"The core foundation should be direct bookings, but you also need OTA presence. I think the best way is all three legs of that stool."

Building a hospitality business that generates 95% direct bookings sounds impossible—especially in a town with just 87 residents. But Blake Neitzke, a West Point graduate and former Special Forces officer, proved it's not only possible but sustainable. In this episode of Booked Solid, Blake shares the direct booking strategies that transformed a distressed 7-room boutique hotel into a 15-key destination that books solid year-round, often 18 months in advance.

What makes Blake's approach unique isn't just his impressive conversion rates—it's his balanced perspective on OTA Management while maintaining independence. His story provides a blueprint for operators seeking to establish enduring hospitality brands without compromising growth or guest reach.

Connect with Blake:

• Instagram: @farmsteadroundtop
• Email: [email protected]

"I would have to say collaboration, and that's really been my go-to word for the year because I have noticed such a difference when I'm able to collaborate with others, whether it's something for them or something that benefits me." - Ashley Ramos

What if the secret to consistent direct bookings wasn't found in complex digital funnels or expensive marketing campaigns, but right in your local community? Ashley Ramos, a licensed therapist turned short-term rental strategist, has discovered something remarkable: authentic partnerships with local businesses can become your most powerful direct booking engine.

In this episode, you'll discover how Ashley leverages her clinical social work background to create meaningful guest experiences while building a network of local partnerships that consistently drive bookings to her Arizona properties. From spa collaborations to brand partnerships, she's proving that community-first strategies can outperform traditional marketing approaches.

🔗 Connect with Ashley Ramos

Instagram (Mentorship): @_aramos_
Instagram (STR Properties): @urbanvacays
TikTok: @ashleytravelss
Email: [email protected]

"We are 70% direct book. My mentality is we own our business through our website and I treat the OTAs simply as marketing platforms, as billboards." - Kerri Gibson

In this episode, you'll discover the exact framework Kerri used to build her direct booking dominance, from her early website experiments to sophisticated email nurture campaigns that create 40% return guests. Plus, she shares the serendipitous media placement that generated thousands of dollars in marketing reach and why her product management background became her secret weapon in hospitality.

🔗 Connect with Kerri Gibson

• LinkedIn: Kerri Gibson
• Instagram: @kerri_reinvented, @chalets_hygge, @auxportesdusoleil
• Email: [email protected]

Bring yourself to your hospitality journey. There's no one else like you." — Moriya Rockman

The short-term rental industry is evolving beyond the simple host-guest transaction. Today's successful vacation rental operators are building direct booking ecosystems, creating communities, and establishing themselves as destination ambassadors rather than just property managers. Few understand this transformation better than Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House Group and Villa Tracker, who has spent over 12 years pioneering luxury short-term rental channels that serve markets largely ignored by mainstream OTAs.

In this episode of the Booked Solid podcast, Moriya shares her journey from being one of Airbnb's earliest international hosts to creating two distinct B2B and B2C vacation rental platforms that connect luxury properties with high-value travelers and travel professionals. Her insights reveal how serious hosts can build independent booking brands that thrive beyond the limitations of traditional OTAs.

🤝 Connect with Moriya Rockman

Want to learn more from Moriya's hospitality expertise and entrepreneurial journey? Connect with her on social media and explore her platforms:

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: Moriya Rockman - Her primary platform for industry insights and networking

Her Platforms:

• Smiling House: smilinghouse.com - Luxury vacation rental channel
• Villa Tracker: villatracker.com - B2B platform for travel professionals

What does it take to truly own your guest journey — from the moment they see your property to the moment they return next year? For Joe Rohne, short-term rental operator, investor, and broker, the answer lies in control: control of your brand, your pricing, your data, and your guest relationships.

In this episode of Booked Solid, Joe shares how he built a resilient direct booking strategy that leverages automation, email marketing, smart design, and a hyper-targeted ad funnel to grow his business in the Florida Panhandle.

🔗 Connect with Joe

• Facebook: Joe Rohne
• Website: savvyrealty.com/joe (booking calls + buyer help)

“When guests walk in and discover a gourmet snack or high-end facial mask, it’s more than an amenity—it’s a delight.” 



