What It Is
Secretplaces is a curated online travel agency and booking platform founded in 2001 by Michael Bendixen and Beatriz Parra Stucky, originally launched with a focus on Spain and Portugal. The platform has since expanded to cover more than 30 countries, with a portfolio of over 1,400 handpicked accommodations including boutique hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, villas, self-catering apartments, and holiday homes. All properties are selected for their uniqueness, quality, and authentic character rather than solely on price or category.
Who It Serves and How to Connect
Secretplaces serves independent, design-conscious travellers seeking distinctive stays that offer personalised service and a genuine sense of place. For property operators, it functions as a specialist distribution channel reaching a travel audience that actively avoids generic chain hotels. Properties apply to be listed and are assessed against Secretplaces' editorial standards; once accepted, they benefit from editorial exposure, booking traffic, and assistance from the platform's multilingual travel expert team, who recommend properties directly to enquiring guests.
Specialty and Region
The platform's heartland is Southern Europe — particularly Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France — with growing coverage across Central and Eastern Europe, Morocco, and Brazil. Secretplaces is especially strong for rural retreats, historic town-house hotels, and boutique beach properties. Its travel experts provide personalised itinerary advice and booking assistance in six languages, adding a concierge-like layer that differentiates it from self-service OTAs.