For my Joshua Tree National Park vacation I was traveling with a ten month old and really wanted to find a unique hotel. I searched and searched until I finally found this one. Mojave Sands was perfect for our stay. Only a few rooms on site, pretty secure to get in, easy to get to our room, and large enough to be comfortable for our little family. We were able to set up our Pack and Play in our room and then layout a play area in the living room by the kitchen. I really enjoyed our stay and what I mention next is not bad just tips that I would have liked to have known: We stayed in Suite 1 which was closest to the road and it was tough for baby to take his naps. The rooms have lots of windows but none of the shades fully block the window, again making it hard for him to take naps and, for adults, hard to sleep in when the sun is blistering through the windows at 7am haha (it doesn't matter we're up at 7 anyways), the kitchen was very small, I so wish it had a microwave or an oven. Lastly, the floors are concrete, which I'm sure is appreciated during the summer, but in the winter, even with the heaters on at almost 80 F, I was absolutely freezing when sleeping, i had to wear my slippers and a turtle neck to stop shivering. My husband was fine, but I'm a cold person and I wished I had an extra blanket. Location was great and close to the West entrance and super close to the visitor center and Road Runner cafe (side note, just go to Walmart a little further and get food for the park, Road Runner was expensive and the sandwiches were ok at best). Overall, loved our stay and so glad I booked it! read more

This is a one of a kind boutique hotel. It calls itself a motel but I think it's far too special to have that demotion. I and friends from Canada stayed here after a day in Joshua Tree National Park. This place is in a great location with lots of places to enjoy local color within walking distance. Assuredly the perfect spot to decompress. We found this place online and the owner was wonderful, over the phone, to book our stay. Everything went exactly as she'd said it would regarding receiving necessary gate codes, etc. We were not disappointed on arrival; this place is spectacularly special. Literally, a hidden oasis that has been thoughtfully, artistically created to provide a very unique zen experience. We loved the secluded, quiet vibe and it was so beautiful. We used the suite and one of the regular rooms. The suite was a two level masterpiece with plenty of seating, a small kitchen and carefully chosen art pieces that elevate the ambiance. It has picture windows that provide a dynamite view and you've got the option to draw blinds for privacy. The beds and linens were so comfortable that my Canadian friend said her husband got the best night sleep here; out of their entire trip to California. My room was perfect. Warm, so comfortable, and with a thoughtful artistic touch. The architectural details of modern, mixing hard and soft with an Asian zen/Americana 50' vibe. The icing on the cake was my golden retriever was also welcome. He thoroughly enjoyed having a safe, enclosed area to chill with his humans. For sure, the next trip to the 29 Palms side of Joshua Tree will include another stay here. Highly recommend here for a very unique, relaxed, pet friendly respite! read more

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We had planned a trip to see Joshua Tree NP and were lucky to find somewhat of a hidden gem in the downtown area of Joshua Tree. The place is funky but in a good way. Very relaxing atmosphere and environment. A lot of nice common areas outside in the courtyard/patio. All rooms also have enclosed private patios outside the rooms. The physical design of the building and materials used are very unique and appealed to my taste. Check out the 25' table made with one piece of wood from center of a tree! There were a lot of artistic features in the room and around the property that added to the ambiance. The beds were comfortable and the heating and systems worked fine. The in room French press coffee was so good! Even though not on the property full time, the management was responsive to texts and very accommodating. We would come back and stay again if in the area. Also would be a great place for a family/friend reunion or special occasion. Thank you Susan and Destiny! read more

A gem in the Joshua Tree area. Although there is road noise (the motel is right off the highway), suite 5 is the furthest back and fairly quiet. This unit is well appointed with great a/c and a really comfortable king sized bed. Plenty of towels for having an outdoor shower or bath! Parking is secure and outdoor area serene. Susan let us know our room was ready early, a very sweet touch! I'd definitely stay here again! read more

