Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony González.
Hi Anthony, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We didn’t start Garden of Manors as a “business idea” first, it started as a personal need. As two young entrepreneurs building a life together in South Florida, we wanted a space that felt genuinely safe, intentional, and freeing: a place where men could fully relax, feel comfortable in their own skin, and enjoy a boutique experience with real privacy and care. Wilton Manors immediately felt like the right home for that vision. It’s a community with a strong identity, creative energy, and a sense of openness, and we wanted our guesthouse to reflect that. From the beginning, we leaned into what we love most: thoughtful design, atmosphere, and hospitality that feels personal rather than transactional. That’s why Garden of Manors is an adults-only (21+) men-only boutique guesthouse, created as a calm, design-inspired retreat with a heated saltwater pool and clothing-optional outdoor areas, surrounded by tropical gardens, just steps from Wilton Drive.
In 2025, it truly began with the purchase of the home. What followed was months of repairs, upgrades, and hands-on conditioning; long days focused on getting the foundation right, shaping the spaces, and bringing the experience to life the way we had imagined it. By October 2025, we officially opened the doors of Garden of Manors to the public.
Getting here was completely hands-on. We poured ourselves into building and refining every detail: the rooms, the lighting, the textures, the flow of the shared spaces, and the behind-the-scenes systems that make a stay feel effortless. We learned by doing: hosting, listening to guests, improving what wasn’t working, and raising the standard little by little. Because we’re closely involved day-to-day (and are often on-site), we’ve been able to keep the experience both polished and personal, present when guests need us, and respectful of privacy when they don’t.
We initially welcomed guests through platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, and as we grew, we decided to build our own website so we could present Garden of Manors exactly as we envisioned it, with more room to personalize the story, the design, and the full experience.
In a relatively short time, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see guests respond so positively, from the consistent “10 out of 10” experiences they describe to the people who return and the messages that tell us they truly felt relaxed, respected, and at home here.
And it’s a continuous process for us; we’re always looking for the next design detail, amenity, or improvement that can elevate the space and make the guest experience even more thoughtful and memorable.
Today, Garden of Manors is the result of that journey: a curated, boutique sanctuary rooted in comfort, freedom, and intention. What makes us proud isn’t just the space, it’s the feeling guests describe when they arrive: that they can finally exhale, be themselves, and feel genuinely cared for.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, and honestly, we expected that. The biggest challenge early on was the renovation and conditioning phase. Turning a home into a boutique guesthouse meant months of hands-on work, constant decision-making, and juggling timelines, contractors, supplies, and unexpected repairs that inevitably show up once you start improving a property. Once we opened, the challenges shifted to operations and consistency. Hospitality is very “real-time”; you’re managing guest expectations, maintenance, cleanliness standards, and last-minute issues while still trying to protect the calm, private atmosphere that makes the experience special. Building reliable systems and routines took trial and error, and we had to learn quickly what works at scale versus what only works on paper.
Another ongoing challenge has been growth and visibility. When you launch through OTAs, you’re learning platform rules, seasonality, pricing, and how to stand out without losing the boutique feel. That’s part of why we built our own website as well, so we could control the presentation, communicate the experience clearly, and create a more direct relationship with guests. We’ve also been grateful for the people we’ve met along the way; especially a great property manager behind the scenes, who’s helped us strengthen our systems, our online presence, and the guest experience as we’ve grown.
Through all of it, the biggest lesson has been patience and continuous refinement. We’ve approached every obstacle as feedback, improve the space, improve the process, and keep raising the standard. Looking back, those challenges are a big part of what shaped Garden of Manors into what it is today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a few hats, and they all connect through the same core strengths: attention to detail, clear communication, and building reliable systems that create a smooth experience for people. In my day-to-day work, I work in guest services at a motel, where I handle customer support at the front desk, assigning rooms, managing check-ins and check-outs, processing payments, and helping resolve issues in real time. That environment taught me how to stay calm under pressure, read people quickly, and keep things organized even when everything is moving fast. Alongside that, I’m part of building and operating Garden of Manors, where I help turn a design-driven vision into a real guest experience. I’m closely involved in the practical side, standards, details, and continuous improvements, but also in what I consider the heart of hospitality: making guests feel comfortable, respected, and taken care of while still protecting their privacy and space.
Academically, I hold a degree in Economics, and I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice with a forensic-focused concentration. I’ve always been interested in how details connect to a bigger picture; whether that’s understanding what drives decisions and outcomes, or how observation, procedure, and evidence work in investigative settings. That mindset carries into hospitality too: I pay attention to patterns, I learn from feedback, and I’m always refining how we operate.
What I’m most proud of is helping build something from the ground up and seeing it resonate with people. When guests have an excellent stay, and you know it’s because of the standards, the care, and the small details behind the scenes, that’s incredibly rewarding. What sets me apart is that I combine frontline hospitality experience with a structured, analytical approach: I’m known for staying composed, solving problems quickly, and making people feel genuinely taken care of, while continuously improving how things run behind the scenes.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is really a feeling more than a single moment. Growing up in Cuba, I loved those simple evenings outside, neighbors talking, kids playing, the air finally cooling down. Back then, none of it felt “special.” It was just life. But looking back, I realize those were the details that mattered most: laughing with friends, coming home to my mom’s hug, and sitting with my dad and listening to him talk. The older I get, the more I miss that kind of closeness and the way a normal day could feel so complete.
Pricing:
- ightly rates vary by season, day of week, and market demand.
- The Green Room: typically $121–$200 per night (before taxes/fees).
- The Gold Room: typically $112–$180 per night (before taxes/fees).
- The Red Room: typically $136–$210 per night (before taxes/fees).
- Taxes and platform fees (OTAs) may apply-final total is shown at checkout; direct booking often offers the best available rate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gardenofmanors.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garden_of_manors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579288606794
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gardenofmanors?_r=1&_t=ZG-91L3jVsVw3t
Image Credits
Garden of Manors Anthony & Joe
