By Mood Magazine NYC
There are some places you visit.
And then there are places that meet you exactly where you are.
Lately, I’ve been wondering if we’ve confused luxury with excess. Somewhere along the way, we started believing that bigger was always better—that luxury had to sparkle, shout, or stand above everyone else.
But what if true luxury is something quieter?
What if it’s found beneath a canopy of trees, with a wood-fired hot tub warming under an open sky, where the only agenda is to slow down?
That’s the feeling I had when I discovered the world that Darrel and Patrice Maxam have created.
As the husband-and-wife visionaries behind Maxam Hotels, they’ve transformed 48 secluded acres in New York’s Finger Lakes into a destination unlike any other. Their collection of luxury treehouses, beautifully designed micro villas, and curated Airstream retreats isn’t simply about accommodations—it’s about creating experiences that linger long after the trip has ended.
Every detail invites you to be present.
Private treehouses tucked into the forest.
Thoughtfully designed interiors that blur the line between comfort and nature.
Wood-fired hot tubs beneath a blanket of stars.
Smokeless fire pits made for unhurried conversations.
An outdoor sauna that reminds you wellness doesn’t always happen inside four walls.
It’s the kind of place that encourages you to put your phone away—not because you have to, but because you finally want to.
What struck me most wasn’t just the beauty of the property.
It was the intention behind it.
Darrel and Patrice haven’t simply built a resort. They’ve created space for people to reconnect—with their partners, their families, their friends, and perhaps most importantly, themselves.
That feels especially meaningful at a time when life moves faster than ever.
Their work also broadens the conversation around luxury hospitality. Black entrepreneurs continue to shape industries through innovation, creativity, and vision, and the Maxams are contributing something refreshingly original: a destination where design, nature, wellness, and genuine hospitality come together in a way that feels effortless.
There is no need to choose between elegance and adventure.
Or between comfort and the outdoors.
At Maxam Hotels, the two coexist beautifully.
Perhaps that’s why this story belongs in our MEET issue.
Because sometimes the most meaningful introductions aren’t to people at all.
Sometimes we meet a place that changes our perspective.
Sometimes we meet an idea that reminds us to slow down.
And sometimes we’re fortunate enough to meet the people whose vision made it all possible.
Darrel and Patrice Maxam have created more than a destination in the Finger Lakes.
They’ve created an invitation.
An invitation to breathe deeper.
To rest longer.
To reconnect.
And to discover that some of life’s greatest luxuries are found not in the noise of the world, but in the quiet moments we almost forgot how to enjoy.
Plan Your Visit
To learn more about Darrel and Patrice Maxam’s luxury treehouses, micro villas, and Airstream retreats in New York’s Finger Lakes, visit:
maxamhotels.com
For media inquiries:
by Jarvus Ricardo Hester
I liked the focus on how this couple is redefining luxury by making the experience feel more connected to nature rather than just adding high-end amenities. It’s a good reminder that thoughtful design and a strong sense of place can make a getaway far more memorable than traditional luxury alone.