"We know we can't be there to get guests what they need, so we're constantly thinking—what do they need? What will they think they need, and how can we have it there before they know they need it?"
In this episode of Booked Solid, Moira Sedgwick shares how years of working with luxury hotel chains and the James Beard Awards shaped her approach to short-term rentals. You'll discover why thinking like a boutique hotel operator—not just a host—can transform your guest experience and market positioning. Moira walks through her framework for designing spaces that feel like a "wealthy auntie's home," how to audit your property through a hospitality lens, and why the details guests notice most are often the ones you overlook. Whether you're launching your first property or scaling a portfolio, this conversation reveals what it takes to stand out in saturated markets.
🔗 Connect with Moira Sedgwick
Want to learn more about Moira's approach to boutique hospitality and design? Follow her work and reach out:
Instagram: @achalet.collective
Website: achaletcollective.com
Email: hello@achaletcollective.com
"Now operators are no longer just spending 3% of their business for lead gen from Airbnb. They're now spending 15.5%."
Airbnb's latest fee structure changes everything—but are you ready to take control? Orlie Benjamin, founder of Lasoh and former marketing leader, breaks down why now is the moment for vacation rental operators to build their own direct booking infrastructure.
In this episode, you'll discover why owning your guest relationships is no longer optional, how to think about your marketing budget differently, and the critical first steps to reducing platform dependence. Whether you're just starting your direct booking journey or ready to scale your existing strategy, this conversation reveals the marketing mindset shift that separates operators who survive from those who thrive.
Connect With Orlie 🔗
Website: lasoh.io
LinkedIn: Orlie Benjamin
Instagram: @orlie.benjamin
Lasoh LinkedIn: Company Page
Lasoh Instagram: @lasoh.io
Lasoh Facebook: Facebook Page
Lasoh Facebook Group: Community
YouTube: Lasoh Channel
Orlie is genuinely open to connecting with operators at any stage of their direct booking journey. Book a free demo on the Lasoh website—even if the platform isn't the right fit for you right now, she'll help you figure out your next step and connect you with resources that can help.
"The goal is to automate the annoying so you can focus on the amazing."
In this episode, Gil sits down with Sean McGregor, founder of NoCodeSTR.com, to explore how vacation rental hosts can reclaim their time without sacrificing guest experience. Sean has hosted over 5,000 groups on Airbnb while maintaining a 4.98★ rating since 2018—all while traveling through 40+ countries with his family.
What's his secret? A powerful combination of no-code automation tools and AI that handle the repetitive tasks most hosts dread. From guest communication to review management, Sean shares exactly how he maintains a 100% five-star rating even during a 3.5-week road trip through the Balkans.
If you've ever felt chained to your phone answering the same guest questions or wondered how to scale without burning out, this conversation will show you a better way. Sean breaks down the tools, mindset, and systems that let hosts run professional operations from anywhere in the world.
🔗 Connect with Sean McGregor
Ready to automate the annoying parts of your vacation rental business? Sean offers a free 5-day course at NoCodeSTR.com that walks you through building your first automations step by step.
Follow Sean's journey and learn more:
"As long as you're providing value, hopefully your marketing will be mostly perceived generously and people will want to receive it."
What if the key to competing with major OTAs wasn't just about building a better website—but capturing data from every single guest who stays at your property? Arthur Colker, Founder & CEO of StayFi, discovered this truth while helping a New Orleans property manager escape 99% OTA dependency.
In this episode, he shares how a WiFi-based data capture solution evolved into a full guest marketing platform powering direct bookings across vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and hospitality brands. Arthur reveals why guest data ownership is the biggest missed opportunity in short-term rentals, how diversifying channels matters more than eliminating OTAs entirely, and the groundbreaking StayFinder meta-search tool launching soon that will let travelers compare direct booking prices against major platforms.
Whether you're managing 2 properties or 200, Arthur's insights on guest data strategy and the evolving hospitality tech landscape will reshape how you think about building an independent brand.
