About Us

Before founding Essential Escapes in 2002, Emma worked for one of the UK's leading marketing alliances, Great Hotels of the World. In 2000, she launched their first spa directory, The Great Spa Hotels of the World, after travelling extensively around the globe visiting some of the world's top spa destinations and resorts. Her great spa travelling adventure continues in a permanent quest to find new hotels.

Emma gained business development experience at a top six advertising agency before leaving to follow her first love - travel - where she spent a year travelling through South East Asia, New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific and the Americas.

After becoming a mum in 2005, the new quest became to find the best spa resorts with second-to-none kids facilities so she, and all parents alike could continue to enjoy the luxury spa holidays that had been enjoyed so much! The search continues for more hidden gems....!

Deborah Barnett, Director

Deborah qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 and spent 5 years in the city specialising in Commercial Litigation matters. At the end of 2002 she changed career paths in order to pursue her love of luxury travel. As co-founder of Essential Escapes, she has spent the last 8 years acquiring first-hand knowledge of our spa hotels and working her way through an impressive list of spa treatments! She is a keen scuba diver, water skier and snow skier and enjoys working these hobbies into her travels wherever possible.

As the mother of 2 young children, her travels have experienced a slightly different focus of late, and she now researches the hotels and resorts which best cater for the family market. Deborah has visited our hotels and resorts in the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Tenerife and South Africa.

Jonathan Brod, Non- Exec Director
Jonathan is responsible for our financial strategy. He is a frequent business and leisure traveler and extremely picky! He has been working his way through the Essential Escapes portfolio and particularly recommends the Maldives and South Africa. He is a founder of several businesses, several of which have raised venture capital funding and is the founding partner of Next Wave Ventures, a venture capital fund that invests in consumer and business services companies.

Ann-Marie Orpwood, Travel Sales Executive
Following a university degree in tourism, Ann-Marie has worked with luxury travel specialists since 2005, focusing on Africa, the Middle East and Indian Ocean. She has travelled to various African destinations including Kenya and South Africa, as well as the Maldives, Dubai and Egypt. She is enjoying working her way through her personal list of must-see destinations.

Atarra Preston, Travel Sales Executive
Atarra's travel career started as a consultant for Walt Disney Attractions, followed by working as a sales consultant at a Mediterranean specialist, creating holidays for the single traveler, couples and families with children. Following that she branched into long haul working for a luxury specialist before joining Essential Escapes. Her travels have taken her to Greece, Cyprus, Spain, the Canaries, Italy, Portugal, France, Egypt, Morocco, Dubai and Thailand, where she has immersed herself in the culture and experienced some fantastic luxury hotels.

Julie Harris, Head of Marketing
After 10 years in advertising, 5 years in marketing and with 3 kids, Julie appreciates the importance of a good holiday! She loves any destination where she can get the sand between her toes and create elaborate sandcastles with the family. Her past clients have been as diverse as Singapore Airlines, Diageo, Hasbro, Elida Fabergé, Kraft Jacob Suchard, Séraphine, Pfizer, Kimberly Clark, Reckitt Benckiser and NTL. She loves working with a luxury travel company as it keeps thoughts of sun-drenched beaches uppermost in her mind.

Nicole Spitzer, Marketing Assistant and Concierge
Nicole recently graduated in Business and Communications with a strong focus on marketing. An adventurous traveller, Nicole has explored Thailand, Australia and Europe extensively. Her best ever trip was to the Maldives, indulging in the beauty of the white sands and blue sea, as well as the luxury spa treatments.