Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

Managing pet-friendly short-term rental properties comes with its own challenges – especially when it comes to cleanliness and odours. In this Host Planet Bitesize episode – powered by Hostfully – Sean Kemper from ETI Solutions shares practical tips on keeping odours out of your property, managing pet hair, and setting up the right cleaning processes to maintain five-star standards. From prioritis...

Major events can supercharge bookings – or completely overwhelm your operations. In the first episode of Turnover Tactics, a new series from Host Planet powered by Turno, we explore how short-term rental hosts can operate smoothly during high-demand events like the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Joined by Chris Rule from Turno and Katelyn Almeda from Host With...

In this episode of the Host Planet Playbook – powered by Hospitable – we sit down with Jeremy Rosen, a full-time nurse who has built a 20-property short-term rental portfolio in San Antonio, Texas. Jeremy shares how he balances nursing with hosting, scaled his business while working full-time, and the systems and people that help him deliver a standout guest experience. From co-hosting tips and st...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we’re joined by Andy Fenner, Chief Executive of the Short Term Accommodation Association, to unpack the biggest policy and pressure points facing the short-term rental sector right now. From the proposed visitor levy and how it should be administered, to the realities of tourism capacity, infrastructure investment, and the short-term lets registration sc...

Why should short-term rental hosts make time for in-person events in 20 In this Host Planet Bitesize episode – powered by Hostfully – Lisa Roads from the Women in Short Term Rentals Community shares five key reasons to attend the Host Planet Roadshow, starting in Cornwall on 5 February. From hyperlocal content and a boutique, high-impact format to collaborative roundtables and creating more space...

Holiday let regulation is changing fast – and confusion is costing owners time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, we’re joined by Ben Spier from Sykes Holiday Cottages to unpack the latest UK Budget reaction, proposed tourism levy, business rates changes, and the growing list of compliance requirements facing holiday let owners across the UK. We cover what owners re...

Welcome to the Host Planet Playbook, your guide to mastering short-term rentals. This series features top property managers sharing their success stories, key lessons, and the technology they use to deliver five-star guest experiences and ensure guest satisfaction. If you're serious about growing your short term rental business, and improving your overall hospitality, you're in the right p...

In this edition of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – we’re joined by Andy Easton, Managing Director of Beach Retreats, to talk candidly about selling a holiday let business. Andy shares what it felt like to sell Beach Retreats, how the sale process unfolded, and the lessons he learned from due diligence, buyer conversations, and building a strong brand that delivered 97% direct book...

On this week's Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – James Varley welcomes Nick Massey from Proper Insurance to discuss essential insights for buying and managing short-term rental properties. They tackle five common myths about vacation rental insurance and provide crucial information every host needs to hear. This episode is packed with tips to help you understand Airbnb insurance an...

In this Host Planet Playbook feature, sponsored by property management software, Hospitable, we’re joined by Mina Saastad from Cabin Living in Norway. Mina shares how Cabin Living got started, the realities of hosting in Norway, and what it takes to deliver a standout guest experience – from direct bookings to keeping owners happy. 1:39 Cabin Living – based in Norway 1:56 How Cabin Living got star...

Kristina Castellina, the Founder of Empress Hall in Blackpool, is the special guest on today's Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully. Kristina's advice for business owners: don't hide behind a logo. Instead, focus on building your personal brand across social media.  She shares the story of the 10-bedroom Empress Hall, including how she documented every step of the refurbishment...

In this edition of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Carlos Castillo from Direct BookMe shares practical insights on how hosts can build trust, understand their ideal guest, and communicate with impact. Carlos reveals why communication is your superpower, how automation should support (not replace) hospitality, and what every host must do to make guests feel confident booking directly....

In this episode of Host Planet Playbook – powered by property management software, Hospitable – we’re joined by Greg Lupone, Founder of Stingray Villa in Cozumel, Mexico. Greg shares his journey into short-term rentals – from a career in the US Navy, to running restaurants, and ultimately building a standout vacation rental brand in one of Mexico’s most popular island destinations. We explore what...

