Unlock the secrets to skyrocketing direct bookings and cultivating a loyal base of return guests with Rose Tipka, owner of Your Family's Place! In this information-packed episode, Rose shares her innovative strategies for building an independent hospitality brand and achieving an impressive 40% repeat guest rate – all without relying on Airbnb.

Discover actionable direct booking best practices, including how to:

• Craft a compelling brand identity that resonates with your ideal guest.
• Identify and cater to a lucrative niche market (like multi-generational families).
• Design properties with unique amenities and accessibility features that create unforgettable experiences.
• Master the art of "endurance marketing" through engaging content creation and strategic social media engagement (Instagram stories, reels and carousel posts).
• Leverage guest surveys to gather invaluable insights and personalize the guest experience.
• Implement dynamic pricing strategies to maximize revenue and incentivize direct bookings on your direct booking website.
• Harness the power of influencer marketing to reach new audiences and drive traffic to your direct booking website.
• Create memorable "talk triggers" that generate buzz and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Implement innovative tactics like "Vacation Hero Certificates" and "Magic Boxes" to surprise and delight guests.
• Retargeting campaigns for existing guests.
• Email marketing strategies for retention.

Learn how Rose's "waist-down rule" simplifies family stays, why she prioritizes quality over quantity, and how she transformed a simple cookie recipe into a powerful brand ambassador.

Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, this episode is your roadmap to building a thriving direct booking website, fostering guest loyalty, and achieving long-term success in the short-term rental industry.

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In this special case study episode, Katya Kachkovska sits down with seasoned property professional Oliver Harper, Managing Director of Harper Luxe Serviced Apartments, for an insightful conversation on building a purposeful short-term rental business rooted in sustainability, creativity, and care.

With over 45 years of experience in construction, property development, and management, Oliver shares his inspiring journey—from hod carrier at 15 to managing his own property portfolio and now running beautifully restored, eco-conscious serviced apartments in Bedfordshire, UK.

💡 In this episode, you'll hear about:

How Oliver transitioned from construction to real estate and eventually into short-term rentals
Why Harper Luxe’s Dunstable apartments are a blueprint for future sustainable hospitality projects
The power of guest screening and third-party protection with Truvi (formerly Superhog)
The unique benefits of Truvi’s Damage Waiver & automated verification services
How Oliver integrates sustainability and wellness into every facet of his guest experience—think repurposed Victorian buildings, filtered water, LED lighting, insect hotels, and free Pashley bikes for guests
His team’s commitment to offsetting carbon footprints, including planting a tree for every guest stay
Advice for property managers looking to stand out in a crowded market
🛠️ Standout Quote:
"You need something unique. Something that tells a story—and shows guests that you're not just running a business, you're building a community and giving something back." – Oliver Harper

🌿 Sustainability in Action:
From reusing building materials and furnishing with pre-loved pieces to eliminating single-use plastics and harvesting rainwater—Oliver’s approach to property development is both environmentally and guest-centric.

🔗 Explore More:
Visit www.harperluxe.co.uk to see the apartments, courtyard, and all the thoughtful details that make Harper Luxe a true gem in the hospitality space.

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In this episode, Leo is joined by Susan Montiel, the founder and CEO of Casa Montiel Properties — a short-term and midterm rental co-hosting business that operates across the United States. Susan joined us from her current home base in Virginia, about an hour south of Washington, D.C., where she and her husband continue to live the digital nomad life while managing their growing portfolio.

 Susan’s journey into the short-term rental world is refreshingly relatable. She didn’t start as a real estate investor or property manager — she started as a guest. Back in 2019, she and her husband sold most of their belongings, hit the road, and spent 14 months living in 14 different Airbnbs across the U.S., one month at a time. That trip — a kind of extended slow travel experiment — gave her a front-row seat to what worked, what didn’t, and what guests really value in a home away from home.

In this conversation, Susan talks about how that year shaped her perspective on hospitality, design, and the business of short-term rentals. She shares honest stories — like eating soup with a measuring cup in a poorly stocked kitchen — and explains how those experiences planted the seed for Casa Montiel. As she puts it, “We were constantly walking into places and saying, ‘This could be better.’” And eventually, she decided to do something about it. Leo and Susan explore what it means to build a property that people actually want to live in — not just sleep in. They dig into why furnishing with quality matters, why good guest experience starts with being thoughtful, and why it’s not always about lowering prices when bookings slow down — sometimes, the answer is to raise your standards. 

