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Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table.

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Topside aerial view of Tiger by the Tail
Beautiful crystal blue lap pool
Welcome to Tiger by the Tail!
The sprawling front yard!
Beautiful crystal blue lap pool

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8254.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pool
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Ruidoso Downs, NM
  • Free Spirits at Noisy Water
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Ruidoso Downs Racetrack
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Pillow's Funtrackers
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Ruidoso, NM (RUI-Sierra Blanca Regional)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Guest bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Main (Casita)

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Master bedroom off living room

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

1/2 bath off kitchen

Toilet

Bathroom in Casita

Toilet · Shower only

Guest bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table.

Tiger by the Tail: A Retro Getaway with a Cinematic Twist

Step into a piece of Ruidoso history at Tiger by the Tail, a unique 2,740 sq. ft. home where vintage charm meets modern comfort. Named after the movie filmed in and around the property in 1970, this one-of-a-kind retreat offers an unforgettable escape, complete with a private lap pool (pool is ONLY available from May 15 - Oct 15.), spacious courtyard, and southwestern flair.

As you enter through the front gate, the open, wraparound patio welcomes you into a beautiful stone courtyard—your personal oasis. Relax in the abundant seating, surrounded by native New Mexico plants, or take a refreshing dip in the lap pool, featured in scenes from the movie. The courtyard, enclosed by a privacy fence, is perfect for morning swims or stargazing at night. And when it's time to eat, fire up the BBQ grill and enjoy a meal al fresco in this serene setting.

Adding to the charm is the separate Casita, a private suite with a queen-sized bed, sleeper sofa, full bathroom, and its own AC unit. This cozy, self-contained space has direct access to the courtyard, offering an ideal retreat for guests or family members seeking extra privacy. A laundry room with a full-sized washer and dryer connects the Casita to the main home.

Inside the main house, you'll be greeted by high vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a spacious living area with a large sofa, flat-screen TV, and expansive windows framing the stunning outdoor views. The modern nautical décor throughout the home adds a stylish and playful touch to this nostalgic retreat. Gather around the dining table, which comfortably seats eight, and enjoy meals prepared in the retro-modern kitchen, fully equipped with a gas stove, separate oven, and all the cookware you need. For more intimate meals, a charming breakfast nook with vaulted ceilings and seating for four provides direct access to the courtyard.

On the opposite wing of the house, the master suite offers a luxurious escape with a brand-new king-sized bed, cozy seating area, and a gas fireplace. Step out onto your private patio to soak in incredible views, or let your furry friend explore the fenced-in dog run and gazebo just outside. The master bathroom shares space with the guest bedroom, featuring a Jack and Jill vanity, sunken bathtub, and walk-in shower. The guest bedroom, complete with a four-poster queen bed, TV, and private courtyard access, ties the home's nautical theme together beautifully.

For even more fun challenge friends and family to a game on the pool table, which converts into a ping-pong table, added in June 2024. With central AC and heating, Tiger by the Tail ensures year-round comfort, making it the ultimate destination for a mix of relaxation, vintage vibes, and family fun. Don't forget to bring your pets—this home is dog-friendly with a two-dog maximum!

Please Note: The pool is ONLY available from May 15 - Oct 15.

Please Note: This property has two gas and two pellet stove fireplaces (pellets are NOT provided).

Ruidoso, Alto, and surrounding areas: Submerse yourself within the towering pines of Lincoln County and watch local wildlife such as elk, deer, wild horses, turkey, birds, and more in their natural habitats. Plan a day basking in the stillness of our national forest while hiking, biking or fishing, golfing at one of our multiple golf courses or spend a fun night out on the town at one of the area's local attractions! Be sure to swim or fish at the beautiful Grindstone or Alto Lake, delight your senses at Winter Park with roller coaster and tubing, and explore the ski slopes and hiking trails throughout Ski Apache. Win big at one of our three local casinos and enjoy the excitement of live quarter horse racing at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. Be happy you took a respite from the concrete jungle. Come relax and refresh with us!

