Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

Design is more than just aesthetics – it’s how your space makes guests feel, how it connects to the surroundings, and how well it stands the test of time. In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, award-winning architect Peter Markos shares five essential design principles every short-term rental host should consider before breaking ground or revamping their property. From integrating natural eleme...

What does it take to be a great host and a great neighbour? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we’re joined by Nils Mattisson, CEO and Co-Founder of Minut – the leading smart monitoring solution designed for short-term rental hosts. Drawing on experience from his time at Apple and insights gained while founding Minut, Nils explains how hosts can maintain trust with neighbours, prevent par...

If you're listing your property on Booking.com, this episode is essential listening. We’re joined by Miro Gospodinov, Founder and CEO of my Data Value, who shares expert tips on how to improve your visibility, increase bookings, and get the most out of Booking.com’s powerful platform. Miro explains how Booking.com’s algorithm works, why consistent optimisation matters, and what hosts and manag...

Is now a good time to invest in a holiday let? According to Rachel Brennan, Senior Manager of Property Onboarding at Sykes Holiday Cottages, the answer is yes – provided you approach it the right way. In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel explains why holiday lets continue to be a smart long-term investment and shares her top tips for choosing the right property and maximising returns. Fr...

Are short-term rental hosts putting their entire business at risk by relying too heavily on platforms like Airbnb? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully, we sit down with Humphrey Bowles, Founder and CEO of Truvi (formerly Superhog), to unpack why hosts need to stop "building on someone else’s land" – and what they can do to protect their properties and futur...

What separates an average short-term rental from one that guests rave about? According to Mark Lumpkin from STR Cribs, it often comes down to the simple, thoughtful details that elevate comfort, security, and overall experience. In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Mark shares practical, no-nonsense upgrades that property managers and hosts can implement to boost reviews, improve operations, a...

If you're still setting a base price and hoping for the best, it's time to rethink your entire approach to pricing. On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully, we’re joined by Neal Cyr, CEO and Co-Founder at Quibble, to talk all things dynamic pricing – and why the strategies many hosts rely on are not just outdated, but potentially costing them bookings and revenue...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – we welcome Jay Ullrich, CEO and Co-Founder of HostBuddy AI, to share five expert tips for automating your guest messaging without losing the personal touch. Whether you're just getting started with automation or looking to fine-tune your current setup, this episode will help you level up your systems, avoid common pitfalls, and...

Thinking of buying a holiday let? Before you dive into the mortgage process, don’t make these common mistakes. In this episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Walker from House and Holiday Home Mortgages, who shares the top five mistakes holiday let mortgage applicants often make — and how to avoid them. From choosing the right type of mortgage to ensuring your paperwork i...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – sponsored by Hostfully – we’re joined by Johanne Hedges, Co-Founder of LiBi, to explore how short-term rental hosts and property managers can build stronger guest loyalty – and boost revenue in the process. Johanne shares insights on how to elevate the guest experience through simple, hotel-inspired touches. From the power of a good mattress to the psyc...

In this episode of Spotless Stays we dive into the urgent need for cleaning standards in the short-term rental industry. From how STR operators can learn from hotels to why expensive doesn’t always mean better, Stephanie Flint from Rural Stays shares practical insights to help property managers level up their operations. Key takeaways: * Without regulation, quality and consistency vary wildly – an...

In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – we’re joined by Chris Rule from Turno to break down five compelling reasons why vacation rental owners should consider allowing pets.  From expanding your guest pool to increasing your nightly rate, Chris shares real-world insights that show how being pet-friendly can be a game-changer for short-term rental hosts looking to boost b...

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we're joined by Alex Husner, seasoned marketing expert and co-host of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals. Alex shares a wealth of insights on why so many short-term rental businesses fall short when it comes to marketing – and what they can do to fix it. From the challenges of over-reliance on OTAs to the true cost of direct booking...

Are you a short-term rental host who is sick of paying OTA commission fees? If so, you need to check out listing sites like Simply Owners. For a low annual fee, Simply Owners will market your property to a large audience of holidaymakers and take zero commission! And right now, Simply Owners is offering a whopping 60% off the annual listing fee, meaning you can list your rental on the site for jus...

Are hotels and short-term rentals starting to blend? Orlie Benjamin thinks so — and she breaks it down in this insightful episode of the Host Planet Podcast. Orlie shares what vacation rental hosts and property managers can learn from the hotel industry – from guest experience strategies to operational consistency. She also highlights why understanding your guests – and the type of trip they’re ta...

Airbnb hosts – this one’s for you! Want to optimise your listing, attract more guests, and rack up those five-star reviews? Then don’t miss this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully. Our special guest is Sabrina Calnan from bnbExcellent — an Airbnb Superhost Ambassador, co-host of 35 properties, and mentor to over 500 hosts worldwide. Sabrina shares 10 powerful tips to help you...

In today’s episode of Holiday Let Insider – brought to you by Host Planet and Sykes Holiday Cottages – we’re joined by Nathalie Johnson, who shares her top 10 tips for holiday let success. From adding thoughtful amenities and creating memorable welcome packs to learning how to trust your guests, Nathalie dives into what really makes a short-term rental stand out. She also unpacks some of the less...

Ready to take your revenue strategy to the next level? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we uncover the three Rs of short-term rental revenue management — essential principles every property manager should know. Our special guest is Zak Ali, a published author and revenue expert who has helped some of the biggest brands in the vacation rental space build powerful, bespoke pricing systems...

Vacation rental managers need to go the extra mile in order to deliver a great guest experience and secure those all-important five-star reviews. On this edition of Host Planet Bitesize, Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares a bunch of brilliant tips to help Airbnb hosts and property managers stand out in this competitive market. Key takeaways: • Make sure you personalise the experience. • Use a digita...

Braydon Ross is @MrAirbnb! From arbitrage and coaching to working alongside developers across the globe to market and manage hundreds of properties. Hear his thoughts on regulation, essential tech, and why building a personal brand can take your business to the next level. Braydon also shares how Tequila Fridays helped him build a huge following on social media. There are shout-outs for Airbnb, Br...

Leaving guests a welcome hamper can supercharge the experience at your short-term rental and power those all-important five-star reviews. It can also help you earn upselling revenue. On today's Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, the focus is welcome hampers and our special guest is Ariana Hudson from The Travellers Pantry. Key takeaways: • Your guests will love opening a welcome ham...

Holiday let investors have a lot to consider, including ownership structure, furnished holiday let guidelines, identifying suitable properties, and – crucially – mortgage lending criteria. In today's episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, James Varley and Ben Walker discuss three need-to-know facts for holiday let investors. 0:35 Tip number one: understand ownership structure and furnish...

Airbnb's recent policy changes have left some hosts confused. In today's episode, Simon Seroussi attempts to clarify the update – and his advice to hosts and property managers is to be very careful when asking guests to book direct. Simon also assesses Airbnb's future direction and outlines the potential pitfalls for hosts if their rentals are only listed on a single platform. There ar...

Short-term rental hosts and property managers can learn everything they need to know about guest screening in today's Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully. Autohost President and Co-Founder Ela Mezhiborsky is our special guest – and she's got five need-to-know facts about guest screening. Key takeaways: • Discover what Airbnb and Booking.com are doing to screen your guests • There is not a...

Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understanding the basics of dynamic pricing to exploring a...