Simonseeks founder launches holiday homes business

Press release: Hot on the heels of his new travel guides website Simonseeks, entrepreneur Simon Nixon has unveiled another new venture in travel.

Press release: Hot on the heels of his new travel guides website Simonseeks, entrepreneur Simon Nixon has unveiled another new venture in travel.

The project sees him invest in a number of stunning properties in the UK which are available for private hire through SimonEscapes.

SimonEscapes is an exclusive portfolio of holiday homes which Simon has bought and developed personally. Think cutting edge design, sumptuous luxury, personal concierge service and enviable locations such as North Wales’ Ll?n Peninsula, The Cotswolds and Cornwall’s Booby’s Bay.

This Chester-based project is Simon’s first major investment in bricks and mortar. His past endeavours have included founding moneysupermarket.com and travelsupermarket.com, as well as the recently launched travel guides website Simonseeks. Julie Thomas joins as general manager of the new company, from luxury travel company Seasons in Style.

The renovation and refurbishment of the first property, Borth Cottage in Abersoch is now complete and it is ready for bookings. Borth is a six-bedroom coastal house with helipad and hot tub. The second project is an impressive Cotswold stone house, Elkstones, on the outskirts of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire which will be completed later this month. The third property in the portfolio will be called Little Polgarron and is currently under construction on an exclusive seafront plot of land on Booby’s Bay, close to Padstow in Cornwall. Simon is currently scouting for other sites including Lake Windermere, Salcombe, and Rock.

Simon comments: “SimonEscapes is an idea I have had for a while. I wanted to bring together a collection of properties in some of the UK’s most sought after locations which celebrate the very best that Britain offers, from the beauty of the Cotswolds, to the rugged coast of Cornwall. I have a passion for sleek, cool, contemporary design and with each house I will work with local experts and materials to create the ultimate ‘escape’ for the luxury market.”

Borth Cottage, Abersoch

Simon chose North Wales’ beautiful Ll?n Peninsula for his first SimonEscapes house inspired by his personal connection with the area having enjoyed family holidays as a child here. Borth Cottage has been completely refurbished, with Simon working with Chester based Interiormotive Design Ltd. The house sleeps 12 and comes complete with all the fittings of a boutique hotel, its own heli pad, hot tub, sauna and mini-cinema. The place is all about R&R and the contemporary design echoes the coastal nature of the property with large en-suite bathrooms, open fires, a state of the art kitchen, stylish conservatory and family games room.

The general theme is ‘luxurious simplicity’, with cool clean lines and natural finishes such as stone, wood, glass and steel with touches of Welsh slate. A solid oak table top in the dining room sits on two large toughened glass bases and was specially designed to fit the space. A Tom Dixon mirrored copper lamp shade provides the centre piece to the glass, steel and oak staircase which sweeps down from the first floor, and in the master suite a vast stone resin bath floats on a platform of marble flanked by glass in front of a huge arched window with views across the bay.

Designer highlights include dining chairs by Mario Bellini for Cassina, a B&B Italia Charles Sofa and Foscarini Caboche glass wall lights. The kitchen is designed by Bulthaup, while the glass cube conservatory functions as an airy breakfast room with breathtaking views of the rural setting. The house enjoys a stunning coastal location, in an area of outstanding natural beauty with a acre of grounds.

Guests have access to the SimonEscapes personal ‘concierge’ service which can organise just about anything to ensure they achieve their ultimate ‘escape’. From wakeboarding, windsurfing, sailing lessons, to advice about cycling routes, horseback adventures or restaurant bookings to suit every occasion. Recommendations can be made for all local food specialists and fresh seafood can be delivered daily to the door. What’s more, a personal ‘sommelier’ is on hand to suggest and deliver the very best wines to marry with each meal. Yoga, massage and beauty treatments can all be arranged.

Prices: A week’s private hire of Borth Cottage costs between £4,500-£6,000 depending on the time of year. Mid week and weekend rates are available in low season and are priced from £2,000 for three nights.

Special opening offer of £1,335 for a three night break is available between October 2009 and March 2010 excluding Christmas & New Year.

 More information:

* SimonEscapes