So there's this place...

1 week ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

I’ve been fortunate to visit the Greek Islands many times—often returning to favorites like Sifnos and Milos, while also discovering new islands with each trip, thanks to the ease and frequency of the ferries. As partial as I am to a great hotel—and there’s no shortage of epic ones on the Greek Islands (see my consolidated Vogue list here)—I’m particularly fond of stays whose elemental spirit speaks indelibly of their location. I call these secret stays.

2 weeks ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

Welcome back to Travel Troubleshoot, a ~monthly series where I answer paid subscribers’ travel questions submitted via our Substack chat. So, let’s talk about where you’re traveling this year or what places you’re curious about.

3 weeks ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

About five years ago, while on a trip to Venice with some friends, I was rummaging through my bag, searching for coins to leave after a couple of rounds of coffee at Caffè Florian. Just as I was about to give up, my friend Becky pulled out a chic green leather coin case with an elegant gold border, popped it open, spilling a cascade of coins onto the table.

1 month ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

I’m often asked about my favorite affordable hotels in Paris, so I’ve put together this guide that I’ll be updating regularly as rates change and new hotels open. First things first…What’s affordable? It's important to acknowledge that what qualifies as "affordable" can mean different things to different people.

1 month ago | sotheresthisplace.substack.com | Monica Mendal

Last weekend, I checked into one of my favorite family-run hotels in the world: Colombe d’Or. Many of you have likely heard of it or have been lucky enough to visit this magical place. Originally opened in 1920 as a café bar, it later evolved into an inn, where the owner, Paul Roux—whose grandson still manages the property—would welcome local artists during the pre-war and post-war periods of the early-to-mid 19th century, often accepting artwork in exchange for a stay or a few meals.