10/10 Excellent
ntorres F.
21 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
ntorres F.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Entire home
Stargazers' Sabbatical
Photo gallery for Stargazers' Sabbatical
Reviews
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Ajo, AZ
- Place, Cabeza Preita National Wildlife Refuge1 min walk
- Place, Bud Walker Park1 min walk
- Place, Ajo Plaza15 min walk
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
About this property
Stargazers' Sabbatical
Sadly necessary preface: All available dates are on the calendar. All bookings must be completed through the Vrbo website. There will never be any exceptions. Messages reflecting ignorance of this paragraph will be ignored.
Phew. Okay, now the fun stuff.
Our little house was one of hundreds built by the Phelps-Dodge mining company to house the workers at its New Cornelia copper mine between 1916 and 1985. We recently completed the first phase of a long term renovation plan and it's ready for people to enjoy.
This former mining town turned artist colony is emerging as a base camp for outdoor adventurers, astrophotographers, and everyone else who wants to revel in the remote beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
The town's burgeoning scene includes live music and dance shows, literature and art presentations, open air markets, and a growing range of artisanal culinary offerings, all with a Sonoran Desert twist that is unique to Ajo.
Phoenix and its metropolitan amenities are two hours away by car, and the laid back culturepalooza of beautiful Tucson is only a 2.5 hour drive along scenic AZ 86.
If you're feeling the need to get your beach on, bring your passport and pop down to the former fishing village and current resort town of Puerto Peñasco, a two hour jaunt across the Mexican border to the Gulf of California (don't forget to buy Mexican car insurance in Ajo before you go).
As beautiful as the desert is, Ajo's greatest natural attraction is its dark night sky. More than a hundred miles from the nearest major city, the absence of light pollution allows Ajo visitors to see the night skies of their ancestors. The backyard of the house is on the lowest fringe of Bortle 4. Bortle 3 is a five minute walk, and Bortle 2 is a five minute drive. (You'll need camping gear and a 4WD vehicle to enjoy Bortle 1.)
The property is slowly being optimized for amateur astronomy, because its owner hopes to spend his winter nights that way upon retirement. In the meantime, you can enjoy its already ample charms.
Phew. Okay, now the fun stuff.
Our little house was one of hundreds built by the Phelps-Dodge mining company to house the workers at its New Cornelia copper mine between 1916 and 1985. We recently completed the first phase of a long term renovation plan and it's ready for people to enjoy.
This former mining town turned artist colony is emerging as a base camp for outdoor adventurers, astrophotographers, and everyone else who wants to revel in the remote beauty of the Sonoran Desert.
The town's burgeoning scene includes live music and dance shows, literature and art presentations, open air markets, and a growing range of artisanal culinary offerings, all with a Sonoran Desert twist that is unique to Ajo.
Phoenix and its metropolitan amenities are two hours away by car, and the laid back culturepalooza of beautiful Tucson is only a 2.5 hour drive along scenic AZ 86.
If you're feeling the need to get your beach on, bring your passport and pop down to the former fishing village and current resort town of Puerto Peñasco, a two hour jaunt across the Mexican border to the Gulf of California (don't forget to buy Mexican car insurance in Ajo before you go).
As beautiful as the desert is, Ajo's greatest natural attraction is its dark night sky. More than a hundred miles from the nearest major city, the absence of light pollution allows Ajo visitors to see the night skies of their ancestors. The backyard of the house is on the lowest fringe of Bortle 4. Bortle 3 is a five minute walk, and Bortle 2 is a five minute drive. (You'll need camping gear and a 4WD vehicle to enjoy Bortle 1.)
The property is slowly being optimized for amateur astronomy, because its owner hopes to spend his winter nights that way upon retirement. In the meantime, you can enjoy its already ample charms.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Mountain view
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9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (22 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Parent/guardian must be present for < 18 guests
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Ajo
Ajo is home to this holiday home. Ajo Plaza and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Cabeza Preita National Wildlife Refuge and Bud Walker Park.
Ajo, AZ
What's nearby
- Cabeza Preita National Wildlife Refuge - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
- Bud Walker Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
- Ajo Plaza - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
- New Cornelia Branch Hospital - 2 min drive - 1.6 km
- Gibson Neighborhood Park - 2 min drive - 1.6 km
Restaurants
- Oasis Coffee - 16 min walk
- Circle K - 20 min walk
- Sonoran Sweet & Savory - 17 min walk
- Fat Cactus - 4 min drive
- Agave Grill - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
8.8/10
Amenities
7.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.8/10
Check-in
9.4/10
Communication
9.6/10
Location
9.6/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Brandon B.
