Furnishing a short-term rental can feel overwhelming and expensive, especially when you’re trying to stand out in a competitive market. In this episode, we break down exactly where hosts should splurge and where they can save when furnishing their properties.

After furnishing dozens of short-term rentals and helping hosts across the country do the same, we’ve seen the same costly mistakes over and over again: overspending on things guests don’t care about and cutting corners on the things they absolutely do.

We walk through the specific items that have the biggest impact on guest experience, reviews, and repeat bookings—from beds and seating to cookware, rugs, and design moments. Plus the areas where you can save without sacrificing quality. We also share our favorite insider strategy for getting access to high-quality brands at host-only pricing, even when you’re “splurging.”

If you’re furnishing a new short-term rental or upgrading an existing one, this episode will help you spend smarter and design with intention.

Resources mentioned:

Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist!

Minoan: a no-cost, all-in-one purchasing platform for hosts, designers, and property managers. They offer insider discounts on 150+ top brands and the ability to track all of your orders, deliveries, invoices, and receipts in one streamlined view.

Airbnb’s host fee changes have left many hosts wondering where, and how, to make adjustments without breaking their pricing strategy.

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Jenna Louise about whether management fee changes should be handled inside PriceLabs or directly through Airbnb or a PMS.

They walk through why your base rate must remain stable, why there’s no universal percentage that recaptures Airbnb’s new host fee, and what hosts should be tracking right now as platforms continue to evolve. If you’re trying to protect your margins without chasing hacks or distorting your data, this episode will help you make smarter, more controlled decisions.

Resources mentioned:

Thanks for Visiting Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

What do the most-downloaded Thanks for Visiting episodes of 2025 have in common?

They weren’t about shortcuts or trends. They were about pricing, revenue, and running a smarter hosting business.

In this episode, Sarah and Annette break down the top-performing episodes of 2025 and what they reveal about how hosts are thinking differently. From pricing strategy and upgrades to insurance, taxes, cancellation policies, and direct bookings, a clear pattern emerged: hosts want clarity, confidence, and better decision-making backed by data.

If you’re heading into the next year focused on profitability and long-term growth, this episode highlights the conversations worth revisiting and why they matter.

What we covered:

1. What the most downloaded episodes of 2025 reveal about today’s hosts
2. Why pricing and revenue strategy continue to be top priorities
3. How hosts are shifting away from vanity metrics toward profitability
4. The role of upgrades, insurance, and cancellation policies in protecting margins
5. Why AI, listing titles, and direct bookings are no longer optional
6. How these lessons shaped the creation of Strategic Host coaching

Resources mentioned:

Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Vanessa brings a highly unique scenario: an off-grid cabin by the river and a big decision to make: stay fully off grid or add water to potentially increase demand.

Rather than treating this as a technical upgrade question, Sarah and Annette zoom out to what really matters: your goals, your values, and the kind of hosting business you actually want to build.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why not every hosting decision is about maximizing revenue
• How your “why” should drive every investment you make
• The difference between designing an experience and chasing demand
• Why having expenses is part of being a business owner
• How to use data without letting it override your values
• When narrowing your guest profile is a strategic choice—not a mistake
• What it means to go all in on your version of hospitality

This episode is a reminder that success in hosting isn’t about copying others. It’s about choosing your lane and committing to it with confidence.

Resources mentioned:

Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist

Hipcamp

AI is everywhere—and short-term rental hosts are using it more than ever. But where does AI actually help, and where can it quietly create risk?

This week, Sarah and Annette are joined by attorney Scott Brown to break down what hosts need to understand before relying on AI in their business, especially when it comes to legal agreements, contracts, and compliance.

In this episode, we cover:

• How AI is being used in STR businesses today
• Where AI saves time and where it can create serious problems
• Why using AI to draft contracts is risky
• Real-world examples of AI “hallucinations” in legal work
• What AI tools can help with safely
• The importance of editing and human oversight
• When transparency around AI use matters
• Why professional advisors still matter in an AI-driven world

AI isn’t going away, but understanding its limits is critical if you want to protect your business, your properties, and your income.

Resources Mentioned:

Scott Brown, Attorney

Thanks for Visiting Priced & Profitable Bootcamp 

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Randa writes in with a question many new hosts face: What should I be focusing on while I’m waiting to take possession of my first short-term rental?

Sarah and Annette walk through exactly how to use this in-between time wisely—so you’re not scrambling once the first guest checks in.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why buying an STR means starting a business—not just furnishing a property
• What to set up financially before you ever get the keys
• How to build your business “dream team” early
• Why revenue strategy should come before design decisions
• What market research you can do without stepping inside the home
• How to start building your operational support system
• The habits every successful host sets up before opening day
• Why consuming too much hosting content can actually slow you down

If you’re waiting to close—or planning your first STR—this episode helps you focus on the work that truly sets you up for long-term success.

