Latest news with #Spanish-style
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Solana, Tucson's Newly Restored Historic Boutique Guest Ranch is Expanding
Sold-Out Spanish Villas, 5-Star Reviews, and a Wellness-Focused Expansion—Solana Becomes the Wild West's Newest Luxury Escape TUCSON, Ariz., May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Something extraordinary is happening in Tucson's Tanque Verde Valley. A hidden gem with the soul of the Southwest and the service of a boutique luxury guest ranch is quietly making an entrance on to the hospitality stage — and it's doing it with a cowboy hat and dusty boots!Solana Spanish Villas, Tucson's newly restored upscale guest ranch, has achieved what few boutique properties ever do: a near 100% occupancy YTD in 2025, rave reviews across every platform, and a loyal following of travelers booking over a year in advance. With its authentic Tucson dude ranch spirit, tastefully modernized Spanish-style villas, and jaw-dropping natural surroundings, Solana isn't just a place to stay—it's an experience guests can't stop talking about. 'There's nothing like Solana anywhere in Tucson—or Southern Arizona,' says owner John Jacobs, who, along with wife Danielle Jacobs, professionally manages the estate with full-time, on-site staff. 'We built Solana to offer something rare: the charm and history of an old-world guest ranch combined with today's luxury, service, and style.' The venture has been so successful that the Jacobs have acquired the adjacent historic 5.4 acre farrier school and calf-roping ranch from well-known Tanque Verde horseman, George Goode to expand Solana to over 11 acres. The new Solana Ranch offers a more rustic taste of Tanque Verde with a large hacienda club house for hosting wellness and yoga retreats in Tucson, expanded lodging for Tucson corporate retreats, luxury conestoga glamping wagons coming in late 2025, and the natural desert ambiance of horses and bonfires under the into 2026, the new Solana Guest Ranch will expand the property to: Lodging for 100+ guests Conestoga glamping wagons with A/C and private bathrooms Onsite yoga platforms and desert wellness amenities Private chef-prepared meals and curated retreat experiences Corporate event spaces and planning services Danielle Jacobs, a Tucson native, successful entrepreneur, business executive, designer and event planner, works directly with organizations to coordinate unforgettable events. Whether it's a high-impact executive offsite, a yoga school's seasonal retreat, or an all-inclusive wellness weekend, Solana's team brings personalized service, event planning, and food & beverage coordination to the next level. A Desert Retreat Unlike Any Other Tucked beneath the shade of towering eucalyptus trees and framed by the rugged peaks of the Rincon and Catalina Mountains, Solana Spanish Villas sits on a historic 5.7-acre estate once known as the Bar J Desert Haciendas—a guest ranch that dates back to the 1940s. Today, it's been reimagined with designer furnishings, gourmet kitchens, fire pits, a koi pond, pickleball court, resort-style pool, and desert trails that seem to whisper Old West secrets. And in their first summer of 2025, Solana is offering a jaw-dropping $99/night staycation deal for locals looking to experience the magic. 'It's our way of giving back to Tucson,' says Danielle. 'We're booked solid year-round, but we're holding back just a few rooms for family reunions and corporate retreats. We want to keep our roots in this community.' Activities at Solana Spanish Villas Guests at Solana Spanish Villas enjoy far more than just a comfortable stay—they experience a mini-resort escape in the scenic Tanque Verde Valley. Guests can relax poolside under palm trees, relax on the dock by the pond, or challenge friends to games of pickleball, basketball, garden chess, and cornhole. For those seeking serenity, the property features walking paths under towering eucalyptus, quiet corners for birdwatching, and a tranquil dock for reflection. Families and groups can gather at fire pits with swings, enjoy BBQs. With spacious villas and casitas, full kitchens, and private patios, Solana also offers resort-style amenities including yoga mats, games, and books in each villa. The combination of relaxation, recreation, and convenience makes it ideal for family reunions in Tucson, wellness retreats, or extended stays. What's Next? Solana Tucson Becomes a Wellness Destination Solana's rise isn't a fluke—it's purpose driven and on trend. As Southern Arizona continues to attract travelers seeking meaningful, nature-rooted experiences, event weddings, and wellness escapes, Solana stands apart with immersive geo-travel, curated wellness, and the kind of hospitality that feels as personal as it is professional. Similar to the much larger Canyon Ranch or Miraval Spa, the intimate Solana Ranch model focuses on immersion of place. 'Our guests don't always want a basic hotel room,' says Danielle Jacobs. 'More and more guests are seeking a memorable experience. They want connection. They want to feel like they're somewhere real. Solana delivers this—and more.' With limited availability and a waitlist already forming for 2026 retreats, Solana Spanish Villas and the new Solana Guest Ranch have officially become one of Southern Arizona's most in-demand reserve a stay, plan a wellness weekend, or pre-book a 2026 special event call (520) 200-2059: 10700 E Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749 Solana is a fully independent, locally owned guest ranch—not affiliated with Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Canyon Ranch or Miraval. The property's roots as a guest ranch stretch back 77 years to 1948 and are being preserved and expanded for a new generation of travelers. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: in to access your portfolio
