Ever since 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) has celebrated the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.
Held on 8th March, IWD is a perfect opportunity to recognise the incredible achievements of the women in your life. That’s why we’ve chosen to dedicate this post – and this day – to our hard-working female property owners.
We began by asking our Host Unusual members for nominations of amazing women (self-nominations very much included), and to say we were overwhelmed is an understatement! The stories you’ll read below are inspirational, uplifting, and moving in equal measure.
Better still, you can experience some of the care and dedication our IWD stories show first-hand, by booking a stay at these wonderfully unusual retreats.
Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Ruth Wimpory wielding an angle-grinder taking the seats out of the bus that became Skoolie Stays!
Above: Jo Carroll with husband Steve Taylor, Winchcombe Farm Retreats
Jo Carroll
Winchcombe Farm Retreats
“I juggle managing six holiday lets on our farm with raising two kids with autism and ADHD, and supporting my husband who’s survived three heart attacks and a cardiac arrest. Let’s not forget my 87-year-old father, who also lives with us and requires a little TLC (but he’s very good at cleaning pizza ovens!)
The most challenging year was 2022, when in just six months my house burned down, my mother-in-law passed away, and then my mum succumbed to cancer. I’m also a trustee for a hospice-at-home charity that helped my mum in her final weeks. Somehow I just about manage to keep all the plates spinning… and miraculously, remain sane!”
Bob's Lodge
Sarah Lloyd-Williams (Nomination)
Wild Welsh Treehouses
“I would like to nominate Sarah for her incredible dedication and hard work in delivering exceptional treehouse holidays, consistently looking for ways to improve guest experiences, and ensuring top-notch stays.
Despite juggling a busy family life with three kids, assisting on the family farm, and working as a doctor, she continues to go above and beyond.”
Ty'r Onnen Treehouse
Lorraine Robinson
The Roost Luxury Cabins
“I’m a solopreneur and have just won two Golds in this year’s Bristol Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. I’ve also been informed that The Roost is through to the Visit England National Tourism Awards, in the ‘Ethical, Sustainable and Responsible Tourism’ category. I’ll find out in April if I’ve made it into the final three – wish me luck!”
The Roost Luxury Cabins
Mia Powell
The Floating Terrarium
“I had no prior design or build experience before I entered a global competition, held by Airbnb, to find 100 unique designs to bring to life.
I was awarded the prize fund of $100,000 to build my unique vessel, The Floating Terrarium, in 2022. Having worked tirelessly over my weekends, learning a multitude of skills with the help of family and friends, I was able to realise my concept and open my botanical boat to customers within the space of a year.
In testament to the #AccelerateAction theme this year, I have truly adopted a ‘do-it- yourself’ attitude and created a successful business off the back of my passion to create unique spaces!”
The Floating Terrarium
Louise Booth
Logie Newton Lodges
“As the founder of Logie Newton Lodges, I have built a luxury eco-friendly retreat from the ground up, championing local businesses and sustainability. I’m a hands-on host who’s created a haven where guests can reconnect with nature, while supporting an independent, female-led business.”
Logie Newton Lodges
Above: Jenny Caswell with Kevin McCloud whilst filming an episode of ‘Grand Designs’
Jenny Caswell (Nomination)
Treetop Hideaways
“I work for my sister, Jenny, at Treetop Hideaways. She’s amazing – she works so hard and dedicates every second of every day to Treetop Hideaways, which she built herself and opened in 2021.
Jenny’s hard work, love and dedication to Treetop Hideaways shines through and has led to numerous Gold Tourism awards at national, county and local level. I’m so proud of her!”
Cuckoo's Nest
Above: Jenny Guyat of Lilypod
Jenny Guyat (Nomination)
Lilypod
“Jenny is the driving force behind so much of what makes Lilypod special. Her passion for nature, sustainability, and creating a true escape for our guests has shaped every part of our off-grid retreat. From the careful design of our pods to the thoughtful details that make each stay unique, Jenny’s touch is everywhere.
Jenny’s ability to balance vision with practicality, creativity with hard work, and business with heart is nothing short of inspiring. Lilypod would not be what it is today without her.”
Lilypod
Above: Felicity, David and Caroline Brown of Hoe Grange Holidays
Caroline Brown (Nomination)
Hoe Grange Holidays
“As the next generation in our award-winning Hoe Grange Holidays, our daughter Caroline has truly embraced the International Women’s Day theme of #AccelerateAction by transforming our social-media presence and streamlining organisational systems behind the scenes.
Caroline is wonderfully warm and welcoming to guests. Her dedication and innovation have made a real impact, and we couldn’t be prouder of her achievements.”
Hoe Grange Holidays
Lizzy Lister and Lil Lanyon (Nominations)
Railholiday
“Lizzy works tirelessly to make sure Railholiday always lives up to its award-winning eco credentials. Alongside marketing, designing carriage interiors, creating bespoke artwork and making sure vases and gardens are filled with year-round beautiful pollinator-friendly flowers, she volunteers for numerous community projects including Livewire Youth Music, Rame Peninsula Beach Care, and the local village shop.
We’d also like to nominate our wonderful gardener, Lil Lanyon. Every changeover day Lil comes with a basket filled with flowers from her own garden to fill the vases in our carriages – as well as helping us move and plant thousands of snowdrop bulbs in our ten-acre woods!”
Railholiday
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Above: Ruth Wimpory of Skoolie Stays/The Vacationist
Ruth Wimpory (Nomination)
Skoolie Stays and The Vacationist
“My wife Ruth was the driving force behind the story of our family’s year of living in a bus in the US, which ultimately led to us changing our lives and starting our glamping business, Skoolie Stays.
As well as starting the business itself and all that entails, she was there with an angle-grinder, a sewing machine, and a paint brush to build and convert our bus, as we did all the work ourselves.”
Skoolie Stays
Above: Louise Nicholson, The Artisan Bakehouse
Louise Nicholson
The Artisan Bakehouse
“While The Artisan Bakehouse has a fun team of male tutors teaching great bread, I’m the strategy, planner and ‘ideas’ person behind the business! I’m always there, quietly behind the scenes, creating great customer experiences and new events as well as looking after the onsite holiday accommodation and guests.”
The Artisan Bakehouse
Above: Anjana Devoy of Chillderness
Anjana Devoy
Chillderness
“As the co-founder of Chillderness, I am a pioneer in creating stylish, off-grid retreats that embrace the wilderness experience.
From innovative glamping structures like the Earth Conker, which offers digital detox, to sustainable homes such as Red Kite Barn, built with eco-friendly methods, my aim is to offer unique experiences that emphasise comfort, relaxation and environmental consciousness.”
Earth Conker
