Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals

In this episode, we’re joined by Simon Seroussi, Co-Founder of SuiteOp, a guest experience and operations platform built by operators, for operators.

With a background in both hospitality tech and short-term rental management, Simon shares how SuiteOp was born from firsthand experience growing a 400-unit portfolio and the operational chaos that came with it. From automating smart locks to unifying guest portals, task management, and upsells, SuiteOp is designed to simplify everything that happens after the booking is made.

We explore what it really takes to deliver a seamless guest journey, reduce team miscommunication, and stay ahead of rising expectations in today’s short-term rental landscape.

We dive into:
1️⃣ Why most STR tech falls short after the booking
2️⃣ How SuiteOp replaces five tools with one platform
3️⃣ What guests actually want in a digital portal
4️⃣ Where automation adds real value (and where it doesn’t)
5️⃣ A smarter approach to upsells, loyalty, and guest data
6️⃣ What’s holding vendors back from working together

Connect with Simon:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonseroussi/
Website: https://suiteop.com/ 

✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)

You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.

👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsinc

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #operations

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In this episode, we’re joined by Lorraine Woodward, CEO of Becoming rentABLE, to explore how property managers and hosts can make their vacation rentals more accessible without needing a full renovation or massive investment.

Drawing from her lived experience navigating life with muscular dystrophy and raising two sons with the same condition, Lorraine shares practical, real-world advice for designing spaces that serve a broader range of guests. From small, low-cost additions to rethinking how properties are marketed, she breaks down what accessibility really means and why it matters now more than ever.

We dive into:

1️⃣ Common myths and misconceptions about accessibility in short-term rentals
2️⃣ Simple updates that can make a big impact (and boost bookings)
3️⃣ The importance of inclusive language, photos, and listing descriptions
4️⃣ Insights from Becoming Rentable’s collaboration with Vrbo and Expedia
5️⃣ The long-term opportunity of serving the accessible travel market

No matter the size of your portfolio, this episode will help you see your properties through a more inclusive lens and show you how small changes can make a big difference for guests who are too often left out of the travel experience.

Connect with Lorraine:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorrainebwoodward/
Website: https://www.becomingrentable.com/

✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)

You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.

👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsinc

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #inclusivetravel

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This week, we’re joined by Deborah Labi, a seasoned hospitality professional and the founder of Have You Got, a verified global guest referral network designed to help independent property managers expand their reach and maximize revenue without sacrificing the personal touch that sets them apart.

With two decades of experience in the industry, Deborah understands the frustration of turning away great guests, whether due to lack of availability or location. That challenge led to the creation of Have You Got, a platform that enables property managers to remain helpful, visible, and profitable even when they can’t host the guest themselves. Through verified referrals, Have You Got turns missed bookings into meaningful opportunities for both managers and travelers.

In this episode, we dive into:

1️⃣ How Have You Got turns guest referrals into passive income
2️⃣ Why verified managers and guest-first design build lasting trust
3️⃣ Smart ways to use referral links to capture missed bookings
4️⃣ How simple videos can strengthen guest loyalty
5️⃣ Why collaboration, not consolidation, is key to reducing OTA dependence

We also discuss the importance of transparency, collaboration, and brand-building in a market where travelers are increasingly craving trusted, local experiences.

Connect with Deborah:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-labi-a7566a2b/
Website: https://www.thehaveyougot.network/

✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)

You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.

👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsinc

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #referrals 

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Many short-term rental operators think that getting listed on Airbnb or Vrbo is enough. But in today’s competitive landscape, basic distribution is no longer enough to stand out or to sustain growth.

In this episode, we’re joined by Lennart Kok, VP of Distribution and Marketing at NextPax, to explore what smarter vacation rental distribution really looks like. With a background at Hilton, Booking.com, and now NextPax, Lennart brings rare insight into where distribution often breaks down and how smarter OTA connectivity can solve problems most property managers don’t even realize they have.

From easier OTA connections to built-in AI that helps improve listing quality and speeds up onboarding, Lennart shares how NextPax is helping managers get more done with less effort.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ What it means to be a preferred OTA partner and how that status benefits operators
2️⃣ How stronger OTA integrations improve messaging, reviews, payments, and visibility
3️⃣  OTA features that many managers miss because their PMS doesn’t fully support them
4️⃣ Ways to boost performance with smarter cancellation policies, promotions, and geo-targeted pricing
5️⃣ How AI inside platforms like NextPax enhances listings, photos, translations, and support
6️⃣ New opportunities to reach corporate and international travelers through GDS distribution

If you’ve been relying on just one or two channels or haven’t updated your distribution strategy in years, this episode is a must listen.

