PLACES WORTH KNOWING
Our travels have taken us to some pretty special places, and every now and then we find a stay that deserves to be shared. Our Favorites is a thoughtfully curated collection of properties we’ve discovered along the way—from peaceful mountain escapes and vibrant city stays to laid-back coastal retreats and destinations still to come. These homes are independently owned and managed, but each has something that caught our attention—an incredible location, beautiful design, memorable hospitality, or simply that feeling that makes you want to return. Consider this our little black book of places worth knowing, gathered from our travels and shared with you.
MURPHY, NC
Luxury Mountain Getaway · 3 Bedroom · Sleeps 10
We first discovered Misty Mountain in 2023, when a close friend’s wedding brought us to Murphy, North Carolina. What began as a weekend in the mountains quickly became something more—we fell in love with the quiet beauty of the region, the winding mountain roads, small towns, and slower pace of life. That trip sparked a connection to the Blue Ridge Mountains that kept bringing us back and eventually led us to put down roots of our own in nearby McCaysville, Georgia. Misty Mountain will always be special to us because, in many ways, it’s where our love for this corner of the mountains began.
NEW ORLEANS, LA
Charming Hideaway · 1 Bedroom · Sleeps 2
New Orleans has always felt a little like home to us. It’s where Beats Working began, where we spent years living in the Bywater, and a city we still return to often. Lilac Lair, owned by one of our very best friends, gives us one more reason to keep coming back. Tucked in the heart of the city, it’s the perfect home base for settling back into a place we know and love. From favorite restaurants and familiar streets to late nights, long walks, and the unmistakable character that makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else, a stay at Lilac Lair feels less like visiting and a whole lot more like coming home.
Delray Beach, FL
Tropical Escape · 3 Bedrooms · Sleeps 6
Some places become favorites because you find yourself returning to them. We stayed at this Delray Beach hideaway twice, both times while making the long drive from Gulf Shores to South Florida. The first was simply part of a road trip—a comfortable stop that quickly became a favorite. When it came time to make the move to Key West, we knew exactly where we wanted to stay along the way and found ourselves back here again. With its private pool, tropical setting, and easy South Florida feel, it became one of those unexpected little places woven into our travels—and one we’d happily return to again.
JACKSON’S GAP, AL
Lakeside Cottage · 2 Bedroom · Sleeps 5
Lake Martin gave us one of those easy, slow-down-and-stay-awhile getaways at a time when we needed one most.We spent ten days here while negotiating the purchase of our mountain cabin in Blue Ridge, with our belongings already loaded on a truck and headed toward the mountains while nearly everything else still felt up in the air. Somehow, this little lakeside cottage kept us grounded. We spent our days outside—paddling the lake in the kayaks, hanging out by the covered boathouse, enjoying the outdoor shower, and ending evenings around the fire pit. For ten days, while we waited to find out exactly where life was taking us next, Lake Martin gave us a place to slow down, enjoy the moment, and let everything else unfold. It will always be one of those stays we remember for far more than just the house.
GAINESVILLE, FL
Experience Agave Poolside · 3 Bedroom · Sleeps 12
Some stays find you exactly when you need them. We booked Agave at the very last minute during another road trip through Florida, and it ended up being one of those unexpected finds that did not disappoint. We were traveling after a particularly intense time in our personal lives, and what we needed more than anything was somewhere that felt easy—a place to slow down, shut everything else out for a little while, and simply enjoy being there. The pool was incredible, the backyard felt like its own private escape, and for a few days, life just felt lighter. Sometimes a favorite isn’t only about the property itself, but about how a place made you feel at a particular moment—and this one gave us exactly the retreat we needed.
St Augustine, FL
Pool House Retreat · 3 Bedroom · Sleeps 8
May House was exactly the kind of stop we needed at that point in our travels. We stayed here in St. Augustine on our way from the mountains back to South Florida, while we were still trying to decide whether buying a mountain cabin—and making the mountains a bigger part of our lives—was really our next move. When we weren’t out exploring St. Augustine’s museums, wandering the historic city, or finding some seriously good Vietnamese food, we were 100% at the pool. May House gave us the perfect place to do absolutely nothing between adventures—sunshine, tropical surroundings, and plenty of time to just chill while we figured out what came next. It was one of those road-trip stops that became a memorable part of the journey itself.
KEY WEST, FL
Key West Beach Club · 2 Bedroom · Sleeps 4
Key West Beach Club became home for six unforgettable months during the year we spent living in Key West.There was something pretty incredible about waking up beachfront on the Atlantic at the southernmost end of the country and realizing this was actually everyday life for a while. We biked all over the island, spent time with friends, explored our favorite corners of Key West, and came home each evening to the ocean just outside our door. Watching the kite surfers from the balcony became part of our routine, along with those incredible Key West sunsets that somehow never got old. It was more than a place we stayed—it gave us the chance to really settle into island life, and those six months will always be one of our favorite chapters.
THE PLACES WE REMEMBER
For us, a great stay is about more than where you sleep. It’s the neighborhood you wander through in the morning, the restaurant you’re still talking about when you get home, the view you stop to take in, and the little details that make a place memorable. Our Favorites brings together stays we’ve discovered through our own travels and would genuinely recommend to the people we know. From favorite cities and coastal escapes to wherever our travels take us next, these are simply places we think are worth experiencing.
WHAT MAKES A PLACE A FAVORITE
IT STARTS WITH THE STAY
A beautiful property may catch our attention, but the experience is what makes us remember it. We look for homes that feel intentional—from comfortable spaces and thoughtful amenities to the small details that make arriving, settling in, and enjoying the destination feel effortless. The best stays have a personality of their own and give you a genuine sense of where you are.
