HAP WEEKLY
Our Top Reads This Week
By Dan Howarth
Hey (HAP)ers!
I made it back to NYC just in time to celebrate the launch of the brand-new HAP Quarterly Newspaper—yes, print is back baby! I was flattered and thrilled to have been asked to edit this inaugural edition, which is packed full of Spring/Summer travel tips, reviews, interviews, essays, trend reports and more by some of my favorite writers. You can order your copy here (to the US only, for now). We marked the occasion with an event at Brooklyn favorite The William Vale’s Little Fino this week, and an amazing group of friends and guests joined us for drinks and a panel discussion.
The panelists included Brandon Berkson, HAP founder and editor-in-chief; Doug Schuessler, Safara founder and CEO; yours truly; and moderator Sarah Wood Gonzalez, journalist and founder of Liminal Space, who also contributed a personal essay to the newspaper (read on for an excerpt!). It was a fun and lighthearted conversation that covered our favorite hotels, how we define luxury, advice for breaking into the travel writing industry, and a few hot takes (Doug is over Delta Airlines?!). For those who weren’t able to attend in person, I thought I’d share a few of the highlights in this week’s newsletter, along with Ruby’s fab weekly news roundup.
Thanks for reading!
D x
- Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor
Panel Cliff Notes
By Dan Howarth
On Monday March 30, during our panel at the HAP Quarterly Newspaper, moderator and self-proclaimed Midwestern “joy soldier" Sarah Wood Gonzalez steered a conversation between HAP’s Brandon Berkson, Safara’s Doug Schuessler, and Far-Flung Corners’ Dan Howarth (me!) about all things travel, luxury, and editorial. We covered a lot of ground and shared many laughs over 40 minutes, so instead of a rambling transcript, here are the cliff notes—with thanks to Britney Eschelman for paying attention!
Tell Us About the HAP Quarterly Newspaper
Brandon: “Newspapers are more cost-efficient for smaller media companies and lean into an editor-curated, beat-driven approach.”
Dan: “It feels like time for the media to evolve—even if that means looking back to the things we love. For this project, we wanted to include interviews, guides, trend pieces, and a more personal approach to storytelling.”
Which is Your Favorite Hotel in the World?
Brandon: Casa Angelina, Amalfi – “The service is so good that you sneeze and they have tissues for you.”
Dan: Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali – “You feel like you’re in an ancient Balinese village.”
Doug: Domes White Coast Milos, Greece – “I told my wife we might need to spread some of my ashes here one day.”
Where Is One Place You’d Return to Every Year if You Had To?
Doug: Ojai Valley Inn, California – “It’s just one of those places.”
Dan: Eden Rock, Saint Barths – “This is where we spent our Mini-moon—the turquoise water and white sand beaches are the vision of paradise.”
Brandon: Desierto Azul, Mexico – “There are only four rooms, and it’s one of those places where all your worries disappear.”
What Makes a Hotel Truly Luxurious?
Doug: “Service. You can create a beautiful space, but it’s about who makes your stay memorable.”
Dan: “Attentiveness and preemptiveness—the feeling that everything is taken care of before you even have to ask.”
Brandon: “Human connection. I hate checking in with an iPad—I want someone at the front desk.”
Where Is Luxury Hospitality Growing?
Brandon: Mexico, beyond Cabo and Cancun.
Dan & Doug: The Balkans, especially Albania.
Sarah: Orkney and Shetland – “They’re going to become the next Faroe Islands.”
Which Travel Phrases Are Overused, or What Do You Think Is Overrated?
Brandon: “‘Disrupted.’ Not everything is disrupting something.”
Dan: “‘Bucket list.’ Travel shouldn’t revolve around checking boxes.”
Doug: “Delta Airlines. I know this is controversial, especially being in New York, but I think Delta has lost it.”
Sarah: “Hating on Spirit Airlines. I just flew with them to Michigan, and I have to say, they did the job.”
What’s Your Advice for Breaking Into Travel Writing & Editorial?
Dan: “Find a niche that fits your passions and expertise—that’s how you carve out space and shoulder your way in.”
Brandon: “Start your own newsletter. I’m a huge fan of Substack—sharing your voice is the best way to get out there.”