Distances to Area Attractions and Travel Time (barring there is not an elk or wild horse traffic jam):
Bonito Lake 19.7 miles; 39 minute drive
Grindstone Lake 6.7 miles; 15 minute drive
Inn of the Mountain Gods 8.3 miles; 17 minute drive
Midtown Shopping District 5.9 miles; 13 minute drive
Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino 2.6 miles; 8 minute drive
Ski Apache Ski Resort 22.5 miles; 45 minute drive
Ruidoso Winter Park/Screaming Eagle Roller Coaster 11 miles; 20 minute drive

Please Note: This home is dog-friendly with a limit of 2 dogs. A pet fee of $50.00 (plus tax) per pet applies. Please let us know if you'll be bringing your furry friend so we can make the necessary arrangements. For their safety and comfort, pets are required to be kenneled when left alone in all of our pet-friendly cabins.

Bedding: 1 King, 2 Queen, 1 Full Sized Sleeper Sofa

Please Read: Hummingbird Cabins, LLC is the host and who will provide customer service after you've booked your rental home through VRBO. Therefore, be advised that our cancellation policy, in-house policies, and procedures may differ from VRBO. All guests will receive our Guest License Agreement that outlines our policies and procedures and are asked to initial and e-sign before receiving their rental information (address and access code). We ask that you please read our policies as we will adhere to them once you've booked your reservation with us (even when booking through a 3rd party entity).

The fine print, what to expect: Our cabins include basic cable, satellite or streaming television, basic cooking utensils, propane gas grill (propane provided), washer and dryer (if applicable- please look at the amenities), towels and bed linens for guest use along with heating for winter. Our homes come equipped with either a drip or Keurig coffee maker. *Linens and bath towels *Extra blankets and bedding *Spa towels for properties with spas/hot tubs. While our kitchens are fully equipped with glassware/cookware/utensils/dishes, etc. this does not ensure that all homes will have a blender, crock pot, spices, coffee, or condiments. Please call ahead to confirm if items such as these are available. If not, we ask that you bring your own. Basic toiletries in the Master bathroom only are: *One (1) travel-sized each of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, disposable toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap, and facial bar soap, *three (3) rolls of toilet paper; one (1) on the holder and two (2) stored in the bathroom. Basic toiletries in all additional bathrooms (if applicable) are: *three (3) rolls of toilet paper; one (1) on the holder and two (2) stored in the bathroom, *one (1) travel-sized bar soap and/or facial soap, *one (1) hairdryer in the home. Basic supplies in the home: *five (5) All-Clear laundry pods, *dish detergent in pod or liquid form (quantities may vary and/or be limited), and three (3) Lemi Shine rinse agent in single-use cups (for homes with dishwashers), *liquid dish soap in (at minimum) a partial container (may only be in homes without dishwashers- check amenities to ensure the home you booked has a dishwasher), *two to three (2-3) rolls of paper towels, *two (2) trash liners in each waste basket; one (1) prepared in a basket and at least one (1) in the bottom or under the sink. We encourage guests to please be mindful of the supplies we provide and always bring extras as housekeeping does not deliver more than what is required to be left in the homes. We highly encourage guests to be prepared with access to chains and/or 4-wheel drive in winter months. Firewood is not provided for homes with wood burning fireplaces.

Property manager

Hummingbird Cabins
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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

About the area

Ruidoso Downs

Located in Ruidoso Downs, this holiday home is near theme parks and in the mountains. Cree Medows Public Golf Course and The Links at Sierra Blanca are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Free Spirits at Noisy Water and Pillow's Funtrackers. Travelling with kids? Consider Ruidoso Winter Park and Ruidoso Winter Park. Discover the area's water adventures with power boating and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and mountain climbing.
Map
Ruidoso Downs, NM

What's nearby

  • Free Spirits at Noisy Water - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Ruidoso Downs Racetrack - 4 min drive - 3.8 km
  • Pillow's Funtrackers - 7 min drive - 7.4 km
  • Grindstone Lake - 11 min drive - 10.5 km
  • The Links at Sierra Blanca - 12 min drive - 12.1 km

Getting around

  • Ruidoso, NM (RUI-Sierra Blanca Regional) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪K-BOB'S Steakhouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cattle Baron Steak & Seafood - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table. have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool. Pool types include exercise/lap and heated pools.

