one adventures
Local Beacons
How four hotels are setting the pace—and an example— in their communities.
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House Favorites
Signature cocktails from four premier hotels and inns. p14
Everyday Souvenirs
Luxury travel mementos for the here and now. p24
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
— Maya Angelou
Editor-in-chief: Stacey Silipo
Managing Editor: Imani Josey
Lead designer: Tatjana Jovancevic
Writer: Nicole Schnitzler
Cover photo: Shepherd Hotels
Social media: Christi Bohnsack
Imani Josey
Photos and information courtesy of:
Shepherd Hotels; The Singer Resort; The Graduate Madison; Benjamin Rasmussen; The Landsby; Rebecca Sauter; Silas Fallstich; STK Steakhouse; Ramsay Photography, Visit Phoenix/Hotels
Valley Ho; Nathan Bobey; Titsou; Ingalls Photography; 1 Hotel Seattle; Noble House Hotels & Resorts; Kit Kemp Design Studio; Marriott International; Matthieu Salvaing
contents
What does insurance have to do with adventure? At Berkley One, everything. One Adventures is a celebration of the things that keep you moving forward, with stories from entrepreneurs, foodies, designers, travelers, artists, athletes and more. At home or abroad, at work or at play—there’s adventure to be found, everywhere.
Local Beacons
How four hotels are setting the pace—and an example— in their communities.
Everyday Souvenirs
Luxury travel mementos for the here and now.
House Favorites
Signature cocktails from four premier hotels and inns. et.
Local Beacons
Travelers today are seeking meaningful connection to the destinations they visit, eager to discover the stories, culture, and causes of a place—and now, hotels are recognizing their vital role in that journey. Understanding the opportunity on their hands to bridge individuals and engage local history, many hotels are taking bold,
How four hotels are setting the pace— and an example—in their communities.
thoughtful steps in how it is they can relate to and take cues from the community—and, in turn, inspire their neighborhoods, cities, and beyond. From a pioneering employment program to wildlife advocacy, here are the ways four hotels are honoring their surroundings now.
The Shepherd Hotel
Rick Hayduk had been in the hotel industry for 20 years when he and his family welcomed their third daughter, who was born with Down Syndrome. “As a parent of a child with a disability, you ask yourself three questions: ‘Are they healthy? What kind of life are they going to lead? And, what happens when I’m gone?’”
Hayduk had been researching programs to help transition his daughter from high school to an opportunity for meaningful work when he came across ClemsonLIFE™, a Clemson University post-secondary program designed to ready young adults with disabilities for employment and independent living. “I remember thinking, ‘How great would it be to open a hotel in Clemson, partner with ClemsonLIFE™, and provide training and meaningful employment in hospitality for their students and people with disabilities?”
Hayduk contacted a friend who worked in real estate development, who embraced Hayduk’s idea—and in September 2022, downtown Clemson welcomed The Shepherd Hotel, a 4-star boutique hotel featuring 67 rooms and a three-meal restaurant and bar.
In the years since, the team has grown to include more than 40 individuals with disabilities working across departments as receptionists, housekeepers, servers, stewards, line cooks, and supervisors. Many of the individuals have been
working with the hotel from the start—for one individual in her mid-30s, this is her first job. Another individual moved to Clemson specifically to work in the hotel. And when Hurricane Helene came through town, leaving many of the employees without power at home, Hayduk recounts how every one of them came into work the next day.
“Our special ability team members were saying to me, ‘We love our jobs, Rick—and other people here need help.’” Hayduk credits that comradery and dedication for the hotel’s
impact on the local community, and beyond. “Guests come here and are moved to tears,” he says. “In starting the hotel, we always knew there was more to it than making a cup of coffee and checking somebody in—if we do our jobs right, people will leave here inspired. And that’s the goal.”
The Singer Oceanfront Resort
As one of the newest hospitality offerings on Singer Island, The Singer Oceanfront Resort features a lively, indoor-outdoor bar, signature restaurant, vibrant market, and direct access to the Island’s four-mile stretch of pristine beach.