5 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Brandon B.
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2026
10/10 Excellent
David H.
17 Feb 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
David H.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026
10/10 Excellent
Christopher A.
21 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christopher A.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Scott and Lynn J.
11 Jan 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Scott and Lynn J.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kimberly A.
15 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kimberly A.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
James L.
13 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
James L.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Carol H.
8 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet Place to Relax
Carol H.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
john w.
27 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Stay in Ajo
john w.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jay & Lisa P.
14 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice home, great neighborhood!
Jay & Lisa P.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Douglas T.
23 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing property!
Douglas T.
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Judy M.
21 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Judy M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kristy P.
7 Dec 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for exploring Organ Pipe National Monument
Kristy P.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
alma d.
25 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place. Comfortable and clean.
alma d.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
10/10 Excellent
Shirley
23 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Shirley
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Rachel R.
30 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean and quiet
Rachel R.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Mary C.
3 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
quiet neighborhood
Mary C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
22 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Ingrid
20 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Ingrid
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kitty L.
5 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable home
Kitty L.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Joseph G.
15 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceeded expectations.
Joseph G.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
10/10 Excellent
Erin M.
14 Feb 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely lodging
Erin M.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2025
8/10 Good
michael f.
11 Feb 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great communication and support.
michael f.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
6/10 Okay
Joni B.
14 Dec 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Joni B.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
4/10 Poor
michael m.
13 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
Wouldn’t recommend.
michael m.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
About the host
Hosted by David Powell
Just a snowbird in training.
Why they chose this property
I discovered Ajo in while living in Tucson in 1995 on a day trip born out of restless boredom. After trekking through the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, after driving past Kitt Peak National Observatory, I arrived in a carefully planned town designed originally in Spanish revival style.
It was beautiful, or, rather, had been. Nobody was taking care of anything. Broken windows and yards gone to seed at every third house. A majestic high school with an equally majestic view of the boulevard leading to the town plaza had begun to crumble. Layers of reddish brown dust seemed to hang in the air and settle on everything. It looked like a place that was dying, if not already dead.
Completely missing the one-mile wide hole in the ground, and unmindful of Arizona’s significance in the mining industry, I couldn’t imagine why someone would build a town like this in such a remote corner of the Sonoran Desert, then let it fall apart. But I could see, even then, that it had what real estate flippers call “good bones.” I never forgot the place and, in the years that followed, would periodically Google it.
It turns out that the mine I failed to notice in 1995 had closed in 1985. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA), founded in 1993, took on the daunting mission of rebuilding Ajo’s civic identity in the wake of the mine’s closure. The non-profit organization is the closest thing to a local government in Ajo, which relies on Pima County for most governmental functions.
Under its stewardship, Ajo has evolved into an artist colony and a basecamp for the thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts who want to explore the surrounding Sonoran Desert, including Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge, and the legendary Camino del Diablo.
I bought this house in 2021 with the intent to make it my winter home. After a lot of TLC, it's finally ready for guests.
It was beautiful, or, rather, had been. Nobody was taking care of anything. Broken windows and yards gone to seed at every third house. A majestic high school with an equally majestic view of the boulevard leading to the town plaza had begun to crumble. Layers of reddish brown dust seemed to hang in the air and settle on everything. It looked like a place that was dying, if not already dead.
Completely missing the one-mile wide hole in the ground, and unmindful of Arizona’s significance in the mining industry, I couldn’t imagine why someone would build a town like this in such a remote corner of the Sonoran Desert, then let it fall apart. But I could see, even then, that it had what real estate flippers call “good bones.” I never forgot the place and, in the years that followed, would periodically Google it.
It turns out that the mine I failed to notice in 1995 had closed in 1985. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA), founded in 1993, took on the daunting mission of rebuilding Ajo’s civic identity in the wake of the mine’s closure. The non-profit organization is the closest thing to a local government in Ajo, which relies on Pima County for most governmental functions.
Under its stewardship, Ajo has evolved into an artist colony and a basecamp for the thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts who want to explore the surrounding Sonoran Desert, including Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge, and the legendary Camino del Diablo.
I bought this house in 2021 with the intent to make it my winter home. After a lot of TLC, it's finally ready for guests.
Languages:
French
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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