The Mrs. and I are wrapped up our overnighter in Joshua Tree and our stay at the Mojave Sands Motel. This motel is much more than a motel. It's a compound for contemplation, a cocoon of serenity, a bastion of the basics one needs in life. You enter Mojave Sands off of a dirt road and arrive at a rather imposing large rusted metal gate. You enter the gate code that is provided to you and the gate rolls back and you're in. We stayed in room 4. All the rooms have a small patio area in front of them that has a fountain, two chairs, a table, and a bench. Room 4 is very minimalist in its design. The walls are concrete. The ceiling adorned with wood. There is a bed that appears to float off the ground. Two chairs, some lamps, and a typewriter that is the vessel of information for your stay. There is no tv. The bathroom is large which surprised me. The shower is very large so I guess if you wanted to have company...4 people could easily fit in the shower. There is a record player with records available for your listening pleasure. I opted for some Jim Croce. And for your culinary needs. A fridge and a French Press for your coffee and an electric tea kettle to warm up your water for coffee or tea. The grounds of Mojave Sands are beautiful. There is a pond with some Koi in it and several areas to sit and enjoy the scenery. There is a large table that I could only imagine piling food on and having a great meal with family and friends. You can even have a fire when conditions weather conditions allow for it. Mojave Sands is in a great location. It is about a 10 minute walk to the Joshua Tree Saloon, Crossroads Cafe, and the Joshua Tree National Park store. read more

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A friend recommended this motel. It's even more serene and gorgeous in person. I took the advice of another reviewer and asked for Room 4 which is away from the street traffic. It's a standard room. I love everything about the design of the property. Simple, smart, clean, intentional design. No staff is on property 24/7 as clearly stated but I texted about the A/C remote and they responded promptly. (User error on my part). If you're looking for a clean, peaceful place to sleep, I highly recommend this place. I'll be back next time I'm visiting friends! read more

Had my wedding at Mojave Sands Motel April 22nd and it was AWESOME! Our guests had a great experience and we got a lot of complements. Susan and her team did an epic job getting everything setup and organized, so the event went off without a hitch. Thanks Susan and team - really appreciate you all being part of our special day and look forward to visiting for our anniversary!! read more

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Wow! I just received this note from who I assume is the owner: "It is always amazing how some people are so rude and negative. I am surprised you would post this since it seems you and your girl friends are so cool and together. That is no size 6 or 8 knee. Looks like it would fit well in your big mouth too." read more

Amazing artful mid century modern oasis in Joshua Tree! Cannot wait to go back!!! Low key chill vibe and very relaxing! read more

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Cool design and comfy bed but be aware the road is noisy and the room is extremely basic: nowhere to unpack clothes; no coffee machine; no internet; and no TV. The room was also dusty (don't look under the bed!) and the towels were rationed. I wanted this place to rock. It has so much potential but sadly it underwhelms! read more

LOVE this place! Going again for my Anniversary - couldn't be more eager! read more

Mojave Sands Motel - LOVE this place! - Hotels Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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Such a gorgeous and serene property. The rooms are sparkling clean and have a modern, minimalist decor that blends perfectly with the desert. Room 5, a suite, with an outdoor shower and tub, is fantastic. I'll definitely stay in 5 again if it's available. The location is super convenient to the park and the shops/restaurants. The Manager is friendly and gave very detailed directions and info. Huge fan of this place! read more

We really enjoyed our time here. Excellent interior design/ construction . Beautiful spot ! read more

Mojave Sands Motel - Sunrise! - Hotels Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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Stayed the weekend at this amazing motel. We had suite 5, it is beautiful. The attention to detail is incredible: bed super comfy, light room due to all the full length windows, outdoor shower and claw foot tub, record player w cool records, kitchen supplies were perfect and customer service was the best. Definitely recommend this motel. If you like eclectic and funky luxuries, you will love it. read more

