Hospitable Hosts

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, our guest is Craig Saunders, founder of BookingTrust. We talk about trust accounting for short-term rentals. Craig discusses the importance of compliance, the services offered by BookingTrust, and the common pitfalls property managers face in accounting. Craig emphasizes the need for proper accounting infrastructure from the start and how it helps make informed business decisions. He also explores future trends in the industry, including the impact of AI and increased regulations.For more information, check out: https://www.bookingtrust.com.au/Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:56 - Creating Booking Trust7:33 - Countries of operation9:53 - Understanding trust accounting12:50 - Setting up accounting infrastructure16:20 - Common accounting mistakes in property management19:30 - The value of proper accounting23:41 - Future trends in short-term rental accounting

This Hospitable Town Hall focused on the launch of new dynamic pricing features and improvements, including seasonality controls, historical anchoring, and auto-tuning for users transitioning from third-party tools. The team highlighted the enhanced model's ability to optimize revenue by better understanding demand and reducing manual adjustments. Additionally, the team discussed updates to the AI-powered auto-reply system, offering more transparency and customization options, and introduced a new owner invoicing feature set to launch in February.

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we speak with Marisa Grover, a seasoned property manager and community leader in the short-term rental space. Marisa shares her journey of managing around 50 properties through her company, Simply Stay, and discusses the importance of building systems and workflows for hosts. She emphasizes the need for documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations and reduce burnout, especially as hosts scale their businesses. Marisa also highlights the significance of community support for hosts, encouraging them to connect with others in the industry to share insights and resources.For more information, go to: https://withmarisa.co/Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:37 - Community for hosts3:07 - Common operational pain points5:20 - The importance of systems9:50 - When to implement software solutions12:00 - Picking the right tools17:15 - Scaling to multiple properties19:15 - Quick-fire questions

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we talk with John Bradford, Co-Founder and CEO of Pet Screening. We discuss the importance of managing pets and assistance animals in rental properties. John shares insights on the challenges faced by landlords, the misconceptions surrounding pet policies, and the legal implications of service animals. John emphasizes the revenue opportunities for property managers who embrace pet-friendly policies and provides best practices for navigating the complexities of pet-friendly short-term rentals.For more information, check out petscreening.comTimestamps:0:00 - Introduction4:40 - How PetScreening helps7:45 - Hosts' misconception about allowing pets10:17 - Revenue opportunities for pet-friendly rentals13:00 - Service animals at short-term rentals14:46 - Legal considerations18:25 - Best practices for pet-friendly rentals20:20 - Quick facts about pet-friendly rentals

The first Hospitable Town Hall of 2026 featured updates on the product roadmap and company initiatives. The team highlighted the focus for 2026, which includes polishing existing features, enhancing performance, and launching a property manager marketplace. They discussed improvements in listings management, operations, and the inbox, as well as new revenue opportunities through upsells and trip insurance.Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction3:00 - New Team Members8:13 - 2026 RoadmapThe team emphasized the focus on growing the seeds planted in 2025, such as listing management, AI integration, and the Mogul platform. The roadmap for 2026 will prioritize improving existing features and expanding their utility to more users, shifting away from the intense feature releases of 2025.13:09 - Listing Management Platform UpdatesThe team presented updates on listings management, highlighting current features and upcoming improvements. They announced the beta launch of cancellation policies, property creation, and spaces management, with a new VRBO integration pilot starting in two weeks.17:00 - Operations Product EnhancementsHospitable discussed the improvements made to the operations product in 2025, including AI-generated checklists, issue alerts, and a marketplace for cleaners. They outlined plans for 2026, including refining task assignment, releasing a cleaner app, and redesigning the inbox with new features such as WhatsApp and SMS integration.23:23 - Listings Optimization and Direct BookingThe team discussed listings management and optimization for 2026, focusing on improving rankings, conversions, and quality through insights and amenities features. They highlighted effortless distribution across multiple channels, including TripIt.com, Marriott Homes and Villas, and Rentals United, aiming for simplified setup and increased visibility. Hospitable also emphasized the importance of direct bookings, introducing a next-generation direct website builder with advanced customization and AI-assisted setup to enhance brand presence and booking conversions.26:55 - Upsells and Add-OnsThe team discussed the evolution of the guest portal, highlighting its transformation from a basic tool to a significant revenue driver. They introduced a new feature, trip insurance, which will be available to all USD hosts by the end of the day. The team also announced plans to develop damage waivers and a property opportunity dashboard to help hosts optimize their business and revenue opportunities.33:44 - Property Manager Marketplace LaunchThe team discussed the success of upsell features and introduced a new marketplace for property managers. They explained that the marketplace would connect property managers with potential clients and help owners find trusted managers. 42:25 - $HOST Token Updates45:09 - Upcoming Events46:25 - Q&A

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, Miles speaks with Nicole Bansal. Nicole shares her journey as a marketer and short-term rental host. She discusses her experience in the tech industry, her approach to marketing her properties, and the importance of understanding customer profiles. Nicole also highlights effective marketing tactics for hosts, the transition from a side project to a main focus in real estate, and the significance of guest communication. As she looks to the future, she expresses excitement about scaling her business and the growth potential in the short-term rental market.

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we speak with Mike Anderson, co-founder of Breezy Beach Stays, who shares insights into the world of short-term rental management and financing. He discusses the importance of understanding the hospitality aspect of property management, the role of automation in scaling operations, and strategies for maximizing revenue during off-peak seasons. Mike emphasizes the importance of the guest experience and shares common mistakes new property managers make. He also reflects on his journey from managing a few properties to scaling up to over fifty, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned along the way.

On this Town Hall, the Hospitable team reviewed 2025's performance, highlighting significant growth and achievements. Hospitable users hosted 26.84 million guests across 193 countries, generating $5.2 billion in revenue, and integrating AI to streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. Key updates included the expansion of direct booking capabilities, improved guest portal features, and advancements in smart device integrations. The team also shared progress on tax remittance for direct premium bookings and emphasized the importance of direct bookings for hosts. The conversation ended with a look ahead to 2026, emphasizing continued innovation and support for hosts.

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, our guest is Annie Holcombe, a seasoned expert in the vacation rental industry. Annie shares her journey from working at a hotel front desk to becoming a prominent figure in vacation rental management. The conversation covers essential topics, including choosing the right channels for property listings, the importance of direct bookings, building trust with guests, pricing strategies, and transitioning from self-management to property management. Annie emphasizes the need for clear communication, strategic planning, and staying up to date on industry trends, particularly the impact of AI on the hospitality sector.For more information, go to: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/Sleep easy, host confidently with Hospitable.  Automate your guest messages, sync your calendar across booking channels, and protect yourself from bad direct booking guests.Sign up today at hospitable.com/podcast and get 25% off your bill for 3 months.

In this episode of the Hospitable Hosts podcast, we speak with Bri and Jordan, co-founders of Somerled Designs, a leading design firm specializing in short-term rentals. They discuss their journey of creating a successful design business focused on maximizing guest satisfaction and profitability through strategic design. The conversation covers common mistakes hosts make, the importance of balancing aesthetics with durability, effective photography strategies, and how to adapt designs for seasonal trends. Bri and Jordan also share insights on managing multiple properties, the challenges of business growth, and the significance of complementary skill sets in their partnership.Sleep easy, host confidently with Hospitable.  Automate your guest messages, sync your calendar across booking channels, and protect yourself from bad direct booking guests.Sign up today at hospitable.com/podcast and get 25% off your bill for 3 months.