As 2024 draws to a close, we’re celebrating the standout conversations that defined our year. Today’s episode revisits your top 10 favorites:

#10 The New Era of Exploration: How Today's Travelers Think About Loyalty, Independent Hotels, and Experiential Stays

#9 He Buys RV Parks: Predictions on the Future of Camping and Outdoor Hospitality

#8 How They Transformed a 100-Year-Old Beach House into a Chic Airbnb (And Booked it Fully in Just 11 Days)

#7 How They're Building the Hottest New Tiny Home: The Story of ÖÖD Mirror House

#6 How to Merge Luxury, Sustainability, and MICHELIN-Star Experiences — The Story of the Kabn Company

#5 Meet the 19-Year-Old Who Builds (and Buys) Unique Stays

#4 He Dreamed of Being a Farmer, But Wound Up An Entrepreneur: The Story of Back Forty Glamping

#3 Hans Lorei on Building an Instagram Audience from 0 to 100k in 100 Days

#2 How They're Building the Airbnb for Houseboats: The Story of FLOHOM

#1 The Dark Side of Airbnb: How One Host Lost Everything in a Day

Each of these top episodes underscores a common thread: intention. The hosts, designers, and entrepreneurs you’ll hear from don’t just provide a place to sleep.

They craft experiences that evoke emotion, foster connection, and invite guests to see travel differently. Whether it’s a lakeside houseboat, a mountaintop treehouse, or a contemporary villa, the essence remains the same—thoughtful, meaningful hospitality that leaves a lasting impression.

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. 

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at joinjourney.com/alliance.