On July 2nd, we hosted an exclusive event in collaboration with Airbnb, and we couldn't help but share it with all our hosts! After a session of tips and insights for improving the quality of your Airbnb listings, we had the opportunity to enjoy some informal networking and chat with German short-term rental owners and managers.

This event allowed us to connect directly with the Smoobu community and hear the experiences of those who experience the world of short-term rentals firsthand. In this article, we'll share excerpts from our conversations and interviews, highlighting how Smoobu and Airbnb are two essential allies for the success of any vacation rental business. We'll also share fun anecdotes and practical advice for those just starting and looking to grow in the industry.

Successful Hosts: Who Are They and How Do They Manage Their Short-Term Rentals?

Successful hosts aren't just those who achieve high occupancy rates, but those who create a unique guest experience and manage their business efficiently and sustainably. Every host has their own strategy, but many share a common approach: the importance of a sound management system, process automation, and a platform that streamlines guest communication. With Smoobu and Airbnb, these hosts save valuable time, reduce stress, and offer a quality stay experience.

Regardless of the number of units they manage, which can range from a single property to hundreds of vacation rentals spread across multiple locations, these hosts know that the key to a thriving business is the ability to meet the diverse needs of travelers. Whether families with children, business travelers, or digital nomads, hospitality, attention to detail, and personalized stays are essential to ensuring every guest feels at home.

Furthermore, a collaborative approach and the exchange of ideas with other hosts are crucial. Sharing experiences, challenges, and solutions enables hosts to learn and improve their business continually. Thanks to these connections, the entire short-term rental industry grows dynamically and sustainably, bringing value to both hosts and guests.

Smoobu Hosts' Ideas and Tips: A Short Interview

The hosts who attended our event in collaboration with Airbnb are professionals who have learned to leverage technology to streamline the day-to-day running of their businesses: from automating messages and reviews to synchronizing calendars and bookings across multiple platforms. Many of them started as small businesses, often run as side hustles, which over time have transformed into full-time commitments, enriched by years of experience. With accommodations in Germany, Switzerland, and Poland, they understand the daily challenges and have developed effective strategies to address them.

During the evening, we had the opportunity to speak directly with them. We interviewed Agnes, Calvin, Doreen, Jakub, and Tobias: hosts with diverse backgrounds and types of rentals, but united by the same dedication to offering an unparalleled stay experience. Find out why they chose Airbnb, how Smoobu supports them, and what advice they would give to those looking to start a business in the short-term rental sector.

What makes Airbnb vital to you?

Doreen: "I think Smoobu and Airbnb are a perfect match. They make my daily work so much easier. Everything from the automatic messages sent to guests to the reviews I can prepare in advance helps streamline management. Ultimately, they save me time, and I have to say, Airbnb has the best guests."

Agnes: "Airbnb plays a fundamental role in my business. First of all, I receive a lot of bookings on this platform, which is also very easy to manage. And I don't know why, but the nicest and most kind guests come from Airbnb."

Tobias "Airbnb is a user-friendly platform. Guests are always very friendly. Communication is excellent, and Airbnb support is always easy to reach. They're always trying to help, and if you stop communicating with them about an issue, they'll proactively follow up to check if everything went well. Overall, it's an easy-to-use platform, without too many frills."

Which Smoobu features are most useful for your short-term rental business?

Calvin: "The great thing about Smoobu is that it not only offers automation options but also allows us to organize everything in one place easily. Without Smoobu, our multi-channel strategy wouldn't be possible. Smoobu protects us from the risk of overbooking and provides us with numerous features that automate our tasks, making our job as hosts much easier. It also simplifies the entire booking process for guests. No guests need to call us for information anymore, and this is mainly thanks to Smoobu, which allows us to integrate everything into a single platform and provide guests with all the information they need for a perfect stay."

Agnes: "Smoobu makes all my work easier and allows me to automate many daily tasks. Sometimes, I don't even have to check what's happening on the portals for weeks, because everything runs automatically thanks to Smoobu. I just checked in eow and then. Sure, it took a little bit of work to set everything up at the beginning, but in the end, I can just look at the results and be happy that it's working, especially since I see the software and its features continually growing and improving."

Tell us a funny anecdote about your business

Calvin: "I started hosting from my apartment, which was my primary residence at the time. Not long after, I noticed another host in the apartment building. He became my first 'fellow host.' He already had about ten units, which made my small studio apartment feel like a starter garage. But thanks to his advice and encouragement, I kept going. Without Airbnb and that sense of community, I probably would have given up. That's why I'm still here today: swapping stories with other hosts and pretending that 'networking' isn't just chatting over free coffee."

Agnes: "It's not exactly a good memory: there was a real war between my guests and my neighbor, and it was all over some bicycles. On the first day, I received a lot of calls because the guests hadn't said hello, and as a result, the neighbor wouldn't let them park their bikes. It was a scene straight out of a kindergarten. Eventually, however, they realized they were both overreacting, made peace, and finally, I found some peace too."

Markus: "A funny memory: One time, guests left me a 'tip' because they loved how beautiful the apartment was. Of course, the credit goes to my partner, who takes care of all the decorations—and who also gets all the compliments."

If you were starting your short-term rental business today, what would you do differently?

Calvin: "If I were to start short-term rentals again today, I'd start directly with our current strategy. It's a hybrid housing concept, which allows me to offer the same living space to multiple target groups. I'd no longer choose studio apartments and probably avoid big cities like Berlin, at least initially. Instead, I'd focus on my neighborhood, within a 30-meter radius, and grow there first. And, of course, I'd immediately use tools like Smoobu and all the integration partners we use through Smoobu, which allows us to connect much better. A few years ago, this wouldn't have been so easy."

Agnes: "I would definitely hire an in-house cleaning team right away, instead of relying on outside companies. And I would also immediately hire professional photographers for the properties, instead of taking the photos myself."

Jakub: "If I were starting my business today, I'd immediately perceive it as a legitimate business and run it accordingly. I'd give it my all right from the start, avoiding the mistake I made initially, treating it like a low-key side hustle. Instead, I'd think, 'This business is awesome, it works’. Let's do it right!”

New ways to connect with our vibrant community

Smoobu has always been dedicated to simplifying the lives of short-term rental managers and owners by offering intuitive solutions that automate daily operations. The creation of new formats to facilitate connections between hosts stems from listening to their needs and a desire to create opportunities for exchanging experiences and opinions.

To enable hosts to meet, share ideas, and grow together, we're expanding our program of events and webinars. In addition to collaborations with industry giants like Airbnb, we're also planning local events where hosts can discuss shared challenges, discover Smoobu's latest features, and share experiences with other industry professionals. These new formats are designed to strengthen our mutual support network and help hosts grow their businesses.

Looking for software to streamline your daily operations? Try Smoobu free for 14 days. Managing short-term rentals has never been easier!