They also unpack the nuts and bolts of co-hosting. Susan explains how she and her husband launched their business by managing properties remotely — their first unit was in Texas while they were still based in California. She talks openly about the benefits of the co-hosting model, why she sometimes turns down owners, and how she uses data (from tools like AirDNA and PriceLabs) to make smart decisions about new properties in unfamiliar markets.

how she trains cleaning teams remotely, and what it really takes to manage properties across multiple time zones without burning out. By the end of the episode, it’s clear that Susan’s approach is grounded in care — care for the guest experience, care for her owners’ goals, and care for the craft of hosting itself. As she says, “If you want to raise your price, you have to raise your standard. Furnish it with love.” You’ll also hear: What makes a midterm stay feel truly livable How Susan balances hospitality with her digital nomad lifestyle Why some homes shouldn’t be turned into rentals (and how to spot them early) 

The most common reasons hosts ask for help — and the red flags Susan watches for What new co-hosts need to know about setting boundaries, building systems, and staying in control About Susan Montiel: Susan is the CEO of Casa Montiel Properties, a boutique co-hosting and consulting business helping property owners turn their homes into profitable, guest-ready spaces. With a background in tech, business operations, and hospitality, she brings a systems-first, guest-centric lens to every property she manages. She’s currently based in Virginia and continues to travel with her husband while building her business remotely. 

Connect with Susan: 

Instagram: @casamontielproperties 

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In this case study, Katya sits down with Torbjörn Fredman, a seasoned leader in the Swedish and European travel industry. With a career that spans decades and includes high-level roles in both incoming and outgoing tourism, Torbjörn shares how his journey led him back to the short-term rental world—and how he’s building a host-first property management company with Stay Nordic.

We dive into the story behind Stay Nordic’s launch, their current portfolio of around 300 properties, and why Torbjörn believes the real challenge in this space isn’t finding guests—it’s earning the trust of property owners. He talks about the turning point that led him to seek out better protection solutions, and how working with Truvy has helped create more confidence among homeowners through guest screening and damage protection.

We also touch on cultural nuances around guest verification, how his team manages resistance when it comes up, and why flexibility and strong host relationships are at the heart of long-term success in this space.

Highlights from the conversation:

• Torbjörn’s early days in short-term rentals and his return to the industry after a brief pivot
• Why he started Stay Nordic and what sets their approach apart
• How Truvy’s protection services fit into their host-first philosophy
• The biggest pain point in short-term rentals—and how they’re addressing it
• Thoughts on guest screening, trust-building, and adapting to a fast-changing market

Stay tuned through to the end for Torbjörn’s honest, no-fluff advice for running a successful property management company.

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This episode of Host as Guest was recorded live at the SCALE Eastern Europe conference in Bulgaria, where we had the chance to sit down with Boris, the CEO and founder of Sun Spolato, a property management company based in Croatia.

Boris shares his journey from launching the business five years ago to now managing over 110 short-term rental properties across Croatia, including apartments, boutique rooms, and luxury villas. With a team of 10 people and a steady annual growth rate of 20 to 30 percent, Sun Spolato has become a standout name in the Croatian short-term rental market.

In this conversation, we explore what makes the Croatian vacation rental market so unique—and so challenging. Boris explains how high guest expectations, strict national standards, and the importance of maintaining strong owner relationships all contribute to the complexity of running a property management company in Croatia.

One of the ways Sun Spolato stays ahead of the competition is through technology. The company has developed its own custom owner portal, designed to offer complete transparency and real-time performance insights to property owners. According to Boris, this tech-driven approach is one of the key reasons they’ve been able to retain trust and scale sustainably.

We talk about the company’s approach to growth, focusing on quality over quantity, building processes before automating them, and prioritising happy guests as the route to happy owners. Boris also discusses how they assess whether to take on a new property, sharing red flags that might make them walk away, and what makes a new deal worth pursuing.

The conversation touches on the day-to-day of running a short-term rental business. Boris shares that he enjoys the logistics and operational side of things, and while he isn’t a control freak, he is very performance-oriented. He talks about how they support team development through regular training and goal setting, with an emphasis on individual growth within the company.

We also look at how Boris and his team manage the pressures of the high season, and why creating work-life balance is a priority across the company. While summer is all hands on deck, the quieter winter months provide space to recharge.

The episode wraps with a discussion about long-term vision. Boris isn’t focused on an exit strategy just yet—instead, he’s fully engaged in the work, enjoying the day-to-day challenges and rewards of growing a business that delivers real value to both guests and owners.

