Latest news with #Pancho
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Travel + Leisure
15-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
San Miguel Allende's Newest Luxury Hotel Puts You in the Heart of Its Historic Downtown—Plus, It Has the Area's Only Rooftop Pool
Design lovers will love this property, which skillfully fuses historic Mexican architectural details with contemporary, modern style. The location is delightfully walkable while still being a quiet place to retreat at the end of the day. For a scenic place to cool off, head to the rooftop pool, the only one in the historic downtown area. Upon arrival, you'll be given a warm welcome by Pancho, the hotel dog. Calling all late risers: You can have breakfast until 2 p.m. at Enrique. Located in Mexico's highlands in Guanajuato, San Miguel Allende is known for its charming cobblestone streets, baroque architecture, and lively culinary scene, attracting visitors from around the globe. In 2008, it became a UNESCO World Heritage City and it was named the best city in the world by Travel + Leisure readers in the 2025 World's Best Awards. San Miguel Allende is home to a host of hotels, including the splashy new Numu Boutique Hotel. Numu skillfully blends San Miguel Allende's history with modern luxury—it's a great destination for art and design lovers with custom works around the property by Mexican artists that pay homage to the local landscape. The sculpture above the lobby bar was inspired by the nearby volcanoes as well as the area's mining history. There are multiple textile sculptures on the property that celebrate the Mexican tradition of weaving, as well as two large mojigangas puppets near the entrance, a local craft. The hotel is also in a great location, next to one of the city's most popular parks (Parque Benito Juárez) and within walking distance of many of San Miguel's attractions, without being too close to the hustle and bustle of the crowds around the cathedral. But if you're in the mood for simply lounging about, never fear. Numu has the only rooftop pool in the city's downtown—a perfect location for soaking up the sunshine with a fun drink. Here's what it's like to stay at Numu Boutique Hotel San Miguel de Allende. A king suite room at Numu Boutique Hotel. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Numu Boutique Hotel has 44 guest rooms and suites, and each has a private terrace or balcony. There are seven accommodation types that travelers can pick from, ranging from the 409-square-foot room with a king bed and a garden view to the Presidential Suite, which clocks in at 1,464 square feet and has a private rooftop terrace with a hot tub and views of San Miguel's Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. I stayed in a king suite, which was furnished with a plush bed, a working desk, a couch, and plenty of room to stretch out. Each room also includes a large bathroom with rainfall showers. The color palette in each unit is decidedly earthy with vibrant pops of terracotta orange here and there. The artwork and color scheme were inspired by the landscape and culture of Guanajuato. Lobster pasta dish from Enrique. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure There are two restaurants and two bars at Numu. Enrique is a "late breakfast," farm-to-table Mexican restaurant, which serves things like San Miguel eggs, chorizo, and fresh large pastries until 2 p.m. Lunch and dinner options include everything from tapas and crudo to pasta and tostadas. On the rooftop, you'll find Noia, which serves Mediterranean-Mexican fusion for lunch and dinner along with incredible views of San Miguel's historic downtown. If the atmosphere wasn't enough, you can also expect perfectly prepared steaks paired with inventive cocktails. Guests can even take cooking classes with head chef Omar Tovar or mixology classes with guest bartenders. Feeling thirsty? Head to the lobby bar, where you'll find everything from "revitalizing" cocktails to any coffee drink you could desire. The rooftop pool at Numu Boutique Hotel. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure The standout amenity at Numu is arguably the rooftop pool, which is lined with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a lovely garden that overlooks the surrounding historic buildings. The pool is serviced by Noia, so you'll get to enjoy top-notch food and drinks during your sunbathing session. Numu has the only rooftop pool in San Miguel's historic downtown, ensuring that you'll have a one-of-a-kind experience while simultaneously beating the heat. Numu was conceptualized and is operated by Hamak Hotels, a Mexican hospitality company that describes itself as, "not your typical hotel group." Hamak curated a range of activities to help guests explore the area in fun ways, including things like food tours, cooking classes, and mojiganga workshops. During my time at the hotel, I took advantage of this as much as possible. One of my favorite experiences was the mojiganga class, where I got to create papier mache dolls with the only family in town who still teaches this San Miguel Allende craft. I was also able to attend a cooking class where I went to the market with Noia's executive chef, where we bought the ingredients together and cooked two courses. On the ground floor, guests have access to a gym stocked with all the essentials, which is located next to the spa. The relaxation room at Numu's spa. