Stay In Good Company – Details, episodes & analysis

“And I would say for me, there's only a very small number of times where I really felt convicted that this is the path for me in life. This is the thing I'm supposed to do. And this was one of those moments where it just felt really clear. Getting to buy The Swag, it wasn't like it was a dream come true, because I don't think I had bold enough or big enough dreams to dream that. It was beyond a dream.”

We’re in great company with Annie Colquitt, who along with her husband David, became stewards of both The Swag and Cataloochee Ranch, two mountaintop resorts bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, where they have continued a heritage of hospitality while elevating the comforts and cuisine of these intimate hideaways.

Together, Annie and David dreamt of owning a modest family business together, but what they ended up with was so much more - sharing their passion for travel, their love for the outdoors, their talent for hospitality, their craft for luxury accommodations, and their commitment to the community - with guests from around the world. 

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Annie shares a humble and honest story of how these two Relais & Châteaux honored resorts came to be and how far she and her family are willing to go to ensure they stand strong for generations to come - no matter what other storms they may weather. 

Top Takeaways

[3:25] From becoming best friends to falling in love, from raising their children to building a family business together, Annie and David’s story is a source of laughter and learning for us all. 

[6:40] A multigenerational friendship with the Matthews family, a memorable honeymoon and a handshake deal later, how Annie and David found themselves the new stewards of The Swag, “this was one of those moments where it just felt really clear, this is the path for me in life.” 

[15:15] With little experience and lots to learn, Annie and David found themselves presented with the opportunity to own their neighboring property, the Cataloochee Ranch, beloved by the Alexander family for generations, yet in search for a new vision. 

[19:05] The history of The Swag and Cataloochee Ranch can be seen, heard and felt throughout their winding halls, in the stories of returning guests and tenured staff, in the warm welcome of their timeless aesthetics. 

[22:40] The Swag experience is built atop a mountain summit on meaningful history, connected community, rejuvenating amenities and breathtaking scenery.

[30:45] Cataloochee Ranch is an old frontier made new, mixing classic ranch fun with exceptional accommodations and cuisine, inspiring a sense of adventure across all generations.  

[39:15] In light of recent events, the devastation that Hurricane Helene left Western North Carolina in, Annie and David are a beacon of hope, giving over two million dollars to the recovery, restoration and rebuilding efforts of their surrounding community.

Notable Mentions

• Hemphill Bald Trail
• Gooseberry Knob
• 2024 & 2025 Experts in Residence
• Chef Jeb Aldrich at Switchback

Visit For Yourself

• The Swag Website | @theswagnc
• Cataloochee Ranch Website | @cataloocheeranch 
  

Stay In Good Company Website

“It's not really the place that you're going, it's the stories that reveal themselves in the place that you're going. You're fascinated by the lives and the experiences that people had before you, because you're finding this connective tissue emotionally to another generation, another decade, another era.”

We’re in great company with Tereasa Surratt, the Founder and Owner of Camp Wandawega, who was persuaded by her husband, David, twenty years ago to save this pocket of American history tucked away in the woods of Wisconsin, and they have been restoring it ever since as a getaway for the creative community.

What was once an infamous lakeside property - living many lives over time as a brothel and speakeasy, a family resort, a Catholic retreat center and summer camp - was left to be condemned until David’s childhood nostalgia got the best of him. Today, Camp Wandawega has become a retreat for creatives to gather, a maker of goods that help us explore the great outdoors, and a place to step off the grid and back in time.

In this episode, Tereasa shares how a passion for preservation and a humility for the never ending work to be done, turned into a Reveille attracting other likeminded creatives to seek inspiration from and memories made in nature.

Top Takeaways

[1:40] Tereasa and her husband, David, spent the last few decades living two lives - one as executives in Chicago’s advertising industry and the other restoring an abandoned camp in Wisconsin. After “burning the candle at both ends” they went all in on what would become Camp Wandawega. 

[5:55] Read or Listen to 100 years of a celebrated American Getaway, which has lived so many lives and worn so many layers - from a modest lakeside resort to a rambunctious brothel and speakeasy, from a family friendly Catholic retreat center to the timeless camp it has become today.