🌐 Connect with Arthur Colker
LinkedIn: Arthur Colker
Company: StayFi
StayFinder: Launching soon—the direct booking meta-search tool that lets travelers compare prices directly with property managers
In this episode, Jessica Gillingham, CEO of Abode Worldwide and author of "Tech-Enabled Hospitality," challenges the notion that automation and personalization can't coexist. As a strategic advisor to transformative technology companies across the global hospitality sector and host of the Pillow Talk Sessions podcast, Jessica brings a unique perspective on building category leaders.
From revealing why 90% of hosts only use 30-40% of their PMS capabilities to explaining how Netflix-style personalization could revolutionize guest experiences, Jessica shares insights from interviewing over 30 industry leaders. Whether you're managing one property or a hundred, you'll discover why the future of hospitality isn't about choosing between technology and human connection—it's about using one to amplify the other.
🔗 Connect with Jessica
Building a high-performing short-term rental isn't about throwing money at renovations and hoping for results. It's about strategic design choices that create a destination guests actively seek out—not just settle for.
In this episode, Mark Lumpkin breaks down his proven framework for transforming underperforming properties into revenue powerhouses. From identifying the right foundation before you buy, to niching down with precision, to leveraging photography that tells an irresistible story—Mark shares the exact steps his team at STR Cribs uses to help operators double their revenue.
You'll learn how to analyze your competition without copying them, why most properties fail to differentiate themselves, and the small intentional touches that convert browsers into bookers. Whether you're acquiring your first property or refreshing an existing portfolio, this conversation will shift how you think about design, marketing, and guest experience.
🔗 Connect with Mark Lumpkin
"The way that people choose travel, they consider bookings. It has culturally shifted from even 10 years ago, five years ago, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. They are experience first, location second." - Annie Sloan
The hospitality landscape has fundamentally changed. Today's travelers aren't just booking a place to stay—they're curating entire experiences before they even choose their destination. Annie Sloan, Co-Founder and CEO of The Host Co, joins us to reveal how direct booking amenities are becoming the secret weapon for property managers who want to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
In this episode, you'll discover why the traditional approach of competing solely on location and price is no longer sufficient, and how forward-thinking hosts are building entire brands around the experiences they can provide. From mobile tattoo artists at Coachella properties to barrel saunas delivered to remote cabins, Annie shares real examples of hosts who've transformed their businesses by thinking beyond accommodation.
🔗 Connect with Annie Sloan
Learn more about The Host Co and follow Annie's insights:
"Stop making Airbnb more money. Do not ever send someone another Airbnb link. You are the problem. Owning your customer is the most important part of any successful business strategy."
This raw admission from Nikkei Rosenberg, owner of Staylah Rentals with over 100 properties under management, captures exactly what's broken—and what's possible—in our industry. While most hosts chase occupancy rates and revenue per available room, Nikkei has built her empire on something far more valuable: unshakeable brand standards that turn first-time guests into repeat customers.
In this episode, Nikkei reveals how she scaled from managing individual properties to commanding a portfolio across multiple Southeast markets, all while maintaining the kind of consistency that makes guests choose her brand over browsing endless Airbnb listings. Her approach isn't just about better hospitality—it's about creating a direct booking engine powered by trust.
🌟 Connect with Nikkei
"Digital media is not going away. When business owners are shying away from doing something uncomfortable, putting their business out on social media, you have to meet the world where they're at."
What would you do if your social media following could generate 71% direct bookings on just one property? Brittany Magsig, better known as Mountain Mama on TikTok, turned this dream into reality by authentically sharing her love for the Smoky Mountains and building genuine connections with over half a million followers.
From conducting virtual therapy sessions as a school social worker to managing a thriving vacation rental through social media marketing strategies, Brittany's journey demonstrates how authentic content creation can drive direct bookings without expensive marketing campaigns or complex systems.
Connect with Brittany:
"There's so much incremental bookings our industry could be getting if we just did a better job of managing rates throughout the season. More than anything, drive additional revenue over and above new amenities, new photos—it's just do a better job of how you're setting rates."
