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
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Meet Ben Earley, an exceptional entrepreneur who has made waves across multiple industries—from finance to luxury footwear, and now, to innovative hospitality.
In this episode, Ben takes us on his fascinating journey from Wall Street to the world of short-term rentals. As the co-founder of Holt, Ben is building a portfolio of unique and upscale Airbnbs and hotels that stand out for their thoughtful design and exceptional guest experiences.
We'll explore:
- Ben’s early start in finance and how it fueled his entrepreneurial spirit.
- The story behind his luxury men’s shoe brand, Paul Evans, and the transition to hospitality.
- Why Ben is building his portfolio overseas, focusing on markets like Romania, Mexico, and Greece.
- His hot takes on "rental arbitrage" and why he prefers the term "commercial vacation rental."
- How Holt is vertically integrated, giving them unparalleled control over their properties and guest experiences.
Get ready to hear how Ben's innovative approach is setting new standards in the hospitality industry and why he believes in creating spaces that are more than just a place to stay—they’re experiences in themselves.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com 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 Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Meet Jon Kreye, a professional creator and community builder in the short-term rental space.
Jon has become a prominent figure in this niche, known not just for his stunning content but also for fostering a supportive community among hospitality creators.
Jon recently hosted his fourth creator retreat in partnership with Nikki & Hayden from Journey More, where they brought together influencers and content creators to share ideas, collaborate, and discuss industry trends.
In this conversion, Jon talks about the evolution of creators in the Airbnb and greater hospitality space, the challenges and opportunities within the creator economy, and the importance of professionalizing the role of hospitality content creators.
He shares insights on how creators can differentiate themselves, the significance of setting professional standards, how hosts and vacation rental managers can best engage with creators and the strategies that help separate the best creators from the rest of the pack.
Discover how Jon and his peers are navigating the complexities of pricing, the value of collaboration over competition, and the exciting potential for partnerships with hospitality brands. Whether you're a property manager looking to enhance your marketing or a creator seeking tangible ideas for how to grow your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable takeaways.
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
Dunlap Hollow Reel
Live Oak Lake Reel
FLOHOM Reel
Villa Stay Texas Reel
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 Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Meet Matthew Orley, CEO of Red Cottage, a premier platform and vacation rental brand for unique stays across the Northeast.
Matthew's journey with Red Cottage started as a guest in 2012. Captivated by the brand's consistency, unique portfolio, and potential, he acquired the business in 2022. Now, as the owner, Matthew is on a mission to transform Red Cottage into a regional powerhouse, known for its high-quality homes and exceptional guest experiences.
In this episode, Matthew and I discuss:
- The origin story of Red Cottage and its evolution over the years
- The innovative membership program Red Cottage launched, which is designed to foster loyalty and make last-minute getaways even more
- Insights into acquiring vacation rental management companies — Red Cottage just acquired Posto
- The importance of maintaining brand authenticity while scaling
- The biggest opportunities for hospitality entrepreneurs right now to build, buy, and sell businesses
- And so much more
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Matthew.
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn
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.
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.
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Friday Jul 12, 2024
Meet Paul Zway, the incredible founder of Exclusive Tents, who is joining us live from the lush jungles of Belize.
Paul’s journey from a young boy fascinated with wildlife in South Africa to becoming a pioneer in the luxury glamping industry is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised among the snakes and wilderness of a rural community outside of Pretoria, Australia, Paul’s path led him through the vast expanses of Kruger National Park as a game ranger and nature conservationist.
In this episode, Paul shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, from the struggles of adjusting to city life in the US to the innovative creation of Exclusive Tents — a company that manufactures stunning luxury tents that blend the thrill of outdoor living with high-end comfort, catering to both individual adventurers and world-renowned hospitality brands like Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin.
We’ll dive into the nuances of glamping, the evolution of this unique industry, and the emerging markets that hold exciting potential for luxury outdoor accommodations. Paul’s insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the intersection of nature, innovation, and hospitality.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Hostfully.
Hostfully Digital Guidebooks are the easiest way to help your guests get to know your property and discover just how special the community that surrounds it is.
Hostfully Guidebooks give you a dynamic place to store every bit of information you might want your guests to have — from the wifi password to how to work the hot tub to where to take the best selfies at golden hour.
Hostfully empowers you with easy-to-use tools that help you feature a totally curated list of your favorite eateries, pubs, hiking trails, and more — OR Hostfully can automatically create a list of experiences through their Guidebook Wizard if you’ve got dozens of properties and just can’t afford to curate a custom set of recommendations for each one.
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 Jul 09, 2024
Tuesday Jul 09, 2024
Meet Ashley Ching, co-founder of Inhaven, a trailblazing company with ambitious plans to set new standards in the vacation rental industry.
