Behind the Stays

In this solo-episode, Zach transports listeners to Dawn Ranch, a boutique retreat in Guerneville, California, nestled in the heart of Sonoma wine country. The property, designed as a haven for creative renewal, invites guests to escape the distractions of modern life and reconnect with themselves. The host reflects on their stay while exploring trends and innovative ideas shaping the future of boutique and experiential travel.

Tune in to hear:

This episode serves as both inspiration and a roadmap for hospitality innovators eager to embrace emerging trends and offer transformative experiences to their guests. Whether you’re a boutique hotelier, short-term rental operator, or an enthusiast of unique stays, this conversation explores how the future of travel is being shaped by thoughtful, immersive, and creative hospitality.

This episode is brought to you by the Short Term Rental Forum hosted by IMN!

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

In this episode Zach sits down with the French Cowboys — Dylan and Franklin — to chat about how they built their business, what the future of boutique hospitality will look like, why experiential hospitality is overhyped, and the pros and cons of owning and managing boutique hotels vs. boutique vacation rentals.

Learn more about the French Cowboys. 

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.

In this special crossover episode of Behind the Stays and The Unique Hospitality Podcast, hosted by my friend Nick Purslow, we bring together two of the most innovative names in experiential hospitality—Ben Wolff of Onera and Isaac French of Live Oak Lake. Known for creating standout micro-resorts and unique stays, Ben and Isaac are veterans of the podcast scene, but this time, they’re answering some questions they’ve never been asked before.

Tune in for unfiltered insights on what it takes to create deeply personal, experiential stays that go beyond just beautiful design. Our conversation dives into Ben’s big-vision approach with projects like Onera Wimberley, where scale meets seamless guest experience, and contrasts it with Isaac’s preference for smaller, more intimate stays—designed to immerse guests fully in nature and unparalleled design.

We also explore how shifts in consumer spending and a growing preference for authenticity and personalization are reshaping the hospitality landscape and why consumers are looking beyond the traditional, finding luxury in boutique, nature-centric stays that prioritize immersive moments over cookie-cutter amenities.

You’ll get Ben and Isaac’s takes on: 

• How Instagram and tech-centric tools are transforming hospitality, enabling small brands to capture attention, build loyalty, and reach consumers at scale, just like industry giants.

Listen to The Unique Hospitality Podcast

Follow Behind the Stays on Instagram 

Follow Isaac on Twitter/X or Instagram

Follow Ben on Twitter/X or Instagram

Learn more about Posh Outdoors 

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Meet Adam Dailey – an adventurous soul and hospitality innovator who owns a collection of short-term rentals and boutique hotels in San Diego.

From an Olympic sports tour operator to a global family traveler, Adam’s journey into hospitality began with a family sabbatical, taking him, his wife, and their four young children around the world. 

Today, Adam channels that passion for exploration and authentic experiences into managing boutique hotels and vacation rentals that blend charm, service, and design to create truly memorable stays.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Adam’s journey from corporate burnout to launching a hospitality portfolio inspired by his global travels

Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Adam. 

Follow Behind the Stays on Instagram

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. 

If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance. 

Meet Jason Thawley, founder of Tree Tents — a one-of-a-kind suspended tree structures.

Tree Tents isn’t your typical prefab company. With a product lineup featuring the iconic “Tree Tent”, fuselage-inspired pods, and the whimsical Birdhouse, Jason’s designs offer travelers an immersive outdoor experience that’s as unique as it is sustainable. As the demand for glamping grows, Jason’s creations provide unique stay entrepreneurs a way to offer something truly different, designed to bring guests closer to nature with every moment.

Tune in to hear:

• How Jason’s curiosity and early love of nature inspired his designs

In this episode, Jason shares how each structure is crafted to give guests the feeling of true escape, encouraging them to embrace the outdoors while enjoying a unique, comfortable stay. Whether you’re a glamping enthusiast, hospitality entrepreneur, or just curious about what’s next in nature-immersive design, this conversation offers a glimpse into the future of experiential stays.

Learn more about Tree Tents

Behind the Stays and its parent company StayWatch have been acquired by Journey — a next-generation loyalty program designed for the modern traveler. Learn more about what Journey is building at JoinJourney.com.

Apply to Join the Journey Alliance

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn 

In this can't-miss episode, host Zach shares the most exciting announcement in the history of the show: Behind the Stays (and its parent company StayWatch) has been acquired by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program designed to help travelers earn points on unique stays, landscape resorts, boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and more. 

Joining Zach is John Sutton, the visionary founder of Journey, who brings over a decade of experience from his time at Red Ventures and collaborations with industry giants like Brian Kelly, Founder of The Points Guy.

Together, they unveil how Journey plans to bridge the gap between boutique hotels and unique short-term rentals by creating a unified loyalty program that truly benefits both travelers and property owners.