[7:35] How Camp Wandawega fell into David and Tereasa’s hands…not by design, but by accident and by inheritance. 

[15:20] Close your eyes and imagine getting lost amidst the woods, strolling along the hiking paths from numerous cabins to a sprawling lakefront - as Tereasa visualizes a tour of Camp Wandawega - where the focus has been to preserve and restore, rather than trying to recreate and renovate.

[20:15] Tereasa and David realized early on that everyone is looking for different experiences, coming with different expectations. Thus, taking pride in their no frills accommodations, they set out to create the Manifesto of Low Expectations, setting the humorous tone for making fun memories. 

[30:45] There are so many surprises in store during your Camp Wandawega stay, so be sure to pull out the drawers, open the cabinets, peek in closets, and immerse yourself as you discover an era gone by. 

[33:00] Snack and sip in good company - from the Canteen stocked with old fashioned packaged goods reminiscent of your childhood, to the Farm Stand showcasing the bounty of Wisconsin’s seasonal produce, to the curated picnic baskets and meals prepared by local chefs and bakers, growers and makers. 

Notable Mentions

All Together Now

The Elegant Farmer

Solemn Oath Brewery

Chef Joe Flamm of Rose Mary

Chef John Manion of El Che & Brasero 

Stock Campfire Jamboree 

Shoppable Collaborations

Visit For Yourself

Camp Wandawega Website | @campwandawega 

American Getaway Podcast | Wandawega Historical Society

Wandawega Camp Store | CW Books 

Tereasa Surratt Website | Tereasa Surratt on Intro

Stay In Good Company Website

“It's sort of the same thing that happened with electric cars. Early on, the electric cars were seen as slower and less sophisticated. And now, the most beautiful Porsches, BMWs, Audis and Teslas, they're all electric. And so we're trying to do something similar for hotels to show that  you can offer hospitality for the planet and actually offer better comfort and experience for your guests.”

We’re in great company with Bruce Becker, the Owner, Architect and Developer of Hotel Marcel, a Brutalist-style architectural landmark reimagined for the eco-obsessed modern traveler, conceived as a dramatic gateway to New Haven with its Bauhaus-inspired design, artfully detailed interiors, and climate-first credo. 

Today, Hotel Marcel is making history as the country’s first 100% electric hotel operating free of fossil fuels - a true model for sustainability within the hospitality industry, deserving of its numerous awards, accolades and admirers. 

In this episode, Bruce shares how his humble approach, having never opened a hotel before, started with first principles and resulted in a beautiful beacon for other hotels to emulate, attracting sustainably-minded and artistically-driven guests to visit. 

Top Takeaways

[1:45] “I always felt that architects' best work is often their own house or their mother's house.” says Bruce as he shares his story that led him to go beyond his architect and developer titles. 

[4:50] The story of Hotel Marcel begins in 1968 as a symbol of progress and hope for the city of New Haven and ends as a symbol of decline and abandonment…that is until Bruce discovered he could purchase it in 2019.

[10:00] There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the design and details of the hotel and Bruce gives us both a history and sustainability lesson as to why. 

[16:45] There are 2 principles when it comes to Hotel Marcel today - The Brutalist architecture and Bauhaus design of ‘less is more’ and the commitment to being free of fossil fuels and instead all-electric. 

[25:35] Dine in good company at BLDG, where Chef Megan is “blending architecture, cuisine, and cocktails together in perfect balance,” and seek art in good company with Bruce’s wife, artist Kraemer Sims Becker responsible for the creation and curation of the collections seen throughout.       

[33:30] When you come to New Haven, Connecticut there are three things you are bound to see - pizza, art and architecture. 

[38:40] Do you have a tendency of sleeping through your alarm? Hotel Marcel has a clever Climate Wake Up Call that is sure to get you thinking on your feet!

