For a little bit more about myself, since I always like the “about me” section on websites. IndeCasa came to me while on vacation in Sayulita, Mexico. I was in the shower, literally hearing birds chirping, and some how I realized what I wanted to do. Mexico is my happy place, I have so many great memories there. And again for me, Mexico and Mexican culture best personifies hospitality at its best. So IndeCasa’s name is a nod to that, the warm and joyful hello you feel when you enter someone’s home who embodies hospitality.

My life has had lots of turns and twists to get here. I was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina.  I got my first job at a hotel when I was trying to get into the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. I worked at the front desk at the The O’Henry Hotel, a 131-room independent hotel.  I was 17 and naïve; one time I even looked in the yellow pages for an escort for a guest because I didn’t understand what he meant by escort.  I quickly learned I loved helping solve problems and helping people have a great stay!

I ended up getting into Cornell where I studied hospitality.  My sophomore year summer and two winter breaks I worked at The Breakers (538-room, AAA Five Diamond property in Florida), my favorite classic hotel.  I lived with my 97-year-old great-grandmother, GG, while I worked in housekeeping.  I treasure this time in my life, living with GG while working at The Breakers.  While I mostly just answered the phone for housekeeping and assigned room attendants to rooms for cleaning, I credit my love of folding laundry to this time, and I always appreciate the hard work of a housekeeper.  And in terms of beautiful classic hotels, you should google The Breakers; it is stunning.  

My junior year summer I worked at Kimpton Hotels in their revenue distribution department.  While Kimpton was technically a brand (and now sold to IHG, so it’s really a brand now), at the time it was a relatively small portfolio of hotels and each property had a unique vibe that I loved.  After graduation, I got an offer to work for Expedia Group and ended up working at Expedia for seven years.  I worked in Boston, NYC and finally Seattle, where I live now.  My job was to build relationships with hotels and help them optimize their hotel listings on Expedia.

It was also post college where I finally was able to travel, and it made me love and appreciate hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts that much more.  Whenever I travel my preference is always an independent hotel. I love to experience their authenticity, see what they do differently, and what they do the same.

My favorite thing when traveling is the people.  Whether it’s spending precious time with best friends, meeting locals, or being greeted by a warm smile and hello at my temporary home.   My dream is for Iain, my husband, and I to buy a 20-room inn somewhere near a mountain or the ocean (we still haven’t decided). 

I hope this blog helps you with small tips and best practices.  And remember, my home is your home.