The short-term rental landscape has undergone dramatic shifts since 2020, creating both challenges and opportunities for independent hosts building direct booking businesses. From mobile bookings now representing 58% of Airbnb's traffic to supply growth slowing to just 4% in 2025, understanding these data-driven trends isn't just helpful—it's essential for staying competitive.
In this comprehensive discussion, we explore the critical insights every host needs to navigate today's market, optimize their direct booking strategy, and establish sustainable revenue streams that are not entirely dependent on OTA algorithms.
🔗 Connect with Jamie Lane
"The core foundation should be direct bookings, but you also need OTA presence. I think the best way is all three legs of that stool."
Building a hospitality business that generates 95% direct bookings sounds impossible—especially in a town with just 87 residents. But Blake Neitzke, a West Point graduate and former Special Forces officer, proved it's not only possible but sustainable. In this episode of Booked Solid, Blake shares the direct booking strategies that transformed a distressed 7-room boutique hotel into a 15-key destination that books solid year-round, often 18 months in advance.
What makes Blake's approach unique isn't just his impressive conversion rates—it's his balanced perspective on OTA Management while maintaining independence. His story provides a blueprint for operators seeking to establish enduring hospitality brands without compromising growth or guest reach.
Connect with Blake:
"I would have to say collaboration, and that's really been my go-to word for the year because I have noticed such a difference when I'm able to collaborate with others, whether it's something for them or something that benefits me." - Ashley Ramos
What if the secret to consistent direct bookings wasn't found in complex digital funnels or expensive marketing campaigns, but right in your local community? Ashley Ramos, a licensed therapist turned short-term rental strategist, has discovered something remarkable: authentic partnerships with local businesses can become your most powerful direct booking engine.
In this episode, you'll discover how Ashley leverages her clinical social work background to create meaningful guest experiences while building a network of local partnerships that consistently drive bookings to her Arizona properties. From spa collaborations to brand partnerships, she's proving that community-first strategies can outperform traditional marketing approaches.
🔗 Connect with Ashley Ramos
Instagram (Mentorship): @_aramos_
Instagram (STR Properties): @urbanvacays
TikTok: @ashleytravelss
Email: info@urbannestrental.com
"We are 70% direct book. My mentality is we own our business through our website and I treat the OTAs simply as marketing platforms, as billboards." - Kerri Gibson
In this episode, you'll discover the exact framework Kerri used to build her direct booking dominance, from her early website experiments to sophisticated email nurture campaigns that create 40% return guests. Plus, she shares the serendipitous media placement that generated thousands of dollars in marketing reach and why her product management background became her secret weapon in hospitality.
🔗 Connect with Kerri Gibson
Bring yourself to your hospitality journey. There's no one else like you." — Moriya Rockman
The short-term rental industry is evolving beyond the simple host-guest transaction. Today's successful vacation rental operators are building direct booking ecosystems, creating communities, and establishing themselves as destination ambassadors rather than just property managers. Few understand this transformation better than Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House Group and Villa Tracker, who has spent over 12 years pioneering luxury short-term rental channels that serve markets largely ignored by mainstream OTAs.
In this episode of the Booked Solid podcast, Moriya shares her journey from being one of Airbnb's earliest international hosts to creating two distinct B2B and B2C vacation rental platforms that connect luxury properties with high-value travelers and travel professionals. Her insights reveal how serious hosts can build independent booking brands that thrive beyond the limitations of traditional OTAs.
🤝 Connect with Moriya Rockman
Want to learn more from Moriya's hospitality expertise and entrepreneurial journey? Connect with her on social media and explore her platforms:
Social Media:
Her Platforms:
What does it take to truly own your guest journey — from the moment they see your property to the moment they return next year? For Joe Rohne, short-term rental operator, investor, and broker, the answer lies in control: control of your brand, your pricing, your data, and your guest relationships.
In this episode of Booked Solid, Joe shares how he built a resilient direct booking strategy that leverages automation, email marketing, smart design, and a hyper-targeted ad funnel to grow his business in the Florida Panhandle.