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Peaceful African city right by the sea that feels ‘more like Europe' – but tourists always miss it
And two other Moroccan cities our experts rave about SI YA THERE Peaceful African city right by the sea that feels 'more like Europe' – but tourists always miss it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN overlooked city dubbed the 'white city of Morocco' is a holiday destination where you won't find many crowds this summer. Tetouan in Morocco is often overlooked as a holiday destination with most Brits heading to Marrakech or Agadir. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tetouan is often overlooked as a Moroccan holiday destination with Brits Credit: Getty 5 However it is known for its arts and its Spanish architecture Credit: Alamy However, it was once the capital of Spanish Morocco, nicknamed the "daughter of Granada" meaning a lot of the architecture feels more European than African. And due to the lack of tourism, it also means it remains a more authentic side of Morocco with mainly locals visiting on holiday. The main medina in town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the original 17th century features remaining. Tourists have raved about it being a much cheaper place to find souvenirs compared to Marrakech. One said: "We bought souvenirs in Medina at half the price from Marrakech - the sellers are polite. "It was a real surprise for us, we found ourselves in a city that looked like Europe." Another said: "This medina has a old world charm with no tourism. Experiencing Morocco as it must have been years ago." There is also the The Archaeological Museum, which shows the origins of the city before it was founded in the 15th century. The city is known for its artistic heritage as well, so the Ethnography Museum is worth a visit as well as the Tetouan Museum of Modern Art, built within a former Spanish-style train station. Embrace the crazy city full of warmth and culture And while tourists aren't allowed to go inside the Grand Mosque, it is worth a visit just for the exterior. Otherwise it's proximity to the mountains means its attracts adventure sports fans too, with trekking and mountain biking popular as well. If you really want a beach break then there is the nearby Tamuda Bay, which recently opened a new Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay (the first five star for the resort). But for stays nearer the city, one of the most popular is the all-inclusive Club Med Village Yasmina, while the Blanco Riad Hotel is in the middle of the Tetouan. And according to Tripadvisor, Blanco Riad Restaurant is the most popular restaurant in town, with traditional Moroccan dishes such as tagine. 5 A Spanish-style train station has been converted into a museum Credit: Alamy 5 Tourists have said souvenirs are half the price of Marrakech Credit: Alamy It could be easier to get to Tetouan soon, with a new train line from Tangier being proposed as well as a new motorway. Until then, Brits will need to fly to Tangier which takes less than three hours from the UK, when flying with Ryanair. Tetouan is then around 1hr15 by car. While there are flights from Europe to Tetouan, these are mainly from France and Spain. The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot revealed her top tips for visiting Marrakech. Otherwise The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey recently visited Agadir. And here is an African country set to be the "next Morocco".
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Peaceful African city right by the sea that feels ‘more like Europe' – but tourists always miss it
AN overlooked city dubbed the 'white city of Morocco' is a holiday destination where you won't find many crowds this summer. Tetouan in Morocco is often overlooked as a holiday destination with most Brits heading to Marrakech or 5 Tetouan is often overlooked as a Moroccan holiday destination with Brits Credit: Getty 5 However it is known for its arts and its Spanish architecture Credit: Alamy However, it was once the capital of Spanish Morocco , nicknamed the "daughter of architecture feels more European than African. And due to the lack of tourism, it also means it remains a more authentic side of The main medina in town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the original 17th century features remaining. Tourists have raved about it being a much cheaper place to find souvenirs compared to Read more on Morocco One said: "We bought souvenirs in Medina at half the price from Marrakech - the sellers are polite. "It was a real surprise for us, we found ourselves in a city that looked like Europe ." Another said: "This medina has a old world charm with no tourism. Experiencing Morocco as it must have been years ago." There is also the The Archaeological Museum, which shows the origins of the city before it was founded in the 15th century. Most read in City breaks The city is known for its artistic heritage as well, so the Ethnography Museum is worth a visit as well as the Tetouan Museum of Modern Art, built within a former Spanish-style train station. Embrace the crazy city full of warmth and culture And while tourists aren't allowed to go inside the Grand Mosque, it is worth a visit just for the exterior. Otherwise it's proximity to the mountains means its attracts adventure sports fans too, with trekking and mountain biking popular as well. If you really want a beach break then there is the nearby Tamuda Bay, which recently opened a new But for stays nearer the city, one of the most popular is the all-inclusive Club Med Village Yasmina, while the Blanco Riad Hotel is in the middle of the Tetouan. And according to Tripadvisor, Blanco Riad Restaurant is the most popular restaurant in town, with traditional Moroccan dishes such as tagine. 5 A Spanish-style train station has been converted into a museum Credit: Alamy 5 Tourists have said souvenirs are half the price of Marrakech Credit: Alamy It could be easier to get to Tetouan soon, with a new train line from Tangier being proposed as well as a new motorway. Until then, Brits will need to fly to Tangier which takes less than three hours from the UK, when flying with Ryanair. Tetouan is then around 1hr15 by car. While there are flights from Europe to Tetouan, these are mainly from France and Spain . The Sun's Otherwise The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey And here is an 5 Flights to the nearby Tangier are less than three hours, followed by an hour-long drive Credit: Getty
