Jake Sammis

The Mojave Sands Motel

  • Where:
  • Why:Our Coachella weekend alternative.
  • When:April 2015
  • Who:Some college friends and me.
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The Mojave Sands Motel  Leaving Mojave Sands feeling relaxed and renewed ☺.

Leaving Mojave Sands feeling relaxed and renewed ☺.

The Mojave Sands Motel The living room area of Suite 5.

The living room area of Suite 5.

The Mojave Sands Motel Coolest hotel welcoming letter I’ve seen.

Coolest hotel welcoming letter I’ve seen.

The Mojave Sands Motel Each room has a vintage record player. We picked up some albums at a thrift store on the way - the hotel has a great collection too.

Each room has a vintage record player. We picked up some albums at a thrift store on the way - the hotel has a great collection too.

The Mojave Sands Motel Who needs WiFi when you have Scategories, backgammon, and records?

Who needs WiFi when you have Scategories, backgammon, and records?

The Mojave Sands Motel Our room had a full kitchen equipped with everything you need to make your own meals. The king bed was super comfy and easily fit 2 (or 3).

Our room had a full kitchen equipped with everything you need to make your own meals. The king bed was super comfy and easily fit 2 (or 3).

The Mojave Sands Motel Each room’s private patio is a great place to have coffee in the morning.

Each room’s private patio is a great place to have coffee in the morning.

The Mojave Sands Motel Mojave Sands' resident yoga guru, Rupert, demonstrating the perfect downward dog.

Mojave Sands' resident yoga guru, Rupert, demonstrating the perfect downward dog.

The Mojave Sands Motel Suite 5’s outdoor clawfoot tub and shower were a highlight; we definitely left a bit pruney.

Suite 5’s outdoor clawfoot tub and shower were a highlight; we definitely left a bit pruney.

The Mojave Sands Motel Wishing this was my backyard...

Wishing this was my backyard...

The Mojave Sands Motel Grill master Caro cooking up breakfast.

Grill master Caro cooking up breakfast.

The Mojave Sands Motel Our homemade breakfast spread!

Our homemade breakfast spread!

The Mojave Sands Motel The five connected rooms have a great communal vibe.

The five connected rooms have a great communal vibe.

Highs & Lows

  • Hard to leave the outdoor clawfoot tub and shower.

  • The super friendly manager, Susan, made us feel right at home and gave us great advice on where to eat, hike, and nab last minute concert tickets for Pappy and Harriet’s.

  • One of the comfiest beds I’ve slept on.

  • The fully equipped kitchen was great to make our own meals and for extended stays.

  • No negatives!

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 44/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    A roadside desert motel with a minimalist Moroccan vibe.

  • Vibe

    A desert oasis that’s just far enough away from LA to feel secluded.

  • Location

    In the heart of Joshua Tree, 7 miles from Joshua Tree National Park and 10 miles from Pioneertown.

  • Rooms

    5

  • Music

    Record player in each room with a great collection of vinyl.

  • Year Opened

    2010

  • Designed By

    1950s motel renovated by designer Blake Simpson.

  • Health & Wellness

    No, but our outdoor bathtub was the perfect alternative.

  • Restaurant

    No, but communal BBQ to grill up some grub.

  • Bar

    No, although the outdoor spaces are great to have drinks with friends.

  • Minibar

    No, but rooms have fridges and coffee makers, and suites have full kitchens.

  • Children

    Leave them, not many kid friendly activities around unless self enlightenment in the Mojave desert is their thing.

  • Price

    Just right for a weekend getaway.

  • Website

    Visit website

Pappy + Harriet’s

Pappy + Harriet’s

53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277

Integraton

Integraton

2477 Belfield Blvd, Landers, CA

The Mojave Sands Motel

The Mojave Sands Motel

62121 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA

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