Welcome to our latest episode! Today, Dave Menapace and Will Van Wickler dive into one of the hottest debates in hospitality—Airbnb versus boutique hotels. With firsthand experience managing both luxury vacation rentals and boutique hotels across New England, they unpack the shifts in traveler behavior, the challenges of guest expectations, and the long-term opportunities for investors.

Dave and Will explore whether Airbnbs are truly “collapsing” or if the market is simply evolving. They discuss why boutique hotels are gaining momentum, how guest expectations around cleanliness and consistency are shaping decisions, and the economic pressures impacting both industries. Dave shares insights from managing boutique hotels at scale, while Will highlights the differences in condition standards, branding power, and commercial financing for multi-unit hospitality properties.

Whether you’re a real estate investor, property manager, or just curious about where short-term rentals are headed, this episode breaks down the pros and cons of both asset classes. Tune in now to learn what travelers value most, why consistency is becoming the key competitive edge, and how to think strategically about hospitality investments moving forward.

TIMESTAMPS

02:05 – Airbnbs versus boutique hotels: is there really a collapse?

03:32 – Shifts in the market and vacation spending trends

05:35 – Economic slowdown and what service businesses reveal about the economy

06:37 – Why boutique hotels feel safer and more consistent

08:18 – Airbnb condition challenges vs. hotel cleanliness standards

10:01 – The five-star review pressure for STR hosts versus hotel reputation models

11:56 – Boutique hotels versus single-family STRs

13:37 – Scale advantages

15:29 – Investment considerations: residential STRs vs. boutique hotels

16:01 – Commercial financing, seller credits, and due diligence for hotel deals

17:23 – Why relationships matter in commercial hospitality investing

18:21 – Wrap-up, takeaways, and how to connect with Dave and Will

#ShortTermRentals #HospitalityIndustry #AirbnbVsHotels #RealEstateInvesting #BoutiqueHotels