The Citizen Hotel
Tucson, Arizona
www.thecitizenhoteltucson.com
When two women visionaries meet in the heart of Tucson over glasses of wine from Sand-Reckoner Vineyards, inspiration magically leads to truly amazing realization. A new friendship forged a collaboration, and a hundred year old downtown Tucson building, once iconic home to the oldest Arizona newspaper, The Citizen, is spectacularly transformed into a stunning modern 10 guest room boutique hotel showcasing a basalt stone 5000 square foot wine cellar with an impressive processing operation, barrel collection, and wine tasting room.
Visionaries, Moniqua Lane, lawyer turned hotelier, and Sarah Fox Hammelman, owner of Sand-Reckoner Vineyards with her husband, Rob, are re-vitalizing downtown Tucson hospitality and promoting the Southern Arizona wine industry, designing and renovating a nuanced destination retreat within this historic site, joining Lane’s nearby Downtown Clifton Hotel. The power of women with dreams and a mission has transformed the former site of a massive printing press operation, revisioned, conceived and created an elite boutique hotel and fully functional winery enterprise. More than 150 barrels of Arizona wines reside beneath The Citizen Hotel’s contemporary designer boutique accommodations, lobby lounge, and intimate bar, viewed from the breathtaking glass bottomed mezzanine high above. So very impressive!
Immersed in the wine experience, guests have the opportunity to savor the wines of Sand-Reckoner Vineyards, one of Southern Arizona’s premier wineries inspired by French, Australian, and California producers. The two unique tasting rooms offer distinctive ambience to each experience, the stunning mezzanine and the authentic natural volcanic basalt wine cellar, presenting entertaining experts who illuminate the entire process, introduce and educate guests in the craft and terroir of high desert winemaking. Terroir, of course from the French, is the combination of factors including soil, climate, sunlight, that affects how vines grow and how grapes mature, giving wine grapes their distinctive character. Terroir also has definitely become Modeliste Magazine’s wine lovers’ favorite new word to casually drop in any conversation after some practice on French pronunciation!
(Credit: Jackie Tran)
(Credit: Jackie Tran)
The Citizen Hotel graciously extends your wine experience into the luxurious designer boudoir and oversized spa bath of each of the 10 elite guest rooms. Here you will find your delightful soaking tub, walk-in shower with bench seat, cozy spa robes, well-appointed furnishings, dreamy sumptuous bedding, and intimate seating, where your stocked wine fridge and wine caddy encourage a continuation of your wine tasting journey in private seductive luxury. First class toiletries, double vanities, and deluxe cedar closets add to the comforts of your stay at The Citizen.
Modeliste invites you to indulge in the romantic getaway of your dreams in boutique sophisticated style and comfort at The Citizen Hotel, luxuriating in booming Tucson’s only wine-centered hotel.
(Credit: Jackie Tran)