Notable Mentions

• “The Harvard Five” Architects: Marcel Breuer, John M. Johansen, Landis Gores, Philip Johnson, Eliot Noyes
• Sally’s Apizza
• Pepe’s Pizzeria
• Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
• Yale Peabody Museum
• Yale University Art Gallery
• Yale Center for British Art
• Long Wharf Theatre
• room2 hometel in Chiswick, London
• The Sinclair Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas 

Visit For Yourself

• Hotel Marcel Website
• @hotel_marcel_newhaven 

Stay In Good Company Website

“There's no goals, there's no timelines, it's simply about following your nose and having an adventure and exploring.”

We’re in great company with Joel Greaves, Co-Founder and CEO of Somewhere Inn Calabogie, a re-imagined roadside motel experience and escape to nature in the heart of the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada.

In 2021, Joel was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his entrepreneur role models, convincing his wife, Devon to join him in buying and renovating a roadside motel 4 hours from where they lived in Toronto. Together, along with the help from some longtime friends, they turned it into a boutique hotel inspired by and designed for the adventure seeking traveler.

In this episode, Joel shares how a stay at Somewhere Inn fosters a close connection to the outdoors, oneself and each other, as well as a taste of what’s to come out of this nature-inspired hospitality brand.

Top Takeaways

1. [6:00] A little experience in renovating and renting out a cottage in Muskoka goes a long way.
2. [10:10] Rest. Exploration. Adventure. And all of the little moments meant for guests to experience these these three pillars of a stay at Somewhere Inn.
3. [12:20] The Somewhere Inn experience intentionally starts with the drive in.
4. [20:30] From humble beginnings…what some linens taught Joel about hospitality.
5. [24:20] How to be a supportive life partner while having difficult business conversations.
6. [26:44] How stays at Somewhere Inn “do good for Our People. Our Community. Our Planet.”
7. [32:10] Saunas, event style dinners, the search for new locations, and so much more to come from Somewhere Inn.

Notable Mentions

• Driving To Somewhere (Inn) Spotify Playlist

Visit For Yourself

• Somewhere Inn Website Sign up for the newsletter to get the best deals!
• @somewhere.inn

Stay In Good Company Website

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Welcome! If you find yourself looking for a slower way of life, of travels, of connecting to the people and the places around you, you’re in good company. 

Stay In Good Company is a podcast series sharing the stories of families behind independently owned and operated stays and experiences across the world. From the history of the places to the personal visions for the businesses. From the variety of experiences offered to the attention to details that make each stay truly unique. Stay In Good Company captures the fond memories and traditions, past advice and future excitement of these places. Introducing a global audience of mindful slow travelers to the welcoming hospitality of family raised and run homestays.

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“There's something we've always told people we aspire to, which was we wanted it to be a microcosm of the best of this region, right? So we travel a ton to this day and the food in the Pacific Northwest is unmatched. The coffee is unmatched. And we did the design ourselves, the architecture was there, the energy efficiency is unmatched. And so I do think that the things that our region is known for, which is mainly food and craft, it's a little bit of a microcosm of those values in the building.”

We’re in great company with Jonathan Cohen & Jessie Burke, the husband and wife duo behind The Society Hotel, a collection of experience-focused boutique hotels built with unique reclaimed buildings in Portland, Oregon and Bingen, Washington, calling all travelers, wild spirits and creative minds to encounter a stay unlike any other. 

For world travelers looking to experience the intersection of the past, present and future Portland, The Society Hotel is tucked away in the historic neighborhood of Old Town Chinatown. For locals looking for a city escape, The Society Hotel Bingen, with surprises around every corner in its converted schoolhouse, is nestled within the Columbia River Gorge. 

In this episode, Jonathan and Jessie share how their career paths and personal travels took many twists and turns to bring them to where they are today - creating social spaces that encourage people from all walks of life to convene and connect. 

Top Takeaways

[1:50] Jonathan & Jessie pursued many careers before finding their calling in creating The Society Hotel - from aerospace engineering to environmental education, from Olympic fencing to investment banking, from owning a solar energy business and a family-friendly coffee shop to finally building a business case for a hotel concept.  

[8:30] A real life “fake it till you make it” story is behind the beginnings of The Society Hotel and Jonathan & Jessie to this day are proud of the community they wrangled together behind their cause. 

[17:25] Jonathan saw Portland, Oregon as an up-and-coming place for young people to have a voice. Jessie saw Portland as too small a town…until she realized that it left open space for her to make an impact here. 