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Getting kicked out of a hotel is such a rock star move. It feels kind of badass. Like you are one badass rockstar that is worthy of hate by a rich authoritarian corporate greed hog. Some badass reasons that would have qualified for getting kicked out of Suite #5 at the Mojave Inn: 1. Catching the koi fish in the bond and grilling them over the pitfire 2. An orgy in the glass lined living room or in the outdoor shower 3. Lighting records on fire and frisbee golfing between the living room to and bedroom. See? Valid reasons to get kicked out. We had the fancy suite #5 reserved for Christmas, three nights and three thirty-something single women ready for a relaxing time, for $300 a night. Unfortunately, on the morning after the second night, we got a terrible call from the owner of the place, who called us "complainers" and kicked us out of the property. With a promise to fully refund our cost. Here's what we complained about 1. We had booked suite #5 for 3 nights. They instead had double booked the room and kicked us into the smaller suite #1 for the 3rd night. They did NOT tell us they double booked when we initially booked the room. They did NOT mention they would decrease our cost for the double booking. They did offer to help us move our bags from one room to the other. Whoop tee doo. 2. We were promised a full kitchen so we brought food to cook. Instead, we found only one pot and one tea kettle. No oven. Only two burners. And one burner was broken. No full fridge - just a half fridge and half freezer. There was only one big pot. No frying pan. No sponges to wash the dishes. 3. The wifi was broken. We were there for a writing/work retreat which was impossible without the internet. The first day we were there, they said they were going to go down the hill to get a new router - but it never happened. 4. The gorgeous steampunk-ish decor was cool. But functional it was not. Particularly when we were sitting eating dinner, and Jas was sitting on the tall stool. The steel leg suddenly bent in and knocked her off the chair, dinner ruined, her leg bruised. 5. So they double booked, and moved us into room #1 on Christmas Eve morning at 11am. As we packed and moved in to the smaller no seating room - I sat down on the orange sofa. And sneezed. Because it was COVERED in dog hair. I'm terribly allergic to dog dander, and I was astounded that a place would allow pets and then not properly clean up after letting dogs stay in the room. Most establishments ask for pet deposits for this very reason. Though the manager said she was going to find a blanket to throw over the sofa, by then it was too late. For a $300 a night establishment, you expect $300 a night quality and amenities. Frankly, I would price suite #5 at $150 a night max, if all the amenities were actually there. Plus, they lied to us on numerous factors. And they didn't show the bit of remorse when someone was injured on their property. Finally, the owner of the property got on the phone, and YELLED at us. She said that we were complainers, that we need to "just relax and enjoy yourself because it's Christmas Eve" and "If we couldn't relax we needed to get out of there". Literally. I've never been yelled at by a business before. It was absolutely the most bizarre thing I've ever experienced. We had to hastily pack our things and find another hotel to stay at. ON CHRISTMAS EVE. Happy Holidays, right? So... don't go here. They are terrible and mean people. And if you do go here, steal all their stuff and wreck that place up like a rock star would. Because if you are going to get kicked out, you better make it worth it. read more

Spent an incredible first weekend out in the desert (ever in my life) in October '12 at probably the most beautiful, intimate, accommodation I've ever been to. Yes it's called a motel but the property feels like your hanging out with some of your closest friends at this beautiful designed oasis that just happens to have an abundant amount of grills and fireplaces outside your door. We were in one of the more "standard" rooms and felt like we were in a suite. We came in to find a record player with The Temptations waiting for us! And a typewriter! I was lucky enough to get to chat with Blake the morning my friend and I were leaving and he is a super friendly, respectful, funny guy. read more

One thing I appreciate most about a business is when the owner is completely invested in its success and this is definitely the case at the Mojave Sands. It's been mentioned many times in these review, but Blake is one of those owners. His passion for the smallest of design elements was evident the moment we stepped on the property. I have seen a few complaints regarding how hard it is to access. This is the case if you are someone who doesn't do any form of planning at all. I simply texted Blake and told him we'd be arriving around 10pm. He promptly responded with instructions on how to open the gate and informed us that our key would be in the door. He had both A/C units cranked down and the room was the perfect temperature for our arrival. As others have mentioned you can spend hours just exploring the details of the room if you are someone that enjoys that type of thing. We were tired from a long flight and only spent a few minutes doing this our first night. The custom built king platform bed was as comfortable as it was cool. Blake bought the property directly behind the motel and is currently converting that into a high-end communal kitchen/gathering area. He also has a cool old trailer attached to the kitchen. He invited us over the second night to visit and meet his dogs. I wish we'd had more time to talk, but we'd spent the entire day hiking and were off to San Diego first thing the next morning. My only TINY suggestion would be hammocks in the garden area. It is so inviting but the only options are cool chairs. It was screaming for me to take a nap on a warm afternoon. Do yourself a favor and book a trip now. I have a feeling Blake will have moved on to his next big project sooner rather than later and the Sands will lose its greatest asset. read more

