Entire home

Mountain Getaway, Tranquility, Beauty, Ambience, Stunning View

Mountain Getaway, Tranquility, Beauty, Ambience, Stunning View

Photo gallery for Mountain Getaway, Tranquility, Beauty, Ambience, Stunning View

Front of house...Golf anyone?
Exterior
Unclassified image, 3 of 35, button
Unclassified image, 4 of 35, button
Living area

Overview of Mountain Getaway, Tranquility, Beauty, Ambience, Stunning View

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
2 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 4209 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Check out the area

Map
Tucson, AZ
  • Popular LocationMountainView Golf Club9 min drive
  • Popular LocationBiosphere 228 min drive
  • AirportTucson, AZ (TUS-Tucson Intl.)56 min drive
  • Popular LocationMt Lemmon Ski Valley107 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Mountain Getaway, Tranquility, Beauty, Ambience, Stunning View

If your quest is to find the finest mountain view laid-back Ambience Arizona has to offer then you've come to the right place (so our guests tell us.)

MiraMontes guests frequently comment how well they sleep - better than they can ever remember. Must be the peace and quiet, fresh mountain air and comfortable beds.

MiraMontes itself has approx. 2250 sq ft indoor space with at least that much again in verandas and decks, set on 12 acres with Catalina State Park and mountains as a backdrop.

MiraMontes views include 20,000 acres of mountain without a neighbor in sight. Yet MiraMontes is just 5-10 minutes from a gas station, grocery store, golf, and restaurants.

Each bedroom has its own private bathroom...the Master bedroom opens to the pool enclosure. The master bedroom bathroom with its enormous shower tiled with travertine has a mountain view.
A third bedroom with private bathroom is available upon request. Please contact the owner for details

Between the bedroom suites is an adequate well-stocked linen cupboard..

. The dining table with black leather high-backed chairs seats 8-10 comfortably.
Patio furniture can easily be configured to seat 4, 6 or 10 guests for dinner..an ambience you and your guests will never forget. All kitchen appliances are electric. A gas-burning grill is on the Patio for those who enjoy barbecues.

From Miramontes one can hike in any direction. Up the mountain, along the wash, down the hill - it is all lovely.

MiraMontes offers exceptional bird watching. Quail, falcons, hawks, owls, vultures, the occasional eagle. Cactus wrens abound. Even year-round hummingbirds. Roadrunners are frequent visitors.

MiraMontes' easterly orientation catches the warm morning sun. The verandas provide shade during the midday and afternoon glare.

Great for entertaining especially as the sun goes down - Sundowner time is always special at MiraMontes.

Sunsets transform the mountain to a pink glow. the moon rises and the stars come out...
Imagine the resident pair of great-horned owls calling gently to each other; the musical sound of a distant coyote yelping party.

An occasional nocturnal owl, kit fox or havelina sighting is enough to change the subject of almost any conversation.

The aroma of woodsmoke is especially seductive under Arizona night sky illuminated by the brightest stars.

Miramontes has an indoor beehive fireplace and an outdoor woodburning fireplace especially enjoyable by star - or moonlight..

Miramontes is listed as 'wheelchair-accessible.' All rooms are on the same floor and the flooring is travertine which facilitates indoor wheelchair manoevering. The grounds, surroundings and hikes are not at all wheelchair-accessible however.

Property manager

Elma VonMichaelis
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 9:30 AM

Children

Adults only

Events

Events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed
Owners willing to consider special exceptions

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Categorically no smoking please

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Tucson

This vacation home is located in Catalina, a neighborhood in Tucson, and is in a rural area. MountainView Golf Club and The Preserve Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Upper Cañada del Oro and Pima Canyon Trail. Biosphere 2 and Oro Valley Aquatic Center are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Tucson, AZ

What's nearby

  • MountainView Golf Club - 9 min drive
  • Catalina State Park - 19 min drive
  • Biosphere 2 - 28 min drive
  • Mt Lemmon Ski Valley - 107 min drive
  • Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter Observatory - 112 min drive

