Spotting a gap in the market for a niche business housing a curated edit of the world’s best wellbeing destinations, Stella Photi launched Wellbeing Escapes eight years ago.

Giving people a porthole to help find the perfect escape to from their busy lives and hectic work schedules, Stella has curated an edit of luxury wellbeing escapes across the globe. We talk to Stella to find out her inspiration behind the brand and how she likes to relax in her spare time.

You founded Wellbeing Escapes 8 years ago, what was the inspiration behind launching the site?

Like many people, work was getting to me. I needed a relaxing holiday where I could de-stress and recharge the batteries. I searched the internet high and low and found nothing that I was specifically after. I wanted something where I felt truly catered for and looked after, not a holiday where I was just another person on vacation. I wanted that personal touch when booking a holiday because we all go on holiday for more reasons than just,‘I need a break’.

When did you first become interested in the wellness industry?

I am interested in the word ‘wellbeing’ itself and find that it applies to both our physical and mental health. I believe that wellness is a balance of things, rather than chasing the idea of being super healthy all day long every day. I became more interested than ever when I realised wellness would be empathised by a lot of people and a pursuit that many were investing in. I was determined once I knew wellness encompassed so many things in our lives, that we share, and therefore it would hook into peoples conscious.

What advice would you give our readers to help relax and unwind between their hectic and busy schedules?

Getting lots of fresh air is always helpful; I walk a great deal because of my dog Louis. A treatment is always well received, whether it’s once a month or less frequent than that, a simple treatment can lift all the stresses away in that moment. I believe Meditation to be so important for my own wellbeing. I discovered it a long time ago and it is still a valid part of my steps toward overall wellbeing.

What are your top travelling tips?

I would say always explore the local area; you never know what is nearby. Ensure to also be adventurous and try local cuisine and have an open mind at all times. I recommend if at a spa resort, to try as many of their local treatments – it will be authentic, indigenous and their speciality.

What are your top 5 travelling beauty essentials?

I love using oils, Rosehip Oil in particular. It is great for combination skin and allows you to give yourself a mini massage as it sinks into your skin. I also love Rosewater, either as a toner or face spritzer. A body-brush is essential as it removes all the dead skin cells, followed by body oil. Sesame or almond oil are my favourite types. These products always make me feel good but as does going somewhere new or visiting one of our properties. I find that the wellbeing program at Grayshott really cleanses and restores my digestive system, leaving me feeling a lot better from within as well as reflecting on the outside (I’d like to think). Split Farthing does a great healthy eating program inspired by raw cuisine. It makes a difference to my skin and I think diet is definitely a decider in how our skin and overall appearance presents itself.

Wellbeing Escapes offers peaceful getaways to a number of different locations across the world. You must have travelled to some very special destinations, what is your favourite?

Perhaps the Ananda in the Himalayas. I saw the holy Ganges River and it didn’t compare to how it’s seen on the television- toxic and polluted, but impressively clean. It was an amazing experience to be at the holiest river in the world; it left a deep impression.

Fitness activities are very much trend driven at the moment. Can you tell our readers what will be the next big thing for 2014?

There is a strong emphasis on making the most of the outdoors in travel at the moment. We have a new workshop that is a meditative day in Epping Forest; the focus is simply on getting back to nature and re-discovering how beneficial it is for us. Some of our properties focus on facilities whilst others focus on group outdoor work. There are always repeating trends such as weight loss and detoxing, but I feel as though fitness needs to have longevity. Fitness is equally a state of mind than physical wellbeing.

Wellbeing Escapes offers spa holidays across the globe. What is your favourite treatment?

Call me traditional but I love a facial. I enjoy the great smelling products they use and the atmosphere that is created in the room is utter peace. Everything combined about it spells out total relaxation for me. More than this though is the affect Shirodhara has on me; the oil that is gently poured onto your head, from a distance is miraculous as I sink into the deepest state of relaxation.

You are a busy working mum. What advice would you give our readers on how to juggle parenthood whilst running your own business?

I don’t have any special secrets, I just do the best I can and manage. Like everything else, you learn to juggle in the process of juggling. I work hard but I don’t neglect my family members which I think can easily happen. I also have a great team I work with and this allows me to manage my own time too.

New mums often find pressures to lose the baby weight and look a certain way. What advice would you give new mums?

I would say to do things slowly, our bodies go through an extreme change and changing back in a hurry won’t do it any favours. I would say after birth no woman’s body will look exactly the way it did beforehand so to get stressed over this is futile. I think we should be happy with ourselves and the most important thing is health not image. I think the best progress made would be when a woman, in this instance, does things methodically and slowly such as yoga and meditation. More abrasive exercise can start after a good couple of months, at least. Before that just enjoy your little new arrival.

Can you tell us about any exciting projects you are working on?

We have just introduced Green Farm Fitness- a stunning property in Ashford, Kent. We are really excited about partnering with them. We are always on the look out to increase our workshops. Our nutrition workshops are always a popular choice. We have recently loaded a new day’s workshop in Epping Forest that we hope will draw in existing and new clients. Time-wise the trip is accessible as it lasts a day while it is affordable. More people are pursuing shorter breaks instead of committing to a long break in Asia for example. Our range of short booster holidays proves very popular and we would like to see this continue to grow.

When you’re not working, how do you relax?

I love cooking healthy meals, I enjoy my one-on-one time with my dog Louis and listening to Classical music; I find that it relieves my mind. I also take time to practice mindfulness each day too, whether it’s just savouring what I’m eating, or my walk in the park.

What advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?

I would say to find a niche in the market you are targeting. Imitating someone else is never going to pull in the audience, remembering to have your own unique business identity is everything. Being as unique as possible will result in people remembering you and what it is your business sells.

How do you keep in shape with such a busy schedule?

I have been meditating for years. It makes me feel less frazzled and my thoughts after generally more ordered. Once a week I go to a lyengar yoga class, and when possible I squeeze in a Zumba class as they are so much fun.

Living in the UK, we lust warmth and sunlight, what family friendly wellness escapes would you recommend to our readers?

I would say Aphrodite Hills, Penha Longa, Porto Elounda, Anassa and Shanti Maurice are all family friendly. They all have excellent facilities for children, so they will be kept busy in the Kid’s Clubs, while you can go off and relax in the spa.

What is your motto?

My motto is just to pursue being as happy as possible. I don’t have a single motto or mantra to quote but I believe in having balance in life. Without it what would we know to appreciate? How would we know where our attention is best focused? How would we understand how to prioritise? If I absolutely had to serve up my motto it would be ‘everyone deserves a little Wellbeing’- there you have it.

Visit www.wellbeingescapes.com