Lake Elementaita Mountain Lodge was the briefest stop on my Kenya itinerary, but it delivered the most unforgettable view. Perched along the steep edge of the Great Rift Valley, the lodge offers private, house-style rooms with balconies that open to sweeping panoramas of Lake Elementaita. With a spa, pool, rose garden, and staff who shuttle you up and down the hillside, this stay blends comfort with breathtaking scenery. Here’s what it’s really like to spend a night on the Rift Valley’s edge.

Kilima Safari Camp was the first stop on my Kenya safari and, surprisingly, the most luxurious-feeling stay of the trip. Located just outside Amboseli National Park, this tented camp blends natural immersion with comfort, from spacious rooms and excellent dining to wildlife roaming freely around the property. Here’s my honest review of what it’s really like to stay at Kilima Safari Camp, including the rooms, food, amenities, and game drive access.

Zebra Plains Mara Camp was the most peaceful and luxurious stay of my entire Kenya trip. From spacious tented rooms and incredible food to warm staff, beautiful pool views, and game drives just minutes from camp, this lodge blends comfort with the magic of the Maasai Mara. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your stay.

Hotel Ändra is roughly a 25 minute drive from Sea Tac Airport, has plenty of great food options nearby, including Lola immediately downstairs in the lobby, and it’s not far from favorite attractions like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Seattle Waterfront and more. If that hasn’t sold you, it is also incredibly chic and cozy.

Good Hotel is a former private mansion and sustainable property in central city Antigua that began as a charitable organization years ago and evolved into several properties in different countries. While I fell in love with the design of the property, I also knew I wanted to stay because I greatly appreciated that the chain invests in the local community in a number of ways.

When I first saw that Pharrell Williams was collaborating with David Grutman to open the Goodtime Hotel in 2021, I immediately added it to the list of places I wanted to stay—partly because Pharrell is a fellow Virginia native and partly because I fell in love with the aesthetic. It just seemed like, well, a good time.

Tagged as “Sophisticated Design Meets Historic Culture,” the 4-star St. Gregory Hotel is an incredibly chic stay perfectly situated between Dupont Circle, the West End, and Georgetown. With convenient access to local restaurants and shops, a gorgeous restaurant and bar space inside the hotel, full fitness center and more, the St. Gregory is one of the best stays you'll find in Washington D.C.

My therapist challenged me to do a solo getaway in 2019 and I chose Washington D.C. as a staycation, this time solo. From Richmond, Virginia, it’s only about a two hour drive so it’s very possible to fit many activities into one short trip; however, my goal was to relax, so I’ll share the few things I did.

Yours Truly DC is modern in design, eclectic in decor, and soulful in feel. Not only can you dine downstairs at Mercy Me Restaurant, there’s space to work remotely in the lounge, a bar to grab a drink, and even a record shop, which is certainly nothing I’ve ever seen before in a hotel.