Our Story
I grew up in Cincinnati and spent the last decade in the startup world of California. Sarah grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico and spent years in Guadalajara as an interior designer. In 2022, we were both in Playa del Carmen and met by chance at a pool. That moment changed everything.
We were married in Oaxaca in May 2024 and honeymooned in Idyllwild, a quiet mountain town two hours from our home in Encinitas. The cabin we stayed in was designed with intention. Every detail encouraged us to slow down. Sitting in the hot tub on the balcony, we started asking a simple question: what would it look like to create a place like this one day?
13 months later we moved back to Cincinnati, where I grew up, and discovered Hugga. When we first visited the property near Hocking Hills State Park, we felt it immediately. Scandinavian design. Quiet. Trails weaving through 42 acres of forest and prairie. It carried the same sense of stillness we loved in California: space to think, breathe, and be fully present.
Hugga reflects the life we are building as a young family. We value nature, design, time around a table, long walks, meaningful conversations, and experiences that stay with you. Hugga is our way of creating that space, not just for ourselves, but for others.
An invitation to rest.
To reconnect.
To slow down.
— Chase & Sarah
Our Mission
“Inspiring guests to reconnect with nature, the people who matter, and themselves.”
What We Believe
Core Values
Guests First
We design everything through the guest's eyes. Our standard is simple: when someone asks about their stay, the first words should be, "You wouldn't believe."
Deep Connection to Nature
Hugga is designed to bring people back to nature, and through that connection, back to themselves. We hold high environmental standards to preserve and improve the land over time.
Intentional Design
We obsess over every detail that shapes how people feel, move, rest, and connect. Nothing is accidental. Everything ties back to Hygge — the comfort and well-being we want guests to experience.
Growth Mindset
We're committed to constant improvement. Every stay, every touchpoint, every system gets better over time. We're willing to step outside our comfort zone and try new things.