Villa Anita DV

We just had the time of our life!!! Carlo & Jack were great hosts and we enjoyed it so much there. The rooms are just pieces of art and the food was the best food we had during our trip; big homecooked family style meals. Accompagnied with a lot of nice wine and story’s. We also did the jewelry workshop with Jack and had so much fun. We both made some beautiful necklaces as a longlasting souvenir. We will never forget this place and try to come back whenever we have the chance. Dear Jack and Carlo we wish you all the best!! ❤️❤️❤️ love Stien & Froukje

This is like another word, that they’ve built in the middle of nowhere! This is place for recharging yourself and get your spirit refreshed! Also I recommend to go to hot springs which are located in a close proximity from the villa!

We stumbled on this gem in the desert by accident while looking to book a place to stay near Death Valley. The quiet, remote location was exactly what we were looking for, for a long weekend getaway. The hosts, Carlo & Jack were absolutely wonderful. We were treated like family and we had some great conversations with our hosts and other guests during breakfasts and dinners. They are great cooks. The food was amazing served “family style” with other guests. You won’t leave hungry after one of their meals! The rooms (and all of Villa Anita) are cozy and truly unique, a one of a kind experience all around. Lots of art and unique decor to explore. Our kids loved it and it’s a great location to set up base camp to explore Death Valley and return at the end of a day of exploring. Carlo & Jack were the best hosts and we’re looking forward to going back again soon.

We stayed here for our wedding this weekend in Death Valley National Park, and it was such an amazing experience! Words can't describe exactly what this place is - part bed & breakfast, part ever-evolving exhibit, part desert oasis (my family described the photos as looking like part of a Dali painting). Carlo and Jack made our stay magical from the first hour we arrived. They warmly welcomed us into their home and amongst their many dogs. Our rooms were all completely unique and very comfortable. We had all our meals made by the hosts - particular highlight was having soup served with every meal! They went above and beyond to create spaces and experiences that we could enjoy to celebrate our nuptials. They even got us a wedding cake from Las Vegas. Carlo spoke with me no less than 3 times before we arrived to talk through all the details about what we wanted out of our visit, and his attention to detail was excellent. The landscape surrounding the place was absolutely breathtaking. Both our friends and us were bowled over by the hospitality and experience we had.

This place is magical! The atmosphere and ambience of the property was extremely relaxing - exactly what we were looking for in a weekend get away. Each “room” is unique and very comfortable. The hosts - Carlo and Jack made us feel very welcome and took amazing care of us during our stay. When we arrived, we were offered a glass of wine and given the grand tour. We had breakfast and dinner with our hosts and the meals were mouth wateringly delicious!! I cannot wait to return to this paradise in the desert!

Carlo and Jack are the ultimate hosts. Carlo made sure to know when I was arriving and met me as I drove onto the property. This was followed by a tour, some wine, and a fun and delicious dinner with another guest and some of their local friends. Visiting with Carlo and Jack, you quickly feel like a long lost cousin being welcomed back to the family. I was very cozy and warm in the Bird’s Nest (temps ranged from around freezing to fifties during my stay). I truly think it was the most comfortable bed and pillows I have experienced while traveling. I loved exploring their property; around every corner, there was something new to surprise and delight me. The juxtaposition of found art next to the art of Mother Nature was the perfect mix for me. Oh, they also gave me a great recommendation for a local restaurant…shout out to Steaks and Beer!!!

Barbara and I received a warm welcome from Carlo and Jack the moment we arrived. We were given a tour of the property, dropped our bags in the room, and attended dinner with Carlo, Jack and the other guests that evening. There was a social hour, with wine, before dinner. Once we were acquainted, we all sat down at a large table and were treated to one of the finest meals I have ever eaten. Carlo is an excellent chef and Jack makes sure everything runs smoothly. The food, wine and conversation were all great. The next morning, we enjoyed a fine breakfast and a leisurely departure. Carlo and Jack are very good hosts. The hotel art collection is unique and interesting. The desert location is peaceful and quiet!

This establishment has a unified setting being a art institution and hotel. The wonderful hosts(Carlo and Jack) will pamper you in there lavish surrounds. You are able to purchase there many items available and with the dogs you will feel like a king or princess. Each room has unique settings. Walk the expensive gardens and explore the areas around the town with it's hot springs and historical routes used by the early pioneer's.

Unique desert digs with the utmost hospitality. Carlo and Jack have created something special here. You can get lost exploring the grounds. Every conceivable spot has been transformed, and it twists and winds around itself, every bend revealing a colorful surprise. They've built multiple suites around the site, each one a gem. Ours was very comfortable and plenty warm in December. Lots of outdoor seating areas. The property abuts BLM land, so all you see is desert stretching endlessly into the distance. Let them feed you, for Pete's sake. The meals exceeded my expectations by a mile. Every meal (we did two breakfasts and one dinner) was a multi-course feast, with a ton of variety, flavor, and above all clean, healthy, nourishing food. If you take nothing else from my review, just trust that you want Carlo and Jack to cook for you. Villa Anita is warm, welcoming, eclectic, lively, and fun. Carlo is buzzing with energy and stories and Jack is sweet and serene. They have a pack of six darling dogs, so if that's not your jam, be advised. We loved them all: Guido, Vida, Dillon/Pickles, Lucy O. Ball, Dwight White and Betty White Magoo of the Long Island Magoos (my favorite, although Lucy took a shine to my traveling companion). There is no internet or cell service, and no television so it's best for people who know how to unplug and be present together. We spent the day exploring, so after our wonderful mini dinner parties we were happy to retire and recharge for more adventures the next day. Go use the private tub at Tecopa Hot Springs for extra deep relaxation. We loved our stay and plan to return.