Is Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table. pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Catch a "Tiger by the Tail"! Pet Friendly with hot tub and pool table. located?

This family-friendly Ruidoso Downs holiday home is located in the mountains, within 2 mi (3 km) of Hubbard Museum of the American West and Billy the Kid Scenic Byways Visitors Center. Free Spirits at Noisy Water and Lotza Stuff are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

8.0

Very good

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. 12 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 4 out of 22 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joseph V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

Great property and veey easy process!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Jeff S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hunting teip

It’s a nice place
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Shirem O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

False Advertisement

Our military family chose this property with hopes that we could enjoy a hot tub, which is advertised as a popular amenity. Among the tub inside the home not working and no water pressure, our main attraction was also non functional. With various complaints to this company we were only deducted 50 of our entire stay. With that being said I will make sure to spread the word to never utilize these services ever again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sinkler A.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Disappointed

The house was so pretty, but have some issues; no hot water on master room bathroom we reported and send us a mainance guy but he didn't repair the water heater, a lot spider's inside of house, dishes was dirty, low pressure water on bathroom.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Charles B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Hot Tub

I was very disappointed with the hot tub, it was only in the 80’s and you could not turn the temperature up.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

AMANDA V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway

House is nice. Beds are comfy. There's enough room to move freely and home is clean. Pool was super cold and the hot tub was mediocre warm and jets gave us some grief. Definitely need a yard man to keep up the property, but overall it was a great stay. We would recommend it and would rent again if need be.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very Nice

Very nice home with amazing views.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

We had fun
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Father’s Day

Great place to stay ! Kids enjoyed it and I did also! Will be coming back to stay at this place again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tara K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Home for All Ages

Our group ranged from age 4 to 79 and this house had something for everyone. From the pool to the views we had a great stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Traci W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house!

What a cool house, we had a great time, we especially enjoyed the pool. Everything was very clean and orderly and the kitchen is well stocked.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun times

We really enjoyed the property and the history of it. Would come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

We had an amazing time. The views are awesome. Super clean and very peaceful. We cant wait to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

link l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice interesting place with great views and personality

Overall this is a nice interesting place and I won’t hesitate to rent it again. There are some things I suggest for consideration: the light and fan switches are not intuitive, it would be very helpful if they were labeled; the pool evidently isn’t on an autofill system and by the second day the water level had dropped to where it wasn’t filtering; the pool seemed over-chlorinated chemically imbalanced; water pressure in the master bathroom is marginal at best; and the air conditioning unit in the middle bedroom is also marginal. I suppose this may be kind of normal with older houses having lots of personality, and again, I wouldn’t hesitate to rent it again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Marisa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views

Our stay was great. The property itself was just beautiful. I agree with some of the other reviews that the house needs a bit more maintenance. We understood the pool was closed for the season but we were excited about the hot tub. Which turned out was broken and the heater didn’t go above 56 degrees. We called maintenance but were told they don’t maintenance the hotub, so we were out of luck.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Vicky C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Home, But

Main bedroom ac made noise, could not sleep. No AC in second bedroom, tolit leak in 3rd bedroom. Left the next day, did not stay thur my full reservation. Did not enjoy.. Home was beautiful except for the issues stated.. Thanks vicky
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura G., Bertram