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Numu Spa is a wonderful full-fledged spa with a relaxation room, a red light sauna, and a host of treatments including aromatherapy, deep tissue massages, and body wraps. Much like the hotel's general ethos and philosophy, treatments at the spa are inspired by the hotel's surroundings, and treatments often feature the use of botanicals like sage, aloe vera, passionfruit, and starfruit extracts. I opted for a massage after my flight, and my masseuse was very thorough in finding the exact pain points to focus on. Numu is pet-friendly and even has a hotel dog. Pancho is a friendly Bernese Mountain Dog that guests can usually find napping by the front desk. Guests can walk Pancho any time, and if you let the hotel know you're arriving with children, they'll be able to provide a miniature stuffed animal version of Pancho as well as a 'paw-written' letter welcoming your little ones himself. Complimentary cribs are available upon request, and childcare is available for an extra fee. Patio dining at Numu's restaurant Enrique. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure There is one accessible room at Numu, a room with two queen beds, a roll-in shower, and a garden view. The room has other accessible features such as emergency strobe lights as well as a lowered peephole and door latch. The hotel avoids single-use plastics and provides all guests with reusable water bottles and has several refilling stations around the hotel. The hotel also has a cistern that's used to hold recycled water for public restrooms. Rooftop view from Noia restaurant. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure The hotel is 53 miles from the Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO) and 58 miles from the more popular Guanajuato International Airport (BJX). Both are about an hour and a half drive from Numu. It is possible to hire an airport transfer to and from the hotel, but if you decide you'd rather opt for a rental car, Numu does have complimentary valet parking. Once at the hotel, San Miguel Allende's downtown is completely accessible by foot (albeit with hills and cobblestone), and almost all of the major attractions are no more than a 10-minute walk away. NUMU is a part of World of Hyatt, and is a category six hotel, meaning it will cost you 21,000 points per night. The property is also a part of American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts program. So, if you book the property with a qualifying travel card, you can get perks like early check-in, late check-out, room upgrades, daily breakfast, and a $100 property credit. Nightly rates at Numu Boutique Hotel start from $450 per night for a standard room. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Loyal Dog Won't Leave Shelter Without Sister—Then He Realizes Something
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hearts melted over a distressed dog's reaction to being reunited with his other half after he originally thought he was leaving the shelter without her. The previous owners of the sibling duo, Pancho and Pancha, dumped off the dogs together at a California animal shelter. From that moment on, the two never separated. Seeing how reliant the two canines were on each other, the shelter deemed these five-month-old pups a "bonded pair." A Vet Explains Pets article stated that a bonded pair of dogs form a strong, emotional attachment to each other, often through shared experiences or living in the same household. These dogs can be siblings, a parent and offspring, or simply two canines who developed a deep connection. In a May 10 Instagram video posted to the account @ the shelter first brought Pancho out to meet his foster family, but all he could think about was his sister. He frantically kept looking back at the building, crying and waiting for her. He wouldn't "budge." Thankfully, the shelter knew he wouldn't be going without Pancha, and they brought her outside quickly after. His demeanor immediately changed. The two dogs jumped up to greet each other, with their tails wagging nonstop. They realized they were staying together. Part of the caption reads: "Now they get to thrive in foster care while they wait for forever homes!" Screenshots from a May 10 Instagram video of a dog stressing out that he was being separated from his sibling, but the bonded pair stayed together in foster care. Screenshots from a May 10 Instagram video of a dog stressing out that he was being separated from his sibling, but the bonded pair stayed together in foster care. @ While the two besties have been enjoying a break from the shelter environment—nonstop playing on the bed—they have yet to be adopted, a representative from Let's Rescue Dogs told Newsweek via Instagram. "They really need help, all the traction they can get," the representative said. "Unfortunately, they've had no adoption interest, and we would love to change that." Viewer Reactions The Instagram video amassed over 247,000 views and 26,300 likes as of Thursday. Viewers flooded the comment section with their appreciation for the rescue organization keeping the bonded pair together. "This is so stinking adorable! It's as if Pancho feels responsible to protect his sister. The loyalty of dogs. Thank you for saving them together," wrote one person. Another added: "Gosh, bonded pairs are truly remarkable. Thank you for all you do." A third person said: "This is such great news!! So wonderful that they are being kept together - such a rare opportunity for a bonded pair of shelter dogs!!!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Seven adopted dogs on their way to their forever homes are killed after vehicle transporting them bursts into flames
