MESMERIZING stays

join the mile high club without fear of getting caught

COSTA Rica- high novelty and adventure

Do both actually, but this 727 plane fitted into the side of the jungle mountain was the reason for flying to Costa during a period when I was obsessed with unique hotels. I’ve stayed in hobbit houses, railroad trains, houseboats, luxury caravans, treehouses, and this still takes the cake. Gorgeous wood interior and plenty of room. The hotel itself is on an animal reserve so get high and go wild in the jungles.

After a big night partying I got on the roof of this plane and walked out to the tip of the nose, not recommended as it sits over a huge cliff drop. Planes are scarily thin when you apply weight. Something that has haunted me flying ever since.

Do make mates with the chill AF sloth who was a resident in the tree right outside.

Check it out

a pirate’s life for me

British Virgin Islands- pure luxury with freedom of choice

Choose your own adventure Treasure Island style and head to the BVIs for an unparalleled experience aboard your own boat with a captain and chef (deckhands if you are lazy) and set sail amongst the paradise that is. I did it slightly off season which meant no competition for births and not the usual mega yacht fleets that congregate.

Change course daily, or ever few hours, as your heart desires. Catch your dinner from the side of the boat, sleep under the stars, and access the remote islands that hotel land dwellers never even hear about.

Big into scuba. I loved getting boat to boat pick up service with all the gear and just rolling into the water. PIMP.

I’ve done the Caribbean for over a decade regularly- Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St Kitts & Nevis, Disney Island (a different kinda cruise), Salt Caye, Grand Cayman, Antigua, Cuba, Jamaica) and this journey was by far the most epic.

You will love SUP’ing into the beaches for lunches and learning why its called the soggy dollar bar.

I’ll never forget pulling up to Willy T’s which I did know existed. Proper lux pirate life.

a night at the art museum

Japan- spirited away with high culture

Naoshima, on a tiny inlet on Sato Sea takes a few trains, bus, ferry, and car to get to. These are the kind of journeys worth while. The Benesse House is an architect’s dream and art lovers paradise in one. Surreal and sublime in its natural and human made glory with indoor and outdoor art to experience within the luxury confines of a hotel property.

This is the epitome of high culture and goes far beyond the ordinary into a magical world.

Staying at the Benesse House is a very Japanese Alice in Wonderland experience. The Oval is connected to the Benesse House Museum by a monorail accessible only to Oval guests. Wake up to Yayoi Kusama at your doorstep and get lost in the dream that is Naoshima.

Make sure to visit the onsen where you bath amongst art. Feel free to wear your hotel robe everywhere. Part of the custom. Enjoy a glass of bubbles with sunset with the famous pumpkin as a guest staying at the hotel you get privacy from camera hoards that are common in Japan

Pele’s House on the Volcano

Big island hawaii- living on the edge

I stayed before the volcano eruption and even then felt the danger and magnetic pull during my week up there. A tiny house on a massive lava land with a long road to bike towards the plumbing smoke of Pele’s ever warning chambers. To sleep and play on such an edge gives the soul a sense of awakening that no four seasons can offer you.

The Phoenix House- aptly named- is perfect for one or two and offers the sense of living of Mars with rainbows. I lived in Maui nine months but the wild and magical energy of the Big Island and stay here is the stuff in my bones that calls me back upon the winds of future design. Certainly an experience to behold.