🔗 Connect with Joe
“When guests walk in and discover a gourmet snack or high-end facial mask, it’s more than an amenity—it’s a delight.”
That’s the unforgettable touch Rachel Vigil brings to vacation rentals through Up Close Marketing—a platform connecting hosts with premium brands for product placements that wow guests and reinforce their brand identity.
In this episode of the Booked Solid Show, Gil sits down with Rachel to unpack how these carefully curated in-property experiences—from zero-alcohol Heineken to luxury sleep gummies and open-box mattresses—do more than elevate the guest experience. They drive reviews, reinforce your property’s positioning, and—when paired with a solid direct booking strategy—help small hosts operate like full-fledged brands.
Whether you manage two properties or twenty, this conversation is packed with insights on how to create that “I need to book this again” moment the minute guests walk through the door.
🔗 Connect with Rachel Vigil & Up Close Marketing
Rachel Vigil is the CEO of Up Close Marketing, a platform helping short-term and mid-term rental hosts upgrade their guest experience through strategic brand partnerships, without costing them a dime. If you manage over 10 properties, Rachel’s team will even onboard you personally.
📧 Email: rachel@upclosemktg.com
📞 Phone: 858-220-6275
🌐 Sign up: upclosemktg.com/signup
📱 Instagram: @upclosemarketing
📘 Facebook: @upclosemarketing
💼 LinkedIn: @upclosemarketing
She also shares upcoming campaigns and referral perks in her Wednesday newsletter—and is open to collaborations with coaching programs, Facebook groups, and host communities.
“If you rely only on OTAs, you’ve lost control—direct bookings give you the freedom and stability to weather anything.” — Federico Zimerman
From a spare bedroom in Buenos Aires to managing 75+ properties and opening a boutique inn in the Catskills, Federico Zimerman’s journey is anything but ordinary. On this episode of Booked Solid, Gil welcomes Federico to unpack how an airline trainer turned STR operator is now helping hosts future-proof their businesses through intentional branding, operational systems, and direct booking strategy.
Connect with Federico on Instagram: @strguide
In this episode of Booked Solid, Garrett Brown—BiggerPockets Short-Term Rental Expert and founder of Cameron Ranch Glamping—shares how he turned a single house into a land-hacked luxury retreat business. Using a blend of creative hospitality, structured site analysis, and marketing systems built on influencer content, Garrett achieved a remarkable 76% direct booking rate. He walks us through his strategy, mistakes, wins, and advice for hosts aiming to move beyond Airbnb dependency.
🔗 Connect with Garrett
“It’s not about how much you make—it’s about how much you keep.” At just 25 years old, Chad Harker is building a high-cash-flow STR portfolio in Edmonton using real estate acquisitions, direct booking strategies, and custom-built AI systems to scale—without burning out.
In this episode, Chad shares how he house-hacked his way into the industry, scaled using BRRR-style methods, and now automates his business with tech tools like HostBuddy and custom GPTs. Whether you're just getting started or scaling fast, Chad’s no-fluff approach to growth, guest retention, and profitability will shift your mindset—and give you real tools to work with.
🎧 Listen in to learn how to:
Turn one property into a self-funded portfolio
Build repeat guest systems that feel like five-star dining
Use AI and SOPs to streamline operations
Grow your brand while keeping more of what you earn
📲 Connect with Chad
“When you're doing something hard, it's supposed to feel hard… but know that you're on the right path.”
Skyler knows firsthand: building a direct‑booking short‑term rental business from the ground up is not easy, but it can be extraordinary. In this week’s episode of the Booked Solid Show, Skyler shares how he and his wife, Maddie, went from furnishing arbitrage properties in San Diego to launching investor-backed, luxury wellness retreats in Upstate New York—complete with custom saunas, cold plunges, and bridal‑ready properties. You’ll learn their scrappy strategies, brand‑building secrets, and how they’re leaning into a book club community to fuel expansion—without losing balance.
Connect with Skyler here