Stay Outdoors, Indoors, at Joshua Tree

Stay Outdoors, Indoors, at Joshua Tree

Trying to categorize the lodgings offered by the Acido Dorado, located on the edge of California’s Joshua Tree National Park, is like trying to solve a Zen koan.

Acido Dorado isn’t a house—it is too open to the elements for that. It isn’t a glamping (glamorous camping) experience and certainly isn’t a cabin—the setup is way too luxurious. The accommodations here aren’t indoors, though nor are they outdoors; rather, it is some ingenious melding of the two.

 Stay Outdoors, Indoors, at Joshua Tree

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What Acido Dorado certainly is not is one of those naturalistic, blend-into-the-environment sorts of places. The architect describe the style as “peppy-glam.” This place is like where Liberachi might live were he to relocate to the California desert. Gold-mirrored ceilings mix with glass and concrete cinder blocks at angles weird and wonderful. Fabric covers the refrigerator. Ornate roses are welded into metal. The whole thing is set amidst stark brush and rock. No wonder so many fashion photographers clamor to shoot here.

The coolest part: Open up all various windows and sliding doors and nearly 80% of the house is directly exposed to the elements. The living room basically has no roof (the advantage of being in a near-rainless location). The shower is open too and the walls full of windows and gaps.

Another Spot Cool Stuff favorite feature: the iPod dock hooked into seven speakers scattered throughout the house. Feel free to crack up the 400-watt stereo system—there aren’t any neighbors around to complain—through there’s something blissful about the absolute quiet too.

The Acido Dorado can comfortably accommodate up to six people. A weekend night will set you US$440 plus a $50 cleaning fee at the end of your stay. If that’s too steep for you consider the nearby Rosa Muerta—it’s roughly half the price of the Acido Dorado and every bit as undefinable. But that’s the separate article.

published: 6 Aug 2010
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