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Condé Nast Traveler
an hour ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
Casa Bajura Bed and Breakfast — Hotel Review
Why book? For a colorful and breezy getaway to the less-visited western region of Isabela. With a no-frills feel, this sandy and bright B&B is walkable to a quiet beach for surf and play. A stay here feels like like a vibrant and warm welcome to fresh flavors and a whole lot of local love. The colorful outdoor dining area at Casa Bajura, in Isabela, Puerto Rico Courtesy of Jessica Chapel Up the stairs to your room, find poured-concrete walls with holes that bring in sea breeze and birdsong. Jessica Chapel Set the scene In the laid-back northwestern town of Isabela, Casa Bajura is an airy bed-and-breakfast, just a short stroll from a quiet, local, surf-forward beach. The property blends seamlessly into its lush surrounding environment—its design as fluid and natural as the tides that shape the coast. After check-in, the friendly and creative owner, Javier De Jesús Martínez, accompanied me on a walk to the beach and pointed out the circular formations carved into the rocky coastline by the relentless rhythm of the waves. Upon asking me if they looked familiar—I realized the hotel's design intentionally echoes these rounded coastal shapes, with similarly formed openings in the poured-concrete walls of the property that bring in light, sea breezes, and the gentle songs sung by seemingly-content local birds. The backstory Casa Bajura was born from a collaboration of passionate Puerto Rican creatives. Years of planning, designing, and crafting resulted in a transformative space opened by De Jesús Martínez, and stands as a testament to Puerto Rico's rich cultural, architectural, and environmental heritage. After years of development, from 2017 to 2024, the hotel officially opened its doors in July 2024, ushering in a new era of intimate, intentional retreats in the laidback Isabela region. The rooms Each of the eight rooms and suites at Casa Bajura tells a colorful story through art, architecture, and design. Whether you're in the Playa Jobos Suite with its airy queen bed and signature artwork by Rafael Trelles, or the Pozo de Jacinto Loft, where local artistry by Antonio Martorell and Ludwig Medina adorn the walls, every space offers sweet pops of color—a vibrant ode to Puerto Rican culture. Given the concrete walls with rounded holes that reach out to the exterior of the buildings, each room is designed with cross-ventilation in mind, cutting down on the need for air conditioning. With the pampering of modern comforts such as Wi-Fi and AC—the keyword here is 'comforts.' No matter the room in either of the two buildings, a stay at Casa Bajura feels like being welcomed home. The Playa Jobos Suite, with a queen bed, is perfect for two guests; the Playa Montones Suite bursts with vibrant art by Antonio Martorell and Rafique offers another queen bed for two guests. In the Poza de Teodoro Suite, you'll find calming designs and art, also ideal for a cozy stay for two. For those seeking more space, the Pozo de Jacinto Loft and El Acantilado Loft both offer a queen bed, twin mezzanine, and sofa bed, accommodating up to four guests in style. Finally, Las Dunas Suite ensures accessibility with a wooden terrace, a spacious layout, and a thoughtful design that merges functionality with style. Food & beverage While Casa Bajura doesn't have an on-site restaurant, it offers a fully equipped kitchen in each villa, ideal for those who prefer to whip up their own meals. As for breakfast, De Jesús Martínez is often there whipping up the freshest of breakfasts—with love—for his guests who sit 'together.' The bright pink sliding door adjacent to the kitchen is left open, where guests sit adjacent one another, loosely chatting over coffee and awaiting the colorful simple dishes from De Jesús Martínez, himself. Otherwise, Isabela's local culinary scene bursts with flavor, offering fresh seafood and authentic Puerto Rican dishes. The neighborhood/area Located in Isabela, a vibrant town known for its stunning beaches and laid-back atmosphere, Casa Bajura is perfectly positioned for exploration. The beauty of this coastal area is undeniable, and it was only amplified the next morning as I embarked on a 20-minute walk to Uma's restaurant on Jobos Beach, where I had the chance to chat with the friendly instructors from Moku Surf shop next door before diving into an exhilarating surf session in the warm, turquoise sea. Steps from the beach, hotel guests dips in the ocean or explore the nearby coastal cliffs, rainforests, and farmer's markets alike. The service The heart of Casa Bajura is its local feel—to which De Jesús Martínez is dedicated not just to hospitality but to ensuring each guest has an authentic, personal experience. There's no concierge or larger group of staff, but once you've arrived, you'll understand how that's unnecessary here. From curating local excursions to sharing stories of the region's history and culture, De Jesús Martínez or his partner offer advice that serves as a gateway to the vibrant life of Isabela. Eco effort Sustainability is embedded into the Casa Bajura's DNA. Standout features across all rooms is the integration of sustainable design elements, like native landscaping visible from every window, to which the eco-conscious design ensures minimal environmental impact while maximizing the connection to nature. Some of the most notable efforts include natural cross-ventilation, reducing the need for air conditioning; energy-efficient lighting, and the use of native plants—such as beach grapes and bromeliads, in the landscaping. Local materials, like native stone and custom concrete block brise-soleils, further reinforce the hotel's commitment to regenerative travel and sustainability. Accessibility The Las Dunas Suite is the hotel's ADA-compliant room and designed to accommodate those with mobility challenges. This suite features wide doors, a ramp for easy access, an accessible bathroom, and ground-level access to the pool and gardens. It's a thoughtful touch that ensures all guests can enjoy the hotel's tranquil atmosphere. Anything left to mention? Casa Bajura is a curated experience for those who crave authenticity, creativity, and a true connection to Puerto Rico's natural beauty. Make it a point to chat it up with the owner and the locals—it's there you'll find the best of the island's recommendations. In the less-visited west, the space offers a launch pad to travel with curiosity. Learn about the local way of life, indulge in the quiet, and fall into the romantic retreat—whether alone, or with a partner. It's for those looking to disconnect from the everyday and immerse themselves in the spirit of the island. There's also a large outdoor swimming pool that lights up in pink and purple colors at night. With some floats and easy access to watch, the space has grown abuzz with traveling kids and families, too.
Pink Villa
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Will Liam Reveal His Terminal Diagnosis to Family After Hope's Plea?
The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for Wednesday, June 11, hint at emotionally charged moments and intensifying conflict. Hope Logan makes a heartfelt appeal to Liam Spencer about sharing his grim medical truth, while Luna Nozawa reaches her breaking point after a final rejection from her father, Finn. Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) sits down with Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) to talk about his terminal brain tumor. Though he's grateful for her support, Hope believes he shouldn't carry this burden alone. She encourages him to confide in more loved ones, suggesting that expanding his support circle could ease the emotional weight he's carrying. It's a plea from the heart—one Liam deeply appreciates, even if he's unsure about following through. Meanwhile, Luna Nozawa (Lisa Yamada) seeks a last-ditch connection with her biological father, John 'Finn' Finnegan (Tanner Novlan). Despite her hopes, Finn remains firm in his decision to keep her out of his life, prioritizing Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and their children above all else. His blunt dismissal crushes Luna and marks a turning point. No longer just hurt, she begins to simmer with vengeance, directing her anger at Steffy for turning Finn against her. As Finn coldly severs any chance of a bond, Luna's demeanor shifts. Her rejection morphs into fury, setting the stage for what could be a darker path ahead. With Hope fighting to keep Liam from isolating himself and Luna inching toward revenge after Finn's final blow, Wednesday's B&B episode promises emotional intensity and shifting loyalties. As hearts break and tempers rise, the fallout could reshape more than just family dynamics—it could change lives.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bold and the Beautiful What To Watch Moments June 9: Remy Unknowingly Helps Luna
The Bold and the Beautiful must-watch moments for Monday, June 9, include Sheila making a plea to Poppy regarding Luna, while Remy ends up unknowingly helping Luna. It promises to be a day full of drama, and you won't want to miss a moment of the show. Tune in to CBS or Paramount+ to watch. Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) has realized that her new granddaughter, Luna (Lisa Yamada), has gone off the deep end. She's begged Poppy's (Romy Park) daughter to see reason and stop seeing Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) as an enemy. Sheila has tried to warn Luna to stop. Deacon (Sean Kanan) took it further, though. He firmly told Luna to leave Los Angeles because nobody wants her there. Luna didn't seem like she wanted to hear what Deacon was saying, though. Remy (Christian Weissmann) hasn't been around for a while. He freaked out Electra (Laneya Grace), and then went off the canvas. While he was there, though, he managed to meet Luna, and it seemed the two had an odd sort of connection. Luna certainly intrigued Remy. MORE: Here's what you must watch this week on B&B. Monday, June 9, 2025 Episode 9542Sheila makes a plea to Poppy about knowing her treacherous plan, Remy unknowingly helps Luna.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Queen's 2025: Olga Morozova - women's singles champion since 1973
When Olga Morozova lifted the biggest trophy of her career, she might not have thought she would be the reigning champion for more than 50 next week she will finally lose her crown when the Queen's Club Championships stages a women's event for the first time since winner will get a new trophy, which has the previous champions engraved on it, as the original one could not be the tennis world itself is also a different one to Morozova's days of wooden racquets and taking public transport to Queen's prepares to welcome today's players to its grass courts on Monday, Morozova reflects on a time when rain meant matches were moved indoors on to a tricky wooden court, the event was sponsored by a tobacco company and her prize money for the title was £1,000. From cheap B&B via Tube to Queen's title For Moscow-born Morozova, prize money was not especially relevant."I came from the Soviet Union. We were not professional, we were amateurs. The money which I won not only here but in Wimbledon, everywhere else, was going to our federation," the 76-year-old said."They paid for my trip, they paid for my coach, they paid for my whatever."That "whatever" would have included transport and accommodation."We arrived at Queen's by Tube," she said. "We were staying in Earl's Court in a B&B. It was not a very good B&B, I think the toilets and the showers were three floors [apart]… You shared with other people, it was normal for everyone at that time."For Wimbledon, we had a car - imagine coming out of the B&B, down the stairs and you have the Rolls Royce with the driver with white gloves waiting for you and opening the door."It may not have been Wimbledon but Queen's was a prestigious event. Chris Evert and Margaret Court were in the field, along with Evonne Goolagong, whom a 24-year-old Morozova upset in straight sets in the final without dropping was a surprise result to most, but not to Morozova."I remember I played well," she said. "Beforehand I was feeling the ball good and I already knew Evonne and knew how to play her, and grass was my very favourite surface."Since the prize cheque was not going to her pocket and there was no replica trophy to take away, the main benefit - prestige aside - was relief that the decision to seed her for Wimbledon for the first time had been the days before the computerised rankings system, seedings - which ensure top players do not meet very early in a tournament - were decided by panels of experts."I was seeded eight at Wimbledon, and everybody was saying 'Oh, my God, why is she seeded?' But finally I won the tournament and I was actually feeling quite good because now they know why I was seeded!"Morozova's serve-and-volley game was well suited to grass - she was the Wimbledon junior champion in 1965 and won several titles on the reached the Wimbledon final in 1974, losing to Evert just weeks after losing the French Open final to the American. But together, they earned the women's doubles title at Roland Garros, making Morozova the first Russian to win a Grand Slam title. Prize money fight – then and now As Queen's staged what would be its last women's tournament for 52 years, a huge moment for women's tennis was taking place at a hotel nearby in west 21 June 1973, Billie Jean King gathered a group of women to unite players from rival tours into a single organisation that became the WTA (Women's Tennis Association), creating a first truly global professional sports tour and sparking a substantial increase in prize between darting to furtive meetings about the fledgling movement, King managed to win the women's doubles at Queen's that then, women tennis players have earned considerably more than Morozova's generation. Today, seven of the world's 10 highest-earning female sports stars are tennis although the Grand Slams now offer equal prize money for men and women, there is disparity