The Bungalows at Retreat
Mid-century desert modernism meets spiritual retreat campus. Design-forward, serene, and intentionally analog — no TVs, self check-in, 18+ only.
Book the Deluxe Suite if you need space — it's nearly double the size of the studios at 615 sq ft and has a proper living room
Why It Matters
Michelin Guide Top 15 Hotels Worldwide 2023. Architecturally significant — Harold Zook buildings on a campus also housing the largest known collection of Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.) structures. Joshua Tree's only true premium boutique hotel.
Fourteen mid-century bungalows sitting inside the sprawling Joshua Tree Retreat Center campus — a spiritual and architectural landmark in the High Desert. The buildings themselves were designed in 1960 by architect Harold Zook and fully restored in 2022 by Homestead Modern and consulting designer Brad Dunning. Rooms are small but striking: concrete floors, full-length windows, earthy jute and seagrass rugs, woven cane-backed chairs, and yellow textiles referencing Albert Frey's Palm Springs modernism. It's a Michelin Guide pick, and the only premium boutique hotel in Joshua Tree proper.
Where You'll Stay
5 room types available
ADA Studio
Fully accessible room with one king bed, wheelchair-accessible bathroom with grab bars in the bathtub and hand-held shower heads. Kitchenette with electric stove-top and mini-fridge. Private patio. Same design aesthetic as the rest of the property.
1 King Bed
Deluxe Studio
King bed studio with a desk, full kitchen (fridge, stove, oven, microwave), and private patio. More compact than the suite but identically well-appointed with Malin & Goetz products, Parachute linens, and Tuft & Needle mattress. Good for couples who spend most of their time outdoors.
1 King Bed
Deluxe Suite
The largest unit at 615 sq ft. Full living area with desk, sofa, and coffee table — feels closer to a proper apartment than a hotel room. Full kitchen with refrigerator, stove, oven, and microwave. Private patio with seating. Can sleep a third guest with rollaway at additional fee. Concrete floors, full-length windows, sun-bleached desert-toned interiors.
1 King Bed
Premium Double
Two Twin XL beds, indoor and outdoor dining table, and a fully equipped kitchen with small fridge, electric stove-top, and microwave. Same footprint as the Deluxe Studio but with twin beds — good for two friends or colleagues traveling together.
2 Twin XL Beds
Standard Double
Two Twin XL beds with kitchenette (electric stove-top and mini-fridge rather than full oven), indoor and outdoor dining table, and private patio. The entry-level twin room — same outdoor experience and design quality as the rest of the property.
2 Twin XL BedsThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The Retreat Center campus includes walking paths, a sculpture garden with works by artists including Keith Greco, Kim Stringfellow, and Juan Thorp, plus large-scale Burning Man pieces by Harlan Emil. A rock-constructed meditation labyrinth and a designated 'vortex' grove round out the spiritual landscape.
Two propane BBQ grills available for guest use in communal outdoor areas.
Complimentary bicycles available for guest use to explore the campus and surrounding area.
Guided hike focused on native desert plants and their traditional medicinal uses. Bookable as a stay enhancement through Homestead Modern.
Hiking with goats in the High Desert — a bookable enhancement through Homestead Modern.
A communal firepit overlooks one of the vortex sites on the Retreat Center campus. Positioned for both sunset and sunrise views. Complimentary for guests.
The park's West Entrance is an 8-minute drive. Nearly 800,000 acres of granite monoliths, boulder formations, and iconic Joshua Trees.
The corner Deluxe Suite functions as a meeting room for up to 12 indoors, with flexible outdoor areas for larger groups. Catering and rentals available.
The Joshua Tree Retreat Center hosts a variety of classes and workshops through its Mentalphysics program — focusing on prana, breathing, meditation, yoga, and nutrition. Bungalows guests can access these at additional cost when available.
Shared outdoor pool and hot tub managed by the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. Guests of The Bungalows have access, though it's a walk from the bungalows themselves and Homestead Modern does not manage this facility.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Each arrival includes complimentary snacks, beverages, cooking oil, salt, pepper, and a French press with locally roasted coffee. A pantry with additional items is available for purchase.
There are no televisions in any bungalow — an intentional design choice.
Deluxe Suite and Deluxe Studio have full kitchens (fridge, stove, oven, microwave). Double rooms have kitchenettes (small fridge, electric stove-top, microwave). All stocked with bakeware, cookware, utensils, and local ceramics.
Each bungalow has a semi-private patio with seating and desert views.
The Bungalows does not allow guests under 18 years old. No cribs or extra beds available.
Shared outdoor pool managed by the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, accessible to Bungalows guests. A walk from the bungalows.
Shared hot tub managed by the Retreat Center, accessible to Bungalows guests.
No front desk. Guests receive a digital boarding pass before arrival. Local support team available 9am–9pm daily.
Available at additional fee.
On-site EV chargers available for guests.
BUILD YOUR THE BUNGALOWS AT RETREAT BY HOMESTEAD MODERN PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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