If you're interested in learning how to scale a vacation rental business sustainably, navigate the complexities of a high-standard tourism market, and build a strong brand in a local destination, this conversation with Boris offers plenty of insight.

Search terms: property management in Croatia, short term rentals Croatia, vacation rental business Europe, Host as Guest podcast, SCALE Eastern Europe conference, direct bookings vs OTAs, owner-guest relations short term rentals, Sun Spolato property management, luxury vacation rentals Croatia

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This episode of Host as Guest was recorded live at the SCALE Eastern Europe conference in Bulgaria, where we had the chance to sit down with Boris, the CEO and founder of Sun Spolato, a property management company based in Croatia.

Boris shares his journey from launching the business five years ago to now managing over 110 short-term rental properties across Croatia, including apartments, boutique rooms, and luxury villas. With a team of 10 people and a steady annual growth rate of 20 to 30 percent, Sun Spolato has become a standout name in the Croatian short-term rental market.

In this conversation, we explore what makes the Croatian vacation rental market so unique—and so challenging. Boris explains how high guest expectations, strict national standards, and the importance of maintaining strong owner relationships all contribute to the complexity of running a property management company in Croatia.

One of the ways Sun Spolato stays ahead of the competition is through technology. The company has developed its own custom owner portal, designed to offer complete transparency and real-time performance insights to property owners. According to Boris, this tech-driven approach is one of the key reasons they’ve been able to retain trust and scale sustainably.

We talk about the company’s approach to growth, focusing on quality over quantity, building processes before automating them, and prioritising happy guests as the route to happy owners. Boris also discusses how they assess whether to take on a new property, sharing red flags that might make them walk away, and what makes a new deal worth pursuing.

The conversation touches on the day-to-day of running a short-term rental business. Boris shares that he enjoys the logistics and operational side of things, and while he isn’t a control freak, he is very performance-oriented. He talks about how they support team development through regular training and goal setting, with an emphasis on individual growth within the company.

We also look at how Boris and his team manage the pressures of the high season, and why creating work-life balance is a priority across the company. While summer is all hands on deck, the quieter winter months provide space to recharge.

The episode wraps with a discussion about long-term vision. Boris isn’t focused on an exit strategy just yet—instead, he’s fully engaged in the work, enjoying the day-to-day challenges and rewards of growing a business that delivers real value to both guests and owners.

If you're interested in learning how to scale a vacation rental business sustainably, navigate the complexities of a high-standard tourism market, and build a strong brand in a local destination, this conversation with Boris offers plenty of insight.

Search terms: property management in Croatia, short term rentals Croatia, vacation rental business Europe, Host as Guest podcast, SCALE Eastern Europe conference, direct bookings vs OTAs, owner-guest relations short term rentals, Sun Spolato property management, luxury vacation rentals Croatia

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In this live episode of Host as Guest, recorded at Scale Eastern Europe, we sit down with Mihaela, co-founder of Rentify. Mihaela shares her journey of turning a single small apartment into a thriving short-term rental business managing 40 properties—with a goal of reaching 100. We dive into the challenges, strategies, and insights that come with scaling a hospitality business, from property acquisition and management styles to the crucial role of cleaning staff and guest experience.

Join us as we explore the unique Sofia rental market, the role of technology in hospitality, and Michaela's future plans for the business. Whether you're an aspiring host or an industry veteran, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mihaela’s Journey: How she transformed a small personal property into a growing business
• Growth & Scaling: Expanding from 1 to 40 properties, with a target of 100
• Market Insights: The unique dynamics of Sofia’s short-term rental market
• Business Model: Managing properties vs. arbitrage and ownership
• Challenges & Learnings: Why cleaning staff is the backbone of a successful operation
• Guest Experience: How Rentify enhances stays through partnerships, events, and personalized touches
• Tech Stack & Operations: The tools Rentify uses for pricing, communication, and cleaning management

