The Hotel Edit: Female-Founded Stays Worth Knowing

Why this matters now

There’s a noticeable shift happening in hospitality. Some of the most compelling hotels today aren’t just beautifully designed, they’re built with a distinct point of view. Many female-founded properties are leading that shift, bringing a level of intentionality that goes beyond aesthetics. The result is a more considered, more human experience… one that guests don’t just enjoy, but remember.

What they tend to do differently

These hotels often share a few defining qualities:

• Design-forward: Spaces feel curated, layered, and purposeful rather than formulaic

• Guest experience nuance: The details are thoughtful in ways that feel intuitive, not over-engineered

• Storytelling: There’s a clear identity behind the property, and it shows up consistently across the experience

Best for

• Executive retreats centered around intentional culture and connection

• Brand-aligned experiences where the environment needs to reflect a point of view

The Edit

• Salamander Collection: Founded by Sheila Johnson

  Rooted in a vision of luxury that feels both refined and deeply personal, Salamander Collection properties are known for their warmth, service, and strong sense of place. Each destination reflects a thoughtful balance of elegance and approachability.
  Best for: executive retreats that prioritize both polish and genuine connection

• Batoka Hospitality: Founded by Vimbai Masiyiwa

  Batoka Hospitality brings a design-forward, culturally grounded perspective to African luxury travel. With a focus on immersive experiences and meaningful storytelling, the brand offers a more intentional way to engage with destination.
  Best for: groups seeking experiences that feel both elevated and deeply rooted in place

• The Royal Portfolio: Founded by Liz Biden

  A collection of highly distinctive properties across South Africa, The Royal Portfolio is known for its bold design, vibrant personality, and exceptional attention to detail. Each space feels expressive, curated, and unmistakably unique.
  Best for: incentive trips and retreats where design and individuality take center stage

• COMO Hotels & Resorts: Founded by Christina Ong

  COMO has long set the standard for understated luxury, blending wellness, design, and service into a seamless experience. The brand’s calm, considered approach creates spaces that feel both restorative and quietly sophisticated.
  Best for: retreats centered around wellness, clarity, and intentional reset

• Passalacqua: Led by Valentina De Santis

  Set on Lake Como, Passalacqua feels less like a hotel and more like a private residence brought to life with extraordinary detail. Under Valentina De Santis’ direction, the property delivers intimacy, artistry, and a deeply personal guest experience.
  Best for: high-touch, small group experiences where privacy and atmosphere are everything

• Lily of the Valley: Founded by Lucie Weill

  Blending wellness with Riviera ease, Lily of the Valley offers a fresh take on luxury that feels both relaxed and highly intentional. The focus on health, longevity, and lifestyle is seamlessly integrated into a design-forward setting.
  Best for: retreats that combine performance, wellbeing, and a sense of escape

• Hotel Peter and Paul: Founded by Nathalie Jordi

  A former church and schoolhouse in New Orleans, Hotel Peter and Paul is a masterclass in adaptive reuse and narrative-driven design. The property feels soulful, layered, and entirely its own.
  Best for: creative gatherings and groups drawn to spaces with depth and story

The right setting does more than host the experience—it defines it.

If you’re planning something similar and want the location to feel as intentional as the experience itself, I handle that entire process from start to finish.