The Mandarin: Reimagining the Desert Guest Experience

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Some of my favorite transformations aren't about the house itself, but everything surrounding it.

The Mandarin is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom desert retreat designed around sweeping views, indoor-outdoor living, wellness, and a resort-style guest experience.

The owner came to the project with a clear vision for the interiors, and I had the opportunity to translate that vision into the exterior experience, designing the landscape, outdoor amenities, and gathering spaces that bring the property together.

The goal was to create a short-term rental that felt effortless, intentional, and deeply connected to its desert setting.

Designing the Outdoor Experience

Rather than treating the landscape as an afterthought, we made the exterior an essential part of the property.

Key elements of the transformation included:

Landscape Design: Creating a natural, cohesive landscape that complements the architecture and surrounding desert.
Pool & Spa Experience: Developing the pool and hot tub area around the property's incredible views and creating a true outdoor destination for guests.
Wellness Amenities: Incorporating a sauna, outdoor shower, yoga and workout space, and tea bar to create a spa-like rhythm throughout the property.
Outdoor Gathering Spaces: Creating spaces for outdoor dining, lounging, entertaining, and gathering around the sunken fire pit.
Indoor-Outdoor Living: Connecting the kitchen and living spaces directly to the patio and pool area through large sliding glass doors.
Short-Term Rental Strategy: Designing the exterior around the guest experience, creating amenities and moments that make the property memorable and competitive as a vacation rental.

Designing for the Guest

The goal of a short-term rental renovation isn't simply to create a beautiful property. It's to create an experience.

At The Mandarin, that meant thinking about the moments guests would remember long after checkout, slow mornings by the pool, time in the sauna, outdoor dinners, desert sunsets, and nights gathered around the fire.

Every outdoor space was designed with those moments in mind.

The landscape guides guests through the property while creating distinct places to relax, gather, and take in the surrounding desert.

Supporting the Investment

We supported the renovation process and project management, helping an out-of-town investor transform the property into a successful short-term rental.

The project brought together landscape design, outdoor amenities, renovation coordination, and guest-focused design to create a property that feels cohesive from inside to out.

I've stayed here myself, and that's probably why this project has such a special place in my heart.

The views. The quiet. The wellness spaces. The way the landscaping guides you through the property.

It just feels good to be here.

The Transformation

The Mandarin is an example of how thoughtful landscape design and intentional outdoor amenities can completely change the experience of an investment property.

The result is a desert retreat that feels relaxed, elevated, and connected to its surroundings, a place designed not just to look beautiful, but to give guests a reason to remember their stay.