Welcome to Host Planet – the go-to podcast for short-term rental hosts, property managers, and industry professionals. Each episode, we dive deep into the latest trends, expert insights, and real-world strategies shaping the short-term rental market. Join James Varley and leading voices from across the industry as they share game-changing advice on revenue management, guest experience, direct bookings, tech innovations, and more. Whether you're a seasoned operator or just starting out, Host ...
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Design is more than just aesthetics – it’s how your space makes guests feel, how it connects to the surroundings, and how well it stands the test of time. In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, award-winning architect Peter Markos shares five essential design principles every short-term rental host should consider before breaking ground or revamp…
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Noise, Neighbours & STR Regulation: What Hosts Need to Know
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30:19What does it take to be a great host and a great neighbour? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we’re joined by Nils Mattisson, CEO and Co-Founder of Minut – the leading smart monitoring solution designed for short-term rental hosts. Drawing on experience from his time at Apple and insights gained while founding Minut, Nils explains how hos…
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If you're listing your property on Booking.com, this episode is essential listening. We’re joined by Miro Gospodinov, Founder and CEO of my Data Value, who shares expert tips on how to improve your visibility, increase bookings, and get the most out of Booking.com’s powerful platform. Miro explains how Booking.com’s algorithm works, why consistent …
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Thinking of Buying a Holiday Let? Listen to This First
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37:40Is now a good time to invest in a holiday let? According to Rachel Brennan, Senior Manager of Property Onboarding at Sykes Holiday Cottages, the answer is yes – provided you approach it the right way. In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Rachel explains why holiday lets continue to be a smart long-term investment and shares her top tips for choo…
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Are short-term rental hosts putting their entire business at risk by relying too heavily on platforms like Airbnb? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully, we sit down with Humphrey Bowles, Founder and CEO of Truvi (formerly Superhog), to unpack why hosts need to stop "building on someone else’s land" – and what they can …
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What separates an average short-term rental from one that guests rave about? According to Mark Lumpkin from STR Cribs, it often comes down to the simple, thoughtful details that elevate comfort, security, and overall experience. In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, Mark shares practical, no-nonsense upgrades that property managers and hosts can…
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If you're still setting a base price and hoping for the best, it's time to rethink your entire approach to pricing. On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully, we’re joined by Neal Cyr, CEO and Co-Founder at Quibble, to talk all things dynamic pricing – and why the strategies many hosts rely on are not just outdated, but pot…
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Stop Sounding Like a Robot! Messaging Tips for STR Hosts
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17:34In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – we welcome Jay Ullrich, CEO and Co-Founder of HostBuddy AI, to share five expert tips for automating your guest messaging without losing the personal touch. Whether you're just getting started with automation or looking to fine-tune your current setup, this episode will help you lev…
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Top 5 Holiday Let Mortgage Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
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18:50Thinking of buying a holiday let? Before you dive into the mortgage process, don’t make these common mistakes. In this episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Walker from House and Holiday Home Mortgages, who shares the top five mistakes holiday let mortgage applicants often make — and how to avoid them. From choosing the r…
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The Secret to Guest Loyalty? It Starts with a Great Mattress
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24:42In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – sponsored by Hostfully – we’re joined by Johanne Hedges, Co-Founder of LiBi, to explore how short-term rental hosts and property managers can build stronger guest loyalty – and boost revenue in the process. Johanne shares insights on how to elevate the guest experience through simple, hotel-inspired touc…
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In this episode of Spotless Stays we dive into the urgent need for cleaning standards in the short-term rental industry. From how STR operators can learn from hotels to why expensive doesn’t always mean better, Stephanie Flint from Rural Stays shares practical insights to help property managers level up their operations. Key takeaways: * Without re…
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In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – we’re joined by Chris Rule from Turno to break down five compelling reasons why vacation rental owners should consider allowing pets. From expanding your guest pool to increasing your nightly rate, Chris shares real-world insights that show how being pet-friendly can be a game-chang…
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Vacation Rental Marketing in 2025: Trends & Tips from Alex Husner
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33:57In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we're joined by Alex Husner, seasoned marketing expert and co-host of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals. Alex shares a wealth of insights on why so many short-term rental businesses fall short when it comes to marketing – and what they can do to fix it. From the challenges of over-reliance …
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Are you a short-term rental host who is sick of paying OTA commission fees? If so, you need to check out listing sites like Simply Owners. For a low annual fee, Simply Owners will market your property to a large audience of holidaymakers and take zero commission! And right now, Simply Owners is offering a whopping 60% off the annual listing fee, me…
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Are hotels and short-term rentals starting to blend? Orlie Benjamin thinks so — and she breaks it down in this insightful episode of the Host Planet Podcast. Orlie shares what vacation rental hosts and property managers can learn from the hotel industry – from guest experience strategies to operational consistency. She also highlights why understan…