We had an awesome stay here! It's such a cool atmosphere, from the garden area to the actual room. The bathroom was just heavenly, with the rain shower head and cool tile job. Record player is always an added plus! We stayed for one quick night, it's perfectly located for going to Joshua tree. We were here in January, and it was cold! I recommend if you go in the winter to pack some slippers, the stone like floor was pretty chilly. I imagine in the summers the rooms stay nice and cool, and you could have the door open and lounge with an amazing view from your porch area. The owner is super nice and so is her sweet little dog! Highly recommend for an experience different than your run of the mill hotel. read more

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A beautifully designed place to rest your head while visiting Joshua Tree and the surrounding areas! The photos of this place did not do it justice as it truly a diamond in the rough of the desert. We saw a show at nearby Pappy & Harriets and Mojave Sands Motel was just a few minutes drive away which was perfect. They have a spacious outdoor yard with fireplaces, a BBQ, and lounge areas. One night we made S'Mores with one of the fireplaces which was a nice treat. Susan (co-owner,manager) was also kind, very attentive and kept open communication throughout our stay, making sure that we had everything we needed. If not, she was only a stones throw away if we needed any assistance. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a unique, beautifully designed and equipped motel to stay while in the desert. I can't wait to stay there again! read more

Lying in my comfy bed at dawn watching the sun come up, there is a round portal in the door and the light hits the west window shade, looking just like a miniature, buttery desert sun. The restoration of the original property is already spectacular and will only get better as the grounds are finished. The rates are amazing, the rooms are simple and very beautiful. The care and attention given to the design is visible from the gorgeous shower tiles to the fountain in each rooms' little courtyard, to the mini fridge, to the manual typewriter, to the books, records and record player (in suite 5). Please note that this is really a one man labor of love and that the work on the property is being done slowly but surely. Blake is awesome. There are two suites and three rooms. I stayed in #4 and on any future visits I'll book it or Suite 5, it's furthest from the road. There will be future visits. The Cons: Right on the main road, although protected by high walls. Um....... Not too many cons here. The Pros: Great beds. Beautiful decor and design. Can't decide whether to be in cozy room or out in courtyard with fire pits and mega stars. Dog's encouraged (Blake has two sweet pits, one of whom may adopt you) I came with two Chihuahuas and everyone got along smashingly. It's all concrete so cool in the heat and the heaters in rooms work great and are quiet. Big tiled steam showers. Really low key and friendly staff. Great rates. Joshua Tree just down the road! Mostly when I go off to the desert I like to camp but for those times when a little more understated luxury is called for, I'll be here. read more

Mind blowing Zen aura that greets you after a long drive to Joshua Tree. Amazing room upgrade to suite because it happened to be available. Jaw dropping slash in price due to the hospitality of owners. Eye popping cool design (from a designophile) that made me never want to leave. Relaxing sauna with Eucalytus oil built into the shower... .mmmm Comfy King Size bed my boyfriend and I slept comfortably on.... To be honest, I wish I could go here every weekend. I can't quit you Mojave Sands! A real gem ;) read more

WOW! We love this hotel! My wife and I were honeymooning here about a month ago, and they so kindly upgraded us from a standard room to a suite. Suite 5 to be exact. If you can, spend the extra money to get suite 5, it's got a little private backyard with an outdoor shower and tub. We made sure to use that shower every morning during our stay, it was such an amazing and liberating feeling. Each room has a record player with a cool record collection instead of a TV. I mean seriously, who needs a TV when you're in one of the most beautiful parts of California? We really enjoyed spinning records each night with a nightcap before bed. The bed was super comfortable. The natural morning light was better than any alarm clock, and being able to make our coffee in room with a French press and then go enjoy said coffee by the koi pond was bliss. Susan and Rosey were both so helpful with our reservation and check-in processes. We will be back! We love this hotel so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you. read more

