Good KARMA
Every job has its perks, and sitting at the award-winning Di Mare restaurant perched atop the cliffs of Ungasan, Bali, with a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean is definitely one of them. While most interviews typically happen in the office or over the phone, an interview with Charlotte Spence, the visionary founder of the global members club House of Karma, calls for an extraordinary setting. Spence is redefining luxury for the modern rebel, offering curated experiences in some of the world’s most romantic destinations.
So here I am, embracing the experience for you, our dedicated readers. Enjoy!
“House of Karma is a revolutionary new members’ collective for the world of luxury travel and experiences. It is a space for us young, aspirational luxury rebels and pampered vagabonds to connect through out-of-the-box adventures, immersive experiences and lavish events, both across the globe and in our home cities”.
Charlotte Spence - Founder
What inspired you to create House of Karma, and how does it differ from other luxury travel and lifestyle clubs?
Having been lucky enough to have grown up in the luxury travel industry, I've been able to explore some incredible places and cultures around the world, from breathtaking resorts. However, what I've felt has been missing in the luxury travel market is an air of playfulness and social connection - just because we love a five star experience, that's not to say we don't want to enjoy some out-of-the-box quirkiness and like-minded connections along the way! And I think that's where the idea for House of Karma was born - combining a love of luxury with the desire to connect and not take life too seriously, to create a club for all who aspire to that kind of lifestyle.
With your focus on young, adventurous travellers, what unique experiences does House of Karma offer that would appeal to couples looking to add a bit of excitement to their marriage?
Through House of Karma we offer a real breadth of unforgettable, curated experiences for our members. That's where I think it's the ideal membership for couples that want meticulously planned and inventive trips, without the stress of either of them planning the whole thing themselves! From 'detox/retox retreats' in Bali to Vietnamese food tours, wine safaris in Tuscany to boating down the Nile, I truly think we have something to cure every couple's holiday planning stress. The experiences are also great for couples who want time together but also value the chance to connect with other like-minded travellers, as every trip has a nice social element to it too (couple time is great but I'm all about making a new connection over a cocktail or two!)
How does House of Karma curate its experiences to ensure they are perfect for both luxury and adventure?
With our artfully crafted itineraries, Karma Curated Experiences always blend luxurious touches with cultural authenticity, so that you feel at ease whilst immersing yourself in the cultures we explore. For example, we're currently planning a week-long adventure on our riverboat on the Nile, integrating Egyptian exploration with sunrise yoga and night-time DJ sets under the stars, champagne in hand. We also invite our team to craft their own experiences centred around their passions, as I think that really adds another level of personality to an experience. Next month, our Indian Head Chef is hosting a 'Curry Chronicles' adventure, taking members to tribal villages and traditional markets to explore the rich tapestry of Indian cuisines, before crafting incredible communal meals from the chillis they harvest together, and I think that will be pretty unforgettable.
How does House of Karma incorporate wellness and relaxation into its offerings?
I think the key to a balanced lifestyle is a little bit of everything you love, without restriction, and this is something we take seriously during our experiences! Our 'detox/retox retreats' that we host at some of our most luxurious destinations (think private chateaus in St Tropez and an oceanfront villa in Mykonos!) are some of my favourites, because they include a healthy dose of the holistic and the hedonistic. We start our days with bootcamps, ice baths and DIY smoothie bowls, before long lunching with our toes in the sand and dancing away into the night. The next morning, masseuses and IV infusions are on hand to bring us back to earth, before we rinse and repeat until the sun sets once more. That's my kind of heaven, and I think many of our members would agree!
How does the concept of "luxury rebels" resonate with modern travellers, and how does House of Karma cater to this mindset?
To me, a 'luxury rebel' is someone who unashamedly embraces their love of the finer things in life, but doesn't want to give up their adventurous spirit either! It's french fries and caviar, fine dining followed by tequila shots. 'Luxury rebels' want to discover the hidden spots off the beaten track, then go back to their plush hotel bed, or spend the day hiking a mountain then collapse in the spa. At House of Karma we are all about that; collecting memories over materials, fostering connections over comparison, and leaning into luxurious rebellion.
A House of Karma membership seems like the ultimate gift for newlyweds. How would you recommend presenting this membership as a wedding gift, and what unique experiences can the couple look forward to as they begin their journey together?
I think the best thing about gifting a House of Karma membership is the different ways the couple can use it depending on their preferences! It really opens up so many opportunities. For example, each membership includes 5 complimentary nights accommodation to use at any of our luxury Karma Group resorts, and these can either be used as part of a curated experience or just as a standalone holiday, whenever you like - so essentially, gifting both the bride and groom a membership would give them a 5 star honeymoon, for just the membership price alone! (A HOK membership costs just $2k, complete with all the perks, whilst 5 nights at a Karma property alone usually far exceeds this, so the value is amazing!). We also host monthly member events across Australia and offer member rates on accommodation, spa and dining at our resorts year-round, as well as reciprocal access to a whole portfolio of members clubs across the world - I truly think anyone would be overjoyed with a gifted membership!
As House of Karma continues to grow and evolve, what exciting developments or new offerings do you have planned for 2025?
This year, we are all about growing our portfolio of member benefits and experiences, and with Karma Group constantly adding more resorts to our collection, things are only getting better (latest acquisitions include Koh Samui, Cambodia and the Maldives). We are adding more partnered members clubs to our roster, meaning that members have exclusive spaces to visit in almost every major hotspot in the globe, whilst also building out an annual calendar of House of Karma member events in major Australian cities, so that our members can meet like-minded people and spice up their home lives, as well as exploring the globe with us! I think that when we reach adulthood, it becomes all too easy to settle into our comfortable routines and relationships, but there is so much more to experience when we lean into spontaneity and adventure, and that's exactly where House of Karma comes in.
Did someone say MALDIVES?
Ah yes, our newest toy, and an acquisition that is creating a lot of excitement! Karma Fushi is our new 14 cabin boat, taking our members on unforgettable adventures cruising around the Maldives. Think stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiis and shark diving followed by pop-up dinner parties on deserted Maldivian islands...does life get better?!
House of Karma Membership ($2,000 per year) includes:
5 nights complimentary accommodation at applicable Karma Group resorts
Exclusive invites to monthly member events across Australia
Access to bespoke Karma Curated Experiences •
Access to the House of Karma clubhouse at Karma Sanctum Soho, London
20% off room rates, spa and dining at Karma resorts year-round
VIP concierge service during your stay
Reciprocal access to our partnered private members' clubs across the globe