What happens when you stop treating property like real estate – and start treating it like hospitality? Real estate investor Frank Iglesias joins the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – to explain why vacation rentals outperform traditional property strategies, and what investors need to understand to build a five-star, guest-first business. 1:08 The lightbulb moment  6:07 Step one: look...

Tired of manual check-ins, missed cleaning notifications, and utility bills going through the roof? It's time to automate your short-term rental business! In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – we welcome Dipen Gala from Lynx, the leading smart home automation software for property managers. Dipen shares the five essential automations that will free up your time, cut...

In this Host Planet Playbook episode, powered by Hospitable, James sits down with Allison Craft, Founder of Crafty Hosting, who scaled from a single rental to 16 listings in Tampa, Florida. Allison shares her journey from corporate finance into vacation rentals, how she built a family-oriented brand, the systems that keep owners happy, and what it really takes to deliver a great guest experience a...

On today's Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Matt Jeffery from Zeal Tax explains how a client with 15 holiday lets was able to save thousands in tax by claiming previously overlooked capital allowances. This case highlights the importance for furnished holiday let owners to stay informed on UK business tax strategies. Ensure you're not missing out on crucial savings – reach out...

In this Host Planet Bitesize episode, sponsored by Hostfully, Thomas Tewolde from Charge Automation shares five powerful automation tips that every short-term rental host should implement. Thomas breaks down how to automate everything before arrival, keep the check-in flow short, personalise the guest journey, provide instant access, and reduce guest effort at every stage. If you want to streamlin...

Discover how Amy O’Sullivan built Wild Hideaways – a collection of six luxury lodges with an on-site spa in the heart of south-west Ireland – and turned it into one of the region’s most memorable five-star escapes. In this inspiring Host Planet Playbook episode – powered by property management software, Hospitable – Amy shares her journey from Somerset to Cork (with stopovers in Manchester and Aus...

The lines between hotels and short-term rentals are dissolving. In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – we sit down with Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke, COO EMEA of Frasers Hospitality, one of the world's largest serviced apartment operators. Rebecca shares key strategies on: Corporate and extended stays: how to attract and manage reliable, long-term corporate bookings...

Thinking about buying a holiday let, or looking to boost the income from your current property? This Holiday Let Insider episode is packed with data-driven strategies from one of the industry's top experts! We sit down with Rachel Brennan from Sykes Holiday Cottages to unpack the operational, marketing, and pricing tweaks that can instantly increase your holiday let revenue. Discover the secre...

How do you manage a premium property and foster a loyal guest base that books directly? For our latest Host Planet Playbook feature, we speak with Louis Andrews from OVO Network, a leading luxury chalet and holiday rental company based in the French Alps. Louis shares the playbook for building a high-value rental business, from driving direct bookings to perfecting the end-to-end guest experience....

Join us for a trip to the sun-drenched shores of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, as we sit down with Robin Bass, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Premier Properties USVI. Robin has built a booming portfolio of luxury villas and high-end rentals on a stunning island. In this Host Planet Podcast episode – powered by Hostfully – Robin describes how she hosts remotely, prioritising human connectio...

Is AI hype or is it the future of short-term rental hosting? In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – we sit down with Cole Rubin from Conduit, the company using conversational AI to revolutionise hospitality operations. Cole shares five compelling, actionable reasons why every STR host – from single-unit owners to large property managers – needs to stop viewing AI as a lux...

In this Host Planet Playbook feature, sponsored by Hospitable, James speaks with Anna Calder Urquhart Morris from Adore Scotland and The Edinburgh Address. Anna shares her remarkable journey from studying psychology to taking over her family’s apartment and ultimately scaling into one of Scotland’s most respected short-term rental operators. She discusses the mindset and transferable skills that h...