Today we’d like to introduce you to Shantel Seoane.
Hi Shantel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
If you asked me where this story really begins, I would tell you it started long before Alter Experiences was ever a business.
In 2006, my husband Rami and I moved to Egypt and found ourselves working at what was, and still is, one of the top eco-diving destinations in the world. Nestled along the Red Sea, it was more than just a beautiful place—it was an entirely different way of life. Guests traveled from all over the world seeking adventure, connection, and a deeper relationship with nature. Hospitality wasn’t simply about providing accommodations; it was about creating meaningful experiences while respecting the environment that made those experiences possible.
That chapter of our lives changed us forever.
It was there that we learned the principles that would eventually become the foundation of Alter Experiences: thoughtful hospitality, minimal impact on the environment, the healing power of nature, and the idea that some of life’s most meaningful moments happen when we disconnect from the noise of everyday life.
When we returned to San Diego in 2013, we quickly realized something had shifted within us. We had grown up in Chula Vista, and while we loved our hometown, we found it nearly impossible to settle back into conventional city life. After experiencing the simplicity, beauty, and intentional pace of life we had discovered abroad, the idea of returning to a traditional nine-to-five path no longer felt right.
We knew we wanted to build something of our own.
What we didn’t know at the time was that we were beginning a journey that would become the work of our lives.
We started asking ourselves a simple question: Could we create the same sense of wonder, connection, and transformation we had experienced in Egypt—but here in Southern California?
We didn’t have the Red Sea.
But we did have the mountains.
We discovered Mount Laguna, a place many San Diegans had never experienced despite being only an hour from the city. Towering pines, star-filled skies, fresh mountain air, and a feeling of complete escape from the pace of modern life made it feel like a hidden world waiting to be rediscovered.
That vision eventually became Alter Experiences.
From the beginning, this has never been my story alone. Rami and I have built every step of this together. We’ve worn every hat imaginable—designers, builders, marketers, housekeepers, hosts, maintenance crews, photographers, dreamers, problem-solvers, and sometimes firefighters, figuratively and literally. We built the business from the ground up with a shared belief that people are craving authentic experiences more than ever before.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed thousands of guests, watched families reconnect around campfires, seen children discover nature for the first time, and heard countless stories from people who arrived overwhelmed by life and left feeling renewed.
At the same time, we’ve been building our own life alongside the business—raising our children, building our home in Julian with our own hands, deepening our faith, and continuing to create a life rooted in family, nature, and community.
Looking back now, I can see that Alter Experiences wasn’t created overnight. It was shaped by decades of experiences, lessons, risks, failures, adventures, and dreams. It was born from a belief that nature has the power to transform us and that meaningful hospitality can create lasting impact.
What makes this season of life especially rewarding is that so many of the pieces are finally coming together. The vision we carried for years—the one that often felt bigger than our resources, bigger than our circumstances, and sometimes bigger than ourselves—is taking shape in ways we never could have imagined.
Today, Alter Experiences is more than a glamping company. It’s the culmination of a journey that began on the shores of the Red Sea, continued through countless leaps of faith, and evolved into a mission to help others slow down, reconnect, and experience the transformative power of nature.
In many ways, we’re still building it.
And that’s the most exciting part.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all.
One of the greatest lessons we’ve learned through outdoor hospitality is humility. When your business exists in nature, you’re constantly reminded that you’re not in control. Weather changes, equipment fails, roads close, and unexpected challenges appear without warning. Being located in the mountains has taught us to be adaptable, prepared, and resourceful because solutions are rarely just around the corner.
Beyond the business itself, one of our biggest challenges has been building our home. When we purchased our property in Julian almost 10 years ago, we envisioned hiring a contractor and building our dream home. But after construction costs skyrocketed following COVID, we realized that if we wanted to make that dream a reality, we would have to become owner-builders ourselves.
Neither of us came from a construction background, but we spent the last 3 years learning, problem-solving, and building alongside the growth of our business. What began as a necessity became one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives because it taught us that sometimes you have to become the builder of the dream you’re waiting for.
At the same time, we’ve been raising our children while building both a business and a home. That has probably been our greatest challenge—and our greatest blessing. Everything takes longer when you have little ones by your side, but having our children grow up immersed in nature, entrepreneurship, and the values of hard work and perseverance has made the journey incredibly meaningful.
Looking back, every challenge has reinforced the same lesson: meaningful things rarely come easy. Whether it’s building a business, a home, or a family, growth happens when you’re willing to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t clear.
As you know, we’re big fans of Alter Experiences. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Alter Experiences was born from a simple belief: nature has the power to transform people.
After spending years working in eco-tourism abroad and witnessing firsthand how immersive outdoor experiences could change lives, my husband Rami and I set out to create something similar here in Southern California. We wanted to give people an opportunity to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with what matters most.
Today, Alter Experiences offers unique outdoor hospitality experiences in the mountains of San Diego, but what we’re really creating is space—for families to reconnect, for couples to slow down, for children to explore, and for people to remember what life feels like beyond screens, schedules, and distractions.
What sets us apart is that we’re not trying to be a resort. We’re creating experiences that inspire presence, adventure, connection, and wonder.
Everything we do is intentionally designed around that mission.
The thing I’m most proud of isn’t a specific accommodation or amenity—it’s the impact. Over the years, we’ve welcomed thousands of guests and have had the privilege of being part of countless memories, celebrations, proposals, family traditions, and life-changing experiences. Hearing guests tell us they left feeling more connected, more present, and more alive than when they arrived is the greatest measure of success we could ever ask for.
I’m also incredibly proud that Alter Experiences has remained true to its values from the very beginning. In a world that seems to move faster every year, we’ve built a brand that encourages people to slow down. We’ve chosen connection over convenience, experiences over excess, and authenticity over trends.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that Alter Experiences isn’t just about where you stay—it’s about how you feel while you’re there. Our hope is that every guest leaves with more than memories. We hope they leave with a renewed appreciation for nature, for their relationships, and for the simple moments that often matter most.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I believe we’re witnessing a fundamental shift in how people define travel, hospitality, and even wellness.
For a long time, the hospitality industry focused on bigger, faster, and more convenient. Today, I’m seeing the opposite. People are increasingly craving experiences that feel authentic, meaningful, and connected to nature. They’re looking for places where they can slow down, disconnect from technology, spend quality time with loved ones, and return home feeling genuinely restored.
I think that trend will continue to grow over the next 5-10 years.
We’re also seeing a growing appreciation for experiences over possessions, particularly among younger generations. People are investing less in accumulating things and more in creating memories, seeking adventure, and spending time in places that align with their values.
Another major shift is the growing recognition that access to nature isn’t just recreation—it’s an important part of our overall well-being. As our lives become increasingly digital, I believe outdoor hospitality will play an even bigger role in helping people reconnect with themselves, their families, and the natural world.
At the same time, I think guests will become more intentional about where they spend their time and money. They’ll seek out businesses that are authentic, environmentally responsible, and rooted in a genuine sense of purpose rather than simply offering another place to stay.
For Alter Experiences, that’s incredibly exciting because it’s the future we’ve always believed in. Long before outdoor hospitality became a trend, we saw firsthand the transformative impact nature can have on people’s lives.
Ultimately, I don’t think the future of our industry is about glamping, cabins, campsites, or accommodations at all. I think it’s about creating meaningful experiences that help people feel more connected—to nature, to each other, and to what matters most.
And I believe that need is only going to become more important in the years ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alterexperiences.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alter.experiences
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alterexperiences
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alterexperiences8888
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/alter-experiences-julian