If you've ever booked a vacation rental and found it lacking in comfort or consistency, you'll understand the frustration that led Ashley to start Inhaven.
With a background in merchandising and a deep understanding of the hospitality sector, Ashley is on a mission to professionalize vacation rentals by focusing on the essential aspects of a stay: bed, bath, and kitchen.
In this conversion, Ashley shares her insights on why standardizing these elements can elevate the entire vacation rental experience, drawing parallels to the evolution of the hotel industry.
Discover how Inhaven is partnering with local property managers to implement these standards and ensure that every guest enjoys a reliably excellent stay, no matter where they book.
Ashley also dives into the challenges of scaling a vacation rental management company and why local expertise is crucial for delivering exceptional hospitality. Whether you're a property manager looking to enhance your offerings or a traveler seeking a more predictable vacation rental experience, this episode is packed with valuable insights and innovative ideas.
Tune in to learn how Inhaven is paving the way for a new era in vacation rentals, where comfort and quality are no longer a luxury but a standard.
It’s a tall order, but, if she and the Inhaven team can do it, they’ll be the first company in the space to truly build the Marriott for Vacation Rentals.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Have you signed up for Ping yet?
Ping makes it easy for guests to be notified when their favorite Airbnbs become available — and it's the secret tool the best Airbnb hosts use to maximize bookings.
Sign up today at bnbping.com
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com 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. StayWatch brings you the best deals on stays across Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com that align with your travel preferences.
Planning a beach trip for the fam in a couple of months? Create a Trip on StayWatch and get a curated list of deals that match your criteria sent to you every day.
Perhaps you just want to be notified anytime there’s a great deal on a stay in San Diego, the Blue Ridge Mountains, Bali, or the Texas Hill Country? Watch a Destination on StayWatch and get the coolest deals on stays that match what you’re looking for every day, every week, or every month!
Oh, and you know that Airbnb you’ve been following on Instagram that’s like always booked? With StayWatch, you can Follow a Specific Stay and get notified if that stay ever becomes available.
The best part? It’s all free.
You’ll never overpay for an Airbnb again if you start your search at StayWatch.ai.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Monday Jul 08, 2024
Monday Jul 08, 2024
I’ve got a huge confession to make…
Something I’ve never admitted publicly before…EVER.
Behind the Stays' parent company's name, Sponstayneous, sucks.
No one can say it right. We’ve been called everything from “spoon stayneous” to “spontaneously.”
I’ve fought this so hard, but today, I’m here with my white flag.
So, I’m here with exciting news — as of today, Sponstayneous is now StayWatch!
StayWatch brings you the best deals on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com that match your travel preferences.
Planning a beach trip? Create a Trip on StayWatch and get daily curated deals.
Want to be notified about deals in your favorite destinations? Watch a Destination on StayWatch!
Following a specific stay on Instagram that’s always booked? Follow it on StayWatch and get notified when it’s available.
And the best part? It’s all free.
You’ll never overpay for an Airbnb again if you start your search at StayWatch.ai
Sign up for the StayWatch for Hosts partner program.
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Meet Eric Goldreyer, a legend in the world of travel and hospitality. Eric is the founder of bedandbreakfast.com, a platform he launched in the late '90s that revolutionized the bed and breakfast industry by bringing it online.
At a time when most innkeepers relied on guidebooks and phone calls, Eric saw the potential of the internet and created the largest database of B&Bs in North America.
Eric’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. After selling bedandbreakfast.com and later reacquiring it, he sold it again to HomeAway. He then turned his attention to vacation rental management, co-founding TurnKey Vacation Rentals, which he successfully sold to Vacasa in 2021.
Today, Eric is at the helm of BNB Finder, a no-fee booking platform for professionally managed properties, aimed at providing travelers with a seamless booking experience and property managers with greater control over their listings.
In our conversation, Eric shares:
- The challenges and triumphs of convincing innkeepers to embrace the internet in the early days of bedandbreakfast.com.
- His experiences in scaling and selling multiple businesses in the travel sector.
- Insights into the evolving vacation rental market and the importance of professional management.
- The innovative model of BNB Finder and its potential to disrupt the industry by eliminating booking fees.
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.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com 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 twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Friday Jun 28, 2024
Friday Jun 28, 2024
Meet Nathan and Michael, the founders of Howzit Hostels, who are revolutionizing the hostel experience in Hawaii today, and across the rest of the US tomorrow.
Nathan and Michael, broadcasting live from the beautiful island of Maui, share their journey from real estate sales to creating upscale hostels that blend affordability with a boutique hotel feel. They dive into the origins of their business, explaining how the local greeting "Howzit" inspired their brand name and how an unexpected listing led them to explore the untapped potential of hostels in the U.S.
