Who Is She?
Sumba, Indonesia.
A Letter From Her.
I have spent a good part of my life inside luxury hotels.
Sometimes as a guest. Sometimes living in them and working behind the scenes. Teaching yoga and pilates, shaping wellness programs, creating culturally relevant children’s experiences, training and managing teams, and often simply helping guests figure out how to make the most of their stay.
This experience gave me a front row seat to what makes travel really work. It is not just about beautiful rooms and polished lobbies. It is the small details that make everything feel effortless once you arrive, and the way personalised service and thoughtful experiences make you feel.
And so, I found myself searching for those feelings and experiences when I ventured off solo or organised with a group..
Over time I became the person friends called when they were planning a trip.
Where should I stay?
What restaurants should I book?
What secret places have you found along the way?
Where She Stayed grew out of those conversations and the many hours I spent researching, exploring and meticulously planning my own travels.
Now nothing brings me greater joy than helping others travel ‘effortlessly’. Planning trips that feel luxurious, thoughtful and wonderfully effortless because every detail has been considered with care.
I want people to say:
I want to stay where she stayed.
“We all have our internet rabbit holes.
Mine just happen to involve beautiful hotels and plane tickets.”
Travel Q&A with Emma.
Rome, Italy.
One thing you never travel without?
An oversized scarf. I want to be cozy when I travel. It works as a soft blanket on flights, a wrap in chilly restaurants, and has even been an rug for inpromptu picnics in the past.
Your very first move when you enter a hotel room?
Check the room service menu. Nothing feeds my soul like breakfast in bed in a big fluffy hotel robe.
Pool, beach, or perfectly positioned bar?
Do I have to choose?
A hotel you could happily disappear into for a month?
COMO Metropolitan in London. Because they always remember you, the service is impeccable, food is delicious and who wouldn’t want to spend a month flouncing about in London?
A destination you will never tire of returning to?
Rome. That city has soul, the people are real, the culture is abundent and, well, the food is to die for. The Romans do life right.
A place still firmly on your list?
Bhutan. The landscapes, the impressive ancient acrchitecture perched impossibly on cliffs, the peaceful nature of the people and a culture that measures success through sustainability and happiness rather than your position in the rat race.
Your non negotiable travel ritual?
Upon arrival, I like to check in, drop my bags and head straight out. Depending on the time that means straight to an outdoor cafe for a coffee in the sunshine or nestled in the corner of a hotel bar for a quiet G&T.
The first thing you notice in a hotel?
Service. Service is everything.
Carry on only or unapologetically overpacked?
Put it this way, I always need a trolly.
Your idea of the perfect travel day?
Effortlessly smooth and fully immersed in the culture of the destination.
The most memorable place you have stayed?
Everyone remembers their first safari experience. Mine was in Botswana. A solo trip. The highlight was galloping horseback alongside a herd of zebras. Sheer magic.
Your secret to making travel feel effortless?
Let us do the planning for you of course.