Carlo and Jack are fun hosts. We had the full tour and they made us lunch. Lots of laughs and a day to remember. My only regret is that we could not stay longer.

This is a truly unique place and an experience you will never forget. Great hosts, wonderful hospitality, diverse and intriguing art, eclectic and fun fun fun. I'd love to go back. If you can go, go. Stay awhile. Be yourself in a glorious setting. You won't regret it.

Carlo and Jack (who were both fantastic) hosted a large group of us shooting an independent film. We were well fed and very comfortable in the rooms, feeling more of a communal experience than one typically finds in traditional lodging. The property is a beautiful, unique setting filled with sensory treats! Every time I looked around any of the spaces, I saw something new and compelling. It also sits on the edge of open desert with a gorgeous sunset view. If you're looking for something different and special, this is it.

I need to share with you all the purely magical experience I had at Villa Anita. If you're thinking about making the venture, I implore you to do so ASAP. Tucked away in a little corner of nowhere and bliss you will find Villa Anita, the eclectic art venture your heart secretly needs. Upon arriving it instantaneously feels like the home away from home you didn't know you needed. Carlo and Jack greet you warmly with wine glass in hand and adorable dogs in tow. The hospitality makes you feel as if you were life long friends catching up over libations and exceptional music. If you are an art lover, be prepared. Every square inch is covered with an intricate webbing of culture and sincerity. Never have I experienced such a place, it's truly amazing how time can stand still in this corner of the desert, forcing one to stop and soak in the little details of life that we often miss. Dinner was a feast lovingly prepared, shared at a communal table, yet again, making one feel as if they had been welcomed into a home that had been awaiting them. There is no shortage of things to do if you wanted to spend your time being busy. There are activities on site that are offered, giving you the opportunity to truly experience your surroundings and feel a lil closer to nature and the sanctity of it. Not to mention how incredibly close the hot springs are for a dose of relaxation. It was truly an experience I will not soon forget, and one that I am eager to experience again. Please. Take the venture. It will stick with you in the best ways possible. Thank you again Carlo! I am so happy to have met you!

Spent an anniversary weekend with Carlo and Jack at their Villa Anita near south end of Death Valley. Such a great time Carlo and Jack are awesome cooks and very hospitable. Their bed and breakfast was an event. I am a retired conservative type and still enjoyed their villa and the visiting that took place around dinner. The decor is conversational and offers many a second glance and a memorable discussion. I recommend the villa and Carlo and Jack is you plan a Death Valley weekend and want to make a memory. Dave and Celina Shelton Redlands CA

My college roommate and I hadn't seen each other in years so we decided to meet up in Death Valley National Park and stay at Villa Anita. We thought that hiking through the park would be the highlight of our trip but the time we spent at Villa Anita with cordial hosts Carlo and Jack was even more memorable. With it's upcycled Las Vegas casino decor, the multi-dwelling compound feels like a post-apocalyptic oasis in the Mojave Desert, however there's nothing gloomy about it. It's colorful, full of eccentric humor, and every structure, sculpture, and artifact has a story to tell...and your hosts do tell! For a reasonable price, do not pass up delicious breakfasts and dinners they cook with natural, local ingredients. Meals offer a chance to hang out in their stylish home, catch some Wi-fi, pet their (usually well-mannered) dogs, and relax to Minnie Riperton on the turntable. Be sure to ask Carlo about his celebrity encounters during his career as a fashion photographer. Tecopa is over an hour's drive from the most popular DV hiking trails near Furnace Creek (don't make the return drive on a moonless night), but there's a scenic hiking trail along the Amargosa River less than 15 minutes away. In our dwelling called Lakehouse the space heaters had sufficient power to keep comfortable on a night that dropped below 40°, and the shower was consistently hot. Room rates are comparable to lodging in the park, so not inexpensive, but I recommend Villa Anita for an unconventional and more personalized experience.

Villa Anita, for the Adventurous. My husband and I and two friends had a marvelous trip to a 'post-Vegas' world at Villa Anita. This place is for warm hearts, love of surprises, love of tschotskes and all things festive. If you are a neatnik or lover of convention, I don't recommend it. But for those who like a very different getaway with a warm and accommodating staff, I think its tops. We can't wait to get back to Villa Anita! The food was incredible, many many courses, imaginative and adventurous as well. Thanks to all who made a happy two day stay for us.