These beaches host one of the highest densities of Loggerhead sea turtle nests in the Western Hemisphere with female turtles returning each year to lay their eggs—an event leading the hotel to uphold the conservation and protection of these beloved sea creatures.
In partnership with Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the resort proactively participates in efforts to care for the turtles with beach cleanups, donation collections, and educational experiences. In addition to marking and shielding nests and dimming lights to help
prevent turtle disorientation, the resort invites those staying onsite to become involved. Guests can visit the Center for exhibits, guided tours, and the chance to meet hatchlings and turtles in rehabilitation. Individuals can even help by visiting Top Shell, the resort’s beachfront bar, where a portion of proceeds from select specialty cocktails directly benefits the Center.
“As a coastal property, we recognize that our success is innately tied to the health of our ocean and marine environment,” says Singer Oceanfront Resort Marketing Manager Stephanie Sosa. “We’re glad we can support the Center in their work and together continue to champion this important cause.”
The Graduate by Hilton Madison
This downtown Madison hotel celebrates college town spirit, colorful Midwest history, and Wisconsin’s great outdoors. Discover locally sourced artifacts and details throughout—old high school yearbooks, woodpaneled walls evoking the state’s longstanding supper club culture, and the lobby’s vintage canoe “chandeliers,” a tribute to the region’s many lakes and accompanying activities. Rooftop restaurant Camp Trippalindee draws inspiration
from the film Back to School (filmed on the UW Madison campus) and is an ode to summer camp days with playful menu items (think cheese curds and s’mores).
The University connection continues in guest rooms, where artwork features molecular diagrams of vitamins A and B, both discovered at UW’s College of Agriculture in the early 1900s. In the lobby, a whimsical flamingo portrait recalls the famous 1979 student prank, when more than 1,000 lawn flamingos were placed on Bascom Hill.
Shinola Hotel
Detroit-based, luxury lifestyle brand Shinola opened this hotel in 2019, a dynamic, 129-room property that pays homage to the city’s industrious and artistic roots.
Formerly housing the T.B. Rayl Co. department store and Singer Sewing Machine Company, the building’s storied past meets modern details across hotel rooms, featuring hardwood flooring, midcentury furniture, and loft-style windows.
Guests will discover Shinola touches throughout the spaces, from bedside clocks and leather pillows to striped throw blankets and the brand’s signature blue, trimming walls and walkways.
In addition to locally inspired amenities and programming (including several dining outlets and a Shinola watch lending program), the hotel leans into the community through arts and culture—in the hotel’s Living Room, a curated art collection by Library Street Collective, reflecting works by local artists, and in partnership with Midtown District’s Source Booksellers, The Shinola Hotel Library connects guests with Detroit’s history, voices, creators and experiences, with all proceeds supporting the local economy.
Benjamin Rasmussen
Photos:
HouseFavori es
Signature cocktails from four premier hotels and inns.
We gather at bars for stories—to share them and hear them, and to watch them unfold before our eyes, as bartenders muddle, shake, and stir their way into new imaginings. Some creations have become so beloved over the years that hotels and inns have embraced these as signatures—house favorites that remain on the menu for their ability to narrate a sense of time and place—and transport our taste buds along the way.
From the Scandinavian-inspired to the lake cabin-ready, here are four signature cocktails to try now.
The Copenhagen
The Copenhagen at The Landsby
Ingredients
2 oz. Krobar Gin
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
1/2 oz. Honey Lavender Syrup*
2 oz. Sparkling Wine
Directions
Shake the gin, lemon juice, and honey lavender syrup together with ice. Strain into a coupe glass or glass of choice. Top with sparkling wine, and garnish with a small sprig of rosemary.
Honey Lavender Syrup
Recipe Ingredients
Dried Lavender
Butterfly Pea Flower Tendrils
Honey Water
Directions
Brew lavender tea with the butterfly pea flower tendrils, and measure it based on the amount of honey lavender syrup you intend to make. (If you are using 6 cups of honey, make 6 cups of lavender tea—2 tablespoons lavender for every 1 cup of water). Strain the lavender and butterfly pea flower tendrils through a strainer into a bucket, and bottle once cool.
