By L. Parsons The vacation rental business is booming all over the world and Navajo County is no exception. Between Winslow and Holbrook, which includes Joseph City, 34 unique spaces are available to rent short term from private owners, with over 300 available county-wide. The movement toward Airbnb-style rentals has offered safe alternatives to hotels during the pandemic, as well as offered experiences not usually found in traditional lodging. Options for vacation rentals in the area include everything from entire homes and cabins, to tents in the desert near the Petrified Forest and even a traditional Navajo Hogan in the Kayenta area. Talaina Kor of Joseph City is one of two Airbnb hosts in the town and said she got into renting her home, “To help offset the cost of renovations.” Her space, which she calls The Afterglow is located on Main Street and offers a bedroom and bathroom, living room and a kitchen and dining area while the rest of the home is undergoing renovation. The long-term plan is to use the funds to convert the space as an affordable housing option for artists. She said, “When the house is complete, I hope to host artists. The plan is to offer them a part time job teaching art in the community as well as giving them time to focus on their art and enjoy the beauty rural Arizona has to offer.” The Afterglow is an interesting mix of local art and vintage furnishings all curated by Kor, with each room holding its own personality. The other space in town, The Route 66 Painted Desert Adventures Base Camp is another option and can take in larger groups of up to eight people. In Winslow, Laurie Lashomb hosts several spaces available for rent. A couple of them began as a garage in her backyard renovated into two apartments. However, as she explained, “We didn’t want regular tenants, but it seemed like a waste to leave this space undeveloped.” Now, the two are available for rent and have been full through the pandemic almost non-stop according to Lashomb. The décor of both the apartments is unique. In one unit, the theme is the classic Route 66 motif complete with vintage and modern furnishings. The other apartment features pop culture references and walls of interesting art work. Lashomb said, “Not only are those units beautifully decorated, but they both offer full laundry, wireless internet and a hot tub. She continued, “The thing that these spaces, the vacation rentals offer that traditional hotels don’t is the comforts of home. We have full kitchens, privacy. Also, during the pandemic, it has offered a trip without any extra contact or exposure to other travelers.” Lashomb also hosts a large cabin just south of Winslow. She said, “This space is all about being together. We have it stocked with lots of board games and puzzles. There are outdoor games and outdoor grilling available on a huge wrap around porch. It is a great place to go on a family vacation.” The options in the vacation rental world are expanding every day and prices can range from very inexpensive to very expensive depending on the type of space, location, the season and the current market prices. Most of the units are pet friendly which is another draw for travelers looking for alternatives. Kor concluded, “For me, it’s a step towards bringing the arts to the community in a way I couldn’t afford to do otherwise.” Both Lashomb and Kor explained that information on their spaces as well as a lot of other rental options are easy to find online. Lashomb said, “People use booking apps, and then we become their point of contact. The vacation rental market allows us to have a personal connection with our guests, and the ability to answer their questions or concerns right away. These places usually have private entries and allow travelers to come and go at their own pace and to enjoy their trips.”