Future Plans: The roadmap to 100 properties and an eventual exit strategy

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In this episode of Host as Guest, Leo Walton chats with Jodie Odlin, a short-term rental host and founder of the Hospitable Host community. Jodie shares how she moved beyond relying on Airbnb by building a direct booking strategy, using social media, and fostering guest loyalty. She also talks about working with local businesses, like partnering with a butcher to provide breakfast packs for guests, creating a win-win for everyone involved. Jodie reflects on how the industry has changed since COVID, with more automation, tools, and conferences than ever. While these resources can help, she warns against getting caught up in every new tech tool and losing sight of what really matters—providing a great guest experience. She also discusses how meeting fellow hosts at conferences led to the creation of Hospitable Host, a community and book series that highlights the stories of hosts around the world. This sense of community has been key in elevating the industry and keeping the focus on hospitality rather than just revenue and automation. The episode wraps up with a discussion on why Jodie felt the need to launch her own conference. She saw a gap—while other events focused on revenue management and property tech, no one was talking about actual hospitality. Jodie believes the short-term rental industry needs to remember its roots and ensure that guest experience remains the priority. Jodie’s message is clear: success in this business isn’t just about tech and revenue. It’s about people, connection, and genuine hospitality. 

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In this mini episode of Host as Guest, host Leo Walton welcomes Nicole Pace to discuss the evolving landscape of property acquisition, hospitality, and midterm rentals. Nicole shares insights on how Sojourn has grown its inventory organically through reputation and strong relationships with realtors and boutique developers in its two main markets. She highlights the importance of efficiently managing small multifamily properties and the significance of working with owners who are willing to maintain and improve their properties to meet today’s high guest expectations.

Nicole explains how Sojourn evaluates potential deals, prioritizing property quality and owner commitment over size. She also reflects on past listings, detailing how some legacy properties continue to perform well, while others no longer align with Sojourn’s evolving standards. She emphasizes the need to adapt to guest expectations, which have shifted toward higher-end accommodations and thoughtful details beyond standard furnishings.
Leo and Nicole dive into the importance of guest experience and the trends shaping the market. 

Nicole discusses how Sojourn focuses on sensory experiences, from carefully selected linens to robust cleaning programs, to ensure guests enjoy a comfortable stay. She underscores the significance of anticipating guest needs in advance, drawing from her hospitality background to create seamless, high-quality experiences. This philosophy extends to ensuring properties are well-stocked with premium amenities and eliminating common pain points before guests even arrive.

The conversation also covers how Sojourn balances luxury service in a non-hotel environment. Nicole describes leveraging technology to support human-led hospitality rather than replacing it, allowing for personalized service in diverse property types. By integrating automation for inspections and pre-arrival preparations, Sojourn ensures that both its large homes and smaller studios maintain high standards.
Midterm rentals play a crucial role in Sojourn’s strategy, particularly in regulated markets like Washington DC and Tidewater. 

Nicole explains how the company was well-positioned for changes in short-term rental regulations by already catering to longer stays. She highlights the demand for flexible housing solutions in transient markets and the company’s ability to accommodate a wide range of guest needs, from political staffers to construction workers requiring adaptable lease terms.

Leo and Nicole round out the conversation with reflections on hospitality values, the impact of their early service industry experiences, and the importance of creating a brand known for exceptional service. This episode offers valuable insights into running a hospitality-driven business while adapting to changing industry standards and guest expectations.

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Welcome to this episode of The Host as Guest, where host Leo Walton is joined by Jodie Odlin, the head of The Hospitable Hosts and founder of Tetbury Escapes. Jodie shares her fascinating journey from living in the UK’s Cotswolds to running a successful short-term rental business while now residing in Brisbane, Australia. 

Jodie recounts how her hosting journey began almost by accident with a single cottage listed on Airbnb. Her decision to try out the platform turned into a thriving business, sparking her move into the world of short-term rentals and expanding her portfolio to 15 properties. As the business grew, Jodie started collaborating with local businesses and increasing her marketing efforts, such as offering breakfast packs from the local butcher, a tactic that helped her forge strong community relationships and foster loyal guests.

She also discusses her extensive background in hospitality management, from working in five-star hotels to learning from industry experts during her travels. This knowledge played a key role in her success and continues to inform her business strategy.

As the conversation progresses, Jodie highlights how the industry has evolved, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, and reflects on the increasing complexity of tools and software for hosts. She shares her perspective on the importance of focusing on the essentials, warning hosts not to become overwhelmed by the multitude of technology options available. Instead, she encourages focusing on generating revenue and simplifying operations.

Finally, Jodie talks about *The Hospitable Hosts*, a community she founded to support and empower short-term rental hosts. The group, which began after her first conference experience, has since grown into a platform for sharing stories and fostering collaboration among hosts from diverse backgrounds.

This episode provides valuable insights into how Jodie built her hosting empire and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

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