Resources mentioned:

Thanks for Visiting Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

Every market has a slow season—and no, it doesn’t mean your listing is broken. This week, Sarah and Annette break down how to use your slow season strategically so you can maximize revenue when demand returns.

In this episode, we cover:

• What actually defines a slow season (and why every market has one)
• How to stop “panic pricing” when demand doesn’t exist
• The industry secret: using a slow season to get ahead
• The operational tasks that matter most right now
• Why a deep clean isn’t just about your space—it’s about your numbers
• How to reconnect with past guests and segment your audience
• What financial foundations every host should review annually
• How reinvesting in yourself leads to better revenue outcomes

You can’t change the market. But you can change how you respond to it—and a smart slow-season strategy sets you up for your most profitable year yet.

Resources mentioned:

Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

This week on the Hosting Hotline, Alexandra asks a common question: “How do you screen guests?”

Sarah and Annette break down why the word “screening” doesn’t belong in hospitality—and how hosts can shift their approach to something far more effective: guest alignment.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your language matters more than you think
• How to approach bookings from a hospitality-first mindset
• What Airbnb’s trust and verification system actually protects
• Why Instant Book can help—not hurt—your business
• What red flags are worth reviewing (and which aren’t)
• The key question to ask every guest to confirm fit
• How to communicate expectations without sounding accusatory
• Why consistency matters more than creating the “perfect” process

Whether you’re new to hosting or refining your systems, this episode will help you evaluate bookings with confidence—without slipping into fear-based hosting.

Resources mentioned:

Truvi (identity verification for direct bookings)

Priced & Profitable Bootcamp

This week, Sarah and Annette break down a simple but powerful strategy every host should be using to stay competitive: analyzing your comp set the same way professional revenue managers do—without spending thousands on data tools.

Inside the episode, they walk you through a three-step workflow for using ChatGPT to read, synthesize, and analyze your competitors’ guest reviews so you can understand what travelers actually value, what’s frustrating them, and where you can immediately stand out.

But before the AI magic, they start by defining what a comp set really is—and why most hosts get this part wrong. If you feel like your property has “no competitors,” this episode will challenge that thinking in a way that makes your marketing sharper and your operations more profitable.

They also highlight one listener property, Snow Place Like Home, and walk through their smart paid marketing strategy using regional travel publications.

Inside the episode you’ll learn:

• What a competitive set actually is (and why 90 percent of hosts build it incorrectly)

• How OTAs decide which listings you compete with

• Why relying on intuition instead of data limits your revenue potential

• A step-by-step workflow to extract and analyze 50–100 competitor reviews using ChatGPT

• How to identify what guests consistently love, dislike, or wish was different

• How to use review language to improve your listing copy and boost conversions

• How to prioritize amenity upgrades based on real demand

• How to refine your brand positioning using insights from your comp set

• Why this AI-powered review analysis is like getting a free market research report

• How to use your own reviews to stay ahead of guest expectations

This is a practical, repeatable workflow you can implement today—and revisit every quarter—to stay sharp in your market without expensive consultants, tools, or guesswork.

Chat GPT Prompt:

How to Use This Prompt

Copy and paste the full prompt below into your favorite AI chatbot (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.). Then simply follow the step-by-step instructions — the AI will walk you through analyzing competitor reviews, pulling key insights from your own guest reviews, and turning that data into clear action steps, improved listing copy, and a stronger brand position for your short-term rental.

This is a practical, guided exercise to help you turn guest feedback into a competitive advantage using real guest language — not marketing fluff.

Quick Disclaimer

Every AI system is a little different. If you don’t get the output you were hoping for, feel free to tweak or rephrase parts of the prompt to better fit your specific property, goals, or chatbot platform. The structure is flexible — the power is in how you use it.

Your insights will get stronger each time you revisit this process with new reviews or updated listing information.

You are an expert short-term rental strategist and AI assistant trained to help Airbnb and Vrbo hosts analyze guest reviews (both from competitors and their own listings) to identify patterns, improve amenities, enhance listings, and strengthen brand positioning.

Your user is a short-term rental host who has just watched or listened to a podcast or YouTube video about using AI for competitive insight. They want to use this prompt to turn competitor and guest reviews into actionable improvements for their property listings. The AI should guide them step-by-step through collecting, analyzing, and applying these insights.

The AI must be compatible with any chatbot platform (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) and should use a simple, conversational, and educational tone that makes even complex steps easy for first-time users.