Sarah: “I wrote a story on my Substack that got great engagement, and it gave me the confidence to pitch it to The Cut.”
Anywhere, Together
By Sarah Wood Gonzalez
I grew up as a Hampton Inn kid. We were a roadtrip family—something I loathed because it felt like all my peers were going to Turks & Caicos, or at least Florida, while our family was driving across the country to Idaho every summer. When my classmates came home with sunburns and Mickey Mouse ears, I had pictures of the Nebraska Corn Palace and memories of being jammed onto a rollaway bed next to my parents and brothers.
I’ll never forget the first time we stayed in a Double Tree because the Hampton Inn was booked up. Upon arrival, we each got two warm chocolate chip cookies. My first taste of what I thought was luxury travel—I didn’t know how it could get much better than that.
But it did. As I grew up, I took every opportunity to travel that came my way. Studying abroad in Spain, India, even working at an orphanage in Romania one summer because my grandparents had said we’d stop through Budapest on the way home. I would have done anything to travel—I didn’t care who I was going with, or if I was going alone. I just wanted to go.
I’ll never forget the first five-star hotel I went to. Gleneagles in Scotland. My husband, Gustavo, and I splurged for one night and the staff treated us like we were royals. The pillow menu! The personalized note congratulating us on our anniversary! The constantly restocked shortbread! It was divine. I remember marveling at each of these tiny miracles with Gustavo, so impressed with this world of opulence I had never seen.
Since then, through my work as a writer, I’ve stayed at many five-star hotels. And while I will never forget my humble roots, it's easy to take these things for granted. Pillow menu? I’ve seen it before. If the hotel mini bar isn’t complimentary, I’m aghast. I’ve seen amenities from helipads to bring-your-own-horse offerings. But more than anything, I’ve realized that no amount of luxury perks can replace the joy of traveling with the people you love.
To read the full article, order your copy of HAP Quarterly Issue 01!
What I Pitched To My Editor-In-Chief
By Ruby Gregg
I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]
Clase Azul México is introducing Casa de los Leones, a restored historic mansion in Polanco that celebrates Mexican artistry, design, and craftsmanship through transformative experiences and tailored settings. Debuting April 7, the “Taste of Time” tasting offers a sensory journey through Mexico’s heritage—just steps from Casa Polanco, making it a compelling new stop for travelers.
Wheely Launches in New York City, Welcoming a New Era of Chauffeured Travel
Wheely, the London-born chauffeur service known for its privacy-first approach and polished experience, has officially launched in New York City, bringing its fleet of academy-trained drivers and luxury vehicles stateside. Available across Manhattan and select boroughs, the app offers both on-demand and advance bookings for seamless transport.
The Dorchester Debuts a Landmark Royal Suite in London
The Dorchester has unveiled its newly reimagined Royal Suite, a sweeping, design-led space by Pierre-Yves Rochon with panoramic views over Hyde Park. Blending English neoclassicism with soft 1950s hues, the suite pairs grand entertaining spaces with a philanthropic partnership supporting The Royal Parks Charity—marking the hotel’s most significant update in more than 30 years.
Jeddah Welcomes Its First Women-Only Coastal Club with the Opening of Oia Downtown
Oia Downtown has opened as a private, women-only coastal club along the Jeddah Corniche, offering a serene space for wellness, dining, and community. With beachfront access, spa and fitness facilities, and cultural programming, this members-only retreat reflects a broader shift toward female-focused leisure spaces in Saudi Arabia’s evolving hospitality industry.
The Lake Como EDITION Makes Its Debut on Italy’s Most Iconic Shoreline
The Lake Como EDITION has officially opened on the western shores of Lake Como, reimagining a 19th-century palazzo as a sleek Italian retreat. The new hotel offers 148 rooms, a floating pool, destination dining, and a state-of-the-art wellness spa, showcasing the brand’s signature minimalist style within a historic setting.
Melbourne’s Wellness Scene Expands with The Commons’ First-Ever Health Club
The Commons Health Club has launched its first dedicated wellness concept in Melbourne, merging fitness, recovery, and community into an elevated members-only space. Boasting 200+ weekly classes, a luxe bathhouse with magnesium pools and cold plunges, and integrated coworking spaces, the club underscores the rising trend of holistic, lifestyle-focused wellness.
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