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about the Menendez brothers' lives and what lies ahead
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lyle and Erik Menendez were 21 and 18 when they killed their parents. Now, at 57 and 54, the brothers are eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge Tuesday reduced their sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life. In August 1989, the brothers killed their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home. While defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said they killed their parents for a substantial inheritance. The saga has captured the public's attention over the decades, spawning documentaries and television specials, as the brothers have lived out their adult years in incarceration. Here's what to know about their lives and what lies ahead: A wealthy upbringing After moving from New Jersey, the family settled into a multi-million dollar Spanish-style mansion in the wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jose Menendez, was a powerful entertainment executive, and his wife, Kitty, a former beauty queen he met in college. At the time, Lyle was attending Princeton University but struggling academically, and Erik was a young tennis star. In the aftermath of the killings, the family discovered Jose Menendez's 1981 will, which left everything to the two brothers. An opinion from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals details the spending spree that Erik and Lyle went on, thinking they were poised to inherit millions. Lyle bought three Rolex watches, a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and a restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, while Erik purchased a Jeep Wrangler and hired a full-time tennis coach, according to the court document. The brothers addressed the lavish spending in a Netflix documentary, 'The Menendez Brothers,' that came out last October. 'The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,' Erik said in a recorded phone call from prison. 'Everything was to cover up this horrible pain of not wanting to be alive.' The family said that in reality there was no inheritance — whatever assets Jose had were gobbled up by legal fees and taxes, and both of his properties were sold at a loss. Reunited after decades apart Lyle Menendez was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County in 2018, reuniting him with Erik Menendez, who was brought there in 2013. Before that Lyle spent decades housed at Mule Creek State Prison in northern California, while Erik was at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California. They could only keep in touch through letters. Anerae Brown, who spent time at both facilities as an inmate, described Pleasant Valley as a segregated and 'hyperviolent environment' while testifying at the brothers' resentencing hearing. There was one instance where Brown was attacked by five men with weapons. Doing the things that Erik participated in, such as school and self-help classes, would put a target on one's back, Brown said. The brothers each got married in prison Lyle Menendez first married Anna Erickson, a former model, in 1996 before he surrendered to prison. They divorced in 2001. In 2008, he married attorney Rebecca Sneed. She announced on Facebook last November that the two had separated but 'remain best friends and family.' She continues to run his Facebook page, where she has posted updates on the brothers' resentencing case. Erik Menendez married Tammi Menendez in 1999 after corresponding with her as a pen pal for years. She has a daughter from her first marriage, and both were at court Tuesday for the brothers' resentencing hearing. Conjugal visits are prohibited for those sentenced to life without parole under California law. Plans if released If the brothers are released from prison, their cousin, Diane Hernandez, and several family members said they would welcome the brothers into their homes. They also would immediately visit their aging aunts, Hernandez said. Joan VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez's sister, is now 93 and has been calling for Erik and Lyle's release since last fall. Her health has deteriorated since then, Hernandez said. Terry Baralt, Jose Menendez's sister, has been battling cancer and was recently hospitalized after attending a hearing in April. Her cancer recently advanced to Stage 4, her daughter said in court. Lyle Menendez said at his resentencing hearing Tuesday that he longs to reunite with his relatives. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I look forward to be able to reunite with my extended family and continue the journey of healing that has sustained me through my incarceration,' he said. The brothers have also indicated they would continue the work they started in prison that has supported fellow inmates to help others in society. Lyle said he hoped to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and serve the incarcerated community. Tamara Goodell, another cousin, said in court that Lyle was excited to expand the Green Space Project he had started at the Richard J. Donovan facility to other prisons. The project was inspired by the Norwegian approach to incarceration that believes humane prison environments leads to more successful reintegration into society. Erik Menendez has said he would like to expand the Life Care and Hospice program he co-founded, which connects elderly and disabled inmates with younger inmates to serve as aids. 'At a certain point, something shifted in me,' Erik said. 'I started living with purpose.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
