A Hospitality Insider’s Take on ThirdHome: Seven Stays In
Shannon D.
Member Since 2024 7 Exchanges
The story
Somewhere in Punta Cana, there may still be a tiny banana tucked behind a planter…
During a family week at Tortuga Bay Private Villa, Shannon Doell hid miniature bananas all around the villa and the resort for her family to find. Each color was worth a different number of points and some of its challenges brought in the resort staff.
The kids got hooked right away and the adults weren’t far behind. The week ended with an awards ceremony and medals. Team Shark won the scavenger hunt, and Hudson took home the coveted title of “Top Banana.”
“I think those tiny bananas will be a family joke for years to come!”
A hospitality pro’s first impression
Shannon knows hospitality from the inside. She owns Paradise Breeze Vacation Rentals & Realty in Southwest Florida, where guest experience is “something I think about every day.”
She joined ThirdHome in August of 2024. “I’ve always appreciated beautiful properties and exceptional hospitality,” she says. “ThirdHome offered an exciting opportunity to experience extraordinary homes and destinations in a completely different way.”
Like most new members, she had questions. Would the homes live up to expectations? How would the exchange work?
Her first stay answered both. In January 2025, she booked a home in Aventura, Florida, while attending a business conference in Miami. “Everything went so smoothly that I immediately felt confident exploring more destinations,” she says. “Any hesitation quickly turned into excitement about what was possible.”
A week that brought everyone together
Since joining ThirdHome, the stay that meant the most was Punta Cana.
Shannon gathered her partner, Mike, her brothers Jeremy and Jeff, along with their extended family for days filled up with bike rides, swimming, exploring, and long meals together. Beny, Katia, and the resort team looked after them well throughout.
One small routine stands out. “One of my favorite memories was biking with my brother Jeff in the mornings before heading to the gym.”
“Even now, thinking about that week makes me emotional,” she says. “With everyone’s busy lives, uninterrupted family time is incredibly precious, and this trip gave us exactly that.”
Nobody tried to make every moment elaborate. “We simply enjoyed each other’s company, and those ordinary moments became some of my favorite memories.”
Welcomed into someone’s home
Her hosts are part of the story too: Teresa in Turks and Caicos, Jeff in Marathon, David in Punta Cana, and a homeowner in Grand Cayman.
“There’s something special about being welcomed into someone’s beautiful home,” she says. “I never take that trust for granted.”
As a host herself, she notices the details: presentation, cleanliness, thoughtful amenities, and good communication. She often comes home with new ideas for her own rental business.
She also credits the ThirdHome team, naming Ciara, Breanna, Janine, and Bailee. “It’s wonderful knowing there are people behind the scenes who truly want members to have exceptional experiences.”
Seven stays and counting
In just over two years, Shannon has completed seven ThirdHome stays. Two more are booked for 2027.
Her advice for new members is simple: “Just give it a try!” Start somewhere that feels comfortable, talk with the homeowner, and enjoy it.
“And don’t just think about the beautiful homes,” she adds. “Think about the memories you can make and who you’d love to share them with.”
“When I think about Punta Cana, I don’t just remember the gorgeous villa,” she says. “I remember biking with my brother, hearing the kids laughing, watching everyone compete over tiny bananas, and sharing those special moments as a family.”
