Guest Highlights:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Google

Our third stay since this delightful cabin opened for business this year, and we head home refreshed, with new memories and reminders of why we enjoy overnights in Portal.

Requesting three nights this week just after October’s New Moon, we hoped for dark skies & sparkling views of the heavens above.

Our first evening met that high bar: 90 minutes after sunset the Milky Way wholly spanned the sky overhead, a massive arc of stars extending over the Chiricahua Mountains - - breathtaking!

It was a mild October night, with just enough chill in the air to savor a cheery fire in the screened porch. Our hosts thoughtfully provided dry firewood a’plenty: kindling juniper that summons to mind the aromatherapy of a campfire - plus oak and walnut, hardwoods that burn hotter and last longer . . . an ideal recipe for a cozy evening warmed by flickering hearth light.

The resident pair of Western Screech owls called back in forth in their quiet duet - and we even heard a Poorwill, that was a welcome nighttime surprise, by October most Poorwills have already left southern AZ on fall migration.

And this was a thrill: after dark we also had nectar-feeding bats frequenting the 3 hummingbird feeders. Probably Mexican Long-Tongued bats, but that’s just a guess.

Green-tailed Towhee, Crissal Thrasher and Cedar Waxwings were a few of the most notable birds observed over morning coffee (robust and fresh-ground! thanks to the surprisingly well-stocked kitchen). Pyrrhuloxia and Northern Cardinal perched nearby each other for a sunrise drink and splash at the bird bath / fountain.

If you’ve wondered how to tell these two superficially similar species apart - this was a primo opportunity.

One of our 3 days we made the scenic drive into the Chiricahuas - with views of high elevation Aspen trees turning golden Fall color - Rustler Park and Barfoot saddle would be superb places for Fall foliage landscape photography this week.

Another bonus for photographers: wildlife!

Whitetail Deer and Javelina were both seen in their habitat nearby the cabin, close enough for a few photos - but wary enough of people to disappear into the roadside vegetation.

So many reasons to visit!

Just briefly, here are three more - and you’ll easily find links to each by searching these venues:

* Portal Peak Cafe. mere minutes walk from the cabin, with tasty burgers, craft beer & innovative entrees.

Breakfast burros & pancakes, too!

* Southwest Research Station - has a bird viewing area; in other seasons we’ve seen Blue-Throated Hummingbirds and Gould’s Turkey here

* Chiricahua Desert Museum. About an 8-10 minute drive from the cabin, with impressive Sonoran reptile exhibits in one wing,

Geronimo and Apache history / heritage on the other.

You should go!

. . . and we’ll return — soon, I hope. -Paul, October 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

This place far exceeded our expectations! First, the location is unbeatable -- nestled in a peaceful area with sweeping views of stunning mountains (the "Yosemite of Arizona") and close to so many world-famous natural areas. The night sky is unbelievable and a highlight was a lighting storm one night that lasted for 2 hrs. You're surrounded by native vegetation with an abundance of wildlife, so many birds (hummingbirds were amazing, use the flower rings for a real treat) and we had javelinas visit several times. It is a 5 min walk to the cafe which has great food, groceries, beer, wine. Second, is the amenities -- so much is provided and everything in labeled which sets this place above others. The house is clean, cozy, very well done (feels brand new) and we loved spending time there. Two mini-split A/C units keeps the place nice and cool! The hosts Emily and Mark are fantastic and responsive. Emily said she just wants guests to have their best experience, and we did! We'll be back. -Justin, August 2026

 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Vrbo

• We highly recommend this listing! There’s so much to enjoy there. The location is great for birders and other nature lovers. There’s little to no light pollution, so the Night Sky is glorious.The view from the deck looks out to a garden that has been created to attract pollinators. In the near distance the Chiricahua mountains form a striking backdrop. The inside has been planned with comfort in mind for renters. The living/dining area’s futon is cozy if you want to watch the flat screen TV or read a book. You could eat a meal at the bar height table for two and you might find that you have someone watching you from the window: a hummingbird! All the needed appliances are there. We appreciated and used the washer and dryer. The bathroom has a wonderful shower that gives you options of where you want the water to come from. We enjoyed the screened-in porch, which has a lovely fireplace. We didn’t end up lighting a fire as the days were warm and the nights were too. We didn’t feel that though inside the cabin  because of the mini-splits which delivered lovely cool air. We were early risers so that we could be out and about looking for birds. But if you wanted to sleep in the bedroom’s blackout curtains will help you do that. The hosts were wonderful to work with. Thoughtful without being intrusive. We appreciated the bottled water, the dining recommendations and their knowledge of the area. We hope to visit again! -Shanna, July 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Evolve

• The accommodations were fantastic! 

First I have to say that I chose this place based on the fact it had Wi-Fi. I was there to do an extensive on-line, 12 hour training course. I wanted the peace and quiet surroundings of Portal and this place fit the bill!! I had a bit of a glitch at first, but the amazing owner helped me get that resolved and not a bit of a problem after that. It was seamless!

As to the property, as I said, exceeded expectations. This cozy home is just barely broken in and has all the amenities you could want or need. From the wonderful screened in porch, to the amazing shower and comfy bed with luxurious bedding. That’s just to name a portion of all this lovely retreat has to offer. Attention has been paid to every detail and if there is a problem, the owner will get it resolved in short order. 

I highly recommend it and I will be back! -Pam, July 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• A bird - and birder’s oasis! This new cabin is located near prime birding areas. The front porch has comfortable chairs from which to observe birds in the water feature, the hummingbird feeder , the citrus food and the owl box! The cabin is very comfortable with soft towels, powerful shower, French press coffee pot and many kitchen utensils.There is a side porch with comfy furniture and a fireplace. The location has an amazing view of the mountains. Owner is very responsive and helpful. Definitely recommend and we will be back! -Jill, June 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• We had the most incredible weekend at Emily and Mark's place. The pictures absolutely do it justice, as the home is stunning, immaculate, and beautifully taken care of. It's bright and cheerful inside, perfectly positioned for the daylight and gorgeous mountain views. 

