Welcome to Behind the Stays — a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands and the hosts, operators, and entrepreneurs who’ve brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday you’ll meet the military veterans, retired flight attendants, tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, single moms, hoteliers, and real estate investors who are all, in their unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these visionaries — from all over the world — have built stunning landscape hotels in the mountains, designed bohemian bungalows on the beach, erected eclectic off-grid and nature-immersed escapes, and so much more. 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. Behind the States is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Meet Hillary Flur, the Co-Founder and Co-Visionary behind Folly, a collection of stunning off-grid retreats in the Mojave Desert and beyond that are redefining sustainable luxury travel.
Hillary didn’t start out in hospitality. She began her hospitality entrepreneurship journey by renting out a small, kitchen-less studio apartment on Airbnb—but what started as a side hustle quickly evolved into a portfolio of design-forward, off-grid getaways that blend architecture, nature, and luxury in a next-gen, outo-of-this-world sort of way.
In this conversation, we dive deep into Hillary’s journey—from surviving her first DIY build in Joshua Tree to creating expansive desert compounds that attract everyone from A-list celebrities to adventure-seeking travelers.
Tune in to hear:
- Where the idea of creating magical, architecturally stunning stays first came from
- The challenges of scaling unique stays like Folly’s and why they’re betting on pop-up locations next
- The genius behind Folly’s exclusive membership program and how it offers hyper-personalized stays for their guests
- Why Hillary believes AI will be pivotal in helping hoteliers and hospitality entrepreneurs hyper-personalize their guest experience at scale
- Hillary’s vision of having a Folly near every National Park
- And so much more
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Hillary.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Upselling sounds great in theory, but how do you actually do it? How do you know what to offer, and how do you make it seamless for your guests?
Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.
This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.
But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Friday Oct 11, 2024
Meet Katie Cline, a powerhouse in hospitality PR who’s worked with renowned brands like Ritz Carlton, W Hotels, and St. Regis. But Katie isn’t just a PR strategist—she’s also a vacation rental entrepreneur and the host of Sweet Success, a brand-new podcast where she interviews hospitality leaders from her world of luxury hotels and beyond.
Katie's journey into short-term rentals began just over a year ago, blending her deep expertise in PR with a newfound passion for creating unique guest experiences at her own properties. Since then, she’s launched a second vacation rental and is building an exciting podcast focused on the intersection of hospitality, innovation, and guest experience.
In this episode, we dive deep into Katie’s multifaceted career, exploring her approach to creating standout PR strategies and how she’s applied her hotel background to the world of short-term rentals.
Tune in to hear:
- How Katie crafted a guest experience at her rentals inspired by luxury hotel standards
- Her expert take on PR for independent hospitality brands, and why media coverage is key for growth
- The challenges of maintaining brand consistency across multiple properties and platforms
- Personal stories of resilience, including how her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis has shaped her journey
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn
Checkout her podcast Suite Success on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe to Podcast Email Updates
This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers. Hudson Creative is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.
If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special.
And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Tuesday Oct 08, 2024
Meet Travis Chambers, the genius behind Outpost X, a mind-bending desert hotel that’s redefining experiential stays.
Travis didn’t just wake up one day and decide to build a viral hotel—he first built an ad agency where he worked with brands like Vitamin Water, Turkish Airlines, and Old Navy to create viral social content.
After selling the agency for $17 million in 201, he used that capital to create something completely new in the world of hospitality.
In this conversation, we dive deep into Travis’s unique approach to hospitality, where he blends art, adventure, and immersive storytelling to create an experience like no other. His goal? To push guests beyond their comfort zones in a place designed to make you feel slightly
uncomfortable—in the best way possible.
And here’s the kicker: Outpost X is just the beginning. Travis has developed an elaborate storyline that will eventually connect all of his future properties across the world, building a universe where each stay is part of a larger narrative.
Tune in to hear:
- How Travis generated nearly $1 million on Indiegogo to fund the Outpost X build
- The genius behind designing a hotel that’s more art project than resort, and why some guests call it better than Disneyland while others simply don’t get it
- Why he believes creating immersive experiences will save humanity in an AI-driven world
- His ambitious plans to tie every future property into a sci-fi-inspired world
- And so much more
This was one of the most amazing, inspiring, and crazy interviews I’ve ever conducted. You’re going to love it.
