The Inns at El Rancho Merlita - Tucson, Arizona

The Inns at El Rancho Merlita is a bed and breakfast location with a very interesting history. In the 1950's when Tucson was a quiet, small town in the middle of the desert, Merle Norman, the cosmetics queen, bought a big tract of land off an old cattle trail. She then commissioned her brother to design a wonderful 1950's ranch house that would be low and sprawling so it would stay cool in the desert heat and would have brick walls and a red tile roof, huge picture windows displaying the gorgeous views of both the desert and the mountains that surround Tucson. A long verandah would stretch across the front of the house and overlook a huge lawn and a beautiful swimming pool. There are actually two inns on the property; the Ranch House Inn and the Arroyo House Inn.

If you go:
The back yard of the inn is completely different from the front and has been maintained in a natural desert state.There is a lovely walking path back there that leads to a building where they have massages and yoga classes and there is also an intriguing labyrinth made of stones. In the evening, you may see some local wildlife such as Javelinas which wander through the area. Be sure to allow time to relax by the lovely swimming pool - a rarity at a bed and breakfast.The Sonoran Desert Museum is a short drive away and is well worth a visit, especially for families with children who will be amazed at the manmade cave on the property.

info@ranchomerlita.com

Phone Numbers:

Information
+1 (888) 218-8418