Latest Reviews
See what guests had to say about their experience at Observatory Retreat.
Verified Awesome place for stargazing and relaxation. Michelle was responsive and super friendly.Posted onVerified Everything was more than we possibly could have asked for!! The property, home, and observatory were all perfect. We spent the day having game competitions with bf the useful scorecards that were provided, the alien scavenger hunt, and relaxing on the beautiful decks. Our evenings were spent relaxing in the jacuzzi and in the observatory! The observatory had clear instructions and the program was simple to navigate through. If you come out to this awesome house, make sure to go to Spaghetti Western for dinner!Posted onVerified Great stay. Michelle is responsive and made the entire weekend seamless. Astronomy observatory alone is 5 stars! Unique experience.Posted onVerified Michelle was a wonderful host. We had so much fun on our outer space themed stay. We enjoyed the observatory, hot tub, and the beautiful view of the valley below. The labels, orientation video, and detailed instructions were so helpful and expertly done! Thank you!Posted onVerified The Observatory retreat was an amazing stay. Our family stayed here for two nights and loved everything about it. The home was spacious and pristine. The kids enjoyed the game room and all the cool space related decor. The actual observatory itself was mind blowing to us. A meticulously constructed fully functional rotating dome and automated telescope. We got to see Jupiter and its moons! Even if the weather doesn’t hold, the games in the garage can keep visitors happy hours. The hosts were wonderful and made sure we had everything we needed. For anyone exploring the area and interested in astronomy, this is a must visit Airbnb. Hope to stay here again in the future.Posted onVerified We really enjoyed our stay at Michelle's house! We didn't have time to play all the games the house has to offer but we can't wait to come back! The observatory was awesome, seeing Jupiter was such a thrill! And the house itself was clean, comfortable and well thought-out. Michelle was a fantastic host, super responsive and offering great restaurant recommendations for us.We will definitely be back!Posted onVerified What an incredible experience !! Staying at this beautiful home and enjoying the unforgettable observatory was a trip we'll never forget ! Michelle was such a kind and welcoming host, wonderful to work with, and always responsive. I was nervous to use the equipment but everything was so perfectly laid out and explained so well, it was a breeze ! There were so many unique details that made the entire stay such a one of a kind experience. You can feel all the love and care that goes into this home and we are so grateful that we got to share in it. Thank you Michelle !!!Posted onVerified My family truly enjoyed our stay at the observatory retreat. The hosts have gone above and beyond to accommodate guests, creating a truly unique experience. My kids loved seeing the stars while my husband and I jammed to the killer observatory playlist. The observatory platform was easy to navigate and there were clear directions for the telescope. This experience solidified my kids' obsession with the night sky. We will definitely come back and visit again.Posted onVerified You are reading reviews to decide, well, I can confidently tell you “BOOK IT”- you will not regret it. Beyond a lovely home, great collection of fun games, and hospitable host, it was the observatory that made it an unforgettable vacation for our family.The place was as lovely and spacious as in the photos. Everything worked well (wifi, A/C, TV, arcade games) and Michelle was super responsive, thoughtful, and extremely helpful.My son captured it well in his review “In many ways, the work of a guest is easy. We risk nothing yet enjoy the investment which our hosts risk. As guests we come, have fun, and depart. However over these past two nights I experience something that can’t begin to put into words. They have rocked me to my core. The generosity, exhibited by both hosts at different points of our stay can’t be overlooked, as well as the pure amazement for the well kept and detailed observatory. I will be returning to the Observatory Retreat soon hungry for more.”Posted onVerified What is there to say? This is more than a home, it's an experience! The home itself suited our needs well -- the kids loved the games and the hot tub, there was plenty of space throughout to relax and it was clean and welcoming.The area is so beautiful and the home gives you a perfect vantage point to appreciate it ... sunrises/sunsets are breathtaking.Oh, and the observatory ...Holy Hannah, what a phenomenal experience for our whole family! The love and passion that Jonathan and Michelle put into making the user experience seamless was so helpful - even a bozo like me was able to navigate the controls after a short learning period. Watch the whole training video (including the outtakes!)This is a one-of-a-kind vacation home that is perfect for families with curious children, both as a jumping off point for Joshua Tree NP as well as for exploration of the night sky (with or without the telescope!).Entire stay was five stars!Posted on
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