This episode is brought to you by The Content House
If you listen to this podcast, you likely care a lot about your brand. You care about building it thoughtfully and purposefully.
What I love about Nate and the team at The Content House is that they truly understand this. They care about getting to know your style, your approach, and the unique quirks and features that make your collection of stays special.
Their service is full end-to-end social media management and content creation. From shooting stunning videos and photos to editing, posting, and even sourcing influencers to partner with…
The Content House specializes in working with hospitality entrepreneurs building well-branded, boutique collections, often in exotic or extra-special locations…
Follow The Content House on Instagram
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Meet Nathan St Cyr, the co-founder of Howzit Hostels, a next-generation travel brand transforming hostel stays in the U.S.
Nathan and his co-founder Michael have been on the pod before, but Nathan joined us at the recent Unique Stays Summit that Ben Woldff and I hosted so I wanted to bring him back on to share some more details on what he’s building.
In this episode, Nathan shares the bold and inspiring journey behind building Howzit—a hospitality brand focused on creating affordable, community-driven, and experiential stays that challenge the traditional hostel model.
Nathan and I discuss:
- How his team recognized the gap in the U.S. hostel market, with over 300,000 hotels but only 309 hostels, and the vision for Howzit Hostels to fill that void.
- Their mission to grow into a $400 million company while maintaining responsible growth and delivering unforgettable guest experiences.
- The surprising fulfillment Nathan and his team have found in cultivating the hostel community, which initially started as a pure financial opportunity.
- The challenges and opportunities in scaling their brand in cities like Austin, Boston, and Denver, and why they focus on underappreciated real estate assets.
- What sets Howzit Hostels apart from other experiential brands like Selena, and how Nathan's unique approach to hostel development is fueling growth.
Tune in to hear Nathan’s thoughtful insights on what it takes to build a large-scale hostel brand in an overlooked market and why Howzit Hostels is perfectly positioned to shape the future of affordable experiential travel in the U.S.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Upselling sounds great in theory, but how do you actually do it? How do you know what to offer, and how do you make it seamless for your guests?
Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.
This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.
But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Meet Melissa and Sacha Leclair, the dynamic duo behind LD Cabin, an awe-inspiring modern cabin retreat nestled in the stunning mountains of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. In this episode, Melissa and Sacha share the inspiring journey of how they transformed their love for design and nature into a hospitality brand that allows guests to experience relaxation in its purest form.
Melissa, Sacha, and I discuss:
- The story of how their personal escapism adventures led to building LD Cabin.
- The wild twists during construction, including accidentally designing for the wrong lot and powering the entire build with a generator for a year.
- How Instagram and their design aesthetic have played a pivotal role in shaping the cabin’s brand, turning their followers into an active, engaged community that helped influence decisions during the build.
- The unique partnerships that brought the cabin to life, with everything from custom-built cornhole boards to brand collaborations with KitchenAid and Blackwood Siding.
Tune in to hear Melissa and Sacha’s thoughtful approach to designing experiences that not only captivate guests but also immerse them in nature, inspiring repeat visits and creating lasting memories.
If you're passionate about unique stays, design, and creating unforgettable guest experiences, this episode is packed with ideas and insights that will leave you inspired.
Follow Melissa and Sacha on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by Enso Connect:
My new friends at Enso Connect have created a tool that’s putting AI to work in a way that’s saving hospitality pros countless hours every week.
Here’s how it works: Enso Connect’s Guest Messaging Insights tool dives into your guest messages across all booking platforms. Using AI, it analyzes these interactions and pulls out hidden opportunities that you might be missing.
And the best part? It’s FREE, and you’ll get your personalized report in just 72 hours.
Here’s what this AI-powered report will do for you:
- Analyze your message volume so you can see exactly where your time is going.
- Break down common guest questions, giving you the info you need to improve your property listings and FAQs.
- Provide sentiment analysis to understand how guests feel and spot potential issues before they escalate.
- Offer personalized recommendations that highlight upselling opportunities you might have overlooked, allowing you to tailor your services more effectively.
