Hi, I’m Adrienne Barile, a Washington, DC–based travel writer, photographer, and drone pilot with a focus on luxury stays, boutique hotels, and design-forward escapes across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe.
I created Sojournalist to share the kind of travel research I was already doing for myself: honest, detailed, and specific enough to actually help you decide where to spend your money. Whether that’s choosing between 17 Sandals resorts or finding the right boutique hotel in Tulum, the goal is always the same: give you a clear picture so you can book with confidence.
Credentials and experience
I’m a credentialed member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA). I’m a video contributor to Fodor’s and a Yahoo Creator, and I’ve been publishing travel content for 8 years across multiple platforms. I publish culture travel guides at The Haphazard Traveler.
I’m also a licensed drone pilot in the US, UK, and EU, which means I can capture destinations from perspectives most travel writers can’t. It adds an aerial perspective that changes both how I see a destination and how I’m able to tell its story.
Before travel media, I spent years in international exchanges and senior Human Resources roles, and that background shows up in how I research and write: methodical, practical, and focused on what actually matters to the person making the decision.
How I approach reviews and recommendations
Content on Sojournalist is built from on-the-ground experience and deep research, including firsthand visits, aggregated guest review data, award tracking, and direct comparison across properties. When I rank resorts I evaluate on consistent criteria: beach quality, pool scene, dining, service, room comfort, activities, value, guest feedback, and ease of getting there.
When content includes affiliate links, I disclose it. When a stay is hosted, I disclose it. I don’t trade coverage for a positive review.
As seen in / past collaborations
I’ve created travel stories, guides, and campaigns for Fodor’s, The Ritz-Carlton, Sri Lanka Tourism, Bonjour Québec, Visit Sligo, Explore York, Yahoo Creators, and others. I’ve also appeared as a speaker and panel moderator at the Travel & Adventure Show.
Get in touch
For questions, collaborations, or tourism board partnerships, you can reach me here or find me on Instagram.