Ardovino's Desert Crossing

Nearby Staycation Recharge Transported us to the ‘50’s

My husband & I stayed at the “Vintage Travel Trailers – Chaparral ‘53” for a quick getaway from our “teenage roommates” and to give ourselves a nearby “couples retreat” treat! It was exactly what we needed. The experience was amazing. While we were just 15 minutes from our home in El Paso, we felt like we were transported to a different time and place.
When we arrived near sunset on a Saturday night the adjoining restaurant, Ardovino’s Desert Crossing had a full and bustling patio with safely distanced tables and small fireplaces next to the tables that created a visual feast as we passed by. We met the host, Robert who led us to the trailer where we were going to stay. He has restored the trailer to perfection and equipped and decorated it with old-school games (cards, a mini shuffleboard table, the Dr. Ruth board game, and tons of other cool kitschy games). The trailer is meticulously restored with 50’s-era regalia including the little Dixie range (I know it’s just there for looks and doesn’t actually work, but it offers so much authenticity).
We ate a delicious dinner from the restaurant (duck confit with homemade pasta, yes please!) built a fire in the great little sitting area and just enjoyed each other’s company. Later in the evening we retired to the soft tub which was a perfect temperature (about 102 degrees) and listened to the wild sounds of Mexico on the horizon.
Speaking of Mexico, this is a very active place for border crossing and the Border Patrol is usually patrolling in the area. It’s kind of a strange scene when you see trucks and quads in the foreground patrolling the desert, but to us it was part of the unique experience. We never felt unsafe and it offered us an opportunity to discuss issues around immigration and about the world and our place in it. It led to discussions we wouldn’t have had in our own backyard and that was part of why the experience was so special.
We did stay in one of the other amazing trailers a few years ago and our only regret this time around was that we didn’t stay on a Friday night. When you stay on Friday night you get to wake up to a bustling Farmer’s Market, walk out of your trailer to buy a cup of coffee and some great breakfast options and people watch your Saturday away. Next time!

Good food, nice private area to hang out and enjoy the mountains and drinks. Employees were extremely courteous and attentive.

The best of the best for dinning on their open space Patio. With an incredible view of the Union Pacific Transcontinental Line in Sunland Park, New Mexico. A "must be place" for a respectful railfan

Magic in the desert.