One of our favorite parts was the screened-in porch with the fireplace. Spending evenings by the fire, looking up at the clear Milky Way and stars (the dark skies here are unreal!), made for such memorable nights. 

Their attention to detail is top-tier. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the outside is a paradise. With the wildflower garden, water fountain, and hummingbird feeders, it felt like a Disney movie. We had birds, butterflies, and even a pack of javelinas roll right by! 

Emily and Mark were truly the ultimate hosts, and we are so grateful for their warmth. They went completely above and beyond to give us excellent local tips and did everything to ensure we had an excellent stay. Thank you to our hosts! -T J, May 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• This Airbnb is a little slice of heaven in a birders paradise. Emily & Mark have thought of everything in creating this cozy, comfortable home in such a beautiful location. A beautiful flower garden with fountain is just off the front porch.

Many SE AZ bird specialties will be right on the property. Hummingbird feeders buzz with activity all day. The views are spectacular inside and out. Scan the skies for Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Zone-tailed Hawks & White-throated Swifts from the front porch. Tanagers, Orioles, Flycatchers, Towhees, Grosbeaks, Thrashers & Quail frequent the yard. To name a just a few. 

Birders & Non-birders alike will love this place. The unit itself is new, clean, bright & setup up very comfortably & efficiently. It feels like a much bigger space than it actually is. Many useful touches are provided. (Fresh local filtered spring water, nectar for Hummingbird feeders, Coffee etc). The screened in porch with fireplace is incredible.

5 min walk to Portal Cafe. -Scott, June 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• We enjoyed a peaceful two nights of dark skies and birding. Situated to take the most advantage of breathtaking views, I write this from the screened porch, while at least four species of hummingbirds buzz around the nectar feeders (Broad-billed, Broad-tailed, Black-chinned, Anna’s).  Other birds include: Blue Grosbeak, Hooded Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Northern Mockingbird, White-throated Swift, Gambel’s Quail, White-winged Dove, Elf Owl, Screech Owl, and nice family of recently fledged Verdins feeding on the oranges put out by the owner & more.  Beautiful flowers attract native pollinators!  Spend the day relaxing in the comfortable chairs on the outdoor porch or the screened-in porch, which also has a beautiful fireplace.  The bed is very comfortable and there are blackout curtains in case you are out late photographing the night sky and want to sleep in.  Kitchen is complete (spices, coffee, tea) and the furniture is comfortable.  Million-dollar view! Owner super nice too! -Amanda, May 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Evolve

• This property exceeded every expectation we had. The listing was completely accurate, the cabin was spotless, beautifully maintained, and one of the best-equipped vacation rentals we’ve ever stayed in.

Emily was an exceptional host. Shortly after booking, she reached out with a warm welcome, let us know we had picked a wonderful weekend to visit, and encouraged us to contact her with any questions. During our stay, I needed one small appliance, and after sending Emily a message, she had it at the cabin within an hour. Her kindness and responsiveness were outstanding.

The cabin has everything you need for a relaxing getaway. We especially loved the sunroom, where we spent hours reading, journaling, talking, and taking in the mountain views. The wraparound porch was perfect for morning tea and stargazing at night. Thoughtful touches like the reverse osmosis spring water, ice waiting for our cooler before we left, comfortable furnishings, and every amenity we could think of made the stay effortless.

The birding was incredible. Even though I’m not a birder, I found myself using the binoculars because there were so many beautiful birds visiting the garden.

Despite visiting on a holiday weekend, the property remained peaceful, quiet, and the perfect place to unplug. After three nights, I left feeling refreshed, grounded, and more in love with life than when I arrived.

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat in Portal, I can’t recommend Emily’s cabin highly enough. We would absolutely stay here again.

-Erica, July 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Booking.com

• The bird feeders were great.  It was perfect to come back after a full day of adventuring to cool off in the air and watch hummingbirds and thrashers.  

The property is perfect for birders and families.  There was a pair of binoculars and hummingbird. Ring feeders available that our children loved to use.

We even saw a gila monster crossing the road that night! - Noah, July, 2026 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• This was one of the nicest Airbnb stays we have ever had.  The cabin was super cozy, well equipped and the scenery is spectacular.  I hope that we have another opportunity to visit for a longer duration.  Absolutely perfect. -Rick, July 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Airbnb

• Emily and Mark's place was perfect! Quiet, peaceful, and everything we needed within the cozy home. Our favorite part was the screened porch allowing for peaceful bird watching and enjoying the tranquil sights and sounds of nature in comfort during the day and night. The location is great with everything the portal area has to offer including numerous hiking/nature trails just minutes away. Needless to say, we'd recommend! -Ian, June 2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Evolve

• We recently stayed at this incredible cabin and cannot recommend it enough.  The space is modern, immaculately clean, and exceptionally comfortable. The mountain views are absolutely breathtaking and we spent hours watching the incredible variety of birds at the feeders.  Our absolute favorite spot was the screened porch with the fireplace--perfect for cozying in the evenings.  And the dark skies make stargazing a stunning experience in this area.  Amenities are more than adequate and the location is unbeatable.  It's right on Portal Road, making it super convenient to pop over the Portal Lodge and Cafe to enjoy a burger and a brew.  If you are looking for a delightful, relaxing getaway with stunning views and great hiking opportunities, this  is the place to book.  We will definitely be back. -Greg, May 2026