- A Sense of Place: A home that feels connected to its surroundings, whether that means historic character, coastal charm, or distinctive local design.
- Thoughtful Details: Comfortable beds, well-planned spaces, quality amenities, and the little extras that show someone has considered the guest experience.
- Spaces Worth Enjoying: A great porch, private pool, rooftop, courtyard, incredible view, or simply a living space that makes you want to stay awhile
- Something Memorable: That one feature, feeling, or experience you’re still talking about after you’ve gone home.
LOCATION CHANGES EVERYTHING
Sometimes the best part of a property is what waits just outside the door. A walkable neighborhood, a beautiful stretch of coastline, a peaceful mountain setting, or a destination we never expected to love can turn a great stay into an unforgettable trip. We favor places that offer more than a beautiful home—they give you the opportunity to experience the character, culture, and little discoveries that make each destination worth exploring.
THE DETAILS WE NOTICE
After years in the vacation-rental business, it’s probably impossible for us not to notice the details. Great beds, inviting outdoor spaces, a well-equipped kitchen, thoughtful design, responsive hospitality, and those unexpected touches all matter. We appreciate properties where someone has clearly thought about how guests will actually experience the home—and those are often the places we find ourselves recommending long after the trip is over.
Beyond the STAY
THE NEIGHBORHOOD MATTERS
A beautiful property is only part of what makes a trip memorable. We love stays that put us somewhere worth exploring—whether that means a walkable neighborhood filled with character, a quiet stretch of coastline, a tucked-away mountain setting, or somewhere completely unexpected.
The best locations invite you to step outside, wander a little, and experience what makes a destination special. Great coffee around the corner, an afternoon spent exploring, a favorite local shop, or simply a beautiful setting can become just as much a part of the trip as the home itself.
- Downtown Fairhope: Located along Mobile Bay, Fairhope is known for its charming downtown streets, local boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and stunning bay sunsets. Its walkable atmosphere and coastal Southern charm make it a favorite day trip destination.
- The Wharf at Orange Beach: More than just a marina area, The Wharf is one of the Gulf Coast’s premier entertainment districts featuring shopping, dining, concerts, nightlife, a Ferris wheel, and family-friendly events throughout the year.
- OWA Parks & Resort: Located in Foley, OWA offers amusement rides, dining, shopping, live entertainment, and family attractions, making it a popular destination for visitors looking for fun away from the beach.
EAT LIKE A LOCAL
Food has a way of becoming part of every great trip. We love discovering the neighborhood spot everyone seems to know, finding somewhere special for dinner, lingering over a great cocktail, or stumbling upon a place so good we find ourselves going back before the trip is over.
We’re always looking for the places that feel connected to where we are—from local institutions to unexpected finds. Because sometimes the meal you’re still talking about months later is every bit as memorable as where you stayed.
GET OUT & EXPLORE
As much as we appreciate a beautiful place to stay, the destination is why we traveled there in the first place. We want to experience it—walk the streets, get outside, see something new, learn a little history, find the water, take the trail, or simply follow a recommendation and see where it leads.
Every trip looks a little different, and we think that’s part of the fun. Our Favorites celebrates not only exceptional places to stay, but everything waiting beyond the front door.
The art of a GReat stay
COMFORT WITHOUT COMPROMISE
The places we love most have a way of making you feel at home almost immediately. They’re comfortable without feeling ordinary, thoughtfully designed without trying too hard, and equipped with the things you actually need while traveling. Whether it’s a weekend away or a longer escape, the best stays make it easy to settle in, slow down, and enjoy where you are.
There’s a certain effortlessness to a well-done vacation home. The spaces flow, the beds are comfortable, everything works the way it should, and you spend less time thinking about the property and more time enjoying the trip.
THE LITTLE THINGS
It’s often the details that separate a good stay from the one we’d recommend. Some of the things that catch our attention include:
- A Great Welcome: An arrival that feels easy, organized, and inviting from the moment you walk through the door.
- Comfort Done Well: Quality bedding, comfortable furnishings, and spaces designed for actually living in—not just photographing.
- Thoughtful Amenities: The things you’re genuinely happy to find when you arrive, from a well-stocked kitchen to great outdoor spaces and unexpected extras.
- A Little Something Special: A feature, view, design detail, or thoughtful touch that gives the property its own personality.
HOSPITALITY MATTERS
A beautiful home can only take a stay so far. Clear communication, thoughtful preparation, local knowledge, and someone who genuinely cares about the guest experience can completely change how a trip feels.
As vacation-rental managers ourselves, we probably notice these things more than most. We know what goes into creating an effortless guest experience, and we appreciate it when we encounter that same level of care during our own travels. Great hospitality is something you feel—and it’s one of the quickest ways a property finds its way onto Our Favorites.
FROM OUR TRAVELS TO YOURS
PERSONALLY DISCOVER
Every place in Our Favorites has a connection to our own travels. These aren’t properties added simply to fill a collection—they’re stays and destinations we’ve experienced, enjoyed, and felt were worth passing along. As we continue exploring new places, we’ll continue adding the ones that stand out.
INDEPENDENTLY YOURS
The properties featured here are independently owned and managed, so your reservation and stay are handled directly by each property’s host or management team. We’re simply sharing places that have earned a spot among our favorites and making it easier for you to discover them too.
That’s the fun part. Our Favorites isn’t tied to a coastline, a mountain range, or even a particular kind of trip. It will evolve wherever our travels take us—from weekend escapes and favorite cities to faraway places we haven’t discovered yet.
Consider this an ever-growing collection of places worth knowing—and maybe the inspiration for wherever you go next.