[21:50] How one of the first buildings in Portland’s historic port town built in 1881, was a safe haven for sailors, a time capsule of old newspapers, and in serious need of some TLC when Jessie discovered it. 

[38:00] Maya Angelo said it best, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

[40:25] The Society Hotel in Portland is often in transition, evolving with the same energy as the historic Chinatown and Japantown it is nestled in. It is also home to the best cup of coffee in America, according to Jonathan that is…

[45:55] The Society Hotel in Bingen is unlike any other nature escape, picture a schoolhouse setting meets summer camp sleepover, with original chalkboards intact and s’mores over campfire included. 

Notable Mentions

• Prosper Portland  
• Posies Café
• L’Angolo Estate Wine
• Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

Visit For Yourself

• The Society Hotel Website
• @thesocietyhotel
  

Stay In Good Company Website

“But then we realized that the best way to show this wine and the best place to show this wine was really in front of a vineyard. And my father lived his life traveling all over the world, bringing Prosecco to people, but in Venice, there's people who take planes from all over the world to come to visit Venice.”

We’re in great company with Matteo Bisol of the famed Prosecco family, who have been leaders in this winemaking practice for 5 centuries, producing what is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after wines in the world through their “walled vineyard” in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon. 

After Matteo’s father discovered and restored this estate, Matteo stepped up to the table, inviting guests from around the world to stay, dine, sip and savor the charm of the canals, the colors of Burano, and the peacefulness of the estate, as if it were their own. 

In this episode, Matteo graciously shares with us his family’s secret garden, a place where travelers can sip one of the world’s finest wines, indulge in avant-garde dishes, and experience the authenticity and history of Venice.

Top Takeaways

[2:00] Matteo takes us back to his tasteful childhood - enjoying Sunday family lunches in the vineyards talking about wine with his grandfather, traveling throughout Italy and France with his father meeting other grape growers and winemakers, sipping some of the world’s finest wines since the early age of ten. 

[4:10] Since 1542, the Bisol family has been growing grapes and making wine in the UNESCO protected Prosecco Hills of Italy. They are the reason Prosecco is known around the world today as an easier to drink, more fruit forward alternative to Champagne.

[7:40] How Gianluca stumbled across a dried up vineyard behind the garden walls of the oldest church in Venice, discovering centuries ago that wine was made in Venice with a grape variety, the Dorona, that can only be found in the Venetian Lagoon. 

[15:20] Sustainability has always been critical to life in the lagoon and today, Venissa offers a way for travelers to slow down, stay at, dine in, and learn from the practices that these farmers, fishermen, artisans and makers have been stewarding for centuries. 

[19:05] The Bisol’s invite travelers to experience the island of Burano - a fisherman village known for its colorful houses that reflect on the waters of the canals - in a way that is free from crowds of tourists, gimmicky souvenirs, and fake Italian food. 

[23:40] Listen to Matteo’s perspective on tourism in Venice…the good, the bad, and the ugly turned beautiful. 

[33:40] How the terroir of Venissa, “the walled vineyard that has withstood the salt and high flood waters for centuries” gives life to a wine with characteristics found nowhere else in the world.

[40:35] Dine In Good Company at Ristorante Venissa, where a taste of ‘cucina ambientale’ is awarded both a Michelin Star and Green Michelin Star, or Osteria Contemporanea, where the flavors of the Venetian lagoon meet the creative cuisine of Venissa.

[44:00] As the next generation, Matteo’s future brings him home to the Prosecco Hills where he is restoring an old winery to give travelers a taste of his innovative natural wine project MONBON.

Notable Mentions

• Ristorante Venissa Chefs Chiara Pavan & Francesco Brutto
• Col Fondo Prosecco
• “Chi dorme non piglia pesci,” meaning “He who sleeps doesn't catch fish.”

Visit For Yourself

• Venissa Website | @venissa_tenuta
• Casa Burano Website | @casaburano 
• MONBON Website | @mon__ban
• @matte_intothewine

Stay In Good Company Website

“And really the ethos of the company has been about placemaking, has been about bringing people together doing projects in areas that have been underserved. And it was really a little bit less about what types of projects they were doing, but it was more about how they were doing it and what they were offering to the community.”

