Hotel Takeover: What STR Hosts Must Learn from the Serviced Apartment Giants

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

Content provided by James Varley | Host Planet. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by James Varley | Host Planet or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

2d ago 27:33

M4A•Episode home

The lines between hotels and short-term rentals are dissolving. In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – we sit down with Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke, COO EMEA of Frasers Hospitality, one of the world's largest serviced apartment operators.

Rebecca shares key strategies on:

Corporate and extended stays: how to attract and manage reliable, long-term corporate bookings (the most stable revenue stream).

The luxury of space: why spacious, home-like functionality is now non-negotiable for high-end guests.

Scaling quality: lessons on using smart technology and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent, hotel-level service across a global portfolio.

If you want to professionalise and secure long-stay revenue, this episode is essential viewing.

0:49 Why serviced apartments are the future

1:56 How the pandemic supercharged serviced apartments

3:34 Nomadic young people who work remotely

6:14 Lack of seasonality and high corporate demand

7:45 The non-negotiables for serviced accommodation

9:16 Revenue management

11:33 Blended portfolio helps to avoid some regulation

13:19 Distribution channels, including 70% direct bookings

13:48 Business development, including direct sales management

15:02 Loyalty programme

16:28 How to attract more corporate bookings

17:45 Essential tech stack for serviced accommodation

19:53 Delivering a local experience

22:40 Favourite brand

24:22 Another favourite brand: Kayak

24:57 Key learning from serviced apartment space

Looking for a great PMS or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo

Email Frank: [email protected]

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Rebecca Hollants Van Loocke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccahollants/

Frasers Hospitality: https://www.frasershospitality.com/en/

Episode to check next: Hosting in Paradise with Robin Bass (Hold the Rum!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTEkLHIzef8&t=4s

Host Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: [email protected]

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer

229 episodes

#Business #Property #Airbnb #Holiday Homes #Property Management #Airbnb Tips #Airbnb Management #Trading #Host Planet #Short Term Rental #Property Investing