Arriving to this...motel is not the right word...motel evokes images of a 2 am check in where you ring a bell on a counter and a pudgy man with grease stains on his shirt and nicotine stained fingers takes your cash only under a bulletproof window and gives you a nondescript key of which only god knows how many copies there are in the mug shot inventory of a tiny desert town. No, motel is not the right word, although the motel sign has been preserved in neon. Compound is not the right word either, although one might feel like one is pulling into a desert hideaway and could be in the remote reaches of Iraq or Afghanistan as you enter. Certainly, it evokes a hippie hideaway when you arrive... Zen retreat is somewhat accurate, however honestly after staying a night I felt I like was on the set of LOST in a concrete bunker somewhere. The place even has the feeling like there are hidden characters with mythical powers like "Blake" and "Dustin"... My stay was amazing, there was nothing like listening to the records in the middle of the desert as the sun set and the stars came out. A bubbling fountain outside my room set the mood and the steam shower (while initially creating some fear that this was a set up to gas me with some cyanide gas in a wicked tourist trap plot), quickly transcended into one of the most relaxing showers ever. Certainly, if you are worrisome or easily anxiety prone, finding the entrance and getting the gate code will require some mindful breathing and test you.. I did honestly spend half an hour trying to figure out how to get into the place requiring two phone calls to Blake. Once you do get inside however you will find the experience was worth it and if you are brave and adventurous, your quest will be rewarded with hidden surprises. Some things I might add are to be sure to arrange your rug so that your feet hit it in the morning as the concrete floors can get quite chilly. Second, do not expect the standard amenities in the bath, there is little place to put a dop bag for shaving or makeup application...this is an ascetic spiritual retreat, your bath time should not be distracted with activities such as shaving or makeup... the small mirror and absence of counter reinforce the mantra of splashing some water on your face, hitting the steam shower and getting on with your day. Likewise, do not expect a lush couch ... this is a place to go outside and have a cup of tea by the pond and admire the sky. read more

Charming and quaint, but it needs a little more work. We had room #4. The bed was horribly uncomfortable. The slightest move made it squeak loud enough to wake anyone. The room was also quite bare; no area rug or anything to tie the room together. More difficult, there were a couple of chairs, but no coffee table or breakfast table or any kind of table, aside from the one the coffee maker was sitting on. The heater was also incredibly loud (warm the room up before you fall asleep and then turn it off). The design and everything was great, it just needs a bit more effort so the rooms feel inviting. read more

If I could give 10 stars I could, this place is the sweetest, coolest, seductive place you can stay at. Book room 5! Throw some records on, open those beautiful doors and windows, sit back and suck in that mountain air. So close to the Joshua Tree National Park, and Yucca Valley. Great star gazing in the courtyard next to the coy fish pond. Fyi, very comfy bed and linens. The entire place was very CLEAN. A must for us. read more

This is a really beautiful place in Joshua Tree. Blake is the owner, it' s his place and he takes immense pride in it (he should) The beds/linens are comfortable, the rooms and bathrooms are both modern and rustic without being precious. There are additional amenities in the works, a pool, etc. But they aren't really necessary. The Joshua Tree area was too cold on our visit, which made it impossible to relax outside at the huge communal table or on our patio, but we are looking forward to our next visit. This is going to be THE place to stay in Joshua Tree, go now before it's impossible to get in. read more

This review is overdue but I still think about the wonderful weekend we spent at the motel in September of 2012. The owner Blake, is an awesome guy. He upgraded us to the suite knowing that it was our first year wedding anniversary. He also provided us with fresh flowers in the room. On top of that, he had a cancelation from another guest and offered us to stay one more night for free. Amazing! Having the vinyl/record player in each room and the outdoor showers in the suite creates such a retro feel to this place. We also soaked up in the aluminum pools by day to keep cool and sat by the fire at night to stay warm. Overall, a great little getaway in the desert! I can't wait to come back again! read more

The fact that I finally wrote my 1st review is a testament to how special Mojave Sands and its owner Blake are. This is truly a magical place. It has a vibe and some sort of energy that can affect even the most cynical and jaded. Having traveled most of my life and working in a field that has me spending a good portion of my life in hotels, Mojave Sands tops the list. It's a destination all in it's own. By ALL means- come. read more

