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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

00:30:00

Building a Short-Term Rental Business in Michigan

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2026/01/10

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 place.Starting a short-term rental business can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re juggling it

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00:24:08

How to Sell a Property Management Business

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2026/01/08

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 bookings. He also offers practical advice for business owners considering an exit.We also discuss the first

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00:21:16

STR Insurance Myths That Cost Hosts Thousands

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2026/01/06

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 and protect your investment property effectively.1:59 Myth number one: regular home insurance is

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00:17:24

Inside Norway’s Cabin Rental Market

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2026/01/03

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 Norway1:56 How Cabin Living got started 2:28 The challenges and opportunities in Norway 4:14 Target guests 4:48 Domestic and international

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00:26:28

Your Personal Brand Is Worth More Than Your Company Logo

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2026/01/01

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 on social media – a tactic which achieved significant press coverage and helped to drive direct

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00:11:31

How to Build Guest Trust & Boost Direct Bookings

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/30

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. We also explore the balance between tech and human touch, plus simple ways to elevate your guest

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00:18:16

The Short-Term Rental Strategy That Will Actually...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/27

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 makes Stingray Villa unique, how Greg uses blogging and photography to build an online presence, and why

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00:29:34

What Real Estate Investors Get Wrong About Short-Term...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/25

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 for properties in vacation areas 8:58 Vacation rentals compared to other types of property investment 12:31

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00:13:46

The 5 Automations Every STR Host Needs to Scale

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/23

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 operating costs, and dramatically enhance your guest experience.These automations are the secret to

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00:27:17

From Corporate Finance to 16 STRs: How Allison Became...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/20

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 at scale.She also breaks down the opportunities in Florida, the realities of regulation, her biggest

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00:32:40

Budget Hits Holiday Let Owners | Here's What Changed

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/18

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 to Zeal for expert advice today.0:51 Key takeaways from the budget 7:39 The impact of higher taxes on

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00:10:24

5 Automation Tips Every STR Host Should Use

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/16

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 streamline operations, save time, and improve guest satisfaction, these insights are essential.1:56 Automate

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00:26:31

How Wild Hideaways Became Ireland’s Dream Luxury...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/13

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 Australia), her leap from music and drama teacher to hospitality entrepreneur, and the passion behind

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00:27:33

Hotel Takeover: What STR Hosts Must Learn from the...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/11

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 (the most stable revenue stream).The luxury of space: why spacious, home-like functionality is now

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00:33:35

Holiday Let Pricing Secrets & Hot Tub Hype: Maximise...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/08

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 secrets to securing more bookings, earning higher prices, and optimising your property for modern guests.2:30

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00:30:24

Direct Booking Secrets & High-End Guest Experiences...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/06

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.This conversation is essential for any host managing high-end properties who wants to reduce OTA

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00:34:35

Hosting in Paradise with Robin Bass (Hold the Rum!)

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/04

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 connection, mastering team and contractor retention, and leveraging technology to enhance genuine hospitality.This

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00:12:16

5 Reasons Your STR Needs AI Right Now

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/12/02

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 luxury and start treating it as essential for scaling success and maximising revenue.1:56 Fast responses =

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00:30:37

From Psychology to STR Leader: Anna Morris on Hosting...

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/11/29

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 helped her grow from one property to more than 100, the unique challenges of hosting in Edinburgh, and the

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00:21:43

What STRs Must Learn from Holiday Parks & Hotels

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals ·

2025/11/27

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 the ideal lean tech stack, which integrations deliver the best ROI, and the lessons holiday parks can learn

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241 results

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