General FAQ
What makes SURŌ unique from other booking platforms?
SURŌ is a membership-based platform that leverages our website, newsletter, social media channels, and industry relationships to promote our properties to a highly engaged audience, driving bookings directly to the properties. Unlike traditional booking platforms, we don’t charge commission or service fees, just a monthly membership fee for the property listing.
Derived from the Japanese word for “slow,” SURŌ embodies our philosophy of intentional, conscious living and travel. While thoughtfully curated properties remain at our core, we are equally committed to fostering a global community of like-minded explorers, creators, and brands. Through our marketplace, we support socially and environmentally conscious businesses. Our editorial platform shares inspiring stories, while our collaborations offer opportunity for photographers and artists, celebrating the beauty of slow, meaningful travel.
How does the booking process work at SURŌ?
As a membership-based platform, SURŌ eliminates the middleman, fostering a more direct and meaningful connection between guests and the properties they choose. Travelers can explore our curated collection through an interactive availability calendar, a Destinations map, or our themed Collections page.
Once they’ve discovered their ideal stay and confirmed its availability, a simple click of the BOOK NOW button seamlessly directs them to the property’s own booking page. This ensures the best possible rate while allowing guests to personalize their experience—selecting specific rooms, adding bespoke offerings, and communicating directly with the host for special requests or modifications.
What types of properties do you feature?
Our collection includes Bed and Breakfasts, Boutique Hotels, Vacation Homes… and pretty much everything in-between if it aligns with our philosophy and design aesthetic. We seek properties with a story, crafted with heart and intention. Places that inspire. Places that honor their environmental and social footprint. Every stay in our curated selection is more than just a destination; it’s an experience.
How do I submit my property?
We’re always seeking exceptional design-driven properties to join our collection! If your property aligns with our aesthetic and resonates with our audience, we’ll send you a link to begin the onboarding process. If it isn’t approved, it simply means it may not be the right fit for our community at this time.
Click here to start the process—we’d love to learn more about your space!
How do you determine if a property is a good fit for your collection?
We curate each property with intention, ensuring it resonates with our community of design and experience enthusiasts. While our collection embraces a range of styles, sizes, and price points, every stay must be memorable, immersive, and thoughtfully crafted. Our selection criteria include:
1 / Design + Craftsmanship
A strong design identity is essential—whether through striking architecture, meticulous attention to detail, or a beautifully curated aesthetic.
2 / Experiential Stay
A property should offer more than just a place to sleep. A unique location, exceptional hospitality, or a distinctive atmosphere that creates a one-of-a-kind experience is key.
3 / Proven Excellence
Guest experiences matter. Positive reviews ensure consistency in quality, service, and overall ambiance.
4 / Local & Sustainable Ethos
We seek properties that respect their surroundings—whether through the use of renewable energy, support for local artisans and producers, eco-conscious practices like composting and recycling, or a commitment to organic and sustainable products.
Does SURŌ personally vouch for every property on the website?
We carefully evaluate each property based on a set of criteria, prioritizing past guest experiences to ensure every stay in our collection meets our standards.
Our website features two types of listings:
- The Collective Properties – Personally visited and photographed by a member of our team.
- Approved Properties – While we haven’t personally visited these stays, we believe they align with our ethos and make a great addition to our collection.
Please note that our listings are curated recommendations, but travel is unpredictable, and experiences can vary. If you encounter an issue or have a less-than-ideal stay at one of our recommended properties, we’d love to hear from you so we can reassess its place in our collection.
My property was approved but our photos were not - what are the next steps?
If your property is a great fit but the imagery doesn’t align with our brand aesthetic, we’ll connect you with one of our trusted photographers. We believe photography should do more than showcase design and architecture—it should capture the essence and feeling of your space, bringing its story to life.
What if I need to cancel my booking?
When you book with a property, you are agreeing to their terms and policies and therefore must contact the property directly for assistance.
I’m a professional photographer and would love to work with you, how do you select photographers to work with?
Beyond just photography, we are looking for photographers that are in alignment with our philosophy and approach, as they are ambassadors for SURŌ when visiting a property. Approved photographers will first complete a trial shoot to ensure we’re the right fit. Click here to get started.
Do you pay your photographers?
We work on a collaboration basis only, however there are opportunities for generating revenue through our platform.
Do you also work with content creators?
We recognize the impact of content creators in sharing meaningful travel experiences, and many of our properties do as well. However, with the growing volume of collaboration requests, properties are increasingly selective—preferring to work with creators who align with our aesthetic and have our approval. If you’re interested in collaborating, submit your application here.
Why did you change your name from The Perfect Hideaway?
Honestly, The Perfect Hideaway began as a passion project—a simple travel blog that grew faster than I could have ever imagined. It was never intended to become a large business or brand. When it came time to build a new website, I knew rebranding was essential—not only to distinguish us from similar names but also to create something that could be truly our own.
SURŌ, meaning slow in Japanese, felt like the perfect fit—reflecting our ethos of slow, intentional living and travel. The journey to this point took time, but I truly believe everything unfolds exactly as it’s meant to.
Do you also partner with brands?
Yes, exceptional properties remain at the core of our brand, but our philosophy goes beyond where you stay. As a Travel & Lifestyle company committed to conscious travel, authentic experiences, and inspired design, we are eager to partner with like-minded brands that share our vision. If you’re interested in collaborating with our creative team, please reach out here.
We’re also excited to soon launch a sustainable marketplace, featuring brands that align with our ethos, along with future collaborations. Stay tuned!
I’m looking for a property to host a retreat, is that something you offer?
Yes, we feature a wide range of properties that serve as perfect venues for retreats, photoshoots, and special events. You can easily find these venues by using the filter option on the property results page, or by browsing the Venue Gallery on our Collections Page.