Pros: Beautiful spot right by one of the main entrances to Joshua Tree Nat. Park. Feels more like your own private cottage as opposed to a "motel". The attention to detail in the room and entire properties design is amazing. There's an old typewriter and record player in the room as well which was very cool. We listened to Sinatra vinyl in the morning while packing up. Cons: We had to mill around for 20 minutes until we found the care keeper watering a plant to let us in. Room could have been a bit cleaner. All said and done I look forward to staying again and would recommend in a heartbeat. read more

Thanks Susan for the stay. We had a great time and my daughter learned how to use the record player (under my watchful eye of course) and play card games! Perfect daddy daughter getaway! The details make the place from the fireplaces to the record players... no phones! no TV's... perfect read more

Simply amazing. This is not just some lodge where you just shower and run out. shower. You are being invited into someone's extended home. You will meet new and amazing people. A true oasis for the Hipster on Highway 62. Oh, and SUPER PET FRIENDLY!!! read more

Mojave Sands Motel - Hotels Near Me - Joshua Tree, California

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Let me start by saying that the design of the motel is a lot of fun and very hip. It's conveniently located by the pizza place and a great café and to the entrance of the park. But it felt less like an upscale motel and more like an apartment that my very hip and much younger sister begrudgingly allowed me to stay at. I found the suite to be expensive for what you got and for the area. The coffee grinder and record player and selection of records were a delight. I just found it extremely odd that there was no staff on the premises. I also found it weird that there was no housekeeping service. Is it a motel or an Airbnb? Suite 5 is a fishbowl and anyone else who is staying at the motel can look in on what you're doing at anytime of the day or night. It's glaring bring during the day and dark at night. For instance, I was up at midnight in my nightie and some man looked in from the court yard. The ad mentions the outdoor shower and tub which I found useless because it is totally viewable from the courtyard. Also, when I needed towels I had to email the owner. The design is lovely and fits the vibe of Joshua Tree but it's over priced and I think the concept needs some tweaking. read more

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Spent a night here with my husband and small daughter. We stayed in the small suite (room 1). It was very tastefully decorated and had a great, relaxing ambience. The shower was hot and the kitchenette had a fridge, two hot plates, coffee maker / grinder and all the equipment needed to whip up a delicious breakfast in the morning. The grounds are well kept and the beautiful yard would be perfect for a birthday party or other kind of celebration with a group of friends. All communications was via text so I never meet Susan but she answered all my questions promptly and was very helpful. We will definitely be back soon! read more

A truly awful experience! I'd read about this space in T magazine last year and thought it would be great to try. I called and was told there was a two-night minimum on weekends, $200 each night. Fine. My boyfriend was coming from New York and I thought it would be a great treat. I called again to confirm after I'd given my credit card info online, but no answer and no confirmation. I called again and left a message and days later was responded to by a very harried and distracted woman who told me she thought the dates I'd requested would be fine. Still no confirmation. I called once or twice more and finally was sent an email confirmation for my dates. I was nervous. Things weren't right but I still wanted to try the place and we had plans to hike in Joshua Tree. We arrive at 6 pm on the first of our two nights. The entire space is enclosed by a metal fence with no apparent way in. We drive down a dark road to find the intercom and buzz, no answer. We buzzed again and continued to for the next fifteen minutes but no one answered or came to open the gate. No way in. It was cold and dark and deserted. I called the only phone number I had and left messages because, of course, no one answers the phone. We parked and climbed up on the fence to see in and there was not a soul around. Not a peep, not a person, deserted! Finally, after an hour of trying to get in or reach someone, we felt as if we're in a David Lynch film and were simply too creeped out to even consider staying should someone EVER respond to my calls or arrive to let us in. We then drive in the dark another hour back to Palm Springs where, luckily, the lovely Korakia Pensione has a room and saved us. I'm not sure if the owner of the Sands knows how badly his place is being run, but we will never go back, and never speak well of the place, and without a sense of humor and a back-up plan, it could have ruined what turned out to be a lovely weekend. The place is creepy! read more

The owner of Mojave sands is simply not to be trusted. I made a reservation to stay on the weekend of a friend's weeding and was told that it would be problem to cancel. I contacted the motel 4 weeks before my scheduled stay to cancel and was given an epic run around. Since then my attempts to get my deposit returned have been met with broken promises, (actually lies)one after another. We cancelled because my wife and I decided to stay nearby at a more kid friendly place . It's a good thing, because people in the wedding who did stay at Blake's place told me they were surprised to find the owner's large dogs in their rooms, on their beds when they returned from being out. read more

