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PODCAST

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

James Varley | Host Planet

Short-term rental hosting, Airbnb tips, direct bookings, vacation rental management – Host Planet is your go-to source for expert insights and real estate strategies.

business investing

All Episodes

00:33:57

Welsh Holiday Let Owners Are Giving Up

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/10/09

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 – which is triggering unexpected costs, lost livelihoods, and a mental health crisis.Nicky is

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00:13:59

Quick Wins for Optimising Your Airbnb Listing

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/10/07

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 tech stack convert those clicks into stays.Key takeaways:Nail the click-to-book journey. Photos earn

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00:24:30

Mastering OTA Strategies for Direct Bookings and...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/10/02

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 revenue management, effective solutions from Annie & Co, and how AI is transforming the landscape of

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00:18:40

How to Achieve 5-Star Reviews – with Hostfully’s...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/30

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 operations for cleaner day-to-day management and build stronger communication with your guests. If you're

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00:13:11

Holiday Let vs Buy-to-Let Mortgages: A Guide for...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/29

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 particularly significant for holiday lets and short-stay rentals in the current market. If you’re

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00:23:27

Winning World Cup Hosting Strategies: Boost Your...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/25

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, designed to capitalise on the 2026 boom.Understand the essentials of guest experience, revenue

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00:17:34

Cut Energy Costs and Enhance Guest Experience with...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/23

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 takeaways:Save money, while keeping guests happy. Smart controls (heating, hot water, ventilation) deliver

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00:29:24

Terry Whyte’s Vacation Rental Comeback: Resilience...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/18

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 importance of direct bookings and effective revenue management strategies during crisis situations.Listen in

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00:14:15

Cleaning Tips for Short-Term Rental Hosts: Maximise...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/16

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 rentals, implement bullet-proof turnover strategies with software, and transform your cleaning team into

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00:25:00

Maximising Revenue in Dubai's Short-Term Rentals:...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/11

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 direct bookings, optimising both revenue management and guest experience, and navigating different

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00:09:54

Essential Guest Screening Tips for Vacation Rentals:...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/09

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 experience.Join Bevan as he walks through a streamlined workflow that safeguards your property, minimises

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00:25:53

Set the Standard: Onboarding Essentials for Holiday...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/08

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 respond when a review stings.Rachel also explains how owners can protect their energy, avoid burnout,

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00:38:14

Cornwall’s Beach Retreats: The Direct Booking...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/04

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 minimising hurdles from discovery to checkout. Andy shares insights into the three foundational pillars

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00:13:52

Enhance Guest Experience: Communication Tips for...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/09/02

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, access details, FAQs, and local recommendations. This approach empowers guests to self-serve, reducing the

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00:32:39

Love/Hate Your Tech Stack? Enhancing Guest Experience...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/28

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 insights from numerous industry interviews, the common pitfalls operators encounter, and emerging trends in

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00:11:15

Pricing Smarter: Guardrails, Demand & Deals

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/26

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 seasonality, lead time, events, and how your comp set is behaving.Bevan also covers the essentials of tracking

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00:15:04

Holiday Let Mortgages: Documents You Need +...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/25

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 oversights can slow everything down.The conversation also covers real sticking points: proving income (employed

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00:30:07

Why the Host Planet x STAA Roadshow Matters for UK Hosts

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/21

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, Bath, Chester, and Edinburgh, the roadshow will bring practical guidance, policy clarity, and real-world

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00:16:39

From OTAs to Direct: STR Listing Strategy with Hostfully

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/19

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 GroupAccommodation.com that can deliver high-intent traffic.Beyond OTAs, Joseph explains how to unlock Google

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00:26:34

How the End of FHL Tax Relief Affects Holiday Let Owners

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/08/14

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 profitability.Matt provides practical advice on navigating the transition, from understanding the impact on

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220 results

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