💡 Special Offer for US-Based Operators:

NextPax is offering free access to their channel manager until the end of 2025 for property managers who are new to Booking.com.
List your properties on Booking.com via NextPax and get full access to their distribution platform at no cost. Once you're live, other channels can be added as needed, all managed in one place.

Head to https://nextpax.com/channel-manager/ to sign-up.

✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)

You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.

👉 https://calendly.com/dstephens-tnsinc

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

👉 https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

👉 https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #shorttemrentals #channelmanagement

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In our first of the month bonus episode, we’re joined by two well-known names in the vacation rental industry: Lino Maldonado and Brady Stump, co-founders of the newly launched StakeholdersVR.

You’ve probably heard early buzz about this exciting new venture, and today, Lino and Brady are here to tell us what it’s really all about. From how the idea came together to why it’s gaining traction, they give us a full look behind the scenes.

StakeholdersVR offers a new model that helps property managers grow their businesses while keeping their local brand, culture, and operations intact. Lino and Brady share how the idea came together, what makes this model different from traditional roll-ups or franchises, and why it’s already drawing interest from top operators across the country. The conversation covers how the group plans to centralize back-office tasks like HR and finance, create cross-market collaboration, and provide a more sustainable path forward for operators who want to scale without losing control.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ What is StakeholdersVR?
2️⃣ How this model supports operators by removing back-office burdens
3️⃣ How it compares to PE roll-ups and franchise models
4️⃣ How they plan to support individuality across brands
5️⃣ From tech to linens, how the group plans to collaborate
6️⃣ The "aha moment" that sparked StakeholdersVR
7️⃣ How shared ownership helps protect operators from local risks
8️⃣ What the future could look like for participating companies
9️⃣ PE conversations, timelines, and what to expect by fall
🔟 Where to learn more

We also talk about the growing sense of community among the operators involved. This model encourages shared learning, long-term thinking, and real support not just between brands, but among the people behind them.

Connect with Lino:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lino-maldonado-9160716/ 

Connect with Brady:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradystump/ 

Connect with StakeholdersVR:
Website: https://stakeholdersvr.com/ 

Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25 

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement 

Send us a message!

Is your short-term rental business growing, or just getting harder to manage?

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Stewart, CEO of Grand Welcome, to explore how franchising offers property managers a scalable and sustainable path to success in today’s competitive STR market.

Grand Welcome is one of the fastest-growing franchise-based vacation rental management companies in the U.S. The brand provides local operators with the tools, systems, and support they need to grow efficiently while delivering exceptional guest experiences and building strong homeowner relationships.

With a background in fashion retail franchising, Patrick shares how those same principles of consistency, structure, and support can transform how short term rental rental businesses operate. At Grand Welcome, his mission is to help local operators grow profitably, simplify their operations, and build a business they enjoy running.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ Why franchising is a smart strategy for scaling in the vacation rental industry
2️⃣ How Grand Welcome reduces operational load in guest services, pricing, and tech decisions
3️⃣ Ways the model supports both new and experienced operators
4️⃣ Approaches to navigating regulation, owner demands, and market shifts
5️⃣ The role of shared best practices and peer collaboration in franchise success
6️⃣ Grand Welcome’s current trajectory and upcoming international expansion

Whether managing 20 properties or 200, this episode offers a new perspective on what it means to scale. With the right partner, growth becomes more strategic, more profitable, and far less overwhelming.

Connect with Patrick & Grand Welcome:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickstewartceo/
Website: https://www.grandwelcomefranchise.com/

Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

https://calendly.com/michelle-marquis-grandwelcome/30min

#vacationrentals #franchisebusiness   #propertymanagement 

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In this week’s episode, we’re taking you back to Miami Beach for a special look at one of the most talked-about events in the industry this year, the 2025 VRMA Executive Summit.

It’s been a few weeks since the event, but the insights we gathered still feel just as relevant. Alex & Annie bring you candid interviews with some of the brightest and most respected voices in the vacation rental industry to talk through the wins, the growing pains, and the ideas shaping how we lead and grow in this business.

Featuring interviews with:

Tom Goodwin – CEO of Mountain Laurel Chalets, on co-chairing the summit, uniting vendors and PMs, and leading with intention.

Rachel Alday – Co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, reflecting on curating content that builds stronger industry conversations.

Sarah Bradford – Industry veteran, educator, and consultant, sharing candid “diary entries” from her 20-year career, and the lessons behind them.

Valerie Gangas – Founder & CEO of Juniper Holiday + Homes, on fast growth, partnerships, and the power of mentorship.

Patrick Stewart – CEO of Grand Welcome, explaining how franchising can help operators scale smart and reclaim their time.

Steve Trover – CEO of Better Talent, discussing frontline hiring challenges, team dynamics, and how to embrace AI without fear.

Jeff Iloulian – Founder of HostGPO, highlighting how smart procurement systems are helping operators work more efficiently at scale.