This episode is also brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio:
This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers. Hudson Creative is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.
If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special.
And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Friday Sep 27, 2024
Meet Arthur Colker, the founder of StayFi,a marketing platform for short-term rental hosts and operators.
Arthur and I explore the evolution of marketing in the vacation rental industry. Since StayFi's inception back in 2018, Arthur has observed a dramatic shift in how hospitality entrepreneurs and property managers approach marketing, especially as reliance on OTAs like Airbnb has become less sustainable.
Arthur and I discuss
- The rise of direct booking strategies and the importance of diversifying demand channels.
- Creative ways property managers are generating ancillary revenue, from upsells to unique guest experiences.
- How StayFi is empowering short-term rental operators to build email marketing campaigns that capture guest data and drive direct bookings with minimal effort.
- The role of social media versus SEO and other marketing channels in 2024.
- And so much more
Whether you're a vacation rental host with one property or a property manager with a large portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you future-proof your business.
This episode is brought to you by StayFi. StayFi makes it easy to collect data from and market to every single person staying in your short-term rental. StayFi lets you create a custom branded WiFi splash page similar to what you might experience when logging onto the WiFi network at your favorite coffee shop.
This means you can collect the name, email address, and phone number from every guest staying with you, not just the one who booked…because who doesn’t need to use the WiFi.
The best part is that once you have their information, you can use StayFi’s email and text marketing tools to keep in touch and make sure they become a guest for life.
Head on over to StayFi.com and be sure to use the code “BTS” at checkout for 50% off your first 3 months.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@staywatch.ai or complete this payment link and get immediate access to his schedule where you can book some time with him!
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Tuesday Sep 24, 2024
Meet Austin Phippen, a hospitality entrepreneur balancing the demands of multiple ventures in the heart of Chama, New Mexico.
Austin and his wife Karlee are redefining what it means to build a rural hospitality empire, managing everything from a boutique motel to an event venue and even vacation rentals. Tune in as Austin shares his journey from construction to hospitality, how his family’s legacy property sparked a wedding venue business, and the surprising lessons he’s learned about running a motel in one of the most remote, yet scenic, areas of the country.
Discover how Austin transformed a family cabin into a top wedding destination, navigated the complexities of managing a motel, and how seasonal challenges shape his business strategy. If you’re curious about what it takes to run multiple hospitality ventures in a small town or how to grow a business with little initial experience, this episode is packed with insights for you.
Austin and I also discuss the power of organic growth, the balance between low-touch and high-touch hospitality, and why Austin believes hands-on interaction is key to guest satisfaction. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in rural tourism, family-run hospitality businesses, or those dreaming of building their own legacy in the industry.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Upselling sounds great in theory, but how do you actually do it? How do you know what to offer, and how do you make it seamless for your guests?
Well, that’s where Hostfully’s latest eBook comes into play.
This isn’t just another generic guide; it’s a goldmine of insights drawn from real transaction data collected from June 2023 to June 2024. We’re talking about the most popular upsells that guests actually buy — from early check-ins to premium amenity access — and how these can significantly enhance your bottom line.
But here’s the best part: this eBook doesn’t just leave you with data; it gives you practical advice and checklists to help you start implementing these upsells right away. Whether you’re just getting started with a simple upsell or looking to expand your offerings, Hostfully has you covered.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Meet Rena Pacheco-Theard, co-founder of Boutiq, a vacation rental management company that’s blending tech with high-quality guest experiences to transform the industry.
From starting Boutiq as a side hustle to enrolling in an Autsin-based startup accelerator, to running a nationwide portfolio, Rena shares how her team has harnessed technology, like their custom revenue management algorithm, to optimize every property.
Tune in to hear how Rena is driving innovation in vacation rentals, using partnerships like Capital One Travel to open new booking channels, and why PR is an essential but often overlooked tool in growing a brand.
Takeaways include:
- How Rena and her team built a company that balances boutique-style guest service with cutting-edge technology.
- Why new booking channels like Capital One Travel are game-changers for reaching untapped guest segments.
- How Boutique’s custom-built revenue management tools give them a competitive edge over off-the-shelf solutions like PriceLabs.