A van carrying 11 dogs rescued and rehabilitated by Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue in Texas was en route to New York to meet their new families when the vehicle caught fire in Illinois on Friday, Click2Houston reported. The van's drivers managed to save just four dogs after their vehicle went up in flames. Seven of the dogs did not survive the fire, the rescue said. One of the dogs, named Guapo, suffered severe burns from the fire and was hospitalized, but is expected to make a full recovery. It was not immediately clear how the fire started, but the rescue team described the blaze as 'fast and intense.' In a post on social media, Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue thanked their drivers for being able to save four dogs – Guapo, Sasha, Charlie and Magnolia. The rescue also paid tribute to the seven dogs who did not survive, writing 'RIP Pancho, Piglet, Penny, Clover, Stetson, Lancelot and Presto.' 'We are devastated by this loss. Words cannot express the grief we feel, nor the gratitude we have for our drivers—true heroes in this unimaginable moment—and for the many people who stepped in to help at the scene,' the rescue wrote on social media. 'We take a small amount of comfort in hoping the ones that did not survive passed quickly and without prolonged suffering,' the post continued. While Guapo remains in the hospital receiving care, the three other surviving dogs have since been united with their adoptive families.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dog daycare, boarding deaths prompt push to protect pets from negligence under Texas law
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers overwhelmingly supported an effort to protect pets from negligence, known as 'Pancho's Law.' Pancho died in 2021 while under the care of a dog daycare business in Dallas. His family, Paul and Maria Mecca, have spent the last four years advocating for a change to Texas law that they believe will save other animals. 'My husband and I quickly learned there is a loophole in Texas law that allows pet service businesses to act with impunity by simply claiming negligence,' Maria told a Senate committee earlier this month. 'All they have to do is say 'I didn't mean to kill your dog.' No matter how egregious their actions may have been.' House Bill 285 adds 'criminal negligence' to the Texas Penal Code as conduct that constitutes a criminal offense of cruelty to non-livestock animals. The bill's author, Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso, told her colleagues the goal is to provide families with a legal path to justice if their animal suffered harm because someone failed to use reasonable care. 'Under current law, families have limited recourse when their dogs or cats are injured due to such negligence. This bill seeks to ensure accountability and prevent those who act irresponsibly from endangering other pets in the future.' For several years, KXAN investigators have fielded tips about dogs who passed away while in the care of boarding, grooming and training facilities. In many cases, no lawsuits are filed and few law enforcement records of the deaths exist, beyond initial reports. When Brian Roby and Jordyn Hawkes lost their dog, Kali, last August, they said they quickly realized how few options they had. 'You know, what could we do? We could go to civil court and, 'Okay, your dog was worth $70. Here you go,'' Roby said, noting that pets are viewed as property under Texas law. In August 2024, the couple planned their wedding and subsequent honeymoon out-of-state. They dropped Kali off to stay at an Austin-area boarding and daycare facility for part of that time. The facility's staff was supposed drop Kali off at Jordyn's father's house, where she'd stay for the rest of their trip, but she never made it home. On the first day of their honeymoon, the newlyweds received a text alerting them that Kali had been rushed to an emergency veterinarian. KXAN investigators reviewed records from that medical provider, revealing Kali 'overheated in a daycare van.' She and another 3-year-old dog passed away. Hawkes said through tears, when recounting that day, 'I just had this feeling like, she was right the whole time. She was right to be scared of the car.' She added, 'I think the most shocking part of all this process has been just the lack of regulations that the state of Texas has [for the pet services industry].' KXAN reached out to the facility in Kali's case, but it declined to comment. 'We were in the lobby of this hotel that we had just gotten married at the day before, and to have this, like, super high and this crushing low was…' Brian trailed off. He went on to say, 'The grief kept coming in waves. It still does, you know, randomly grab — grab a hold, and it's been tough.' The couple began to connect with other families who have lost dogs and cats while in the care of pet services businesses — such as Katelyn Rohde. Rohde lost Roland, who she refers to as her 'silly goose,' at a Texas dog daycare facility. Shortly after, she started a nonprofit in Roland's name, with the goal of raising awareness and pushing for change. She's worked with other experts and advocates to publish guides to help other pet owners, such as a Dog Daycare Evaluation Guide and the Roland & Friends Guide to Selecting and Finding a Dog Trainer. 