A Lodge On The Desert

My husband had a medical appointment in Tucson and we made a reservation through Expedia to this Lodge. It was close to the hospital and a wonderful look. 72 hours prior to our reservation I was diagnosed with COVID and put on medication. We called both Expedia and the hotel to cancel - we were told there was no cancellation option and would be charged the full amount. I explained I had COVID and a doctor's letter and medication proof. Both blamed the other and neither would listen to us. I offered that we would still be going to Tucson for a rescheduled appointment with the surgeons if we could have a credit or discount. Both were denied - and both blamed the other. We were also told by both that I would be called back after explaining my situation. Neither called back!!! No one cared that I was sick with COVID and had proof - nor that we were going - and would go back again and again for my disabled veteran husband's medical care. NO ONE WITH EITHER GROUP CARES! they both stated they received their payment - and that was the end. I will not be using Expedia or A Lodge on the Desert ever - unwilling to use businesses that are so crass and uncaring - not alone going beyond the usual limits where cancellations are usually allowed within that length of time!!! so so so disappointed. NO STARS FOR EITHER- if only zero stars were an option!!!

We've been staying at the Lodge in the Kokapelli suite in the winter months (Jan, Feb, & March) for the last 12 years. I read some of the negative reviews and honestly don't understand them. We've never had any problems with the suite or the Hosts, Laverne and Calvin. The bed is very comfortable and the view out our large windows of the Organ Mtns. at sunrise and sunset is spectacular. I hope our experience balances out some of the negative comments that were made.

I read the other reviews and I seriously do not know who wouldn't like this place...It has never been announced that this place is a luxury B&B... If you want that then be ready to pay $150-200 night somewhere else in Las Cruces. My experience here was great, actually excellent and perfect! The lodge is located at the end of a road which provides privacy and silence. I spent my evenings unwinding so perfectly! My room included a large size bathroom and kitchenette. The room had all that one would need for a comfortable stay. The rooms are sound proof.. no noise from the outside comes in which was of importance to me as I was in Las Cruces on a business trip and wanted some peace and quiet after business. From my room, I was able to sit by the window on a reclining chair and admire the city lights, lighting on some evenings, and stars. The lodge is all solar which was a plus! The room was a perfect temperature without the use of the ceiling fan. Outside temperature was approximately 100 degrees but with a nice breeze due to the location of the lodge. The bed was very comfortable and I slept like a baby without waking up in the middle of the night. LaVerne make herself available via phone (if she was not home) or in person if needed. A beautiful woman with a fun personality! She socialized with guests and provided information on nearby attractions and information on the area. Her friendly German Shepperd dog was near her at times. If she was not around, her dog was not around. The dog is not aggressive. The two cats that showed up occasionally on the property mind their own business. There were walking trails for those who enjoy walking. The lodge appears to be far from the city but it is not. About 2-3 miles from the lodge you will find a Walgreens and eateries. I stopped by at Le' Redez-vous Cafe and French Bakery for breakfast.... its a must place to stop and eat!! Delicious. Before the cafe, there is the Rio Grande (river) park with benches and bbq grills. I was not able to explore all that Las Cruces has to offer due to timing. I plan to return and stay at least a week at the lodge! So nice to stay at a comfortable place that offers tranquility (if thats what one is looking for), friendly host/owner, views, nearby (not too far) businesses and attractions.This place accepts checks or Paypal... I am good with that. Most of us have one of these two methods of payment.

Chose the available room with a king size bed, a week in advance,for 2 nights and let LaVerne know we were on our way. She emailed back "The people staying in that room wanted to stay another night so I told them they could. I put you in another room" I couldn't believe it but I wrote back "Does it have a king size bed?" She didn't email back. I emailed we are going to be there in about 20 minutes to see the room" She gave me her husbands phone number to call. We got there, called her husband and he met us across the street in about 10 minutes. Oh my gosh, this room had a standard size bed, smelled moldy and dusty and was very cluttered. I told Calvin we weren't very happy about what had been done and he sort of shrugged his shoulders as if "so what"! I wanted to see the rest of this place and it was so stuffed with junk and piles of books on a shelf falling all over and it stunk everywhere with more dust all over..... it was horrible. Because they use swamp coolers it was clammy. We immediately left and had to start laughing because it was so bad and we had escaped staying there. I had future reservations for 2 months straight and I emailed LaVerne to cancel those reservations. Only thing she emailed back is "CANCELED". If you like good customer service don't stay. Very rude and uppity people. EEOOOOww

