Thanks for the invite Petra! 

I been with hospitable for just about a year now, ( I think?) Hosting / Co-hosting for over 8 years. I have 10 properties located in Big Bear Lake and a couple more in San Diego county so definitely have the 4 season mountain resort and city vibes going. 

I'm looking forward to connecting with all that join!

Welcome ​@Robb! Sounds like you’ve got a nice mix of mountain and city properties. Do you have a favorite one?

Hi Keith here.  From North County San Diego, we have 10 properties in Encinitas, 8 are STR and 2 are Monthly rentals.  I live local so my furthest commute is no more than 8 mins away.  Been hosting since 2014 and really focus on getting guests to return to our properties.  We derive 65% of our revenue  in the STRs from repeat guests.

Well, at one time or another they have all been my favorites, but my current favorite is a little exposed timber cottage with an amazing central stone fireplace. It is nestled into a hill with a seasonal river and hiking trail access right from the property. Truly a hidden gem!

Can you share a little about yourself Petra? 

Cool! Another San Diegan! I lived in Encinitas for a number of years and loved it!! 

Welcome ​@KeithClarke! Wow, that 65% repeat rate is impressive! If you had to pick one small tip that made a big impact here, what would it be?

Sure ​@Robb! I’m actually caring for Hospitable hosts far from California, as I’m a Croatian living in Berlin, without a property in my portfolio (yet!). I’ve been working with communities for over 8 years, and absolutely love the Hospitable team, product, and the hosts community. One day, I hope to join the hosting world myself, ideally with a little house on the Adriatic coast.

​@janah.viamee, ​@jennifer and ​@Silvysilv – welcome! 

​@Petra Podobnik,

Our perspective on the STR business differs from that of others. We view it as a people-centric business rather than a transactional one. Our primary focus is on retaining repeat customers by effectively communicating our unique value proposition compared to our competitors.

We prioritize pet-friendliness and ensure that our establishments are well-appointed, equipped with functional amenities, and maintained in pristine condition. We treat our guests as individuals, not merely as transactions. Whenever possible, we accommodate early check-ins and late check-outs to foster loyalty and avoid exploiting guests for additional revenue.

A hallmark of our approach is the personal interaction we provide with each guest at check-in. This personalized touch distinguishes us from our competitors and sets us apart. Our model emphasizes investing in initial interactions to identify guests who are highly likely to return and express a genuine interest in our products.

​@KeithClarke thanks for sharing your approach. It’s clear you put a lot of care into creating an experience that goes beyond the basics. It’s really wonderful to see how focusing on repeat guests and genuine connections can be both a strong business strategy and a way to build great guests experience.

​@HostBuddyAI_Jay welcome! Where in California are you joining us from?

Hi ​@Petra Podobnik! I’m joining from San Diego, where I manage a portfolio of STR’s, and run HostBuddy AI with my cofounders. Thanks for the warm welcome! Looking forward to contributing where I can.

We’re excited to have HostBuddy AI as Hospitable partners here in the Community.

Welcome ​@Daniel R and ​@corey! It’s great to have you here! Are you by the coast, mountains, or somewhere in between?

​@rebecca and ​@taps: welcome! Where are you joining from?