Nathan, Michael, and I discuss:
- The massive opportunities that exist in reimaging hostels — especially for younger travelers who are in the market for more experiential stays
- Their innovative use of AI for dynamic pricing which helps them generate around $200,000 in monthly revenue from their two properties.
- The unique staffing opportunities hostels enable with traveler work exchanges
- The vast growth potential in the U.S. hostel market, particularly in converting underutilized urban buildings into vibrant communal spaces.
- What they’ve got planned next and how you might be able to join them in expanding their vision across the states
Connect with Nathan and Michael on Instagram
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Turno.
Turno is the smartest way to schedule, pay, and find vacation rental cleaners — think of Turno as an Uber or Task Rabbit for STR hosts.
Simply create an account, describe your listing’s cleaning needs, and Turno will match you with cleaners near you.
Turno offers simple, affordable pricing for STR hosts of any size. Single property accounts and Marketplace users get access to all the platform’s tools and features for FREE. And they make working with your existing teams easy too, with plans as low as just $6/month per property.
Learn more and earn a $150 Amazon Gift Card after you complete your first cleaning.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com 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 twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Welcome to "Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Hospitality Websites: A Special 2-Part Series with Hudson Creative Studio.”
In this series, I sit down with Eli Pritykin, founder of Hudson Creative Studio to dive deep into the art and science of creating a memorable website that serves as the digital headquarters for your hospitality brand.
In the first episode, you'll hear Eli's fascinating journey from his early days in the former Soviet Union, where he built his first graphic design program as a child, to becoming a leading creative director in the hospitality industry.
We discuss the importance of having a strong brand identity and how it is the foundation for all your marketing efforts. Eli's unique perspective on merging technical rigor with creative design will inspire you to rethink your approach to your brand and website.
In the second episode, we get down to the nitty-gritty. Eli and I cover everything from the initial planning stages of your website to advanced tactics for optimizing user experience and conversion rates.
You'll learn why a well-designed navigation structure can make or break your site, how to balance aesthetics with functionality effectively, and why speed and simplicity are your best friends. Eli also shares innovative ideas like integrating loyalty programs directly into your site to boost repeat bookings and enhance guest loyalty.
Some additional takeaways from this series you won't want to miss include:
- Discovering why fitting in with your local market's aesthetic before standing out can give you a competitive edge.
- Learning how to turn your website into a powerful tool not just for direct bookings but also for attracting property owners.
- Understanding the critical role of guest experience (GX) in web design and how it can drastically improve your conversion rates.
Getting actionable tips on reducing perceived load times to keep potential guests engaged and ready to book.
Missed Episode 1? Catch up on the series here.
If you're ready to take your hospitality brand to the next level, there's no better team to partner with than Hudson Creative Studio.
Eli and his team are passionate about helping hospitality entrepreneurs like you craft websites that not only look stunning but also perform exceptionally well in converting visitors into loyal guests. Whether you're in the initial stages of branding or looking to revamp your existing site, Hudson Creative has the expertise to bring your vision to life.
And here's a special offer just for 'Behind the Stays' listeners: When you reach out to Hudson Creative for your first or next website redesign and mention 'Behind the Stays' during your discovery call, you'll receive 10% off any service level option.
About the Show
Behind the Stays is brought to you twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
In this episode, we welcome back Jamie Lane, SVP of Research at AirDNA, to discuss the booming trend of unique stays in the hospitality industry.
Over the past few years, the demand for unique stays—think A-frames, yurts, and treehouses—has skyrocketed. Jamie and I delve into the data behind this trend, exploring how travelers' preferences have shifted towards distinctive and memorable accommodations and the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to break into this niche market.
Jamie and I discuss:
- Just how many unique stays exist on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo
- How the number of unique stays has doubled since 2018 and is the fastest growing segment of stay on the OTAs
- The average ADR of a unique stay vs a more traditional STR/VR stay
- What we can learn from the markets where unique stays are plentiful — like the Texas Hill Country and Blue Ridge, Georgia
- Where the biggest opportunities to build new unique stays lie
- How AirDNA is working on marking the data they have on unique stays more actionable and accessible to entrepreneurs
- And so much more
So many of you who listen to this podcast have built, are building, or desire to build unique stays — and I think you’ll really enjoy Jamie’s insights here.
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.
Want to book a consulting brainstorm with Zach?
Send him an email directly at zach@sponstayneous.com 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 twice a week by Sponstayneous — a free, biweekly newsletter that brings subscribers the best last-minute deals and upcoming steals on Airbnb.
You can subscribe, for free, at www.sponstayneous.com.
Behind the Stays is hosted by Zach Busekrus, co-founder of Sponstayneous, you can connect with him on Twitter at @zboozee.