Your task is to guide the user through a structured, multi-step process to:

1. Analyze competitor reviews to find what guests love and don’t love.
2. Analyze the user’s own guest reviews.
3. Compare competitor and user insights.
4. Suggest listing, amenity, and experience improvements.
5. Help the user strengthen their brand positioning and update their listing description using real guest language.

• The user finishes the process with clear insights into what guests value and dislike.
• The AI generates actionable steps to improve the user’s property, listing copy, and amenities.
• The AI provides a revised listing description that uses authentic guest language.
• The final result feels personalized, strategic, and easy for the user to follow.

Ask these one at a time, waiting for the user’s response before proceeding:

1. “First, please copy and paste several competitor reviews from properties that are similar to yours in size, location, and price.”
2. “Now that I have the competitor reviews, let’s analyze them. I’ll identify what guests don’t love and what guests love most. Ready?”
3. “Next, please copy and paste your own guest reviews from your Airbnb or Vrbo listings.”
4. “Now I’ll compare what your guests love and don’t love versus competitors. Then we’ll extract guest phrases you can use in your own listing copy. Sound good?”
5. “Finally, please paste your current listing description. I’ll rewrite it using the most persuasive guest-driven language and suggest amenity or brand improvements.”
6. Collect competitor reviews.
7. Extract and list guest dislikes (pain points, frustrations, and common complaints).
8. Extract and list guest likes (features, amenities, service touches they rave about).
9. Collect and analyze the user’s own guest reviews for likes and dislikes.
10. Compare user vs. competitor reviews to find gaps and opportunities.
11. Create actionable recommendations for improving the user’s property and experience.
12. Rewrite or enhance their listing copy using the authentic language from guest reviews.
13. Suggest brand positioning statements based on recurring guest phrases (e.g., “Perfect for families,” “Luxury stay,” “Pet-friendly retreat”).

• Maintain a positive, strategic, and motivating tone.
• Use bullet points and headings for readability.
• Avoid technical jargon or AI terminology.
• Only proceed to the next step once the user completes the previous one.
• Use real guest language where possible (directly quoted from pasted reviews).
• Never invent or assume data; only use what’s provided by the user.

Sample Scenario:

• Input: Competitor reviews show guests dislike cleanliness issues and lack of kitchen utensils but love hot tubs and mountain views.
• Process: The AI identifies that the user should emphasize cleanliness, add a few missing kitchen items, and highlight views or install a hot tub if possible.
• Output: Revised listing copy: “Spotlessly clean cabin with breathtaking mountain views and a fully stocked kitchen — everything you need for a perfect family getaway.”

Before delivering final recommendations or rewritten listing copy:

1. Verify all analysis is based on the user-provided reviews.
2. Double-check that suggested amenities or features are realistic and not invented.
3. Confirm rewritten listing copy sounds natural, guest-centered, and persuasive.

• Present results in a step-by-step guided format.
• Use clear headings such as “Step 1: What Guests Don’t Love,” “Step 2: What Guests Love,” “Step 3: Insights from Your Reviews,” “Step 4: Action Plan,” “Step 5: Improved Listing Copy,” and “Step 6: Brand Position.”
• Use bullet points for insights and recommendations.
• End with a short, motivational summary encouraging the user to implement improvements and revisit the prompt with updated data in the future.

Mentioned in this episode:

Minoan | Visit MinoanExperience.com and tell them TFV sent you!

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer a question from Susie, a host who’s leveling up her short-term rental and wants to know: should you provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in every bathroom?

It seems simple, but this small decision says a lot about your professionalism, your brand standards, and the overall guest experience. The answer is yes—and Sarah and Annette dive into why this baseline amenity matters more than hosts often realize.

Inside the episode, they cover:

• The Nashville stay that proved why missing basics can sink an otherwise great property

• How guest expectations have drastically evolved going into 2025 and beyond

• Why amenities are less about luxury and more about clarity, consistency, and professionalism

• How missing basics show up in reviews (and how providing them quietly prevents friction)

• Why standardized bathroom setups reduce mental load and improve operations

• The role of comp-set research when choosing what to provide

• How to anticipate guest needs using hotel-level hospitality thinking

• An inside perspective from Taylor at Minoan on why amenities directly impact five-star reviews

Whether you’re a new host or scaling a professional operation, this episode is a reminder that thoughtful basics are never optional. They are the foundation of a frictionless stay.

Resources Mentioned:

Minoan: Professional-grade supplies and better-than-trade pricing for hosts

Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist

Mentioned in this episode:

Lodgify | Use code TFV20