Beyond the Cover: The Independent Spirit of Secret Stays

A notable shift emerged in hospitality in the past two decades, as homeowners began welcoming travelers into their private homes, fostering genuine connections with these new acquaintances, and offering authentic experiences far removed from traditional hotels. This new way of traveling inspired "Secret Stays," a book that challenges the traditional hotel concept and created by editor Melinda Stevens—the former global editor in chief of Condé Nast Traveler—alongside writers Issy von Simson and Tabitha Joyce. 

The book showcases 22 properties and destinations, each with its own compelling story, from an estate in Yorkshire, England, to an exquisite villa in Tangier, Morocco. Through vivid storytelling and imagery, each property reveals its rich history and contemporary transformation. Take Cristine Bedfor in Menorca, a guest house where, as von Simson notes, the interiors achieve an irreplicable texture, detail, and layering. The owner, Cristina Lozano, has crafted each space to be a sensory portal, where every detail from the scents to the embroidered linens weaves together her travels and the island's essence into a completely unique experience for guests. "This book is all about people who have put their passion and creativity into a place," Stevens reflects. 

Stevens challenges those who delve into the book to think outside the norm when it comes to travel and hospitality. "I think we're told a lot of the time that the world is becoming really homogenized, and everywhere looks the same," she says. "But, that's not true, you just have to look a bit closer." Through her careful curation of “Secret Stays,” she shares her journey of discovering extraordinary destinations and properties that might have otherwise remained unknown.