vegas and the superb parks of Southern Utah. Not a day passes without us being happy to be here.

Why they chose this property

We like the territorial style houses and in particular the desert gardens. This home has over 30 species of desert plants. Privacy was important to us and being on a corner with a relatively big lot made it possible. Being centrally located in the metro and proximity to mountain was another key factor.

Languages:

English, French, Romanian

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