“There are no strangers in this world, just friends we’ve yet to meet” has always been a favourite mantra of mine. Many years ago I saw this phrase scratched on a piece of drift wood and hung sloppily on a tree. I was on my first solo holiday which I will never forget.

I am now living proof of that statement which is so true and every week I meet strangers that then become friends. I feel very grateful to be living my best life.

I found my place in the sun 22 years ago, although I didn’t move to Fuerteventura permanently until 10 years ago and now I am intent on enjoying every single minute of it. In between practicing yoga, and meditation, I enjoy sailing and padel tennis, a sport that is fast growing in the UK. Padel is a mix between Tennis and Squash, played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass.

Had someone told me, ten years ago, I would have my own naturist resort I would have thought they were utterly mad.  I always enjoyed naturism when I came to Fuerteventura especially the beautiful beaches that always compared to Hawaii.

I started my working life on a Youth Training Scheme straight from school and earning £27.50 per week, I was the office junior at the East Anglia Tourist Board organising familiarisation trips for journalists. I then set up my own business supported by The Princes Trust and spent many years as a print buyer which ventured into marketing and PR. I was awarded Business Woman of the Year when I was 24 years old from the young entrepreneur organisation Livewire sponsored by Shell.

I remember saying to HRH Prince of Wales if I ever started to work for someone else again, I would love it to be The Princes Trust who had supported me, and so later I began volunteering with them. I then became Regional Director and went on to support many other young people to run their own businesses.  

My memorable part of the job, apart from trips to Buckingham Palace, was giving lectures inside Prisons to the young offenders and explaining to them the similarities between their current situation where they took a high risk, which clearly didn’t pay off because they would not have ended up in prison, and being a young business person. They could take a risk and set up their own business and create a different, preferably successful, future.

After 10 wonderful years I then met my late husband, who was playing Mickey in Blood Brothers in the West End. He had started producing his own theatrical productions which I found fascinating and our business and personal partnership began. We produced together some established plays and other productions at venues throughout the UK and searching the globe for international talent to showcase to audiences throughout Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. At the same time, we also purchased property in Fuerteventura.

I decided to move over to BHH (Beverley Hills Villa) as my main home and quickly realised I preferred the sunshine lifestyle to the daily grind back in the UK. I had always attracted the occasional independent holidaymaker, including several naturists, so a few months before the Pandemic I decided to encourage naturists for holidays. Since then I have gradually created 4 independent apartments around the large swimming pool, spacious terraces, and outdoor dining and relaxing areas. As well as my own private apartment on the top of BHH where I live with my two doodle dogs, they are known as the BHH therapy pets as many of my guests will testify. In fact, Milo gets more reviews than I do!

All the naturists’ guests I had welcomed had been really nice people and had enjoyed the privacy and seclusion we offer. I certainly never had a problem being naked in front of guests or vice versa. And it’s a niche market that is easier to target than simply being just another mainstream holiday option among hundreds.

My friend took some professional photographs, and I encouraged the naturist media to be involved. Three years down the line and I am thrilled with the response and huge percentage of return guests. The word must have spread because I am attracting naturists from all over Europe these days.

Fuerteventura has the most beaches of all the Canary Islands put together. The beach at Costa Calma is within walking distance of the resort if you decide not to hire a car and collapse by the pool. If you want to go further afield there are amazing beaches at Sotavento, recently voted the best naturist beach in Spain, Jandía, Esquinzo and Mal Nombre, all nearby in the south of the island.

To me, naturism means non sexual social nudity. I also enjoy the company of first-time naturists visiting because it is a small boutique type resort with only four apartments. I think of it as a home from home and I hope my reviews on google will back this up. Most of my guests return time and time again which makes them friends now and confirms my mantra ‘there are no strangers, just friends we’ve yet to meet”.

Come and see for yourself by contacting me and checking my website www.naturistcanaries.com

Written by Karie Jane from BHH Naturist Resort