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Airbnb hosts – this one’s for you! Want to optimise your listing, attract more guests, and rack up those five-star reviews? Then don’t miss this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully. Our special guest is Sabrina Calnan from bnbExcellent — an Airbnb Superhost Ambassador, co-host of 35 properties, and mentor to over 500 hosts world…
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In today’s episode of Holiday Let Insider – brought to you by Host Planet and Sykes Holiday Cottages – we’re joined by Nathalie Johnson, who shares her top 10 tips for holiday let success. From adding thoughtful amenities and creating memorable welcome packs to learning how to trust your guests, Nathalie dives into what really makes a short-term re…
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Ready to take your revenue strategy to the next level? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we uncover the three Rs of short-term rental revenue management — essential principles every property manager should know. Our special guest is Zak Ali, a published author and revenue expert who has helped some of the biggest brands in the vacation re…
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This Is How Airbnb Hosts Can Deliver A Great Guest Experience & Secure 5-Star Reviews Every Time
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28:41Vacation rental managers need to go the extra mile in order to deliver a great guest experience and secure those all-important five-star reviews. On this edition of Host Planet Bitesize, Frank Bosi from Hostfully shares a bunch of brilliant tips to help Airbnb hosts and property managers stand out in this competitive market. Key takeaways: • Make s…
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How Braydon Ross (AKA @MrAirbnb) Built a Short-Term Rental Empire
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45:21Braydon Ross is @MrAirbnb! From arbitrage and coaching to working alongside developers across the globe to market and manage hundreds of properties. Hear his thoughts on regulation, essential tech, and why building a personal brand can take your business to the next level. Braydon also shares how Tequila Fridays helped him build a huge following on…
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Leaving guests a welcome hamper can supercharge the experience at your short-term rental and power those all-important five-star reviews. It can also help you earn upselling revenue. On today's Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, the focus is welcome hampers and our special guest is Ariana Hudson from The Travellers Pantry. Key takeaways:…
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Holiday let investors have a lot to consider, including ownership structure, furnished holiday let guidelines, identifying suitable properties, and – crucially – mortgage lending criteria. In today's episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, James Varley and Ben Walker discuss three need-to-know facts for holiday let investors. 0:35 Tip number o…
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Airbnb's New Rules Explained: What Every Host Needs to Know
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43:04Airbnb's recent policy changes have left some hosts confused. In today's episode, Simon Seroussi attempts to clarify the update – and his advice to hosts and property managers is to be very careful when asking guests to book direct. Simon also assesses Airbnb's future direction and outlines the potential pitfalls for hosts if their rentals are only…
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Short-term rental hosts and property managers can learn everything they need to know about guest screening in today's Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully. Autohost President and Co-Founder Ela Mezhiborsky is our special guest – and she's got five need-to-know facts about guest screening. Key takeaways: • Discover what Airbnb and Booking.co…
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Want To Stand Out On Airbnb? Use Dynamic Pricing Like A Pro
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13:50Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understa…
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Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understa…
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continue reading
Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understa…
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continue reading
Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understa…
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continue reading
Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their earnings and stay ahead of market trends. From understa…
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continue reading
Powered by Host Planet and Beyond, STR Pricing Secrets is dedicated to helping short-term rental hosts and property managers navigate the world of dynamic pricing and revenue management. The series aims to break down key concepts, strategies, and best practices to help listeners maximise their vacation rental earnings and stay ahead of market trend…
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continue reading

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Why Donald Trump Might Be Influencing Your Airbnb Bookings
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27:44Donald Trump’s tariffs are having a negative effect on the US vacation rentals market. Canadians are turning their backs on major hotspots like Florida and California – and instead heading to the UK and France. In today’s Host Planet Podcast, Sally Henry from Key Data outlines the main trends from 2025, including which regions of the UK are perform…
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Are you an Airbnb host or short-term rental property manager who is keen to earn extra revenue? During today's Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – Shiven Vinod Khera from Linkbase has five tips to increase your profits without adding more rentals to your portfolio. Key takeaways: • Capture guest data in order to supercharge your marketi…
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Discover the UK's most profitable holiday let locations! Host Planet has teamed up with Sykes Holiday Cottages to launch Holiday Let Insider – a brand new podcast series for savvy hosts and property managers. In our first episode, Harriet Kerr, Portfolio Director at Sykes, reveals the top-performing UK regions for holiday lets and shares practical …
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Host Planet and Hospitable have an exciting announcement! We are teaming up to produce the Host Planet Playbook – an e-book and podcast project which will feature 30 of the world's best short-term rental property managers. This is a golden opportunity for hosts to showcase their brand to a global audience. Keen to take part? Find out more and apply…
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Are you an Airbnb host or short-term rental property manager? If so, you need to learn how to take great photos that appeal to your target guests and keep the bookings rolling in. During today's Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – Joseph Cox shares five essential tips to help you create perfect images that will supercharge your presence…
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No More Excuses: STR Industry Must Embrace Sustainability!