Discover how Journey aims to empower property owners with powerful marketing tools, shared insights, and a community that values their independence and brand identity. Learn about the star-studded team behind Journey, including notable figures like Chris Burch (founder of Tory Burch) and James McBride (luxury hotelier), all passionate about transforming the travel landscape.

Tune in to hear Zach and John discuss:

• The vision behind Journey and why it's set to disrupt traditional loyalty programs

Sign up for the Journey waitlist

Request to be a part of the Journey Alliance 

Read the exclusive Bloomberg article announcing Journey

Connect with Zach on LinkedIn

Meet Edward Haynes — a visionary entrepreneur with roots in the event rental industry, now revolutionizing the luxury glamping space. 

What started as a pivot during the pandemic has become a mission to help landowners transform beautiful landscapes into high-end, profitable escapes. Edward’s journey reflects the intersection of innovation, craftsmanship, and hospitality, blending unique structures with unforgettable guest experiences.

His company EJH Distribution sources and distributes premium accommodations—from safari tents to stunning glass “Tubo” structures—while Posh Outdoors empowers landowners to build luxury stays through profit-sharing partnerships.

For Edward, success is more than just unique units; it’s about crafting experiences that make the first and last impressions unforgettable.

Tune in to hear:

• How Edward pivoted from events to hospitality in response to the pandemic

Edward’s deep understanding of both events and hospitality means no detail is overlooked, from on-site amenities to the guest journey itself. 

Whether you’re curious about starting your own micro-resort or fascinated by the latest glamping trends, this conversation offers insights into the future of luxury hospitality.

Alright, friends—without further ado, get ready to meet Edward. 

Learn more about EJH Distribution 

Learn more about Posh Outdoors

Connect with Edward on LinkedIn

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully. 

Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.

This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.

But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn. 

Meet Eliza Clark, the Co-Founder of Foxfire Mountain House and The Lost Fox Inn, two remarkable boutique hotels in New York and Connecticut. 

Eliza is an inspiring storyteller turned hospitality entrepreneur who grew up outside of Toronto. From her beginnings as a novelist and TV director for HGTV, to co-founding two breathtaking inn Eliza’s journey is all about crafting immersive experiences that bring people together.

The story of Eliza’s journey into hospitality entrepreneurship is really a love story — after a hard divorce, she met now-husband Tim, an executive American chef.  It was their romance that ultimately inspired Eliza to take a leap from television to hospitality. 

Together, they’ve created boutique properties that seamlessly blend history, design, and unforgettable food and beverage experiences. Their hotels aren’t just places to stay; they’re curated environments built with heart, imagination, and a whole lot of hard work.

Tune in to hear:

• How Eliza’s storytelling background influences every aspect of her properties

Alright, friends, without further ado, let’s jump in with Eliza Clark.

Book a Stay at Lost Fox Inn

Book a Stay at Foxfire Mountain House

Follow Lost Fox on Instagram

Follow Byrd Studio on Instagram 

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully. 

Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.

This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.

But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn. 

Meet Stephen and Sam Hopkins —  the founders of Missing Hotel, a one-of-a-kind retreat nestled in the Texas Hill Country.

We dive deep into their founding story, from working corporate jobs in the energy sector to making the bold decision to take a year-long sabbatical that transformed their lives and careers. Their passion for creating experiences stems from their own love of travel, and with Missing Hotel, they’ve crafted a stay that combines surprise, spontaneity, and simplicity to create meaningful moments for guests.

Tune in to hear:

• How the inspiration for Missing Hotel struck during a sabbatical and a few bottles of rum in Australia

This conversation is packed with insights into creating unforgettable guest experiences, the power of brand storytelling, and the future of experiential hospitality.

Discover Missing Hotel

This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers.  Hudson Creative  is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.

If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special. 

And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.

About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn. 

Meet Zoey Berghoff, the entrepreneur and visionary who's transforming the short-term rental landscape by creating unique, unforgettable stays—and teaching others how to do the same.

Zoey is an entrepreneur, an adventurer, and a mom who travels full-time—all while building an incredible community on Instagram. She's dedicated to helping others leave their 9-to-5 jobs and dive into entrepreneurial ventures in the hospitality space, especially focusing on unique and memorable stays.

In this conversation, we dive deep into Zoey's remarkable journey—from leaving her corporate job to becoming a full-time entrepreneur and influencer in the short-term rental world.

Tune in to hear:

• Where the idea of renting out a yurt, her first unique stay, came from 

And so much more. Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Zoey. 

Connect with Zoey on Instagram

This episode is brought to you by The Content House

If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.

What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your approach, and the unique quirks and features that make your collection of stays special.

Their service is full end-to-end social media management and content creation. From shooting stunning videos and photos to editing, posting, and even sourcing influencers to partner with…

The Content House specializes in working with hospitality entrepreneurs building well-branded, boutique collections, often in exotic or extra-special locations…

Follow The Content House on Instagram

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About the Show

Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai

Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.