Welcome Beyond expands in the USA with acquisition of Stays
Welcome Beyond, the design-minded holiday accommodation expert, has acquired US-based Stays, in a move to expand its perfectly curated collection of holiday house rentals, B&Bs and boutique hotels in North America. The news comes with perfect timing ahead of the US opening borders to fully vaccinated travellers from 33 countries, including the UK, on 8th November.
The acquisition will bring a clutch of beautifully designed properties to the global brand’s seven strong collection of hand-picked holiday houses, B&Bs and small hotels in the USA.
As part of the acquisition, Stays Founder Chelsi Everhart will support the Welcome Beyond team as a Director of New Properties, and is currently reviewing new additions to the Welcome Beyond collection in countries including Australia, New Zealand and Japan, as well as continuing the company’s growth in North America.
USA properties newly added to Welcome Beyond’s collection as part of the acquisition include:
Ozarks Retreat, Ozarks, Arkansas, USA
A modern holiday hideaway with two double bedrooms, in rural Arkansas. The building was designed by an architect who specialises in passive solar design, and trained under Fay Jones (who was an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright and whom the University of Arkansas’ School of Architecture is named after). The owner has sought the most environmentally friendly materials possible - recycled, responsibly sourced and chemical free.
The property is very open, with a living area that connects to the outdoors through floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a kitchen and a light-filled dining area, a living room, as well as a desk space with comfortable chairs if you need to work. The two suites have ensuite bathrooms with walk-in showers and heated toilets - the queen suite has a Japanese soaking tub while the king suite has an oversized bath tub. Locally made vegan bath bombs are provided along with AVEDA bathroom products. There’s also a gym, meditation and yoga room. Outside are three patios and a fire pit that’s stocked with wood, plus a barbecue grill for outdoor cooking.
Guests can access a variety of services including a private chef or prepared meals from an exclusive curated menu, grocery shopping, house keeping and massage therapy. The property is around 35 minutes’ drive from Fayetteville and 40 minutes from Eureka Springs, which is an eclectic city with lots of great restaurants and a strong arts scene. Withrow Springs State Park and the Buffalo National River are minutes away.
Northwest Arkansas has gained the title of Mountain Bike Capital of the World, with skill-level bike trails for every age, whilst nearby War Eagle and Kings River are used for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
Welcome Beyond offers nightly rates at Ozarks Retreat from £216 per night. Sleeps 4. Minimum stay 2-3 nights depending on dates.
The Camp at Gash Creek, Victor, Montana, USA
If you’re looking to get back to nature but aren’t ready to give up all creature comforts, this charming glamping spot in rural Montana fits the bill. A luxurious 16x14 ft canvas tent, with memory foam-topped queen bed, and curated vintage items collected by the owners makes a comfortable, elegant glamping retreat with few distractions - there’s no wi-fi or electricity in the tent, for instance.
Around 100 feet away is the bathhouse with fluffy towels, shower, toilet, even a washer and dryer. There’s also a camp kitchen with stove top, mini fridge, coffee maker and toaster for camp meals, and a patio area with a picnic table, lounge chairs and a large gas fire pit.
Guests can explore the surrounding wilderness at leisure - there are amazing hikes throughout the valley and some beautiful waterfalls, as well as great fly fishing. It’s possible to swim and raft in the Bitterroot River, and there’s sailing, kayaking and cycling on the doorstep too.
Welcome Beyond offers nightly rates at The Camp at Gash Creek from £146 per night. Sleeps 2. Minimum stay 3 nights. Open seasonally from May-October.
Fahnestock House, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
A beautifully renovated house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Fahnestock House comprises four separate apartment spaces for holiday rental - The Matilda Suite (sleeps 2), The Suite (sleeps 2), The Elizabeth Flat (sleeps 2), and The George Flat (sleeps 4).
The house itself was originally built in the Second Empire architectural style, and the renovated interiors, which have been a personal labour of love of the owners, can be described as rustic meets Scandinavian with modern touches. Natural wood features throughout the property and most of the decor is antique or thrifted, with a few new pieces added in. The apartments offer some extra touches including bathroom toiletries and complimentary beers from local breweries.
Fahnestock House is located near the downtown area of Lancaster, which is like a mini Brooklyn with similar architecture. Within a 15 minute walk of the house, there are restaurants, art galleries, and great shopping, including Lancaster Central Market which is one of the oldest indoor markets in the United States. Lancaster is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Philadelphia and three hours from New York City.
Welcome Beyond offers nightly rates at Fahnestock House from £105 per night based on two sharing the Matilda Suite. Minimum stay 2-3 nights depending on dates.
Welcome Beyond is a global collection of holiday houses, b&bs and boutique hotels, all with unique architecture and design at their heart. The company features properties in over 43 countries around the world, at all price points and to suit every holiday vibe. Welcome Beyond was recently recognised as one of the best travel companies in the world by Conde Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2021.