“Dream a little. Travel a lot.” This motto has propelled The Luxe Nomad from a small travel start-up in 2012—operating out of an apartment with just three employees—to an internationally recognized booking portal and property management company. With USD 3 million in funding and a team of 50 employees across Asia and beyond, The Luxe Nomad has made a name for itself in the world of luxury travel. And at the heart of its success is Stephanie Chai, the visionary entrepreneur who dared to disrupt an industry she once knew nothing about.
A Journey from Fashion to Business
Stephanie Chai’s path to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional. Born to a New Zealand mother and a Malaysian father—both entrepreneurs—she was immersed in a multicultural world from an early age. Growing up in the small city of Kuching in East Malaysia, travel became an escape and a passion. After attending boarding school in New Zealand, she earned a degree in Finance and International Business from the University of Auckland while simultaneously pursuing a modeling career that took her across Asia.
But Chai’s ambitions extended beyond the runway. She had always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, even pitching a business idea to Clinique while still in middle school. Her first business venture came in 2009 with the launch of Wedding Guide Asia, an online directory catering to the bridal market. Recognizing the shift toward digital platforms, she successfully built a growing community of online suppliers and consumers.
The Birth of The Luxe Nomad
In 2012, Chai took a bold leap into the travel industry with The Luxe Nomad, a platform offering flash deals on luxury villas across Asia. While the model was initially successful—everyone loves discounts—Chai understood that long-term growth required evolution. As competitors faded, The Luxe Nomad transitioned into a full-fledged villa booking site, curating a selection of over 1,000 luxury villas in destinations from Bali to Mykonos and Samui to South Africa.
“What distinguishes The Luxe Nomad from any other booking site is the level of care we provide for our guests,” says Chai. “Anyone can just book you into a nice villa, but we created our concierge team to help guests with the entire holiday experience. We’ll help you get the reservations you want, get champagne delivered at the right moment, book you in for a healing session, and of course, organize all the transport in between.”
Chai was deeply involved in every aspect of the business, from finance and operations to marketing, even crafting copy for individual Instagram posts. As the company grew, she realized she couldn’t do it all alone. In 2016, she hired a Chief Operating Officer, a milestone that led to year-on-year sales growth. That same year, she launched WanderLuxe, a digital travel and lifestyle magazine, positioning The Luxe Nomad as a leading voice in luxury travel across Asia.
A Culture of Passion and Persistence
Chai believes in building a close-knit team that shares core values of honesty, commitment, and persistence. “I have an instinct about the right people for my team,” she says. “It’s intuition!” While she fosters a friendly office environment, she also ensures that work gets done with discipline and dedication. This balance has helped create a dynamic workplace where employees are as passionate about travel as they are about their work.
Expanding Horizons with Villa Management
In 2017, The Luxe Nomad took a major step forward by entering the villa management sector. Anticipating a shift in the industry, Chai acquired a local villa management company in Bali, securing 37 villas in October 2017. Just a few months later, sales and booking revenue saw a significant increase. With this success, The Luxe Nomad set its sights on expanding its managed properties across Asia and beyond.
“There are so many beautiful properties around Asia that we want people to see, and we will of course bring that special Luxe Nomad touch to the experience,” says Chai. “One of the most important aspects we’ll be integrating across our managed villas is our green policy.”
A Commitment to Sustainability
Beyond luxury travel, The Luxe Nomad is dedicated to sustainability. In its managed villas in Bali, the company has implemented eco-friendly initiatives such as replacing plastic water bottles with reusable glass bottles, providing recycling bins in all villas, and offering biodegradable, non-plastic straws. The body wash provided in the villas is also free from parabens, phthalates, and petrochemicals.
The Luxe Nomad’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond its properties. In 2018, the company raised funds in just five days to install Hong Kong’s first Seabin at an exclusive members club. This floating rubbish bin collects debris, microplastics, oil, and detergents from the water. Within its first two weeks, the Seabin removed 78 kg of waste from Hong Kong’s waters.
“Hong Kong is a city that is beautiful not only for its skyline but for the waters surrounding it,” says Chai. “In recent years, these waters have become increasingly polluted with plastic waste. While we know the Seabin won’t ‘stop’ pollution, we believe in taking action rather than doing nothing. This war on plastic requires every stakeholder—government, businesses, and individuals—to play a part.”
Inspiring Change, One Trip at a Time
From disrupting the travel industry to championing sustainability, Stephanie Chai is proving that success isn’t just about profits—it’s about making an impact. “I hope at the end of the day, it’s not just about how many followers The Luxe Nomad has or how many bookings we get,” she says. “I hope that we inspire others to go for their dreams. Life is too short to live someone else’s.”
