Meet Sabrina & Claudia

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sabrina & Claudia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina & Claudia, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. In the book, two friends—often in love, but never lovers—come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. It wasn’t our favorite read but a message at the end really hit home. “Love/Lovers are common but true collaborators in this lifetime are rare.” We all have ideas but how often are they turned into reality with one another? We realized the connection we share is few and far between – and we feel called to create together.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We started The Lotus Vans with the belief that everyone should have a place of freedom and belonging in the great outdoors. Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry. Yet for travelers, an outdoor adventure can easily result in a steep learning curve, and a lack of style & vibes. We took our professional experience outside four walls to create a chic, boutique hotel on wheels. The first Lotus Van features distinctive Lotus design, kitted with an al-fresco dining room, sundeck, and trendy vintage modern kitchen, We’re disrupting the camper van stigma with our personal touches – curated books and playlists, a camp-in movie theater, and a mindful aromatherapy wall curated by Plant Magic by Ndidi. Our seriously comfy bed, Quince linens, and warm dimmable lights helps renters drop off like they never left home. We’ve stocked the kitchen with chef-worthy essentials from Our Place, Smeg and GSI for guests to prep the ideal meal, wrap themselves in Rumple blankets, and go all out on an al-fresco dining experience. But it is all about a few well-chosen accessories. Yoga mats and a retro cassette for meditation on the go, shiny disco balls, and a secret door trap to a gratitude journal are a few surprises our guests find along the way. Guests pick-up The Lotus Van in LA and are free to travel anywhere with unlimited mileage for the dates they book!

Outside continuing to build The Lotus Van business, we both established our careers in the hotel industry.

Sabrina has held various fast-paced corporate positions within the largest hospitality companies in NYC, LA and the East Coast. She loved being part of a 2017 boutique hotel opening that embodied core pillars of connection, consciousness and community with a mindfully modern design. Throughout her career, she has had to recognize the repercussions of over-working and burnout on mental health. She’s realized the best way to set yourself apart while protecting your mental health is to hone in on your passions and use creative energy towards the things that excite you.

Claudia has found a home in the boutique hospitality space, which has influenced her passion and keen eye for creating unique, curated spaces that bring people together. Working for global leaders in the market, she has made a name for herself over the last decade. Claudia and her mom immigrated from Peru to the United States when Claudia was a teenager and they didn’t speak English when they arrived to Sunny LA. She put herself through college while working a full-time job and attributes where she is now to the work ethic instilled in her by her mom. Now a citizen, Claudia is most proud of being an example to others that you can pave your own way by creating your own narrative, leaving color splashes along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The enchanting journey from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara County. This 3-night, 4-day trip is 300 miles round trip, lending plenty of time to stop at all our picks along the way (think: secluded beaches, hiking spots and vintage shops).

Cruising down one of the most legendary sections of Hwy 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, Western Malibu is the first stop on this coastal adventure. After leaving Malibu, head inland to check out Ojai, a fun and eclectic spot known as an artist’s haven in the Los Padres National Forest. For the last night, relax across winding hills, small pastures, and narrow trails in Santa Barbara Wine Country for a dose of coastal countryside bliss exploring little towns like Los Alamos and Los Olivos.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Christoph and Natalie, the builders behind our first Lotus Van! After a year on the road in a converted sprinter van, their love for crafting and excitement to create led to this collaboration. Together, they showcase their love for sustainability and their wild outdoor spirits in every element of this build. The best part – they are two of our best friends.

Website: https://www.thelotusvans.com/

Instagram: @thelotus_vans

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinaseminaro https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiafiestas/

Others: https://gocampcampervans.com/vehicle/the-lotus-van-mercedes-benz-sprinter/?wb-currency=USD