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tiger by the Tail Home

This home worked really well for us as we had babies, dogs, and those that snore that all needed separating. The layout of this home made it very easy for us to be together and meet all of those requirements. Additionally, the home is located in a very quiet neighborhood that is close to stores and restaurants. We got a kick out of the fact Charo's first movie, Tiger by the Tail, filmed some scenes at this house. So much so that we rented the movie and left a copy there for others to enjoy. We all got a big kick out of it. The private pool was the icing on the cake, or maybe the views... tough to pick one thing. I am sure we will be back. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

2/10 Terrible

Maria M.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Home is in disrepair

The bathroom in the Casita did not work. The garbage disposal came off and flooded the kitchen. Maintenance came out twice and could not fix the bathroom. They came and fixed the garbage disposal. The home is not updated or well taken care of. The owner/manager never responded to my request for partial refund or to explain the misrepresentation of the home on VRBO.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

6/10 Okay

Catherine Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Just ok...

First, there were 3 different types of AC on the property. Central heat/AC, 3 wall units, and pellet fireplaces. I have no idea which combination of these we were supposed to use, so we just went with the central heating. It seemed to work fine. We also had no idea how to use the pellet fireplaces. Second, the breaker in the kitchen flipped any time we used the toaster and microwave at the same time. I messaged them and didn't hear back for a few hours. By then, I had already found the breaker box myself. Finally, the biggest issue was the water. We had to take quick showers or it would get freezing cold and loose pressure. Over the course of the week, the master shower lost pressure faster until we couldn't shower in it and all 4 of us had to use the Casita shower. I messaged them about this and never heard back. Overall, this property is gorgeous and was clearly once very loved by a family who owned it. The management company needs to spend a bit of money on the AC situation, fix the water pressure/heat, clean up landscaping, fix all the visible cords lying around from TVs and thermostats. This place could easily be 5 stars, unfortunately, I'd generously give it 3 stars. The management company posted a picture in the kitchen detailing how many stars should be given based on how well they communicate with renters. Well, they didn't hardly communicate at all once we showed up. Get ready for cold showers and no response to messages!!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kay K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Teri C., Killeen

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice property

Our stay included 4 teenagers and two adults. It was nice for the adults to stay in the casita and have that privacy. The casita is attached to the main house but has it’s own separate entrance. The only disadvantage is that the heat to the casita is controlled by the main house so we were very warm every night, while the main house was comfortable. The shower in the casita is very small - I am 5”6 130lbs and it was barely big enough for me. The main house is great with massive closets, comfortable beds, walk-in shower, and large tub. There were three gray foxes that visited us every night that would watch us from the living room window. We used the fridge, the stove and the microwave and they all worked well. The large pots might need replacing but there were so many pots and pans it didn’t matter. We did not use the pool. We loved the remote lighting. The neighborhood was good. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

GUILLERMO R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Renter

Property,was clean, great location,but there were some problems, the oven wasn't working, the kitchen zink was leaking and the water ,
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

About the host

Hosted by Hummingbird Cabins

Host profile image
Hummingbird Cabins offers quality vacation rental cabins, homes, and property management services in Ruidoso and throughout Lincoln County, New Mexico.

Ruidoso is a beautiful mountain village in Southeastern New Mexico. Although the activities may seem endless year around, our visitors report their favorite activity to be relaxing while enjoying our cool pines and beautiful mountain views. Ruidoso is famous the world over for being the home of the richest quarter horse race; The All American Futurity. Live racing occurs each summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Wintertime activities includes Ski Apache which is the Southernmost ski resort providing the warmest weather skiing and snowboarding to be found. Hummingbird Cabins is committed to providing our customers with the highest level of personal care and service. We are at your service and welcome you to our mountain paradise.

Please read: Hummingbird Cabins, LLC is the host and who will provide customer service after you've booked your rental home through VRBO. Therefore, be advised that our cancellation policy as well as our inhouse policies and procedures may differ from VRBO. All guests will receive our Guest License Agreement that outline our policies and procedures and are asked to initial and e-sign before receiving their rental information (address and access code). We ask that you please read our policies as we will adhere to them once you've booked your reservation with us (even when booking through a 3rd party entity).

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests