Stay In Good Company Mollie Reese

“I'm supported by everything that I do, by my passion. And at the same time I'm learning every day to be patient with myself and to be nice with myself. Just to try to be here now. And when I come to HOY, that's what it's all about. So, maybe destiny gave me that name, or put it in front of me, just so that I could see every day that the only thing that matters is ‘today’ and it's now.”

We’re in great company with Charlotte Gomez de Orozco, a visionary Franco-Mexican with a passion for hospitality, gastronomy and wellness - as expressed through her founding of Hotel HOY Paris. 

HOY is much more than a hotel, rather it is an holistic experience - curating and cultivating the power of the present moment, the art of living and eating well, and taking care of today for a better tomorrow. 

In this episode, as we celebrate the Olympic Games bringing together the talents of the world on the stage that is Paris, Charlotte welcomes us to stay in a place where these international influences are the heart and soul of HOY. 

There is no better day than “today,” to learn how friendly, nurturing and accessible hospitality can inspire new perspectives. 

Top Takeaways

[1:50] Growing up, Charlotte’s family hotels were both her playground where she fell in love with her creative spirit and her school where she learned to have a passion for serving people. 

[6:50] How her first anxiety attack while owning and running her first wine bar, Le Gisou, was the tipping point that pushed Charlotte into the practice of yoga and meditation wholeheartedly. 

[11:05] The differences between her Mexican heritage and her Parisian sense of place inspired Charlotte to blend together international cuisine, culture and most importantly, team members turned family. 

[20:10] How Hotel HOY came to be a collection of Charlotte’s favorite things, bringing together a community of creatives in a space full of Feng Shui, the Chinese art of designing the details in an environment to achieve harmony and balance.

[32:30] Hear why “HOY” stands for so much more than “today” in Spanish and “House Of Yoga” in English. 

[37:00] For experienced yogis, new yogis, and non yogis alike, there is so much to experience across the holistic wellness offerings of Hotel HOY.  

[40:30] What may look like a florist shop is much more, as it provides a home for artists to showcase their talents, share their story, and teach their craft. 

Notable Mentions


Haute Savoie, France
Le Gisou Wine & Cocktail Bar
Montmartre, Paris
Le Marais, Paris

Visit For Yourself


Hotel HOY Paris Website
@hoyparis

Stay In Good Company Website

“We are here to connect people to nature and beautiful places in an effort to help build an army of guests and followers that want to preserve them. And so doing it right from the beginning was very important to me. Focusing on how to create guest room structures that have little to no impact on the land. Focusing on how to actually design physical and experiential aspects that connect the guests to nature.”

We’re in great company with Peter Mack, Founder and CEO of Collective Retreats, the first and largest B-Corp certified experiential travel company redefining traditional hotels through a collection of unique luxury retreats in unexpected places. 

From Vail, Colorado to Governors Island, New York to Hill Country, Texas, travelers can find inspiration in every direction across Collective Retreats, experiencing considered exploration, fostering a deeper connection with the land, community and themselves. 

And with a new vision from Collective Retreats, The Conservatory Collective is a new cultivation of people and places, a curated portfolio of nature stays and experiences around the world where extraordinary accommodations are paired with exclusive benefits and perks. 

In this episode, as Collective Retreats celebrates 10 years of offering luxury outdoor hospitality, a decade of creating unforgettable experiences in breathtaking locations, Peter speaks to the excitement and exploration yet to come. 

Top Takeaways

[2:00] Peter Mack has worn many hats throughout his hospitality childhood turned career, with dishwashing being his favorite. 

[3:10] “The hotel industry has evolved a lot, especially in the last several generations to be more about providing comforts that remove guests from the place and in ways, disconnect them.” Peter explains what went awry that caused him to create Collective Retreats. 

[5:15] Peter learned early on how to turn potential problems into joyous moments because  “there's no such thing as a complaint when you've established trust.”

[9:50] Making a difference has been ingrained in Collective Retreats since the beginning -  from little-to-no-impact architecture to sustainable amenities, from immersive nature experiences to communal local cuisine.

[12:09] Collective Retreats as a name is like an onion. It has a lot of layers that can be peeled back to explain the entirety of the experience. 

[14:25] Experience Collective Retreats by land, water or fireside - start the morning making coffee with a view, enjoy a boat ride around the harbor in New York City, wake for fly fishing at sunrise in Vail, sit around a campfire sipping bubbly in Hill Country. 

[25:20] Dine In Good Company with the Hearth & Harvest Open Fire Dinner Series where the local culinary talent knows a trick or two about how to bring out the flavor of the local ingredients. 

[31:00] “Travel For The Collective Good” starts with transparency, and Collective Retreats is proud to share their impact with the world. 

[36:15] Soon, travelers will be welcomed to retreat to Sonoma, California or Trojena, Saudi Arabia with more signature stays in serene settings to come. 

Notable Mentions

Chef Ali Loukzada

Chef Noberto Piattoni

Hamburger America by Chef George Motz

New School American Cheese by Chef Eric Greenspan

Members of The Conservatory Collective:


El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas
Tumbling River Ranch in Grant, Colorado
Pacuare Lodge in Costa Rica
White Desert in Antarctica

Visit For Yourself


Collective Retreats Website
@collectiveretreats
The Conservatory Collective Website
@theconservatorycollective

Stay In Good Company Website

“With slow travel I associate that you are not feeling that you need to be somewhere or to do something special. You take the time to feel the vibe of a place, you read a book, you take a short walk with your partner. The small things become the most important things and there's little focus on reaching a destination, to me. We discovered that in the campervan, living simplified.”

We’re in great company with Jeremy & Erle, Founders and Owners of WonderInn, where they decided to build something together in the natural wonders of Norway based on their own worldly travels and common philosophy, “it is the real experiences and not the materialistic distractions that are important.”

After many years traveling the world, living minimalistically in a campervan, they returned to Norway to create small architectural gems in different corners of the countryside - drawing guests back to nature and into inspiring and comfortable havens, they themselves have made home. 

In this episode, Jeremy & Erle happily share how if there is one thing they both enjoy more than traveling, it’s hosting - people who bring different backgrounds and stories to their little nooks of Norway. 

Top Takeaways

[1:50] Listen to Jeremy & Erle’s love story and adventure tale that has taken them to experience much of the world with the help of a campervan. 

[7:05] How life in a campervan taught Jeremy & Erle to value simplicity and self sufficiency, giving them the confidence to build their next adventure together…a cabin. 

[8:00] “I had only one plan in my life, one thing for sure and that was that I would never live in Norway.”...so what changed? 

[10:50] Attention to the details came down to the wire as Jeremy & Erle worked day and night to welcome guests to WonderInn for the first time. 

[15:20] From a romantic getaway in a mirror cabin with a jacuzzi to a glamping dome with spectacular views, from a luxurious tiny house on wheels to a glass cabin with a stargazing roof for the best northern lights show, there’s so many ways to experience the sense of place. 

[19:00] For those who want a taste of the countryside, WonderInn Riverside provides a farmstay for guests to cozy up with pigs and ponies, alpacas and chickens, and much more. 

[20:30] And for those who need a city escape right outside of Oslo, WonderInn Delta is the perfect retreat into the privacy that the scenic nature surroundings provide. 

[21:30] But for the really adventurous seeking travels in the North of Norway, WonderInn Arctic is set amongst the fjords and mountains, with views of the Midnight Sun during the summer and Northern Lights during the winter. 

Notable Mentions


Lofoten Islands, Norway
Tromsø, Norway

Visit For Yourself


WonderInn Website
@wonderinn_norway

Stay In Good Company Website

“If the walls could talk, they would probably say ‘Sit a spell, sit down, have a cocktail. Talk to your neighbor.’ One of the things that's really special that hasn't changed about High Hampton is the sense of ‘love your neighbor’. Get to know who's at the inn with you while you're here. Sit out in the lobby and play board games together. Walk the lake trail together. I think there's something really special about the people who are here, who come as strangers and leave as friends, and then continue to come back.”

We’re in great company with Scott & April Franqueza, Executive Chef & Pastry Chef of the iconic High Hampton Estate. A part of the National Registry of Historic Places, this American treasure recently was thoughtfully restored by the Beall family behind Blackberry Farm, and is ready once again to welcome another century of guests.

Before coming to Blue Ridge Mountains to create the culinary focused and craft filled landmark for the High Hampton community that they’ve curated today, Scott and April left accredited culinary careers in New York City in search for a slower way of life - a slower way of sourcing and cooking food. They found themselves in good company working with the Beall family for many years across Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain’s renowned dining destinations before saying “yes” to lead this new adventure. 

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, Scott and April surprise us with so many sweet stories and savory details in how they are making this celebrated destination and dedicated community their home. 

Top Takeaways

[1:50] A glimpse into the fairytale storybook, or shall we say cookbook, that tells the love of a baker and a chef who met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York many moons ago. 

[7:05] April & Scott’s early culinary careers were humble and hungry. To steal a line from Frank Sinatra, “If you can make it there, you'll make it anywhere; it's up to you, New York, New York.” 

[10:30] At Blackberry Farm, the Beall Family welcomed April & Scott with southern charm to their sprawling farm in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, inviting them to take part in crafting their impeccable service and outstanding cuisine, as one of the most celebrated small luxury resorts in the world. 

[19:40] After several years of renovations, High Hampton reopened in 2021 with a sense of familiarity, a feeling of homecoming, a welcoming energy that was complimented with added and elevated amenities. 

[22:25] Discover modern luxuries and family traditions abound across the estate, snuggle up next to a roaring fireplace with a board game or lace up your tennis shoes for a round of pickleball, enjoy an afternoon of fresh air on the golf course or sneak into the wine cellar for a wine tasting. 

[28:30] Dine In Good Company Scott & April across an assortment of restaurants, from fine dining to casual lunches, quick bites that turn into grand gatherings, each featuring classic, regional cuisine, re-imagined for a new era of travelers.

[35:00] How the team at High Hampton is cultivating future hospitality and culinary talent while also building small businesses through the relationships with their local community.

[42:40] There’s always something to celebrate at High Hampton from 4th of July fireworks and summertime family movie nights to apple cider donuts after the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, from warm baked cookies with Mrs. Claus by the fireside to a Champagne and caviar toast at midnight on NYE. 

Notable Mentions


Café Boulud by Daniel Boloud
Per Se by Thomas Keller
Magnolia Bakery
Dominique Ansel 
Chef Gavin Kaysen
Chef Aaron Bludorn
Chef Frank Stitt
Glenn Roberts of Anson Mills
Evan Chender, The Culinary Gardener
Banner Small-Batch Butter
Sunburst Trout Farms
Providence Farmstead
Simpson’s Meats
Western Carolina University 
Whiteside Brewing Co.
Highlands Wine Shoppe
Wild Turkey Bourbon

Visit For Yourself

“When I was a very young girl, I used to tell my mom that my dream as a grownup was to have breakfast in a hotel every morning, every day of the year. And that actually turned out to be true. But I didn't think I would work in the family business in the beginning. It was like a love story in the end. It's unexpected who you fall in love with and I think I fell in love with hospitality, and then here I am.”

We’re in great company with Sara Maestrelli, the mysterious “Lady of the Palazzo,” and proud Owner of the recently opened Violino d’Oro, the latest jewel in her family’s collection of hotels, located near the historical Grand Canal in the charming city that is Venice.

Violino d'Oro is an “Italian artisanal project, designed like a home”, highlighting the hospitality business Collezione EM that has been actively curated for over three decades by the female lineage of the talented Italian Florentine family. 

In this episode, Sara eloquently paints a picture with her words, showing how every corner of her boutique hotel is infused with Italian craftsmanship designed to outlast time and trend, with a more mindful and responsible approach to travel.

Top Takeaways

[1:45] Get to know a modern-day Renaissance Woman -  from growing up between Florence and New York, studying Neuroscience and Philosophy in Milan and London, spending a gap year in Switzerland, and all the while building a community of artists and craftspeople. 

[5:20] Little did Sara’s grandfather know when he purchased the historical Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence, that he would inspire his daughter, Sara’s Aunt Elena, to build the family’s collection of hotels known today as Collezione EM. 

[8:10] “A collection is a collection of things that you love, that you pick up in time, that have a special place, and this is exactly what happened for Collezione EM. It's something that has been curated in time. Each hotel definitely has its own story. And when people ask me what ties them together, it's actually their differences, their individual identities.”

[9:00] Learn about the slow curation of Collezione EM hotels over time, from their historical roots in Florence to how they summered in Forte dei Marmi amongst other Italians in search for understated luxury. 

[16:20] Sara learned very early on in the family business that it is not about the buildings, or the things inside the buildings, that make the hotels memorable. It is about the people there and the way they experience that sense of place that really makes the world of difference. 

[21:10] “When they ask us ‘Why Venice?’ We say, ‘Why not?’” Sara explains how Venice is the greatest work of art mankind has ever created, as she has experienced first hand, literally, in renovating three separate hotels into one, the Violino d’Oro that stands true today. 

[32:20] Just as Venice is complicated, intricate and intense, so it was in curating the design and details of Violino d’Oro to celebrate its craftsmanship and artistry throughout its 600 years of history. 

[38:00] Expect to Dine In Good Company at Il Piccolo, where guests can indulge in the symphony of Venetian flavors from breakfast in bed to cicchetti and spritz at aperitivo.

[41:30] When guests stay at such a place as Violino d’Oro, they have the unique opportunity to meet the local makers, explore their shops, purchase their products, because of their relationship with the Maestrelli’s. 

[43:10] And the family collection continues with their next hidden gem in Pensione America, opening in Forte dei Marmi in 2025. 

Notable Mentions

Carlo Scarpa, Italian Architect & Designer

La Bienalle Di Venezia Cultural Exhibition 

Cantine del Vino gìa Schiavi 

Cantina Do Spade

Firenze:


Grand Hotel Minerva


Brunelleschi Hotel


Ristorante Santa Elisabetta



Forte dei Marmi


Villa Roma Imperiale


Pensione America


Bagno Assunta



Visit For Yourself


Violino d’Oro Website | @violi

“When I go to a standard hotel, it's the inside that counts 100%. It's the services, the room, the food and everything. But at Treehotel, the outside is as important as the inside. Because it's an experience. And I often talk to different architects about the ‘outside room’, how important it is. This walk from the guest house up to the room, that's an experience and you have to make sure that our guests feel safe, that they feel they're on the right track, that they feel a wow factor.”

We’re in great company with Jonas & Hannah Olsson, the husband & wife duo behind Treehotel, the landscape hotel where nature and imagination run wild. Where they invite guests to stay in unique and memorable treerooms with contemporary Scandinavian and sustainable design in the unspoiled nature of Swedish Lapland. 

While Jonas & Hannah were first guests of Treehotel themselves, they became good friends with the founders Kent & Britta Lindvall, falling in love with the sense of place, the curiosity and creativity it provoked, and the potential for all that it could become.

In this episode, The Olsson’s invite us on an adventure in nature of the Norrland forest, offer a relaxing break in their one-of-a-kind treerooms, and share a tasteful spread at their locally and sustainably sourced restaurant, making magical memories along the way. 

Top Takeaways

[2:00] Jonas and Hannah were heads down in their real estate business and never dreamed of owning their own hotel, they left that to their family, owners of Icehotel and a few others in the city of Umeå. 

[5:10] Advice for being partners in business and in life. What it is like raising a family of 6 kids when you have the flexibility of working 24/7 but the ability to choose what you spend your time on.   

[7:20] Treehotel originally came to be in 2010, brought to life by Kent and Britta Lindvall…along with a campfire circle of creative architects on a fishing trip and a napkin sketch with a simple pen stroke that would become their logo. 

[15:00] The most memorable day back in 2019 for the Olsson’s included a family vacation, a birthday, a proposal and a signed contract sealing their next adventure together. 

[20:35] There are so many ways to tailor your Treehotel experience to enjoy the most authentic Swedish Lapland from season to season.

[24:00] With each tree room designed by a different architect, creativity and sustainability is around every corner as far as the eye can see in the secluded setting that hosts Treehotel. 

[33:45] Dine In Good Company “soil to table” style, where the Olsson’s share the highest quality food of the current season and the creative simplicity of local produce from their northern pantry right outside their door. 

[43:00] A facelift for a deeper nature-focused first impression and more is in store for the future of Treehotel.

[47:15] Jonas and Hannah take pride in their Swedish roots, from enjoying “Fika” breaks featuring sweet treats throughout the day to searching for Northern Lights in the dark sky that lasts all winter long. 

Notable Mentions


Arctic Bath 
Storforsen River & Other Treehotel Activities
Svantes Vilt & Bar

Visit For Yourself


Treehotel Website
@treehotel

Stay In Good Company Website