Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – James sits down with Zen Valli from RMS Cloud for a masterclass in cross-industry learning. Zen shares what short-term rental operators can take from holiday parks and hotels, where the biggest upsell opportunities are hiding, and why giving guests a reason to book direct is more essential than ever. You’ll also hear his take on t...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, powered by Hostfully, Charlie Gibbons from Beyond shares a clear playbook for autumn/winter: watch your booking lead times, don’t slash rates too fast, and judge success by REVPAN (revenue per available night) – not vanity metrics. Charlie tackles minimum stay rules, stresses knowing your true costs so every booking is profitable, and shows how to adapt tac...

In this Host Planet Playbook episode, Dean McLuckie shares the roller-coaster rise of Euphoric Leisure in South Africa – from a travel club to scaling fast in a complex, ever-evolving STR market. We dig into regulation challenges, how industry rivals have united to protect responsible hosting, and what makes Euphoric Leisure stand out. Dean drops practical tips for five-star guest experience, why...

In this Host Planet Podcast, powered by Hostfully, Florian Montag from Apaleo breaks down how short-term rental managers can use AI today – including what tools to try, the best live use cases, and where humans still matter. We touch on OpenAI’s Operator model, practical workflows for tech-savvy hosts to stay ahead, and the STR trends for 2025 (including what Airbnb is up to). Florian also spotlig...

In this Host Planet Bitesize, Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke from Frasers Hospitality shares quick wins for hosts and property managers to attract remote workers. She discusses flexibility, the importance of fast, reliable Wi-Fi, offering adaptable services (early check-in, housekeeping on demand), and wellbeing extras such as great coffee and gym access. 1:57 Flexibility is imperative 3:16 Fast, rel...

From Broadway to brilliant hosting. In this Host Planet Playbook episode, Sarah Karakaian, Co-Founder of Thanks for Visiting, shares how she swapped the stage for short-term rentals and built brands that wow guests and keep owners smiling. We dig into the nuts and bolts of five-star guest experience, why boundaries matter, standing out in Columbus, Ohio, and the most common questions new hosts ask...

On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – we’re joined by Conrad O’Connell, Founder of BuildUp Bookings, to break down how STR operators can move from OTA dependency to meaningful direct bookings in as little as three months. Conrad shares the non-negotiable pages every direct booking site needs, the most common SEO mistakes he sees (and how to fix them), and the quick wi...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Frank Bosi breaks down why a property management system (PMS) is the backbone of any serious STR operation. Learn how a PMS delivers channel manager sync, direct booking support, automated guest messaging, smart-home integrations, and payments and reporting that actually save time and lift revenue. Frank also shows how Hostfully’s di...

In this Host Planet Playbook episode, we head to Acorn Glade near York in the UK to speak to Wendy Wilkinson Coe. Wendy shares her STR journey into glamping, how she’s crafted a standout guest experience (from wildlife moments to thoughtful touches), and what she learned at British Airways about service that truly lands. We dig into location challenges and opportunities, working with the local com...

What’s really happening in the UK short-term rental market heading into 2026? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Sally Henry, VP of Business Development at Key Data, breaks down late-booking trends, the right OTA vs direct mix, why pricing discipline matters, and how hosts/managers can lock in early demand for peak periods. 1:15 What’s happening in the UK’s STR ind...

Booking windows are shrinking and winter is coming – so how should hosts price the shoulder season? In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Siana Vesselinova from PriceLabs breaks down UK summer trends, why you shouldn’t panic-drop rates, and the pricing and occupancy signals to watch as we head into winter. You’ll learn practical tactics to capture demand in a slower mark...

Thinking about diversifying your farm income? In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Katie Williams from Sykes Holiday Cottages explains why holiday letting can outperform other property investments – and how to get started the right way. What we cover: - Why diversification into holiday lets makes sense for farms. - Best conversions (barns, annexes, shepherd’s huts) and must-have amenities. - A...

For our latest Host Planet Playbook feature, we’re joined by James Cornwell, Co-Founder of Curated Property, to discuss scaling operations, challenges and opportunities in the holiday let industry, and how to prosper in the luxury sector. James shares candid insights on: - Scaling ops: playbooks for quality control, owners, and multi-market growth. - UK landscape: how current legislation impacts S...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Natalie Dowling breaks down DAC7 – the EU directive changing how short-term rental income is reported and taxed. We cover: - What DAC7 is and why it was introduced. - How it affects hosts and property management companies. - Who’s responsible for data collection and reporting. - How to stay compliant — and what happens if you don’...

In this special solo episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – James Varley shares everything you need to know about Holiday Let Success – a free, one-day event taking place on Tuesday 11 November at Sykes Holiday Cottages HQ in Chester. 1:47 Holiday Let Success: Tuesday 11 November at Sykes HQ in Chester 2:38 The speakers and topics you can look forward to 3:24 Alistair Handyside f...

In this episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, Joe Stallard from House and Holiday Home Mortgages explains exactly when and why holiday let owners should consider remortgaging. We cover: - Moving onto your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR). - How to find the best remortgage deals – sometimes with your current lender. - When to start planning your remortgage. - Switching for better rates...

For our first Host Planet Playbook feature, we’re joined by Graham Donoghue, CEO of Forge Holiday Group, to discuss what it takes to scale from 5,000 to 30,000 short-term rental properties while keeping the local touch that makes hospitality special. Graham shares candid insights on: - The challenges of rapid growth and integration in the world of vacation rentals. - How AI can give every holiday...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Canadian STR expert Chad Harker shares his journey from ‘host hacking’ to scaling a successful vacation rental business. Chad discusses how to deliver unforgettable guest experiences and drive direct bookings through social media. He also taps into the power of community and user-generated content, diving into key market trends th...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – we explore how photography can revolutionise your vacation rental business. Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares expert insights on lighting, composition, storytelling, and detail shots that can elevate your property’s appeal. Learn why investing in professional photography is essential for maximising bookings and revenue, how to maintai...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Damian Sheridan previews SCALE UK, taking place in Manchester on 12-13 November. Discover why attending short-term rental events is crucial for operators looking to enhance their guest experience and achieve more direct bookings. Damian outlines who will gain the most from attending, ranging from hosts with a single rental to prop...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, we dive into how to enhance the guest experience and simplify check-ins for vacation rentals. Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares expert tips on transforming the often stressful moments of arrival and departure into seamless five-star experiences. With effective communication and smart technology, such as smart locks and thermostats, hosts can improve not only...

In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Claire Binns, Senior Impact Manager at Sykes Holiday Cottages, shares insights on responsible holiday letting focused on guest experience and sustainability in vacation rentals. Learn how to reduce both costs and your carbon footprint while being a great neighbour and improving accessibility for all guests, including tips tailored for neurodiverse visitors....

Holiday let operators in Wales are leaving (or attempting to leave) the sector in droves due to the onerous 182-day letting threshold imposed by the government. Nicky Williamson from PASC UK joins this week's Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – to paint a grim picture for the self-catering sector in the Principality. She explains that around half of operators are missing the threshold...

In this Host Planet Bitesize episode, Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares essential insights on optimising your Airbnb listing to drive direct bookings and enhance the guest experience. Discover quick wins that truly move the needle on revenue management and elevate your vacation rentals to new heights. Great photos get the click, but a fully optimised listing, smart pricing strategies, and the right...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – industry veteran Annie Holcombe discusses how to design a robust OTA distribution plan that enhances direct bookings and ensures business growth. Learn how to leverage platforms like Booking.com to launch successfully while building a strong brand that compounds revenue and reduces owner churn. We’ll explore common mistakes in rev...