The Power of Hospitality and Community in Short-Term Rentals

Jun 5, 2025

Jodi Odlin, founder of Hospitable Hosts and winner of the Rentalpreneur Award, shares her journey from hospitality to becoming a short-term rental expert. She discusses the pivotal role of community and empathy in the industry, contrasting it with pure investment strategies. Jodi reveals how she uses AI to manage her properties while maintaining a personal touch for guests. She provides practical tips like collaborating with local businesses and emphasizes the need for industry standards to boost professionalism and enhance guest experiences.

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ANECDOTE

Hospitable Hosts Book Series Origin

The Hospitable Hosts book series features 120 authors sharing their short-term rental origin stories and tips.
It has inspired many readers to enter the short-term rental business themselves.

INSIGHT

Hospitality Is Central to Success

Hospitality is a key but often overlooked component in short-term rentals compared to property investment focus.
Jodie Odlin embraces hospitality as central to a successful and sustainable short-term rental business.

ADVICE

Leverage AI and Teams for Hospitality

Use systems, a local team, and AI tools to maintain personalized hospitality while managing multiple properties remotely.
AI can handle guest communications effectively, freeing up time without losing the personal touch.

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In this episode of the STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Jodi Odlin, founder of Hospitable Hosts, a book series celebrating stories from the short-term rental industry. Jodi recently won the Rentalpreneur Award at the Shorty's and shares her journey from a hospitality background to becoming a successful short-term rental host. Hospitable Hosts is a trilogy featuring 40 authors in each book. These books aim to inspire and provide tips for new and experienced hosts by sharing their personal stories.

During the conversation, Jodi emphasizes the importance of hospitality in the short-term rental business, contrasting it with property investment-driven approaches. She also discusses how she leverages AI to manage her 15 properties from Australia and maintain a personalized touch for her guests. Jodi offers practical tips like partnering with local businesses to enhance guest experiences and maintaining high levels of communication and cleanliness. Jamie and Jodi also touch on upcoming projects, such as the Hospitable Host Sisterhood and Couples Books, and a hospitality accreditation program. They agree on the need for industry standards to improve advocacy and professional recognition.

Jodi concludes with a story illustrating that despite best efforts, not all guests can be pleased, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the business. The episode highlights the significance of community, hospitality, and adaptability in achieving success in the short-term rental industry.

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Episode 136