Getting around

  • Tucson, AZ (AVW-Marana Regional) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 13 min drive
  • Saddlebrooke - 10 min drive
  • Mesquite Grill - 9 min drive
  • It's Greek To Me - 13 min drive
  • Sunny Side Up Cafe - 13 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 66 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 72 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kyle D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical mountain escape
Our stay at Hans and Elma’s was hands-down one of the best vacation experiences we’ve ever had, from many years of travelling the world. The house was so well equipped for anything, including the lots of cooking that we did. The pool was beautiful, the hot tub relaxing, and the views mesmerizing. The location was just enough off the beaten path for complete privacy, but with a full supermarket 10 minutes away. We saw so many birds, a Gila Monster, deer, a couple of friendly visiting dogs from the ranch next door (who didn’t come in the yard, just watched from afar), and an occasional grazing cow. The sunsets reflecting off the mountain vistas were extraordinary. Photos don’t do the place justice, and we tried to take more of our own but cameras just can’t capture its beauty. Thanks so much, Hans and Elma!
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cassandra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
MiraMontes: A Phenomenal Property
Hans and Elma have created a haven of peace, tranquility and relaxation. The desert, in all its magnificence, is on full display. Truly - both words and photos fall short in capturing the beauty and the feeling of MiraMontes. It is a phenomenal property and a visit with my family that I will always treasure. We look forward to booking again soon!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristin R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house!
Exactly as the listing stated. Beautiful and secluded home. Everything we needed. Perfect!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It’s off the beaten path but in a good way
This house is off the beaten path. We had a rental car and would recommend a small suv as a better option for most people but you can drive a car in there so long as it’s dry. House is gorgeous, pool is not heated but we took a swim in February because we couldn’t pass it up. Hot tub allows you to sit out under the stars. Elma was very quick to respond to questions.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda W., DE

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Almost off the grid
Privacy can’t see neighbors feels like off the grid but only couple miles from any store or fine restaurant, beautiful inside and outside, Elma the owner is very helpful and quick to respond, we highly recommend this property if you desire quiet, privacy, comfort, and expansive views
Stayed 28 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Elma VonMichaelis

Host profile image
Hans and Elma grew up near Cape Town, South Africa.
Elma, trained as a radiographer but assisted Hans operate a successful mining conference company for many years.

Hans completed a Ph D in Space chemistry at the University of Cape Town and earned his Pilot Wings from the South African Air Force. He now flies gliders and collects minerals.

Hans' career as a mining consultant requires frequent travel to faraway places. Hans' hobby is finding and improving tranquil homes. MiraMontes is Hans' and Elma's pride and joy. During three winter months each year when Hans and Elma spend time in Africa, they are delighted to share MiraMontes with like-minded guests.

MiraMontes is in Phase 2 of a five-stage sustainability project.. Water harvesting, tree growing, topsoil development, organic vegetable cultivation; soil erosion abatement; solar hot water; solar electric generation.

Why they chose this property

In the course of his extensive travels, Hans has found several magic spots in the world. One of these is a guest farm called Etusis in central Namibia. The mountain setting, vegetation and climate at MiraMontes is almost identical to that at Etusis. Miramontes is, however, very much easier to get to and is much more luxurious. For most of the year MiraMontes is the owners' personal home and residence as the large number of shade trees planted need regular watering through the summer months.

To get to Etusis requires a 2-1/2 hr flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek then a two-hour drive west to Karibib followed by a 40-min drive south to the farm in the middle of 'nowhere'.

MiraMontes offers similar charm with superior accommodation, only 30-min N of Tucson and within 5-20 minutes of every amenity a guest could possibly wish for.

What makes this property unique

Step out of MiraMontes home and take off in any direction on a great hiking adventure. Up the mountain, into the foothills, along the wash or down the hill...its all beautiful and interesting.

Hans enjoys the rustic approach to MiraMontes through the Mesquite bosque across two mostly dry washes populated by free ranging cows and calves. He particularly enjoys coming along the long driveway up to Miramontes as the spectacular mountains suddenly come into view.

Elma appreciates MiraMonte's proximity to shopping, gas, groceries, hair salon, excellent restaurants, golf courses, movie houses etc.

Note: MiraMontes is all on one floor and therefore easily accessible to wheelchairs. There are however no additional 'wheelchair accessible' features such as support railings in the bathroom.

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback