“I'm an extreme version, but the water is my life. It's where I live. It's what I do to work out. It's where I go to think. So it solves pretty much all aspects of my life of what keeps me motivated, keeps me fit, keeps me well minded. And I think naturally, most people would say the water has some special power of connecting and making someone feel good.”

We’re in great company with Brian Meyer, the Co-Founder and CEO of FLOHOM, a collection of immersive waterfront experiences for vacationers and staycationers alike to enjoy the comforts of elevated hospitality while docked in the lively harbors of Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, DC.

Whether you are seeking to submerge in relaxing and refreshing accommodations, or in search of a jumping off point for exploration and adventure, FLOHOM welcomes you aboard their floating homes and into their community of water-loving wanderers.

In this episode, Brian shares how a life spent on the water embracing the change in tides, has led him to not only pursue his own dream of waterfront living, but to make this dream a reality for all those looking for our home away from shore.

Top Takeaways

[2:00] Brian was a fish out of water as a child growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland - always looking for a reason to waterski, wakeboard or surf - which led him to go to school in Hawaii where he was introduced to outrigger canoes - before returning home to start a community around paddleboarding, Capital SUP.

[7:30] Recognizing the impact these social watersports had on the local community, Brian then started the Live Water Foundation to give Veterans, people with disabilities, and underserved youth a chance to enjoy this lifestyle, ensuring the local waterways were protected with clean water initiatives.

[10:15] When Brian went to look for a waterfront home himself, he quickly learned his budget was well below the price for these types of properties, until he began to conceptualize FLOHOM with the mission to make waterfront living accessible, sustainable, and affordable.

[20:00] A stay in a FLOHOM floating suite goes beyond the spacious views and luxurious amenities, with Voyager Guides and bespoke services for guests to experience all that these harbor towns have to offer right off the dock.

[32:30] The future for FLOHOM is a lifestyle brand on the water, from privately owned floating suites to entire marina resorts to an international waterfront footprint.

Notable Mentions

• Capital SUP
• Live Water Foundation
• Jungalow by Justina Blakeney
• HostGPO and Minoan marketplaces
• Outer outdoor furniture
• Old Bay seasoning
• Hydrofoil surfboards

Visit For Yourself

• FLOHOM Website | @flohom_ofc
• @_brianmeyer

Stay In Good Company Website

“We want people to take away a new perception of ‘off-grid living’ and what that means. So when you first think of off-grid, especially when I did it, I was like, ‘Okay, off grid. You're roughing it. Is there going to be hot water? You don't know. Is there a toilet? You don't know.’ And so we wanted to make it have zero compromises in terms of what you're experiencing.”

We’re in great company with Hillary Flur, the Co-Founder of Folly Collection. Tucked away and surrounded by endless vistas, these architecturally designed spaces scattered across the US seamlessly blend into the surrounding environment, creating a harmony between nature and space, where every detail is designed to enhance our well-being.

From the remote lands of Joshua Tree and Mojave Desert in California, to the lush farms of Long Island in New York, Folly Collection’s innovative off-grid systems are aesthetically captivating, environmentally responsible, and at the forefront of technological advancement.

In this episode, Hillary shares how a childhood friendship with architectural designer, Malek Alqadi, turned into a creative business partnership, and how a search for a sustainable and sincere place to stay during personal travels, turned into a passion pioneering an optimistic future for hospitality.

Top Takeaways

[1:50] How Hillary’s early career in customer service brought her to recognize her love of making people happy, of solving their problems, of making them feel heard.

[4:30] The Folly Collection’s humble beginnings started when childhood best friends turned business partners, sleeping on each other’s couches, going on road trips to the desert to find affordable land, and dreaming of all they could build together.

[9:10] Travel to the vast deserts and verdant landscapes of Folly Joshua Tree and Folly Mojave Desert to find yourself lost in the dark skies full of stars.

[14:25] Seasonal pop-up destinations are in store for Folly, starting with the serenity that can be found on New York’s Long Island sound.

[18:50] Folly Collection is certainly living up to its name, as ‘Folly’ in architecture is described as a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece, lending interest to a view and experience.

[23:55] What is the Folly Collection signature recipe you ask? A delicate balance of serene landscape complimented with sustainable architecture, minimalist aesthetics, and tech enabled amenities.

[25:10] To form a collection, one must be deeply connected to their local community. And Hillary is doing exactly that - nurturing bespoke experiences, baked goods, destination dining and wellness treatments to share with her guests.

[27:00] Folly’s future is full of more experiential elements, a wishlist of secluded locations, and a tech ecosystem that is designed to reduce friction and increase immersion.

Notable Mentions

• 29 Loaves High Desert New York style bagels
• Kitchen In The Desert New American cafe
• grnd sqrl gastropub
• Palms dive bar

Visit For Yourself

• Folly Collection Website | @follycollection
• @folly.ny | @follyjoshuatree | @folly.mojave

Stay In Good Company Website

“They have to find their own path. So maybe they go back home and then they start to be a bit more conscious about where they live. Maybe they realize that, ‘Oh, there's an amazing foundation in my village or in my town,’ and they start to support that foundation. And that's perfect. You know, our seeds of love make them a bit more human.”

