Release your inner Flintstone with a vacation at this incredible rock-face desert Airbnb in Colorado

Most travellers dread their vacation getting off to a rocky start – but here, it’s something to be embraced.

This incredible Airbnb has been built into the flank of a mountain in southwest Colorado, with the rock face forming a striking part of the interior design – it juts right into the open-plan living room and kitchen, and forms a wall in the bathroom and utility room. 

Truly a place to release your inner Flintstone.

The Cliff House has been built into the flank of a mountain in southwest Colorado

The Cliff House has been built into the flank of a mountain in southwest Colorado

The unconventional abode – Cliff House – is attached to Sleeping Ute Mountain, a series of peaks that resemble a sleeping Ute warrior chief (the Ute tribe are Colorado’s oldest residents, according to www.southernute-nsn.gov).

The listing says that guests enjoy ‘sweeping views’ of Sleeping Ute Mountain, as well as McElmo Canyon, from the front porch, with eye-opening vistas also available from a nearby alcove that features a little lawn.

What’s more, the secluded property has been landscaped with native species that bloom all summer, so whichever way guests look, near or far, they’ll be captivated.

The unconventional abode is attached to a series of peaks known as Sleeping Ute Mountain, so-called because it resembles a sleeping Ute warrior chief. Pictured is the cabin's living room, which definitely rocks

The unconventional abode is attached to a series of peaks known as Sleeping Ute Mountain, so-called because it resembles a sleeping Ute warrior chief. Pictured is the cabin’s living room, which definitely rocks

'Kelsy', who stayed at the Airbnb last month, said: 'It's an absolute gem of a stay and location. Five stars all around. Secluded and peaceful'

Cliff House is truly a place to release your inner Flintstone

‘Kelsy’, who stayed at the Airbnb last month, said: ‘It’s an absolute gem of a stay and location. Five stars all around. Secluded and peaceful’

Venturing away from the property, meanwhile, has its rewards too.

Waiting to be discovered nearby are 1,000-year-old petroglyphs – preserved ancient rock carvings left by indigenous tribes.

They are said to represent a type of symbolic or ritualistic language or communication style that still isn’t fully understood.

The listing says that guests enjoy 'sweeping views' of Sleeping Ute Mountain, as well as McElmo Canyon, from the front porch

The listing says that guests enjoy ‘sweeping views’ of Sleeping Ute Mountain, as well as McElmo Canyon, from the front porch 

At the end of the day, guests can put their feet up in a cabin described by recent guest Shantelle as 'more beautiful than words or pictures can capture'

These ancient petroglyphs are waiting to be discovered nearby

At the end of the day, guests can put their feet up in a cabin described by recent guest Shantelle as ‘more beautiful than words or pictures can capture’. Pictured right are 1,000-year-old petroglyphs waiting to be discovered nearby

The cabin has one bedroom with a double bed and can accommodate a third person on a sofa bed. This image shows the ladder to the sleeping loft

The cabin has one bedroom with a double bed and can accommodate a third person on a sofa bed. This image shows the ladder to the sleeping loft

A short drive away is the incredible Mesa Verde National Park, home to remarkable ancient cliff dwellings.

Also within easy reach is the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

Here there are thousands of sites associated with 10,000 years of tribal habitation in the area, including shrines and villages.

And in the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum, there is a research collection of more than three million artifacts from archaeological projects in southwest Colorado.

There are numerous hiking trails to explore, too.

At the end of the day, guests can put their feet up in a cabin described by recent guest Shantelle as ‘more beautiful than words or pictures can capture’.

She’s far from the property’s only fan.

‘Kelsy’, who stayed at the Airbnb last month, said: ‘It’s an absolute gem of a stay and location. Five stars all around. Secluded and peaceful. Easy access to the mesa top was spectacular for sunset and sunrise.’

And Airbnb user ‘Kristin’ has been suffering from withdrawal symptoms ever since she left this ‘magical location’. She adds: ‘I’m having a hard time acclimating back to my life after getting to live in and experience such an amazing and beautiful place.’

The owners do issue a couple of caveats, though.

One is that while it does come with ‘fast broadband with Eero Wi-Fi and an Apple HomePod’, there is no TV.

‘We purposefully do not provide a TV and hope our space is a nature-inspired respite,’ the owners write.

Potential guests are also warned of uninvited wildlife in and around the property.

The owners say: 'We are located in a desert. Expect wildlife on the property - insects, geckos, foxes, deer, marmots, bobcats, mountain lions, and other fun critters.' This image shows the owner's tipi, which is located around the corner from Cliff House. Guests are welcome to visit

The owners say: ‘We are located in a desert. Expect wildlife on the property – insects, geckos, foxes, deer, marmots, bobcats, mountain lions, and other fun critters.’ This image shows the owner’s tipi, which is located around the corner from Cliff House. Guests are welcome to visit

The owners say: ‘We are located in a desert. Expect wildlife on the property – insects, geckos, foxes, deer, marmots, bobcats, mountain lions, and other fun critters. While the house is weather-tight, insects can and do get into the cabin. If the presence of insects might cause you undue concern or discomfort, this might not be the spot for you.’

The cabin has one bedroom with a double bed and can accommodate a third person on a sofa bed. Amenities include one bathroom, a washing machine, towels, bedsheets, kitchen utensils and a private entrance to the house. 

Cliff House, near the small city of Cortez, costs £241 ($334) a night plus cleaning and service fees. The minimum stay is three nights. Click here for more information.   

source: express.co.uk