Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, we dive into reviews – and how you can achieve five stars every time that help you to drive direct bookings and enhance your guest experience. Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares a simple, repeatable system for earning five-star reviews, covering everything from the initial impression to the crucial follow-up after checkout. Discover how you can streamline ope...

In this month's Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, we dive into the world of short-term rentals and financial strategies with Beth Taylor from House and Holiday Home Mortgages. This episode breaks down the crucial differences between buy-to-let and holiday let mortgages, what lenders scrutinise, and how rates and affordability are assessed. We highlight why factors like location and flexibility are...

Join us for the latest episode of the Host Planet Podcast as we dive into the world of vacation rentals with Tyann Marcink Hammond from Branson Family Retreats. As the FIFA World Cup approaches, we explore crucial insights into optimising your bookings. Tyann will guide both new hosts and seasoned STR managers through her World Cup Hosting Crash Course on November 14-15 in Kansas City, Missouri, d...

On today's Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Suzanne Luscombe from resicentral demonstrates how smart building tech can significantly reduce energy bills while enhancing the guest experience. From remote triage to energy mapping, she explains the practical steps STR operators can take to save costs, resolve issues quickly, and focus on data that leads to actionable insights. Key ta...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we hear from Terry Whyte of Anna Maria Island Beach Rentals as he details his inspiring comeback in the vacation rental industry after facing two hurricanes in two months. Discover how his strategic approach not only addressed immediate recovery challenges but also laid the foundation for sustained business growth. Terry's journey emphasises the impo...

In this episode of Host Planet, we’re joined by Joseph Cox from Hostfully, who shares invaluable cleaning tips tailored for short-term rental (STR) hosts looking to enhance their guest experience and secure positive reviews. Cleanliness is essential for driving direct bookings and maintaining high ratings. Joseph discusses how to hire reliable cleaners that understand the unique needs of vacation...

Dubai is one of the world’s most dynamic short-term rental markets, offering immense opportunities for business growth. With year-round demand, premium ADRs, and no personal income tax, understanding how to operate effectively in this unique environment is essential. In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, powered by Hostfully, Oriol Plana – operator, founder, and investor – shares insights on...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Bevan Thompson from Hostfully discusses essential guest screening tips for vacation rental hosts and property managers. Guest screening is crucial for protecting profit and reputation in the short-term rental market. By verifying identity, applying risk checks, and adhering to local regulations, hosts can ensure compliance while enhancing the guest experien...

If you want happier guests, higher ratings, and fewer headaches, start with the foundations. In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel Brennan shares the Sykes Holiday Cottages onboarding playbook – from non-negotiable safety and quality checks to the communication habits that shape every short-term rental stay. We cover cleaning standards, deep-clean cadence, maintenance routines, and how to...

On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we dive into direct bookings with Andy Easton of Beach Retreats, a Cornwall-based brand achieving an impressive 97% direct bookings. This episode unpacks the effective marketing strategies they’ve employed to avoid the pitfalls of channel chasing. Learn how to ace guest experience by knowing exactly who your audience is, designing tailored offerings, and...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Joseph Cox from Hostfully shares actionable guest communication tips tailored for Airbnb hosts. Discover effective strategies that not only enhance the guest experience but also lead to increased direct bookings and revenue growth. Joseph’s first recommendation is to create a digital guidebook, serving as a comprehensive resource with house information, acc...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we explore the intersection of technology and guest experience in short-term rentals with Jessica Gillingham, Founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide. Jessica unpacks the core themes of her enlightening book, Tech Enabled Hospitality, which sheds light on how hospitality tech – from PMS to guest apps – evolves to enhance human experiences. Dive into her insig...

On this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Bevan Thompson from Hostfully breaks pricing down to what actually fills calendars without killing profit. He explains why most hosts should lean on dynamic pricing – with smart guardrails – so rates rise when demand spikes and ease off when the market softens. The goal isn’t the lowest price or the highest price; it’s the right price today based on seasona...

On this month's Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, Joe Stallard from House and Holiday Home Mortgages walks holiday let owners through the practical steps that make a mortgage application faster and stronger. From the very first checklist – ID, proof of address, income evidence, and bank statements – to how lenders read those documents, Joe explains what underwriters look for and how small oversigh...

On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, James Varley sits down with Andy Fenner, Chief Executive of the Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), to announce the Host Planet Roadshow 2026 – a national series built for short-term rental hosts, property managers, agencies, and industry professionals. Kicking off in Cornwall in February 2026 and rolling through Portsmouth, London, Nottingham,...

Short-term rental distribution can make or break your occupancy. In this episode, Joseph Cox from Hostfully breaks down where you must be listed, how Airbnb and Booking.com dominate demand, and what truly differentiates the major online travel agencies (OTAs). He also spotlights niche platforms that punch above their weight for certain audiences, plus UK-focused sites like Simply Owners and GroupA...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Matt Jeffery from Zeal Tax breaks down the recent changes to the Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) tax regime and what they mean for short-term rental owners and investors. With the FHL regime being abolished in April, many hosts are left wondering how this will affect their current tax position, future investments, and overall profit...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Jennifer Knight from Savvy Social Solutions shares actionable tips for short-term rental hosts looking to step up their Instagram game. From creating authentic content that showcases your property’s personality to leveraging location-based posts that catch the right audience, Jennifer breaks down how hosts can stand out in a crowded...

In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel Brennan, Senior Manager of Property Onboarding at Sykes Holiday Cottages, explains why partnering with an agency can be a game-changer for holiday let owners. Drawing on her experience helping thousands of property owners navigate the onboarding process, Rachel highlights how Sykes provides the tools, expertise, and daily support to make hosting simpl...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, powered by Hostfully, we sit down with Jeremy Gall, the Founder and CEO of Breezeway, to explore what it really takes to run smart operations in the short-term rental (STR) world. From his early days building FlipKey to his current mission with Breezeway, Jeremy brings a wealth of experience and insight into the operational challenges hosts and property...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, powered by Hostfully, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked – and often most frustrating – aspects of short-term rental management: trash. Alex Shapiro, CEO and Co-Founder of CanMonkey, joins us to share five practical tips to help hosts manage waste more efficiently, avoid neighbour complaints, and protect their guest experience. From sticking to th...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we dive into the world of automation, AI, and practical tech tools that help short-term rental (STR) hosts reclaim their time and streamline operations. Our guest is Adam Buckmaster, Director, Product Marketing & Strategic Solutions at eviivo, a leading property management system (PMS) known for empowering hosts through smart, integrated technology....

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, powered by Hostfully, we’re joined by Karishma Lunawat, Programme Operations Manager at PriceLabs, who breaks down five data-driven tactics short-term rental (STR) hosts can use to optimise their minimum stay strategies. Whether you're struggling to fill last-minute gaps or looking to avoid locking in bookings too far in advance, Karishma shares actiona...

Getting the financial side right is the foundation of any successful holiday let investment – and our special guest knows exactly how to help you do that. Joe Stallard, Director at House and Holiday Home Mortgages, joins the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast to break down what hosts and property investors really need to know when financing a short-term rental. From understanding lender expectations to...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – sponsored by Hostfully – we sit down with Louis Andrews, Director and President of OVO Network, a leading direct booking brand with a portfolio of high-performing chalets in the French Alps. Louis doesn’t hold back on what most short-term rental operators are getting wrong when it comes to their direct booking websites. From poor UX to wasted marketing...