We’re in great company with Petit Miribel, the Founder and Owner of Sol y Luna, a luxury hotel nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas at the foothills of Machu Picchu in Peru, where the rich Andean culture and local community impact is authentic in every encounter.

Sol y Luna is much more than its Relais & Châteaux distinction, its profits wholly finance the Sol y Luna Foundation which pursues inclusion and equality through education for the children of the Sacred Valley along with sustainable work opportunities for local families.

In this episode, Petit sheds light on the serendipitous series of events that led her to the Sacred Valley and how once there, she felt it was her responsibility to leave her mark on future generations of children and travelers alike.

Top Takeaways

[2:00] After living a privileged upbringing in France, Petit was quick to recognize that much of the world was not as fortunate. After asking herself why, she recognized she had the resources to change that.

[5:10] The story of how Petit found herself in Peru starts with a friendly reminder to us all, “In life, there is a path that you have to follow and that path leads you to where you belong and you have to be very respectful of not rushing into everything.”

[7:47] Walking around the Sacred Valley of the Inca’s was like taking a step back in time, and not in a nostalgic way, as Petit and her husband uncovered the poverty the local schools and community hospitals were faced with in this tourist town.

[11:30] The Sol y Luna Hotel was not designed with the creature comforts of home…instead Petit intentionally curated and created so much more for travelers to immerse in.

[16:30] To Dine In Good Company at Sol y Luna, one does not have to go far to find the freshest ingredients in the market - gathered from the jungle or caught in the sea, and now even high-altitude craft wine is the talk of the town.

[20:00] At the foothills of Machu Picchu, there are boundless expeditions to enjoy - from tandem paraglides to cycling courses, from horseback rides between remote villages to kayaks under snow capped peaks - but the next generation of Sol y Luna is taking us off the beaten path to experience so much more.

[26:30] As the Sol y Luna foundation celebrates its 25th Anniversary, Petit shares how it has grown over time just as the children it touches, to consist of the Sol y Luna School, Paqari for special needs support, the Sol y Luna Home, and Roots & Wings for further education.

[36:40] As Petit’s son and daughter come of age, they have much in store for the future of both the foundation and the hotel - bringing big hearts, different perspectives and fresh ideas.

Notable Mentions

• Tablas de Sarhua
• Apu Winery
• Petit’s favorite Peruvian dish & drink: Ají de Gallina & Chicha
• “Ayni” in the Quechua language means “reciprocity”

Visit For Yourself

• Sol y Luna Foundation Website | @solylunafoundation
• Sol y Luna Hotel Website | @solylunahotel
  

Stay In Good Company Website

“Fanø and Esbjerg are my home, but you need to get inspiration abroad as well. And when we lived in Copenhagen, we came once a month here to slow down, to set a different pace than we do in our daily lives. Now we live here, we visit Copenhagen, we visit Hamburg, we travel the world, because we still need that energy.”

We’re in great company with Mette Hyttel, the Creative Co-Owner of not one, but two boutique hotels on the western coast of Denmark, Fanø Krogaard and Hjerting Badehotel - both perfectly placed to savor the senses of the seaside, from the smell of the lightly salted air to the view of the sea buckthorn blowing in the wind.

After pursuing a creative career in Copenhagen, Mette was called home to the familiar family atmosphere of these seaside hotels. Tempted by the never ending projects they would become for her, Mette finds energy in restoring and redesigning these hotels - from their cozy corners to their coastal cuisine.

In this episode, Mette shares with us how she welcomes the change in seasons of her hotels like the changes in the tides, appreciating the calm and the chaos they bring to her sense of community.

Top Takeaways

[1:45] Mette grew up with an appetite for creativity and a thirst for learning - from working in her hometown bakery to following the fashion trends in Copenhagen.

[4:45] Between journaling about her dreams in a coffee shop and answering a call from her parents who happened to purchase a beachfront boutique hotel, Mette found herself returning home with a newfound project, passion and purpose.

[15:00] A history of inns sprinkled around Denmark meant to welcome all travelers, from the farmers to the royals, and how Mette recreates that warm welcoming environment today.

[18:45] The story of two different houses in two nearby towns and the two sisters who now share in each other’s talents to ensure their success.

[21:40] Experience Fanø an island where time slows down, where the locals choose to live there not because they have to, but because they want to - to be a part of the eclectic community and rich culture.

[25:20] Hjerting Badehotel is a timeless take on a “Badehotel,” a cozy seaside lodge that is a staple of the Danish summer, where pastel colored umbrellas and striped beach towels can still be seen scattered along the shore.

[31:15] Dine in Good Company with artisanal Danish rye bread and ample fresh seafood including a local delicacy, Bakskuld.

Notable Mentions

• Haven Fanø
• SALT Shop
• Kaffebanken
• Butcher Christiansen

Visit For Yourself

• Fanø Krogaard Website | @fanoekrogaard
• Hjerting Badehotel Website | @hjertingbadehotel
  

Stay In Good Company Website