- Why PR plays a critical role in attracting homeowners, guests, and investors—and how to do it right.
- Rena’s take on the future of vacation rentals, and where new opportunities lie for entrepreneurs in the space.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at AirDNA
Want to see if a Treehouse resort in Dubai pencils? You can do so in AirDNA.
Want to buy land in Ontario to build a Glamping resort? AirDNA will show you how other, comparable products are performing in the region.
Or maybe you’ve already got your stay up and running and you want a better understanding of how your Airbnb compares to others in the market? You can connect your listing to AirDNA and get accurate nightly pricing recommendations based on real-world, real-time demand.
AirDNA is the key you need to unlock the insight behind what it’s going to take to bring those big dreams you have to life.
Pay just $25/month and access ANY market in the world — AirDNA is cheaper, faster, better, and stronger to use than ever before.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
Tuesday Sep 17, 2024
In this episode, you’ll meet Shari Heilala — the founder of Sage Outdoor Advisory, an appraisal services consultancy for campgrounds, glamping resorts, and experiential hospitality companies.
With over 30 years in commercial real estate, Shari shares her journey from valuing hotels at Cushman & Wakefield — one of the world’s largest commercial real estate services firms — to becoming a leader in the unique stays space, helping hospitality entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of financing and underwriting innovative properties.
Shari dives into the growing demand for nature-immersive stays, the challenges of securing investment for unconventional assets, and why institutional capital is starting to take notice of this emerging market. She also explores the resurgence of independent hoteliers, driven by a new wave of creative entrepreneurs who are blending luxury, design, and outdoor experiences to redefine hospitality.
Whether you're a budding hospitality entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, Shari offers invaluable insights into how to build a successful, data-driven strategy in this evolving, exciting, and at sometimes murky space.
Learn more about Sage Outdoor Advisory
This episode is brought to you by Enso Connect
My new friends at Enso Connect have created a tool that’s putting AI to work in a way that’s saving hospitality pros countless hours every week.
Here’s how it works: Enso Connect’s Guest Messaging Insights tool dives into your guest messages across all booking platforms. Using AI, it analyzes these interactions and pulls out hidden opportunities that you might be missing.
And the best part? It’s FREE, and you’ll get your personalized report in just 72 hours.
Here’s what this AI-powered report will do for you:
- Analyze your message volume so you can see exactly where your time is going.
- Break down common guest questions, giving you the info you need to improve your property listings and FAQs.
- Provide sentiment analysis to understand how guests feel and spot potential issues before they escalate.
- Offer personalized recommendations that highlight upselling opportunities you might have overlooked, allowing you to tailor your services more effectively.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Friday Sep 13, 2024
Meet Corinne Traub, founder of Firefly Ridge, a 17-acre magical glamping escape just 90 minutes outside of Washington D.C in Berkeley Springs, WV. What started as a dream to bring people closer to nature without the hassle of traditional camping quickly evolved into a thriving business that draws guests from across the Mid-Atlantic.
In this episode, Corinne opens up about the long search for the right land, the challenges of building 14 luxurious canvas tents, mastering the art of hospitality, and offering unforgettable experiences all of which have yielded 95% of their bookings coming direct.
Finally, Corinne hints at her next big venture—a product line for busy parents on the go. Tune in to hear how Firefly Ridge became a reality, and what’s next for this creative entrepreneur
Book your stay at Firefly Ridge.
Follow Firefly Ridge on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by Hudson Creative Studio — the leading web design agency for vacation rental managers. Hudson Creative is offering a special deal for Behind the Stays listeners. When you mention Behind the Stays during your discovery call, you’ll get 10% off any service level option.
If you’re serious about taking your hospitality brand to the next level, head over to HudsonCreativeStudio.com/behindthestays. Trust me, Eli and his team will make your website something truly special.
And don’t forget to listen to our series, "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites," which we’ll link in the show notes below, for a deep dive into what makes these guys the best in the biz.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you by StayWatch — the internet's best resource for deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. You can subscribe, for free, at www.staywatch.ai
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Co-founder of StayWatch, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee or on LinkedIn.