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30:43Bob Garner is very frustrated – he believes the short-term rental industry is failing to embrace sustainability. Bob's urging major players in the sector to take action – because the climate emergency is not someone else's problem. In today's Host Planet Podcast, hear why Bob's EnviroRental platform might not survive unless the industry steps up. T…
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Keen to grow your short-term rental inventory? This is the episode for you! Brooke Pfautz from Vintory shares 13 ways to scale your vacation rental business during today's Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully. Key takeaways: • Be front of mind when building a vacation rental business – billboarding is key. • Facebook groups and community mi…
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Are interest rates about to fall? Is a new wave of property investors on the horizon? And are mortgage lenders starting to show more flexibility for holiday let owners? In today's episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, James Varley and mortgage expert Howard Reuben dive into the outlook for interest rates, reveal how buy-to-let and holiday le…
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More pain for holiday let hosts! Tax changes, registration, and now mandatory EPCs?
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37:30Tax changes, fire regulations, statutory registration, and now EPCs – is there anything else the UK government can throw at holiday let owners? Alistair Handyside from PASC UK is the special guest on today’s Host Planet Podcast – and his message for our politicians is simple: gather the data before implementing policy. Listen in to hear about lobby…
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Why Airbnb hosts should provide luxury amenities at their rentals
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13:06Johanne Hedges is convinced that short-term rental hosts and property managers who provide luxury amenities for their guests will achieve a higher nightly rate, increased occupancy, and better reviews. During this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – Johanne shares details of five luxury products that every host and manager sh…
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The UK government needs to stop scapegoating the holiday let industry
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28:54Tax and regulation are having a major impact on the UK's holiday let industry. Some owners are giving up and leaving their properties empty or trying to sell. This is having a knock-on effect on local businesses which rely on tourism. As a holiday let manager and consultant based in Cornwall – one of the UK's short-term rental hotspots – Katie Warr…
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Amanda Stecker is an expert holiday let host and coach who prides herself on supporting local businesses. On today's episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – Amanda shares five tips for hosts who are keen to go the extra mile for their local community. Key takeaways: • Send restaurant recommendations to your guests a week before t…
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Dynamic pricing is a must-have for every short-term rental host and property manager – but not everyone knows how to use it effectively. In today's Host Planet Podcast, Shreeja Jamdar from PriceLabs shares five tips to help hosts leverage dynamic pricing to boost revenue and occupancy. Key takeaways: • It is vital to understand your market • You mu…
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Use AI to create marketing content for your short-term rental
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20:02Kay Walten is a hospitality and AI expert who has merged her two passions to create a growing business: Smart Pineapple. On today's episode of Host Planet Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully, Kay explains how short-term rental hosts and managers can utilise AI to create marketing content for their properties. Key takeaways: • Your prompts must be clea…
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Direct booking champion Mark Simpson is the man Airbnb do not want their hosts to listen to. In today's episode of the Host Planet Podcast, Mark explains why he is Airbnb's nemesis and shares some quirky direct booking strategies (bin advertising, anyone?!) that you have probably never considered. Mark also shares his business story – including how…
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Send us a text During this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – sponsored by Hostfully – Oscar Hepworth from KeyNest shares five reasons why Airbnb hosts and property managers should utilise key management systems. Key takeaways: • Learn how key safety provisions can improve the guest experience and enhance security. • Find out why neighbours and loca…
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Send us a text During this episode of the Host Planet Mortgage Podcast, Howard Reuben from HCH Financial Services assesses the current state of the holiday let mortgage market. Howard discusses the Bank of England base rate, the Spring Statement, and stamp duty. He also shares details of the best holiday let mortgage products currently available. K…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we sit down with Gareth Phillips, Founder of Guestive, to explore how AI is transforming the short-term rentals industry. Gareth shares his journey building Guestive, an AI-powered platform designed to help hosts streamline operations and enhance guest experiences. He discusses…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast, we’re joined by Umair Hassan, Senior Manager of Partner Growth & Revenue Operations at PointCentral. Umair shares invaluable insights on how short-term rental hosts and property managers can solve tech overload, build strong relationships with neighbours, and stay ahead in a co…
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Send us a text In this episode of HCH Bitesize, we’re joined by John Deroulet from Wheelhouse, a leader in revenue management for the hospitality industry. John shares his expert tips on how choose a dynamic pricing tool and discusses how to optimise revenue management for your vacation rental business. Whether you're new to revenue management or l…
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