Booked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast

Bring yourself to your hospitality journey. There's no one else like you." — Moriya RockmanThe 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 RockmanWant to learn more from Moriya's hospitality expertise and entrepreneurial journey? Connect with her on social media and explore her platforms:Social Media:LinkedIn: Moriya Rockman - Her primary platform for industry insights and networkingHer Platforms:Smiling House: smilinghouse.com - Luxury vacation rental channelVilla Tracker: villatracker.com - B2B platform for travel professionals

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 JoeFacebook: Joe RohneWebsite: savvyrealty.com/joe (booking calls + buyer help)

“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 MarketingRachel 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: @upclosemarketingShe 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 ZimermanFrom 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​Instagram: @GarrettBrownRE​YouTube: BiggerStays by BiggerPockets​Email: garrettbrown@biggerpockets.com

“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 portfolioBuild repeat guest systems that feel like five-star diningUse AI and SOPs to streamline operationsGrow your brand while keeping more of what you earn📲 Connect with ChadIG – Business: @ecoescapes780IG – Personal: @chad_harker780

“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 hereEmail: skyler@fortheloveofupstate.com | madi@fortheloveofupstate.comInstagram: @skylerandmadiTikTok: @madiandskylerSTR Book Club IG: @thestrbookclub

a 🛠️ “Design isn’t just about what it looks like—it’s about what it earns.”Our guest is Ishita Lalan, founder of Ishita Interiors and architectural designer behind over 150 short-term rental transformations across the country. From $500,000 gut-renovations to quick-turn landscape upgrades, Ishita approaches every STR with the mindset of an investor and the precision of an architect.This episode is for the host who’s ready to stop “furnishing a unit” and start building a direct booking brand. Whether you’re managing your first property or optimizing your tenth, Ishita breaks down the key frameworks behind design decisions that pay off—financially and emotionally—for your guests and your business.You’ll leave this episode thinking differently about your layouts, your finishes, and even your photos—because design, when done right, isn’t decoration. It’s strategy. Let’s get into it!🔁 Connect with IshitaInstagram: @ishita.interiorsWebsite: www.ishitainteriors.comFacebook: Ishita Nagda Lalan

Kenny Bedwell, CEO of STR Insights and a short-term rental investor, shares his innovative approach to increasing direct bookings by marketing local experiences over just the properties. He discusses effective lead generation strategies that build trust with potential guests, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and curated content. Kenny also delves into the delicate balance of entrepreneurship and family life, revealing insights on managing time and leveraging social media to boost profitability while maintaining personal commitments.

"You never want to compete on price. You want to compete on experience." — Brianna AmigoIn the world of short-term rentals, one thing is clear: good design isn’t just pretty—it’s profitable. On this episode of Booked Solid, Gil sat down with Brianna Amigo, founder of Brianna Michelle Interiors, to uncover how design directly impacts bookings, guest experience, and your bottom line. From her marketing roots to transforming over 300 properties nationwide, Brianna is leading a movement where curated spaces and outdoor amenities aren’t luxuries—they’re expectations.👤 Connect with Brianna AmigoInstagram: @briannamichelleinteriorsWebsite: briannamichelleinteriors.com