If you like a quirky facility and large, aggressive German shepherds, this is definitely the place for you.Seriously, this lodge, located several miles west of Las Cruces, is the creation of a very creative woman who has obviously added and added to whatever was the original building. If it was located in some parts of Europe it would probably be dubbed a "folly," as it is very hard to figure out the rhyme or reason for some of the add ons. There are several guest rooms, all reasonably priced, and all with equipped kitchens. Each room and the common areas are stuffed with "stuff" - from where I sit on my bed I see two antique oil lamps, many baskets, several carvings of swordfish (?), a native basket and some pottery, several prints of western art, a TV fastened to the wall and sticking into the area you walk past to get to the kitchen two desks, a large dresser, a basket of dusty artificial flowers, a table and two chairs, a creaky ceiling fan, a couple of table lamps, a large sofa bed, and some other stuff. None of it is coordinated or matches. Once you get used to it, it's kind of messy/comfortable. The bed is very reactive - if one person sneezes, the other bounces off the mattress. (As a previous reviewer mentioned, the owner had forgotten we were coming but fortunately our room was not locked so we made ourselves at home.)There are lots of patios, covered and uncovered, all with well aged tables and chairs. On the outdoor patio nearest our room is an old wooden cabinet stocked with dust encrusted wine glasses, reminding one of Miss Haversham's abode. There is a huge library of the owner's books ranging from fiction to serious chemistry texts. Beside the house is a large event patio, with a kitchen, a faded shuffleboard court, what looks like it might be a dance floor, and several tables sitting around the edges looking lonesome. Which is probably why the sign at the door says"lodging and parties."Really, it has to be experienced to be believed. One couple we met comes here every spring from Michigan and stays for a month - and when you sit out on the deck at night watching the lights come on in the city, or in the morning watching the sun shine on the Organ Mountains, you can actually understand.Accommodation is very inexpensive for the area. And, to be fair, the German Shepherds are loud and aggressive but always located behind fences or doors. It's just that the notes from the owner warning you that they will bite are more than a little disconcerting. PS no credit cards, but personal checks are accepted with no questions or ID required.

One of the lower priced b n bs in between tucson and albuquerque. We stopped there to break up the trip and enjoy the views. We stayed in the Kokopelli suite and it was spacious and had good amenities. The experience fell apart with the service. The owner/host did not remember the reservation's specifics, did not have the air on in the room when we got there (95 degree day) and was generally forgetful. The rooms are infrequently occupied by humans but regularly occupied by moths. I swept a bunch of dead bugs from the tub when we got there and chased an even dozen larger moths out of the bathroom. I. don't. like. moths.The breakfast was continental and entirely prepared by us. We even had to make the coffee, which was folgers. There was a spot for New Mexico Pinon coffee but it was empty. Back to the good stuff, wifi was prolific, the views were beautiful and the seating areas were nicely set.

My boyfriend and I were so lucky to find a Lodge on the Desert as we were staying in Las Cruces for a longer term stay. It's on the edge of town, but that just means you get stunning sunrises and sunsets, unbelievable silence, and only a 10-15 minute drive to anywhere within town.The owner Laverne was beyond friendly and accommodating, and I'd look forward to running into Roberta, the housekeeper as we were never short of friendly conversation. I will recommend a Lodge on the Desert to anyone looking for a place to stay in Las Cruces, short terms or longer term. It's decorated in southwestern style, the rooms are fully furnished not just functionally, but beautifully, kitchens are well stocked (and full kitchens unlike a lot of the hotels around there which don't have stoves) and the complimentary breakfast/snacks in the communal kitchen was a fantastic perk. Sure, it's self serve, but I can manage to take a bagel out of the fridge and toast it no problem. I'm grateful for them to have a well-stocked fridge--a perk not all Motels/Hotels offer--especially for long term residents like us!Without a doubt, I would stay here again and would recommend it to anyone.

Beautiful, comfortable Bed and Breakfast! I've stayed many times! Large rooms, with fully stocked kitchens, big bathrooms, beautiful views, several patios and balconies. The beds and linens are supremely comfortable!! Egyptian cotton, silk, down, ... I don't even know, but so cozy! The lodge is like an elaborate, artful mansion. You could get lost, but I love that! It's beautiful, creatively designed, and so comfortable. It's a very large place (compared to a regular house), so even if there are other guests there, you don't really know. It's very quiet. Giant picture windows and patios perfectly facing the mountains, great for watching the sunsets from inside or outside. Huge patio/event space in the front of the lodge with a large outdoor kitchen, bathrooms, and a big pretty fountain that I've always seen on, all right in front of a spectacular view of the mountains and city lights. A great place to hang out on warm summer nights. The lodge is all solar-powered which is really cool. Southwestern elements throughout the lodge, like a beautiful turquoise spiral staircase in the atrium, a really cool looking lava-rock pond in the atrium with giant plants all around it, gorgeous talavera tile everywhere plus talavera sinks, vases etc (I love talavera work), sunken tubs tiled with beautiful mosaics, rock walls with wrought iron gates, saltillo tile floors,... all sorts of beautiful Southwestern design elements. Overall, a very beautiful and comfortable place!

My husband and I are returning this winter for the fourth time. My only reservation is that if enough people see how wonderful the Lodge is, it may be too full to accommodate us! The rooms are as private as desired, yet there are neighbors all around the Lodge if we choose to socialize.The scenery is gorgeous, the rooms beautifully decorated, linens provided, and kitchens are well stocked with dishes, pans, and utensils.Laverne is helpful and considerate. The weekly maid service is wonderful!We have made friends at the Lodge and several families return yearly where we all look forward to getting together.I highly recommend The Lodge on the Desert!

We very much enjoyed our stay at the lodge for six weeks Feb/April 2019 and have booked eight weeks Feb/April 2020. We were warmly welcomed by LaVerne and Calvin as well as the other guests. The location and the views from our patio were spectacular morning, noon and night. LaVerne has been very helpful and accommodating with the dates of our stay. Yes, the lodge is a little "quirky" but only in the best sense! We are looking forward to Feb!