Gina is a travel writer, photographer, and content creator often found reviewing luxury and boutique hotels around the world. Aside from contributing to Condé Nast Traveller, Mr & Mrs Smith, and Small Luxury Hotels, Gina is also the author of two books published by Hoxton Mini Press: ‘British Boutique Hotels,’ (published 2021) and ‘London Hotels’, which will be out on August 10th.
I love working in the Travel industry because….
Of the incredible destinations, hotels, cuisines, and cultures I’ve been able to experience over the years. I love discovering new places and sharing them with others through writing and photography.
I’m best known for…
My brutally honest hotel reviews and destination travel guides. I’ll never write about or share somewhere that I wouldn’t actually recommend, as I’d hate for people to go somewhere based on my recommendation if I didn’t genuinely love it.
My biggest achievement to date is…
Definitely writing my first book. I cold-pitched the idea to my publisher; at the time, I didn’t have any representation or the backing of a big publication behind me, but they took a chance on me as they liked the idea. Writing it was definitely a labour of love, and took about a year from start to finish – at the time, I was juggling this alongside my full-time career in tech.
Shop British Boutique Hotels here.
My books were inspired by…
My love for exploring and finding hotel gems around the country. I love highlighting the UK as a travel destination, as we have plenty of great hotels and places to discover right on our doorstep. Prior to the pandemic, I think a lot of people didn’t view the UK as a particularly exciting destination, but I’ve been a champion of the Great British staycation for a long time.
The current travel trends I’m loving are…
Solo female travel. I think social media has played a big part in encouraging women to travel by themselves over the last few years- whether that’s through sharing travel tips, enabling women to forge connections with each other online, and documenting their experiences while on the road. I’ve never actually been on a solo trip myself, but it’s something I want to challenge myself to do this year.
My own wedding day was…
A big barn wedding in the Cotswolds. We had our church ceremony in Burford (where my in-laws are based) followed by a reception at nearby Cripps Barn. I wanted the vibe to be relaxed and rustic yet tasteful: think lots of white flowers and greenery, and hearty, family-style feasting. Several months later, we had a second wedding celebration at the Four Seasons Hong Kong, including a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.
My own honeymoon was…
In Tulum, Mexico. We wanted to choose a destination that neither of us had been to before that offered a mix of beach, great food, and cultural experiences. Tulum was a great option thanks to its combination of luxe boutique hotels on the beach, along with plenty of Mayan ruins and cenotes to explore.
My favourite place in the world to skip the crowds is…
Malaysia, which is where my mum’s side of the family is from. Growing up, I would take our annual holidays to Malaysia for granted, but over the years, I’ve grown to love this tropical destination for its unspoilt beaches and fiery cuisine; I would say it’s relatively undiscovered by British tourists compared to Indonesia or Thailand, and makes for a beautiful holiday destination, especially if you’re looking for a beach escape.
The best person to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo is…
@lexhamiltonfloralstudio – I’m obsessed with the stunning, colourful floral displays she puts together! My style has definitely changed over the years since I got married, and I often think that if I were able to redo my entire wedding ceremony, I’d definitely want Lex to do my flowers – and I’d want them to be as colourful as possible!
And finally, what’s next…
I’m very excited for some far-flung travels I have in the pipeline (I am returning to both Malaysia and Mexico later this year, along with trips to Lake Como and Mykonos), and have already begun thinking about my third book.
Instagram: @ginagoesto
Both books: https://www.hoxtonminipress.com/products/hotel-guides-bundle-save-20
Website: www.ginagoesto.com
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