Booked Solid Show - Short Term Rental Podcast

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 JessicaBook: Tech-Enabled HospitalityLinkedIn: Jessica GillinghamCompany: Abode WorldwidePodcast: Pillow Talk SessionsFree Resource: Abode Worldwide Short-Term Rental Index 2026 (available at abodeworldwide.com)

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 LumpkinCompany: STR CribsLinkedIn: Mark Lumpkin on LinkedInInstagram: @strcribsYouTube: STR Cribs YouTube Channel

"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 SloanThe 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 SloanLearn more about The Host Co and follow Annie's insights:Website: www.thehost.coLinkedIn: Annie Sloan on LinkedIn

"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 NikkeiInstagramStaylah.com

"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:TikTok: @mountainmamascabinsInstagram: @mountainmamascabinsFacebook: Mountain Mama CabinsWebsite: mamacabins.com

"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 LaneTwitter: @Jamie_LaneLinkedIn: Jamie LanePodcast: STR Data LabYouTube: Jamie's Hosting Journey

"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:Instagram: @farmsteadroundtopEmail: farmsteadroundtop@gmail.com

"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 RamosWhat 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 RamosInstagram (Mentorship): @_aramos_Instagram (STR Properties): @urbanvacaysTikTok: @ashleytravelssEmail: 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 GibsonIn 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 GibsonLinkedIn: Kerri GibsonInstagram: @kerri_reinvented, @chalets_hygge, @auxportesdusoleilEmail: kerri@experienceshygge.com

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