SJP Holidays

When I was invited to visit Mykonos, as part of a Designer Travel educational trip, I will be honest, I had my reservations. I pictured sunset DJ sets, packed beach clubs and a crowd considerably cooler than me. I boarded the plane in my faithful Skechers wondering if I had made a mistake. I am so glad I kept an open mind. The trip was hosted by the Myconian Collection - a group of 14 family-run hotels, the first of which opened in 1979 and is now operated by four sons. That

My wife and I first visited Anse Chastenet in the spring of 2023. We've loved visiting St Lucia since we first went as a family in 2016, and as part of an earlier visit, we'd been on a snorkelling trip to Anse Chastenet Bay. A friend had also told me that Anse Chastenet was a very different sort of resort - much closer to nature - which greatly appealed to us. Our stay in 2023 was excellent, even after the drive along the approach road to the resort, which is frequently menti

For some strange reason, people seem to like hearing my voice and having a nosy at the rooms I stay in on my holidays and work trips, so to satisfy demand - here's one I've previously been keeping to myself! This video is from when I was in the Maldives earlier this year and stayed at the wonderful 5* Varu by Atmosphere in one of their gorgeous Water Villas... If you're considering a trip to the Maldives, I can highly recommend this island. It's situated in the North Malé Ato

It’s these kinds of stories that make my work so rewarding. Julie and Neil returned to Mauritius where they got married to re-new their wedding vows, but the holiday was made even more special by taking Julie's mum with them to celebrate her 80th birthday. To then receive the following letter, card and flowers was the icing on the cake... 😊 Dear Susan, Just a little note to thank you for all your help, patience and assistance with our special trip which was just perfect. We

I am delighted to have had another article in the July 2025 edition of two lovely local publications, Oundle Life and Thrapston Life The editorial team were keen to run a feature about my recent educational trip to Mykonos. Click the link below to read my article and to browse the full magazine: https://online.fliphtml5.com/rlpov/hsdq/#p=8

Have you ever had to pinch yourself to check you’re not dreaming? That was me as our seaplane touched down at the W Maldives. Looking out across that dazzling blue water, I spotted a line of smiling staff waving from the jetty. Check-in had already been taken care of in the VIP lounge at Malé, so from the moment we stepped off the plane, it was all welcome drinks and warm smiles. After an introduction to the island from the manager and a buggy tour of the resort, we were show

I was lucky enough to be invited to stay at the beautiful Ikos Aria in Kos earlier this year - and it did not disappoint. Although I already knew a lot about the Ikos brand and everything it had to offer, experiencing it first-hand was a real treat. The attention to detail, the ease, and the sheer level of thought that goes into every part of the holiday… it really did impress. Let me share what you can expect… Ikos Resorts is a collection of award-winning luxury properties i

This one felt really special. Call me old-fashioned, but how wonderfully refreshing to receive a card from this lovely couple after their stay at the adult-only Keyonna Beach boutique hotel in Antigua. Who needs emails and phones when you have a note like this? 😊 Hi Susan, We just wanted to thank you for arranging such a lovely holiday for us, it was perfect. Our room, we think, was probably the best one of the 47 rooms in the resort. The staff call our small block “in the c

Last November, I was lucky enough to stay at two incredible Anantara hotels in the UAE, each offering something completely different but equally special. If you’re looking for luxury, exceptional service and a memorable stay, these are two properties well worth considering... Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel Anantara Downtown Dubai is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, just 20 minutes from the airport. Once you step inside the grand doors, the bustle of downtown Dubai

Earlier this year, I finally ticked off the Island of Spice - Grenada. Kicking off my trip with a few nights at Mount Cinnamon, a boutique hotel I’ve had my eye on for years, was the perfect start. Just 15 minutes from the airport, Mount Cinnamon is a stunning intimate boutique hotel perched on the hillside overlooking gorgeous Grand Anse Beach. As a self-confessed beach snob, let me tell you - this two-mile stretch of golden sand did not disappoint. The property itself felt

Big news. The Maldives have finally been ticked off my wish list! 😊 In July, I was fortunate to join a small group of Designer Travel colleagues for an 8-night educational trip to four different islands. We flew with the impressive Qatar Airlines via Doha - another first for me. I wanted to share an overview of my experience and what I feel each island has to offer. If you'd like more details, you know me - I love to chat about holidays! The first two islands I visited are c

Vanessa and Chris, fellow members of my tennis club, approached me with a request for a resort holiday where they could enjoy both tennis and some well-deserved relaxation. I’m pleased to say that my hotel recommendation seems to have hit the mark… Memories of past holidays made us long for the sound of cicadas and the scent of cypress trees that Greece always delivers. Add to that the guaranteed hot, sunny weather and a refreshing glass of ouzo, and we couldn’t resist. We as

I am delighted to have successfully completed the online training courses for the Sandals and Beaches Resorts, to add to my collection of specialist online training. NB These training courses have to be re-taken every two years.

I contacted Susan for recommendations on seeking a March sunshine break for us. She researched our requirements and provided helpful suggestions, including the fabulous 5-star Amavi MadeForTwo Hotel in Paphos, Cyprus. The room was excellent, full of tech to work the lights, curtains and temperature, and a lovely comfortable bed. The outside pool had allocated sun beds, the grounds were beautiful and the staff were amazing. We enjoyed a plentiful buffet at breakfast and del

I am delighted to have successfully completed the online training course for St Vincent & The Grenadines, to add to my collection of specialist online training.

Last winter, I was privileged to spend a few nights at the beautiful East Winds Hotel as part of my Caribbean holiday. I enjoyed my stay here so much that it felt fitting to write a more detailed personal piece on this stunning resort. By way of an introduction, have a peek at the following video for a visual sense of what awaited me… I’m always happy to return to an island that I love to explore a different resort and experience. This boutique hotel, located on one of St Luc

Dear Susan, We have just arrived back from our fabulous honeymoon to the Maldives and wanted to say a huge thank you for organising this once in a lifetime trip for us. It was smooth sailing and stress-free from the moment we booked. The information you provided was clear and took all the usual uncertainties of travelling away. After arriving in style on a speedboat, we were blown away by the luxury of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu and were looked after very well by the staff

Susan absolutely nailed our honeymoon brief - everything was perfect! We had the best time ever at the Royal Hideaway Corales Beach in Tenerife. We loved the hotel, location, our suite, the food and all the facilities. It was an incredible holiday and neither of us wanted to come home. We are so grateful to Susan for suggesting it and all her help - she is highly recommended. #honeymoon #romantic #allinclusive

Saint Lucia was our first major holiday together and it was worth every penny. Susan was very considerate and patient, answering our questions and helping create an experience that we will never forget. Sandals Regency La Toc was the perfect choice for us - the balance of relaxation, indulgence and excitement was spot on and exceeded our expectations in every way. The location was ideal, the weather gorgeous, and the locals and staff were so welcoming with outstanding service

I don’t often return to a place, so St Lucia must have something special. It also happens to be a good route to another of my bucket list destinations, Bequia, in beautiful St Vincent and the Grenadines. My 11-night itinerary was an initial four in St Lucia and two at the end, sandwiched between five in Bequia - perfect. On my last trip to St Lucia in 2015, I did a little hotel hopping, staying at Windjammer Landings, The Body Holiday and Rendezvous, now known as StolenTime b