I hate hotel rooms.
I’ve spent a good part of my life traveling for business, and for reasons I still can’t fully explain, hotel rooms depress me. Maybe it’s the sameness. Maybe it’s the artificial quiet. Or maybe it’s the feeling that no matter how nice the place is, it was never meant to be lived in.
Airbnbs were supposed to fix that.
And sometimes they did. I liked having a kitchen, a living room, and space to breathe. It felt more like real life and less like I was temporarily stored somewhere between meetings.
But then there were the other experiences.
Notes on the freezer: “Do not touch the meat.”
Rooms you weren’t allowed to use.
Spaces that technically belonged to you, but didn’t feel like it.
So you trade the sterility of hotels for the awkwardness of someone else’s rules.
That’s when it clicked.
Years ago, when I started my own short-term rental business, we set out to build something better. A model that combined the consistency and professionalism of a hotel with the experience people actually want from an Airbnb.
We called it Escape Club.
Today, we host homes in Fort Lauderdale and North Captiva. North Captiva is one of those rare places with no cars, just golf carts, boats, and a kind of quiet you can’t manufacture.
But the real breakthrough wasn’t the locations. It was the system.
Recently, I sat down with our property manager, who was recognized as one of the top three hosts in the country. Our properties consistently sit near five stars and perform in the top 90th percentile.
I asked her a simple question.
What’s the secret?
Her answer wasn’t complicated.
- Think like a first-time guest
Walk through your property like someone who has never been there. Is it easy to find? Is it clean? Does everything work without confusion?
Small friction kills reviews, and reviews drive this business.
Go a step further and stay there yourself or have friends stay. Build a hit list. There are always issues. The key is catching them before they turn into a bad review.
- Pick the right location first
You cannot out-design a bad location.
Choose areas with consistent, year-round demand. Some seasonality is fine. Dead months are not.
Our cottage in Canada rents about two months a year. North Captiva rents year-round.
Avoid heavy HOA restrictions and overly regulated markets. Look for renter-friendly areas, usually near the beach or downtown.
- Underwrite conservatively
Assume less income than you want. Assume more expenses than you expect.
If the deal still works, you’re in a strong position. If it only works in a best-case scenario, walk away.
- Design for a specific guest
Do not design for everyone.
Pick your guest. Families, couples, or groups.
Use a professional designer. Details matter more than you think. Don’t ignore outdoor space. It often drives bookings.
- Your photos do the selling
Photos are your first impression.
They shouldn’t just show the home. They should sell the experience.
Think lighting, staging, and mood. Make someone feel what it’s like to stay there before they ever click “book.”
- Operate like a luxury hotel
This is where most hosts fall short.
We use Westin Heavenly beds, high-end pillows, and white sheets so they can be properly cleaned. Never use colored sheets.
Fast response times, clear communication, thoughtful touches.
Old-school hospitality still wins. Your guest’s perception becomes your reviews, and reviews drive everything.
- Be the local guide
Your guests don’t know the area. Help them.
Recommend restaurants, activities, and hidden spots.
When you improve the trip beyond the house, you build trust. That turns into better reviews and repeat stays.
- Maintain relentlessly
Your 100th guest should have the same experience as your first.
Replace worn items early. Fix issues fast. Stay ahead of maintenance.
We refresh sheets, pans, and supplies every couple of years.
Consistency is what builds a real business.
- Price for occupancy, not ego
The market sets the price, not you.
Use data. Watch trends. Adjust often.
A booked night at the right price beats an empty night at a higher one.
Occupancy drives revenue. Get the home booked at the highest rate it will actually book. That’s the game.
We’ve been at this for over five years, and partnering with Dave and Kate Watt at Stayvanage.com has been a big part of the success.
Running an Airbnb takes real investment. But done right, it comes back in consistent five-star reviews and a business that actually works.