We’re in great company with Adam Larkey, COO of family-owned Zeppelin Development, an award-winning Colorado-based neighborhood development company behind the sister properties in The Western, a recently restored landmark hotel in the historic district of Ouray and A-Frame Club, a collection of new mid-century modern cabins in Winter Park.

Today, The Western serves as a homebase for leisure in the iconic mountain town of Ouray - surrounded by stunning landscapes and world-class outdoor recreation - where restored glamor meets modern luxury. And further north, A-Frame Club’s boutique hotel invites guests to savor a genuine escape from everything but what's in front of them - the great outdoors and a craft cocktail.

In this episode, Adam sincerely shares his passion for seeing buildings not for their business potential, but for the people they host, and how his role in restoring neighborhoods across Colorado, is not just a privilege, but a responsibility. 

Top Takeaways

[1:40] Adam shares a laugh over our mutual upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland where we fortunately missed out on the humorous “Ball’more” accent.  

[3:00] Adam has always been drawn to life on the water, but what drew him to Denver was instead the views of majestic mountains - especially the juxtaposition of being in shorts about town while seeing snow on the mountain tops. 

[4:40] How the family-owned Zeppelin Development has over 50 years of investing in the underserved and restoring the historic character of Denver neighborhoods - from the humble beginnings with an architectural bookstore and cafe to a landmark hotel and market hall. 

[9:35] Seeking projects that have a story behind them, being stewards of buildings that have history within them, led Adam and his team to look beyond Denver and out into the mountain towns of Ouray and Winter Park. 

[10:30] For those looking to return to the Golden Age of skiing, expect to experience mid-century modern decor and 70’s style onesies at the A-Frame Club.

[13:00] And for those looking to return to the Wild West, step inside the saloon of The Western, where a “work hard, play hard” mentality now pairs with a state-of-the-art spa.  

[30:50] The future is nostalgic yet forward thinking - from a sunken living room lounge to pickleball and tetherball court, from a freshly planted orchard grove to a basement barbershop. 

[34:50] Adam’s mission in being an “urbanist” is ensuring that there is space for creatives, for artists like himself, to beautify a vibrant city without being priced out of living there - creating a sense of place where history builds on top of itself.

Notable Mentions

• The Source Hotel & Market Hall
• Hunter S. Thompson 
• Skylab Architecture
• Crossbow Handmade Leather Goods
• Old Bay Seasoning 
• Winter Park Resort
• Denver Urban Gardens
• RiNo Art District
• The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
• Anthony Bourdain
• John Muir Trail in California
• Riverside Dinner Series at The Grill at A-Frame Club

Visit For Yourself

• The Western Website | @thewesternouray  
• A-Frame Club Website | @aframeclub 
• Use Code GOODCOMPANY for 10% Off
• Zeppelin Development Website
  

Stay In Good Company Website

“Some people who come and cook, they have never been to Italy or they have never been to Sicily. So it's also very interesting how people with little idea of the produce, are creating things with their heritage, with their memories, with their experience, with their creativity, how they approach the same tomato in a different way. And I must say that after two years, I’ve been blown away by so many people and what they create. How inspiring is that?”

We’re in great company with Lukas Lewandowski the Founder & Creative Director of Casa Lawa, where he merges work and play, creating a community for artists and guests alike with a dynamic and unique stay, intentionally shaped by those who visit.

Casa Lawa is a playground for creativity, entertaining, relaxing and reconnecting, situated at the doorstep of Mount Etna in Sicily. Redesigned in a former grape press made of lava stone, Lukas and his husband have transformed this vibrant space with delicious detail to accommodate their residency, kitchen and retreat while tending to their garden and orchard brimming with goodies. 

In this episode, Lukas shares his passion for Italy as a foreigner, his appreciation for the lifestyle found in Sicily, and the pride he shares in welcoming a global community who, like him, admires this sense of place while wanting to leave a lasting legacy.  

