Pack your bags: The Stay Edit makes it easy to discover elevated getaways with confidence
“I’ve always been a lover of a good getaway!” says Lisa Freda, founder of The Stay Edit. “I’ve travelled to more than 20 countries and have always been very particular about where I stay. The accommodation is a huge part of the trip for me. I’ll happily spend hours searching for somewhere that makes you excited to arrive.” Finding stays to fit that bill wasn’t always easy – until now.
The Stay Edit is a platform that hosts a curated selection of stays and experiences specific to South Australia. Escapes are chosen especially for their elevated design, thoughtful touches and atmosphere. It came about, in part, because of Lisa’s attention to detail.
“The idea had actually been sitting on my heart for a long time,” Lisa says. “I’ve always searched for accommodation a little differently. Rather than deciding where I’m going and then finding somewhere available to sleep, I’ll find an incredible stay first and think, ‘I want to go there’, and the trip comes from that. […] For years, I’d had this concept of creating something that brought those stays together.
The Stay Edit is set apart by its selection criteria; not every property will make the cut. “We look at things like the setting, design quality, guest experience, amenities and overall brand presence,” Lisa explains. “A property needs to meet a minimum score before it can be considered for the collection.
“The framework is important because it gives us consistency, but there’s still an emotional aspect to it. I always come back to two things: would I recommend this stay to a friend, and would I genuinely want to go there myself?”
Due consideration is also given to activities that allow travellers to experience South Australia to the fullest: dinners from private chefs, wellness sessions, winery tours, hot air balloon trips and more. Some stays even come with exclusive perks included. “These vary by property and might be a discount on the stay or an added inclusion that makes the experience that little bit better,” Lisa says.
The Stay Edit isn’t just for one kind of traveller. “The common thread is probably less about who you are and more about how much you care where you stay,” Lisa says. “We have romantic escapes, family-friendly properties, group stays, pet-friendly options and places that would be perfect for disappearing on your own for a couple of days.
“Travellers can narrow the collection by the things that actually influence how a getaway feels – whether there’s a fireplace, outdoor bath, pool or ocean views, whether it’s good for groups or family friendly, as well as by location and stay type.”
It’s the curated platform Lisa always wishes she’d had. “The Stay Edit was built for people like me, who are done with the scroll and just want someone to say, ‘Here. Book this. You’re going to love it’.
The Stay Edit