Unique family-friendly desert home. Perfect to relax or work immersed in nature

Beautiful property with beautiful views and as much privacy as you could ever possibly want. The host and his friends were all very helpful and pleasant with any questions that we had. I can only say this property was all that we wanted and even more than we could have hoped for! Will hopefully be back again next year

This was our family's second stay at Adriaan's peaceful desert house, and again we were blown away by the beauty of the setting. We were able to visit La Paz, Los Sueños, El Triunfo and more during the day. Later, we'd retreat to the house to prepare our evening meals and eat on the porch with unparalleled views of the desert and gulf in the distance. The view of the night sky from the roof deck was amazing. Our kids loved the hammock and pool, and seeing the animals (cattle, pigs, goats, horses) in the nearby village. We were all sad to leave this special place, but we look forward to another return visit!

If you love a little adventure and seek out unique and beautiful places, you will love Adriaan’s property. Hidden at the end of a dirt road on the outskirts of real ranchero country half an hour from La Paz and 20 minutes from La Ventana, Adriaan’s property is like a small Italian villa, Mexican-style. The houses are very tastefully decorated, the beds are super comfortable and the kitchen and dining room have all the amenities needed to cook and entertain. But the greatest delight is the view. Being at the end of the road, it has an unfettered sweeping view of the valley to the east all the way to the gulf on your left and the mountains on your right. The mornings sitting on the front porch watching the sun rise over the stunningly beautiful countryside and listening to the birds are memories I will never forget. And there is so much to do nearby. La Paz is charming, not overrun by tourists and has great food and coffee in the old part of town. Puerto Chale is just 3 hours away and has some of the best whale watching in the world late January to end of March. In February, we could see 40-50 whales at one time jumping, spy-hopping and cruising close to the boat. Winter is also the best season for swimming with whale sharks which you can easily do close to La Paz. Balandra beach near La Paz is a must see. If you like kite surfing, kayaking or hiking then La Ventana and El Sargento are just 20-30 minutes away. This part of the East Cape truly has it all. If you enjoy being in a unique natural setting and don’t mind driving a little off the beaten track, you will love Adriaan’s place and all it has to offer. We did, and we will most certainly return.

My husband and I stayed at Adriaan's house with our two young children this spring. Adriaan made everything easy, sending maps and helpful tips on local activities ahead of our trip. On the day of our arrival, his friend met us in La Paz and guided us up to the house. The furnishings were comfortable both inside and out, and we were surrounded by beautiful artwork. The setting is majestic and peaceful -- we had unobstructed views of the bay, and we were amazed how quiet it was both day and night. We fell asleep to the gentle sounds of cow bells. Our kids loved the games at the house (Jenga was a hit!) and spent most afternoons swimming in the pool. Sunrises were gorgeous, as was the view of the stars and planets at night (we brought along a travel telescope to use on the roof deck). The location is the perfect jumping-off point for excursions to the islands, La Paz, La Ventana, El Triunfo and more. We were all sad to leave this tranquil place. Hoping to make a return trip soon!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Adriaan's house in Ancon. This is a truly unique property and location. If you’re up for a bit of adventure, keep reading. If you're looking for plush luxury and convenience, this may not be the best choice for you. The house is so beautifully designed, with incredible attention to detail, and was thoughtfully and carefully planned to blend into its environment. And the environment is absolutely stunning. The house looks down onto La Ventana and has an unobstructed view of the entire bay, and is surrounded by cactus and desert plants. Outside seating areas are wonderfully appointed and comfortable, with amazing views. It was so relaxing to sit on the patio drinking coffee in the morning, enjoying the view of the bay and the sounds of the birds and the breeze. Beds are comfortable, sheets and towels are soft, and the kitchen has pretty much everything you need to cook great meals. The house is furnished with comfortable, well-designed furniture; each room features beautiful artwork and design touches. Though the house is remote, it’s well-located – it probably took us 15-20 minutes to get down to La Ventana and maybe 40 minutes to get to La Paz. Yes, you have to drive on a somewhat bumpy dirt road for five minutes or so to get to the house (our rented VW sedan handled it, no problem). Yes, you will find spiders in every room – we didn’t bother them and they didn’t bother us. You’ll probably also find lizards in the house, and maybe even a scorpion. Such is life in the desert. Herds of cows (and if you’re lucky, goats) will share the road to the house with you and wander through the property with their gently ringing bells. If any of this concerns you, you probably shouldn’t rent Adriaan’s house. But if you’re up for a little adventure, and if you appreciate great architecture, stunning views, peace and quiet, and rustic luxury, RENT THIS HOUSE. You won’t regret it! I wish Adriaan could design a house for me in Seattle – but since that’s probably not going to happen, I’ll be looking forward to my next visit to this magical place.