The Phoenix at Hotel Valley Ho
Inspired to establish a signature cocktail for the city of Phoenix, Mayor Kate Gallego and Visit Phoenix launched the Spirit of Phoenix cocktail contest, inviting local bartenders to create a drink that best represented the city. Nicole Long’s recipe, The Phoenix, was crowned winner—and voted the most representative of the city and its cultural range. “I knew I wanted to make something spicy, and that I wanted to use local ingredients,” says Long. Find “The Phoenix” at venues across town, including Hotel Valley Ho, a hotel known for its mid-century modern design details and for its history as a longstanding destination for Hollywood celebrities.
The Phoenix Ingredients
2 oz. reposado Tequila
1 oz. mesquite honey syrup (if unavailable, use hot honey syrup as a substitute)
1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 oz. prickly pear puree-infused syrup
Directions
Shake in tin and strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with dehydrated lemon and Chiltepin peppers.
The Phoenix
Camp BloodyWandawegaMary
The Bloody Mary at Camp Wandawega
Channel your camp days with a visit to this Midwest getaway, where cabins, tents, and bunks await—not to mention the activities (from crafts to canoeing). The property rings in its centennial this year, and just one way the team is celebrating is with the debut of its very own cocktail line. The Bloody Mary— a nod to its role within Wisconsin supper clubs—is a no-frills throwback to the classic. Visit Camp firsthand for a taste, or try your own version at home.
Camp Wandawega
Bloody Mary Ingredients
2 oz. vodka
4 oz. tomato juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon
2–3 dashes
Worcestershire sauce
A couple shakes of hot sauce (to taste)
Pinch of celery salt and black pepper
Celery stalk or pickle spear (for garnish)
Directions
Fill a vintage glass with ice. Pour in vodka, and top with tomato juice. Add lemon, Worcestershire, hot sauce, celery salt, and pepper. Stir, and garnish with a celery stalk or pickle spear. Sip slowly, preferably on a porch with the lake in view.
The
Fouquet’s Fashion at Hôtel
Barrière Fouquet’s
New York
This Tribeca hotel exudes the same opulence as its Parisian sister property, with pristine guest rooms and multiple dining venues. In a jewel box of a space, Titsou Bar channels 1920s Paris with candlelit tables, a marble bar, and a dynamic drinks list bridging the old with the new. For the Fouquet’s Fashion, the team reimagines the Old Fashioned with a Fouquet’s twist—a large red ice cube, inspired by the hotel’s signature hue.
The Fouquet’s Fashion Ingredients
2 oz. Bourbon
.25 oz. Benedictine
3 dashes of bourbon bitters
Sugar cube
Large ice cube
Orange peel
Directions
Place the sugar cube in the glass. Add bourbon bitters, then add Benedictine. Muddle until the sugar is dissolved, then add bourbon. Stir gently to blend the flavors. Place ice cube into the glass. Express an orange peel over the glass to release oils, then use peel to garnish.
Photos:
Titsou, Matthieu Salvaing
The Fouquet’sFashion
Photo: Ingalls Photography
Luxury travel mementos for the here and now.
If you’ve ever wanted to bring home a piece of your hotel stay—from the bedding to the bath salts—now is the time. Recognizing the growing enthusiasm around in-room amenities and property-wide touches, leading hotels are creating one-of-a-kind retail lines to furnish, adorn, and enhance every room of the house. Featuring bespoke designs, signature scents, and thoughtful technology, these onsite and online shops showcase the best of a hotel’s personality and perks and invite guests to extend their stay—far beyond checkout.
Souvenirs
R&R by 1 Hotels
When 1 Hotels launched in 2015 with locations in South Beach and New York Central Park, they demonstrated what would soon become a signature convergence of sustainability and style—one that has now grown into eight cities nationwide (including a recent opening in Seattle and one on the way in Austin).
