As November transitions into December, the city’s energy shifts with the season. The end-of-year hustle is in full swing, with professionals navigating busy schedules, braving the chill, and enduring packed commutes. The familiar rhythm of crowded tube rides and jam-packed calendars leaves little room to pause, but it also highlights a growing desire: the need to escape, recharge, and indulge in something extraordinary.

This is where Kelly Donovan comes in. The founder of Stay & Escape, Donovan has built a reputation as the go-to expert in luxury travel. Since launching the business at just 22, she has redefined what it means to curate exclusive, indulgent experiences for clients seeking an escape from the everyday.

The idea for her business came to her as she was holidaying in an Italian Airbnb and admiring the glamour of her surroundings, yet couldn’t help comparing them with what was on offer back in Blighty.
Donovan recalls: “I thought, I swear we don’t have homes of this sort of style back home,” adding: “I always wanted to have my own company, and I’ve been very passionate about property for as long as I can remember, and interior design, and I just had the inspiration to start this company, as I travel a lot myself.”

This was her first foray into the market. She struck gold with her first clients, one of whom was Lucy Choi, niece of upscale shoe designer Jimmy Choo. Donovan also had a business partner 15 years her senior, who guided her in the technical side of running a business.