Gorgeous Desert Mountain Retreat with Two Bedroom Guest House and Amazing Pool

The desert surrounding Scottsdale, Arizona is extensive and can be punishing, but a night in this modern home would be far from roughing it. Nestled in to the gated Desert Mountain community, which features six Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, it’s a customer built tribute to comfort and modern southwest style.

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A home without a pool in the heat of an Arizona summer would be unbearable. A dip in this beautiful halfmoon-shaped swimming pool is refreshing any time of day.

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The plethora of pool deck chairs suggests an invitation for plenty of guests.

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The flat roof and pale beige adobe-style exterior is firmly situated in the classic Southwest style.

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Landscaping can be a challenge in the dry desert climate, which is why local plants and xeriscaping is the best choice.

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This view gives you the first peek into the separate two-bedroom guest house.

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Tiled floors in the open living room help to keep things a little bit cool.

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Outdoor ceiling fans are another helpful feature.

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A few pops of floral color brighten up the stone paved pathways.

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For evenings in – and big games – this man cave-style room complete with a wet bar and masculine leather sofas is the perfect answer.

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The bedrooms, of which there are four, are more indicative of casual elegance than high desert style.

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Cream colored linens and walls are simple but luxurious.

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Flagstone accents being a little bit of depth to this build in fireplace.

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A spiral staircase hints at the overall modern style of the home.

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And floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of desert light, whether it’s from the sun or the moon.

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Custom cabinetry in the master bedroom offer plenty of storage.

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Here we can see the stunning desert views offered from the patio, which is just a sliver of the nearly 3 acres the home sits upon.

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The custom metal sculpted front door speaks to the era of the home’s original construction in 1997.

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Granite countertops and stainless steel fixtures in the expansive kitchen are timeless, though.

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The formal dining area is more casual cozy with its white leather chairs and glasstop table.

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Desert nights bring a chill and the perfect excuse for a dip in the spa.

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An outdoor wetbar and barbecue area is a dream for the grill enthusiast.

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Travertine tiled bathrooms, and a private whirlpool are the final nest of luxury in this enviable home.

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This Desert Oasis is a Step Above the Standard Vegas Hotel

For most people, spending a weekend in Las Vegas means pushing their way through the throngs seated at slot machines to get to an elevator and walk miles of hallway just to get to a poorly decorated room and go right back down to a casino. But for those visitors who are lucky enough to truly indulge in the old style Las Vegas experience of pretty poolsides and plenty of privacy, there is CAVU. This 13,000 square foot house, from award-winning architect Eric Strain, is all kinds of luxurious. And though it's just a stone's throw from the decadence of the Las Vegas strip, it feels like it's on another planet. Let's take a glimpse inside.

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The home’s exterior is made from custom stainless steel and includes a fully enclosed dog run so that the whole family can enjoy the vacation. The exterior walls are constructed with three foot thick rammed earth adobe, which serves to keep the house insulated naturally and drought resistant landscaping make this desert oasis sustainable without detracting from its modern beauty. Clearly sustainability was on the mind of this architect.

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The top floor of the home is termed a “master retreat” and has everything a couple would need to escape from the hedonism downstairs. The winged roof that extends over the house is another natural cooling feature and includes built in solar panels.

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The basement bowling alley has all the trappings of a teenage retreat, but with a modern pool table and custom neon lighting from designer David Singer, it can easily take a more adult turn. To reach the bowling alley, guests can take the hidden interior elevator, labeled with buttons “Sleep,” “Eat,” and “Play.” Also downstairs is a private screening room and fully stocked bar.

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Of course, no Las Vegas experience would be complete without a pool party. CAVU features a private outdoor infinity pool as well as a spa. Who gets invited is up to the guests.

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Outdoor entertaining on a hot night is easy with an outdoor kitchen, dining area, and wood burning pizza oven. Even when temperatures dip on a desert night, seven fire features around the exterior of the home should certainly keep everyone warm.

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Resort-style baths include heated floors, multiple shower heads, and sumptuous teak sinks. Other bath amenities include a steam room, Japanese soaking tub, and massage table.

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