'All this information is not intended to be like a black-and-white 'this is what you do,' but ultimately, for you to, kind of, think through what is most important for your dog — for your silly goose — so you can establish what is best for them in those situations,' she said. Roland's Silly Goose Crew also launched a survey of pet owners', which showed 96% of respondents would be supportive or strongly supportive of Texas dog daycare facilities adopting more consistent safety, communication and transparency standards through regulation, voluntary safeguards or other measures. '1% better is 1% better when you're starting from nothing,' Rohde said. She said believes Pancho's Law is the first step. As HB 285 worked through the legislative process, some people raised concerns about an exception in the law for veterinarians. A provision states that these medical professionals have a defense to prosecution for alleged conduct that occurs while performing their duties as licensed veterinarians or as a person assisting the veterinarian. Some public commenters pushed back on that provision and asked lawmakers to hold medical professionals to the same standards as others under the law. Ashley Morgan, with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, addressed these concerns in her testimony before a Senate committee, noting that people and veterinarians can still be prosecuted, particularly for knowing or intentional harm. She told lawmakers that she sees the need for Pancho's Law regularly in her work as an attorney, when families come to her for help. 'I more often than not have to tell these people, 'There is nothing I can do for you,'' Morgan testified. KXAN reached out to more than 20 pet service business owners and managers in the Austin area to get a sense of how they feel about the potential change, if the governor signs HB 285 into law. The responses were mixed: a few raised concerns. One said, in part, 'While I am vehemently against any form of animal cruelty, at face value the threat of criminal prosecution for operating a kennel or grooming salon is nothing short of outrageous and would be a huge deterrent for these businesses to stay open.' They described thousands of owners of these facilities 'who often work 60+ hours a week, some just scraping by, and most of whom rely on the income of their business to live.' Several business operators told KXAN they supported the law and welcomed more regulation in the industry to protect pets. One said, in part, 'Hopefully this bill will help hold 'bad apples' in the pet care industry— as well as individuals — accountable for mistreatment and generally negligent behavior. Caring for animals is a big responsibility and should be treated as such.' Some facility operators were not aware of the proposal and said they would look into it; others declined to comment. HB 285 passed the House of Representatives with 125 vote in favor and 5 votes against. It passed out of the Senate unanimously. The bill has been sent to the Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. If he signs it into law, it would go into effect this September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ballet Black: Shadows review – killer moves in a dance adaptation of murderous blockbuster
Putting on rubber gloves with your pointe shoes and cleaning up a crime scene is an unusual start to a ballet. But Ballet Black's artistic director, Cassa Pancho, has chosen Oyinkan Braithwaite's hit novel My Sister, the Serial Killer as the source material for her new ballet, and blood-spill is inevitable. Pancho founded Ballet Black in 2001 and has commissioned numerous choreographers over two decades but very rarely made work for the company herself. Here she shows real directorial nous (and has recruited associate choreographer Jacob Wye and rehearsal director Charlotte Broom to help generate the steps, along with the dancers). The novel is a savvy choice: a zeitgeisty title but also a story with a love triangle and high-stakes drama. While keeping dark comedy and light tone, Pancho has slimmed down the plot. Whole characters are lost, along with some nuance and backstory – the serial-killing sister in question, Ayoola (Helga Paris-Morales), comes off as a straight-up psychopath whereas in the book more layers materialise – but it's all done with purpose. The same is true of the choreography itself, where everything has a function driven by the drama, such as the short scene showing Ayoola and older sister Korede (Isabela Coracy) bonding over a groove, establishing the connection that keeps Korede clearing up her sister's mess. Coracy is great in the central role, torn between sibling loyalty and her own desires and demons, who come crowding the stage in corporeal form. There's skilful support from Ebony Thomas as dashing doctor Tade. The other half of this double bill isn't as strong, but it's interesting nonetheless: the UK debut from New York choreographer Chanel DaSilva. A Shadow Work is based on the idea of the shadow self, the parts of our personality we repress. In this case they are trapped in a box held by our protagonist (Taraja Hudson, a pleasure to watch), who is on a journey to acceptance. It's all very clear, the company looking disciplined, and DaSilva has a nice line in recurring motifs, as when Hudson softly raps her fist on her chest, like a racing heart. Or thrusts her arms above her head to make a sharp peak, which could be a sign of prayer, protection, resolve or even imminent violence. The relationship between Hudson and her 'shadows', danced by the ensemble in black, contrasting with Hudson's white, is in turn fearful, playful and sympathetic. The choreography is very precise but it feels as though there could be another potential layer to get stuck into; perhaps that feelingis exacerbated by Cristina Spinei's score, which is all very much of a single timbre and would benefit from the texture of live instruments. But there's a solid idea here from DaSilva, even if it can't match the audience appeal of a sweetly smiling serial killer. At Birmingham Rep on 27 and 28 March, then touring.
