Hi, I'm Karen and I would love to invite you to stay in a very special part of the world - Ventnor. It honestly feels as though you are stepping back in time, where every thing slows down. Maybe it's because when you board that ferry you know that this is where the holiday really starts.

I fell in love with the Isle of Wight when I was a child and wanted to have a special place to visit with my young children; a holiday home which I am very happy to share with you.

I purchased a bungalow at this very special location and turned it into a beautiful modern block which is now in keeping with the rest of Marine Parade. I named the building Kaia which means 'retreat' and I think that is what you will find when you visit.

I love to travel and one of my visits took me to Sierra Leone in West Africa. This was a life changer for me; my mother had recently passed and left me with a small amount which I decided to use to build a school there and then raised funds to build two more.

We have now built six schools there; we teach the local community about looking after their environment and wildlife. We have set up a very successful Female Genital Mutilation programme, saving literally hundreds of girls from being cut. We are helping orphans and empowering the women. The charity is called Friends of Chema and Kizzi and funds from your time spent at Kaia, go directly into this charity. So please know that you are making a huge difference to people's lives when you choose to stay at this beautiful penthouse. www.chemakizzi.com

I hope you choose to do so and I know you will have no regrets and will return time and time again, like me!

Kaia is less than one minute's walk to the esplanade and seaside where you can enjoy all the traditional aspects of a wonderful English seaside holiday; summer or winter.

The beach is sheltered, sandy and right on your doorstep and dogs are permitted outside of May-September but there are still plenty of walks from the front door.

Stroll along the cliffs to discover wonderful coves which are truly unique to England.
Also from the apartment you can walk up to the main shopping area where you have everything you need on your doorstep. Restaurants, bars, shops and more.

Stepping onto the island is like stepping back in time - so bring your patience with you, they don't call it the Isle of Wait for nothing!

I love the fact that I can park my car and walk everywhere when I come to Kaia. I can also play tennis at the local club or stroll along to the Botanic Gardens or play bowls. That's when I'm not sitting on the balcony watching the world go by or sunbathing on the wonderful sandy beach, literally a minute's walk away. The children love to build sandcastles and actually, so do the adults. Or collect seashells. Or count the lizards. It's a real, old fashioned, family holiday. No stress.

There are so many superb restaurants and pubs to dine at or take home freshly caught fish with chips or the local catch of the day to eat on a candlelit balcony whilst watching the ships sail by as well as the surfers!

Kaia is not very old so still has an air of freshness about her with all the sophistication of a modern apartment. I just love going there, either with my friends and family or for a quiet retreat by myself!