I've read the reviews, since that first one and wow... I have gathered, a) Blake is the owner and b) he comes on here to write his advertisements disguised as honest reviews. The real skinny: I went there last month on a long trip. I had kids with me, my whole family, we were exhausted. I had asked them on the phone if it was family friendly and they touted all these amenities. But then you there, and dogs came running after my kids, scaring them. Three pits! Then, we see a room, no tv, no couch, it was a suite, but only one real bed. Where are the kids supposed to be? I took a walk and fresh dog poop right there! No pool! The place is heavily still in construction. There is a gate that has to be opened to enter or leave the place, a real burden. My final thoughts, this Blake would say anything to get you into the door. And he did! We went right up the road to the harmony inn, where later I found out u2 recorded! Anyway, theres better places to go. I would highly recommend finding one. read more

We stayed at another hotel that wasn't living up to its reviews and decided to find a new location for our final two nights in JT. Sunset magazine listed a brief review of mojave sands motel so we decided to try it out. The gate out front makes it look forbidding but once inside you come to realize the strength of mojave sands is the immense attention to detail. It's like staying in a cool art directors hideaway. The vintage record player, wall heater beside the toilet, every light fixture, artwork, library, etc. We were upgraded to the large suite at no additional cost because all other rooms were booked. This is not for everyone (those who prefer cookie-cutter, corporate getaways) but you can't ignore this is a labor of love, not a boring chain hotel. read more

We stayed here on a one-night stopover after visiting Joshua Tree and heading to Nevada. Communication was mostly through text, which was easiest, most of the time. It's a gated parking lot that you need a code or key to get into. We were roomed in Room 3, and quickly took notice of the beautiful courtyard. There is no wifi or TV, so if you have work to do, this place may not be for you. The room was concrete flooring, which was actually quite dusty and we had to wear our shoes (it was an exceptionally windy day outside). The bathroom was unique, a modern rustic type with a waterfall shower head. The toilet is in the same enclosure and the bathroom has very little room if there is more than one person, and even if there is one person--though bare minimum appears to be the theme here. There is a record player in the room, so we enjoyed the nostalgia of David Bowie while sipping coffee from the coffee machine in the room--nothing special. There was one chair in the room for two, and our curtains were fabric draped and restrained over the windows, which didn't entirely cover it. There was also not a covering for the round window on the door, so total privacy you do not have--though really, it would be difficult (but not impossible) to see in from the courtyard. There is a small private front porch/patio area with a falling water fountain. We could easily hear the noise from the next room over (#2?), so I was awoken a few times during the night. I think we officially stayed there without ever meeting who was in charge of running the place, as the key was left for us after hours, and we left our key in the room and dropped a text upon leaving. We do appreciate the listing of local places to go, it's unfortunate things close earlier. If you're looking for hotel-like accommodations this place isn't for you. It was an interesting place to visit, for sure. read more

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Hidden oasis in the desert. I found Mojave Sands looking for a last-minute getaway for my boyfriend's birthday. I called a million places that were all booked before finally talking to Blake, the owner of Mojave Sands. While he too was booked, he was super helpful & we chatted a bit about the random busy-ness in Joshua Tree that weekend. By the end of the conversation, he offered to try to get a maintenance issue fixed so he could get us a place to stay! I took him up on it & we ended up in one of their five fantastic rooms. The grounds and rooms at Mojave Sands are fantastic- very unique and artistic with a crazy amount of attention to detail. The craftsmanship is excellent and you can easily tell the Blake put his heart & soul into each detail. Overall, it's very comfortable, peaceful and beautiful. I will definitely return! Thanks, Blake! read more

This place in an unfortunate failure. It has the potential to be really great but has no service or hospitality whatsoever, no amenities in the room (hook to hang a jacket on, chair to sit on, garbage can, etc.), was dirty and dusty, and the property was a work-in-progress with spare parts and 1/2 done projects littering the property. We had come here looking for a relaxing getaway weekend but left totally let down. read more