Top Takeaways

[1:55] When Lukas looks back at his 5 year old self, growing up in the new capitalist Poland, he sees the same values he cherishes today - pride in his creativity, care for his land, appreciation for simple meals, and love felt around the table.    

[8:35] It was both the similarities and the differences between Italy and Poland that attracted Lukas and his husband to settle down in Sicily. 

[17:25] How Lukas stumbled across his long standing lavastone home, originally built in 1812 as a formerly operating grape press surrounded by its own small orchard and vineyard.  

[26:55] To stay at Casa Lawa is to experience intimate private space paired with dedicated attention. Like being welcomed to a friend’s dinner party, Lukas invites guests to feel seen and heard.  

[34:45] From residencies to retreats, workshops to events, Lukas is creating a stay that is shaped by those who visit - inviting guests to partake in some local and many globally inspired experiences - from baking to painting, fermenting to shaping.   

[42:15] Lukas has so much creativity in store, from a cookbook sharing a taste of the Casa Lawa community with the world to setting the table for future residencies, he is sure to leave a lasting impression through these collaborations.

Notable Mentions

• Planeta Estate
• Aperol Spritz at Casa Lawa
• Arlo Communal Dinner Party 
• Alessandra Lauria Pasta Retreat 
• Granita Siciliana 
• Spaghetti alle vongole 
• Sicilian Catarratto white wine
• Jacquemus 

Visit For Yourself

• Casa Lawa Website
• @casa.lawa | @lukasfrompoland

Stay In Good Company Website

“And many want to go hiking, go surfing, go diving, go snowshoeing, go skiing. But they really want to be active. It's really about hitting the nerve of the guest. And there are so many different aspects of how they want to explore. We are more or less tailormade adventures for each and every guest coming in.”

We’re in great company with Kristian Bøe and Guri Jentoft, the husband and wife duo behind Hattvika Lodge, where they are bringing a new sense of adventure to their fisherman’s village of Ballstad in the Lofoten islands of Norway, with the restoration and revitalization of ‘Rorbu’ cottages that have been in their family for 6 generations.

With no prior hospitality background, only pure passion for their archipelago, Kristian and Guri now proudly host seaside accommodations where guests can feel the pulse of Lofoten’s charm and tradition while enjoying modern design and comfort. Pair that with Fangst, their fresh modern bistro and fine dining restaurant for guests to savor the arctic taste and authentic feel of Lofoten’s history presented on the plate. 

In this episode, Kristian and Guri share with our listeners, all about the beauty of Lofoten - with its spectacular nature and constantly changing weather - while ensuring guests it is the people of Hattvika Lodge who will make the experience truly exceptional.

Top Takeaways

[1:50] After traveling the world in their earlier careers, Kristian and Guri decided to return home to the Lofoten Islands. Now they travel theoretically through the conversations and connections made with their global guests who they welcome in their home away from home.

[9:10] Without any hospitality experience, Kristian and Guri turned to what they know of Ballstad - the rich history, the changing seasons, the sense of adventure whether hiking or skiing, fishing or boating - to show guests their fisherman’s village.

[12:30] Hear how Kristian and Guri share the stories of their iconic “rorbu” fisherman cottages dating back to the 1870’s as if the walls could talk. 

[17:50] The views of the harbor change with the seasons, with nothing but darkness and Northern Lights during the winter yet endless sunshine throughout the midsummer. 

[20:20] Just as guests can choose their own adventure, so too their accommodations from authentic seaside cabins and suites to minimalist and modern hillside standalone hotel rooms.

[23:20] From scientific reports to stories of plastics found from the fishermen themselves, Hattvika Lodge has a heightened focus on and awareness of their waste management, given the ocean at their doorstep. 

[26:40] Dine In Good Company at Fangst, a fine dining restaurant which translates to ‘catch’ where they collaborate with local suppliers to curate a menu based solely on local ingredients and not air miles, ‘from sea to table.’

Notable Mentions

• Lofoten Food Studio
• Norwegian “friluftsliv” philosophy of “connecting to nature by being in nature”

Visit For Yourself

• Hattvika Lodge Website
• @hattvikalodge 

Stay In Good Company Website