Golden Acid

Golden Acid: California

Welcome to the imagination of renegade architect Robert Stone. Much more than just a home, this place in the desert is a work of art brought to life – art you add to just by reacting to it and living in it. Here, in more than seven acres of arid desert, this golden mirage is an ode to Stone's myriad interests and inspirations. From brutalism and classic desert modernism to references to BMX and sandstorms, it's all here if you look deeply enough. And judging by the number of design magazines that have featured it, and the prestigious names that have shot here (Vogue, Saint Laurent and many more), it's picked up quite a few important admirers.

A stay at this glittering pleasure palace is an experience unlike any other. The internal space is smaller and more intimate than you may expect, with the main part of the home forming a combined living space and pool area. Most of the external walls are gigantic, half-mirrored sliding doors – in gold, of course – and polished steel poles hold aloft the 14-inch-thin roof without the aid of dropped beams, which is a structural feat. Slide open the doors and the distinction between indoors and the wilderness blurs beautifully.

Specifically designed to be spatially confusing, it can be hard to work out what's what here, but make no mistake – this home is as comfortable for guests as it is awe-inspiring. There's a full kitchen and a large dining table, a casual seating area within easy reach of the sound system and two matching bedrooms with glass walls to the atrium. And what desert home would be complete without a mosaic-mirrored reflecting pool and an oversized spa to relax in?

The external space is surrounded by wildly decorative wrought iron gates, with thousands of metal roses intertwined with concrete and a giant heart over the pool. It's all quite James-Bond-meets-glam-rock-video – in the very best way, of course. Out here there's a sunken back patio with a fire pit and seating, and a grill so you can barbecue under desert skies in the nook between the rocky outcrops.

Without any of the clutter that may distract you from the experience, it's minimally furnished with impeccable taste. A riot of gold, beige, mirrors and metal, in one of the most unique settings on earth, this is a stay you'll be talking about for the rest of your life.

Home truths:
*The bedrooms are are identical, just reversed
*The en-suite bathrooms are open to each bedroom – the toilets are behind doors for privacy
*While there's no Wifi, there's good mobile signal out here and phones work well
*There's a Bluetooth-enabled multi-speaker sound system to play your tunes
*The design of the house means it can be opened entirely to catch the desert breeze, and there's also a central evaporative cooling system
*While you're welcome to take photos for private use, there are understandably strict rules about commercial use
*There's another home on the land, around 600 feet away, but your privacy is ensured
*The pin on the map shows the general location and is not precise – exact location is provided after booking