Whether you were in the room or just hearing the buzz, this episode captures the vibe, vision, and voices that makes this year’s VRMA Executive Summit the best one yet!

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #VRMAexecutivesummit2025

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When media veteran James Varley stepped away from a decade-long career working on the FIFA World Cup, he had no idea that a single Airbnb stay would spark his next chapter: empowering short-term rental hosts through education.

In this episode, James joins us to share how that experience and the glaring lack of accessible resources for new hosts led to the creation of Host Planet, one of the UK’s fastest-growing media platforms for STR professionals.

This conversation hits close to home for Alex & Annie, who started their podcast with the same mission: to bridge the information gap in the vacation rental industry. Together, they dive into why so many hosts still struggle to find trusted guidance and how platforms like Host Planet and the Alex & Annie Podcast, among others, are helping change that by delivering clear, practical content that hosts can truly put to use.

Key Topics Discussed:

00:00:00 Intro
00:04:04 From global media to local hosting: James’ unexpected pivot  
00:09:46 Podcasting as a tool for connection and collaboration  
00:14:31 The blind spots new hosts face and why dynamic pricing was his wake-up call  
00:18:43 Shared values with Alex & Annie: education, accessibility, and transparency  
00:20:40 The rise of Host Planet and its mission to offer free, valuable content  
00:26:27 Behind the scenes of UK-based STR events and future expansion  
00:36:16 The challenges and opportunities of growing media platforms in STR

Connect with James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ 

Website: https://www.hostplanet.club/ 

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25 

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro 

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #propertymanagement

Send us a message!

What happens when one of the world’s most trusted hotel brands steps into the vacation rental space?

In this episode, we’re joined by Jane Gavin (Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Guest Experience) and Keven Wishard (Senior Director of Global & Continent Operations) from Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.

With decades of hospitality experience between them, Jane and Keven take us inside Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy’s bold approach to short-term rentals. One built on consistency, elevated design, professional management, and the power of one of the largest loyalty programs in the world.

If you’ve ever wondered how Homes & Villas selects properties, enforces its standards, or attracts millions of Bonvoy members to luxury homes, this conversation will give you a whole new understanding of what it means to raise the bar in vacation rentals.

Key Topics Discussed:

1️⃣ Homes & Villas’ unique position at the intersection of hotels and vacation rentals

2️⃣ How trust, consistency, and personalization drive guest satisfaction

3️⃣ What Homes & Villas’ brand standards really look like for property managers

4️⃣ The power of Bonvoy’s 200M+ members to drive bookings

5️⃣ “Curated Collections” and how Homes & Villas highlights one-of-a-kind stays

6️⃣ Why professional management is non-negotiable on the platform

7️⃣ How Homes & Villas is helping raise the bar for the entire STR industry

Connect with Jane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-gavin/ 

Connect with Keven:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevenwishard/ 

Go live with Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy by August 4, 2025, and receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Status for one year, 36000 bonus points, and a marketing feature on a Homes & Villas marketing channel after you launch:

https://partners.homes-and-villas.marriott.com/s/event-property-managers-contact-us?ev=AApod25

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team:

https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro

#VacationRentals #ShortTermRentals #HomesandVillasbyMarriottBonvoy, 

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In our first-of-the-month bonus episode, we are joined by Orlie Benjamin, founder and CEO of Lasoh, a marketing technology platform designed to help vacation rental operators own their guest relationships and drive direct revenue. Lasoh provides a branded digital guest portal and integrated CRM that allows operators to engage with guests from the moment of booking, offer upsells, and run smart, automated campaigns.

Orlie shares how her background in corporate marketing and her own experience as a vacation rental operator shaped her approach to building Lasoh, and how it's helping operators take back ownership of their guest experience in a platform-dominated landscape.

Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ Why guest communication should begin at booking, not check-in
2️⃣ How Lasoh helps operators deliver a more cohesive and elevated digital experience
3️⃣ Navigating Airbnb's restrictions while still building direct guest relationships
4️⃣ The role of retention marketing in improving occupancy and profitability
5️⃣ Lessons from corporate hospitality that apply to short-term rentals
6️⃣ How operators can build their own ecosystem for upsells and experiences
7️⃣ The future role of AI in guest communication and CRM
8️⃣ Why operators of all sizes need to think like brands, not just businesses

Connect with Orlie:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/orliebenjamin/
Website: https://lasoh.io/

Mention "Alex & Annie" when you sign up with Boom to get 50% off your onboarding fee and 1 month FREE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.boomnow.com/⁠⁠

Get a free Growth Hack Review and P&L Evaluation when you mention “Alex & Annie” during your discovery call with the Grand Welcome team: https://calendly.com/jessica-singer-grandwelcome/intro

#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #guestexperience

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