What to know about the Menendez brothers' lives and what lies ahead
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lyle and Erik Menendez were 21 and 18 when they killed their parents. Now, at 57 and 54, the brothers are eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge Tuesday reduced their sentences from life in prison without parole to 50 years to life. In August 1989, the brothers killed their father Jose Menendez and mother Kitty Menendez in their Beverly Hills home. While defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said they killed their parents for a substantial inheritance. The saga has captured the public's attention over the decades, spawning documentaries and television specials, as the brothers have lived out their adult years in incarceration. Here's what to know about their lives and what lies ahead: A wealthy upbringing After moving from New Jersey, the family settled into a multi-million dollar Spanish-style mansion in the wealthy Beverly Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Jose Menendez, was a powerful entertainment executive, and his wife, Kitty, a former beauty queen he met in college. At the time, Lyle was attending Princeton University but struggling academically, and Erik was a young tennis star. In the aftermath of the killings, the family discovered Jose Menendez's 1981 will, which left everything to the two brothers. An opinion from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals details the spending spree that Erik and Lyle went on, thinking they were poised to inherit millions. Lyle bought three Rolex watches, a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, and a restaurant in Princeton, New Jersey, while Erik purchased a Jeep Wrangler and hired a full-time tennis coach, according to the court document. The brothers addressed the lavish spending in a Netflix documentary, 'The Menendez Brothers,' that came out last October. 'The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,' Erik said in a recorded phone call from prison. 'Everything was to cover up this horrible pain of not wanting to be alive.' The family said that in reality there was no inheritance — whatever assets Jose had were gobbled up by legal fees and taxes, and both of his properties were sold at a loss. Reunited after decades apart Lyle Menendez was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County in 2018, reuniting him with Erik Menendez, who was brought there in 2013. Before that Lyle spent decades housed at Mule Creek State Prison in northern California, while Erik was at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, California. They could only keep in touch through letters. Anerae Brown, who spent time at both facilities as an inmate, described Pleasant Valley as a segregated and 'hyperviolent environment" while testifying at the brothers' resentencing hearing. There was one instance where Brown was attacked by five men with weapons. Doing the things that Erik participated in, such as school and self-help classes, would put a target on one's back, Brown said. The brothers each got married in prison Lyle Menendez first married Anna Erickson, a former model, in 1996 before he surrendered to prison. They divorced in 2001. In 2008, he married attorney Rebecca Sneed. She announced on Facebook last November that the two had separated but 'remain best friends and family.' She continues to run his Facebook page, where she has posted updates on the brothers' resentencing case. Erik Menendez married Tammi Menendez in 1999 after corresponding with her as a pen pal for years. She has a daughter from her first marriage, and both were at court Tuesday for the brothers' resentencing hearing. Conjugal visits are prohibited for those sentenced to life without parole under California law. Plans if released If the brothers are released from prison, their cousin, Diane Hernandez, and several family members said they would welcome the brothers into their homes. They also would immediately visit their aging aunts, Hernandez said. Joan VanderMolen, Kitty Menendez's sister, is now 93 and has been calling for Erik and Lyle's release since last fall. Her health has deteriorated since then, Hernandez said. Terry Baralt, Jose Menendez's sister, has been battling cancer and was recently hospitalized after attending a hearing in April. Her cancer recently advanced to Stage 4, her daughter said in court. Lyle Menendez said at his resentencing hearing Tuesday that he longs to reunite with his relatives. 'I look forward to be able to reunite with my extended family and continue the journey of healing that has sustained me through my incarceration,' he said. The brothers have also indicated they would continue the work they started in prison that has supported fellow inmates to help others in society. Lyle said he hoped to advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and serve the incarcerated community. Tamara Goodell, another cousin, said in court that Lyle was excited to expand the Green Space Project he had started at the Richard J. Donovan facility to other prisons. The project was inspired by the Norwegian approach to incarceration that believes humane prison environments leads to more successful reintegration into society. Erik Menendez has said he would like to expand the Life Care and Hospice program he co-founded, which connects elderly and disabled inmates with younger inmates to serve as aids. 'At a certain point, something shifted in me," Erik said. "I started living with purpose.'