elsewhere. At other tournaments, minimum prize money levels are set by the she won the title, Morozova won £1,000 - the equivalent of around £15,000 now. The 2025 champion will take home $218,000 (£161,000) - over 10 times more in real prize was half of what Ilie Nastase won that year in the men's singles. This year, the men's champion at Queen's will receive around two and a half times more than the women' LTA has pledged to introduce equal prize money at Queen's and Eastbourne by total prize fund for this year's WTA event at Queen's will be $1.415m (£1.043m), with the LTA voluntarily increasing the standard prize money by a the prize fund for the men competing at the same venue the following week is 2.522m euros (£2.122m).The WTA is aiming for parity in prize money by 2033, and tournament director Laura Robson said at the Queen's launch earlier this year: "The LTA definitely would love to hit that marker well before the WTA Tour but to do that we need a successful event, we need people to come and watch and to get excited about it."It doesn't start at all or nothing. We have to build the way that the tournament's run and eventually get to that marker of equal prize money but it's something I'm all for as a former player."Morozova herself did remark, though, that the prize money on offer was "good"."Of course I want the girls to have more but at the same time I think that it will come," she added. Boost for British players After her playing career ended, Morozova became a coach in her native country but then spent many years at the recently as last summer, she was working with British player Harriet Dart, who reached the third round at Wimbledon. Morozova is also full of praise for the two leading British hopes at this year's Queen' says British number one Katie Boulter, a multiple title-winner on grass, "knows her own game so well" and always produces "simple but very good quality strokes".Emma Raducanu, meanwhile, "is improving her technical side… [but] needs to be a little bit more patient with herself and her coaches" because her stunning run to the 2021 US Open title put her under significant scrutiny and who also once coached Robson, believes the return of a women's event at Queen's will be a huge boost for British players."They will have more experience on the grass," she said. "They will know how to play on grass, they will have a little bit better opportunity to perform much better at that high level."The tournament has pulled in seven of the world's top 15 players. Whoever's name comes after Morozova's on the new trophy will have come through a very competitive that, Queen's will pay tribute to its most recent female champion during this year's event, something Morozova, who is now a grandmother, says is "a huge surprise" because she won "a long time ago"."I'm just very pleased I'm still alive!" she said. "I can come here and it's very nice that I am actually recognised for what I did. It's lovely."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bold and the Beautiful Must Watch Moments June 6: Bill Throws Luna A Curveball
The Bold and the Beautiful must-watch moments for Friday, June 6, include Luna's attempt to work her magic on Bill, but he throws her a surprising curveball. Plus, Sheila opens up to somebody unexpected — Poppy. Sheila lets Luna's mom know all her worries about the younger woman's recent behavior regarding Steffy. It promises to be a day full of drama, and you won't want to miss a moment of the show. Tune in to CBS or Paramount+ to watch. Although Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) was so very thrilled to learn about her new granddaughter, Luna (Lisa Yamada), she was furious at Poppy (Romy Park) for her part in creating the young woman. After all, the reason Luna exists is that Poppy slept with Finn (Tanner Novlan) when he was barely an adult. Sheila didn't think that was a great move on Poppy's part, and so she let Poppy know. That led to things getting intense between the two. Now, Sheila knows that Poppy is set on taking Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) out of the equation. Sheila tried so much to stop Luna from her downward spiral where Steffy was concerned. As for Luna, if it wasn't for Bill (Don Diamont), she wouldn't even be free from prison to ignore her grandmother's warnings about Steffy. Luna managed to get him to help her get released to his care, which set this whole drama in motion. Nobody in Los Angeles (except perhaps Sheila) was happy with Bill's decision to help Luna out, either. MORE: Here's what you must watch this week on B&B. Friday, June 6, 2025 Episode 9536Sheila opens up to Poppy about her concern for Steffy and tries to work her magic on Bill, only to be hit with a curveball.
