Why I Started Minibar...

For a long time, I thought motherhood and travel existed on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Travel represented freedom, spontaneity, discovery and a version of myself that felt adventurous and expansive. Motherhood, particularly in the early years, requires presence, routine, sacrifice and an entirely different kind of growth. Like many women, I found myself trying to reconcile the two, wondering whether there was still room for the parts of me that had always been nourished by exploring the world.

The reality, of course, is that while my family dynamic changed, so much of who I am remained the same.

I still notice beautiful design and thoughtful details. I still seek out hotels with a strong sense of place, get excited by exceptional food and creative people, and feel most alive when I'm discovering somewhere new. Travel has never felt like a luxury to me so much as a source of nourishment. It broadens my perspective, fuels my creativity and reminds me of who I am beyond the many roles I hold.

Yet so much of the travel industry seems to position women into one of two camps: the solo traveller or the family traveller, as though we stop being individuals the moment we become mothers.

The truth is that I value both.

Some trips are shared with my family, while others are opportunities to reconnect with myself. Both experiences matter, and both versions of me deserve space. I suspect many women feel the same way.

That's why I created Minibar.

Minibar is a modern editorial travel platform exploring hotels, design, food, destinations and experiences through the lens of contemporary womanhood. Sometimes that means travelling with children, and sometimes it means travelling without them. Sometimes it's a luxury resort on the other side of the world; other times it's a beautifully considered escape just a few hours from home.

In fact, some of the stories I'm most excited to share are much closer to home. One of our first features explores Bannisters by the Sea, an iconic South Coast stay that perfectly captures the kind of experience Minibar celebrates: thoughtful hospitality, beautiful surroundings and a genuine sense of escape and simply luxury. And if you're dreaming of your next coastal getaway, keep an eye out for more of our favourite South Coast stays coming soon.

What connects every story isn't necessarily the destination itself, but the way it makes us feel. Inspired, restored, curious and connected—to a place, to other people and often to ourselves.

As women, we often become experts at putting ourselves last. We prioritise careers, partners, children, households and responsibilities, becoming so accustomed to giving that we forget we are also allowed to receive. We are allowed to rest, to explore and to invest in experiences that light us up.

Minibar isn't about escaping your life. It's about enriching it. It's about collecting stories, discovering beautiful places and remembering that our own joy still matters.

Motherhood may have changed the shape of my life, but it didn't diminish my love of beautiful spaces, thoughtful design, meaningful travel and extraordinary experiences. If anything, it made me appreciate them even more deeply.

Welcome to Minibar.

I'm so glad you're here.