That’s the unforgettable touch Rachel Vigil brings to vacation rentals through Up Close Marketing—a platform connecting hosts with premium brands for product placements that wow guests and reinforce their brand identity.

In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Gil sits down with Rachel to unpack how these carefully curated in-property experiences—from zero-alcohol Heineken to luxury sleep gummies and open-box mattresses—do more than elevate the guest experience. They drive reviews, reinforce your property’s positioning, and—when paired with a solid direct booking strategy—help small hosts operate like full-fledged brands.

Whether you manage two properties or twenty, this conversation is packed with insights on how to create that “I need to book this again” moment the minute guests walk through the door.

🔗 Connect with Rachel Vigil & Up Close Marketing

Rachel Vigil is the CEO of Up Close Marketing, a platform helping short-term and mid-term rental hosts upgrade their guest experience through strategic brand partnerships, without costing them a dime. If you manage over 10 properties, Rachel’s team will even onboard you personally.

📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 858-220-6275
🌐 Sign up: upclosemktg.com/signup
📱 Instagram: @upclosemarketing
📘 Facebook: @upclosemarketing
💼 LinkedIn: @upclosemarketing

She also shares upcoming campaigns and referral perks in her Wednesday newsletter—and is open to collaborations with coaching programs, Facebook groups, and host communities.

“If you rely only on OTAs, you’ve lost control—direct bookings give you the freedom and stability to weather anything.” — Federico Zimerman

From a spare bedroom in Buenos Aires to managing 75+ properties and opening a boutique inn in the Catskills, Federico Zimerman’s journey is anything but ordinary. On this episode of Booked Solid, Gil welcomes Federico to unpack how an airline trainer turned STR operator is now helping hosts future-proof their businesses through intentional branding, operational systems, and direct booking strategy.

Connect with Federico on Instagram: @strguide

In this episode of Booked Solid, Garrett Brown—BiggerPockets Short-Term Rental Expert and founder of Cameron Ranch Glamping—shares how he turned a single house into a land-hacked luxury retreat business. Using a blend of creative hospitality, structured site analysis, and marketing systems built on influencer content, Garrett achieved a remarkable 76% direct booking rate. He walks us through his strategy, mistakes, wins, and advice for hosts aiming to move beyond Airbnb dependency.

🔗 Connect with Garrett

• ​Instagram: @GarrettBrownRE
• ​YouTube: BiggerStays by BiggerPockets
• ​Email: [email protected]

“It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how much you keep.” At just 25 years old, Chad Harker is building a high-cash-flow STR portfolio in Edmonton using real estate acquisitions, direct booking strategies, and custom-built AI systems to scale—without burning out.

In this episode, Chad shares how he house-hacked his way into the industry, scaled using BRRR-style methods, and now automates his business with tech tools like HostBuddy and custom GPTs. Whether you're just getting started or scaling fast, Chad’s no-fluff approach to growth, guest retention, and profitability will shift your mindset—and give you real tools to work with.

🎧 Listen in to learn how to:

• Turn one property into a self-funded portfolio

• Build repeat guest systems that feel like five-star dining

• Use AI and SOPs to streamline operations

  Grow your brand while keeping more of what you earn

“When you're doing something hard, it's supposed to feel hard… but know that you're on the right path.”

Skyler knows firsthand: building a direct‑booking short‑term rental business from the ground up is not easy, but it can be extraordinary. In this week’s episode of the Booked Solid Show, Skyler shares how he and his wife, Maddie, went from furnishing arbitrage properties in San Diego to launching investor-backed, luxury wellness retreats in Upstate New York—complete with custom saunas, cold plunges, and bridal‑ready properties. You’ll learn their scrappy strategies, brand‑building secrets, and how they’re leaning into a book club community to fuel expansion—without losing balance.

Connect with Skyler here

• Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
• Instagram: @skylerandmadi
• TikTok: @madiandskyler
• STR Book Club IG: @thestrbookclub