Their nature-first sensibilities are reflected across the properties in touches like seasonal fine dining, in-room filtered water taps, reclaimed furniture, and loads of lush greenery. And then, they have the Goodthings shop, a collection of sustainable, ethically sourced personal and home goods available to guests both on-property and online.
You can bring home one of their candles—featuring the hotel’s bespoke “Kindling” scent. It was created in collaboration with female-owned Scent Marketing Inc. to evoke the woodsy, grounding experience of a 1 Hotels stay. Enjoy it even more in one of the hotel’s robes— made of cotton and organic jersey knit. It’s a super-soft accompaniment to any night of R&R.
Keep an eye out for local partnerships yielding special goods, too—case in point with Seattle’s summer pop-up with beekeeper and Keeper’s Collective founder Jillian Medford, featuring an array of her small-batch wellness products. shop.1hotels.com
Photos: 1 Hotel Seattle
Bath & Spa by Noble House Hotels & Resorts
Check out the bath and body products from Noble House Hotels & Resorts and feel instantly transported to any of their coastal properties, thanks to two prized, signature scents: Coconut Mango and Citrus Green Tea.
It’s the former that has won over travelers for years at locations like Mission Bay Resort in San Diego or Ocean Key Resort & Spa in Key West. You can browse several product offerings, from shampoo and body wash to lotion and scent sticks.
shopnoblehouse.com
Furniture and Décor by Firmdale Hotels
Kit and Tim Kemp founded Firmdale Hotels in 1985 with the intention of bringing spaces to life through dedicated hospitality, seasonally driven menus, and fresh design.
This approach has carried the team into their 40th year, with 11 locations across London and New York. Each property boasts its own colorful personality while staying true to Kit Kemp’s original design vision—one rooted in rich hues, whimsical patterns, and luxurious fabrics.
Now guests can bring that vibrance home in several ways, from framed artwork to custom furniture. Some favor the handcrafted 3 Plank Coffee Table or the Melissa Sofa, with its prominent rolled arms and deep button tufting, and others complement a living space with Kit’s iconic Wing Chair or the Leo Chair (the charming “Friendly Folk” pattern is inspired by rural English folklore).
For the icing on the cake, perusing a large collection of playful cushions – the Whale Block Print Cushion and Sail Boat Block Print Cushion might be perfect for the nautically inclined.
shop.kitkemp.com
Photos: Kit
Kemp Design Studio
Dinnerware
by Blackberry Farm
Situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this Relais & Châteaux resort has established itself as a premier destination for those seeking luxurious respite in the great outdoors. Guests can explore a range of activities (from fly fishing to horseback riding), and dining is a main draw—the resort’s wine collection spans 160,000 bottles, and three celebrated restaurants champion seasonal, regional cuisine, sourcing much of it straight from the onsite garden.
Diners are bound to enjoy what’s on their plates as much as the plates, themselves. The chinaware displays the artwork of Master Gardener John Coykendall, who sketched bespoke designs emblematic of the property for chargers, dinner plates, and teacups.
Equally beloved creations include the resort’s custom pottery lines, made in two glazes and designed in collaboration with the property’s chef team. You can find the offerings at their onsite gift shops, or online at www.blackberryfarmshop.com.
Heavenly® Bed by Westin
When Westin debuted its legacy Heavenly® Bed in 1999, it didn’t take long for a fanbase to form and purchase inquiries to build. In the decades since, the brand has sold more than 500,000 of their signature item—interest that led the team to embark on a journey towards a new version.
Last April, after thorough market testing and research, Westin introduced a next generation Heavenly® Bed, a plush-top mattress featuring hypoallergenic materials and temperature-regulating, gelinfused memory foam.
They offer reimagined bedding, too: sateen linens, a blended
duvet insert and charcoal blanket, and full-frame piping on pillowcases help to complete the set. Such dedication to the perfect bed is just one way the brand hopes to help prioritize rest for travelers across 240+ Westin properties worldwide— and now, when they return home, as well.
shop.marriott.com/brands/ westin
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