Today, we’re heading to Mabul Island in Sabah, Malaysia, a tiny 20-hectare paradise known for fishing villages and an underwater world where green and hawksbill turtles glide by daily. It’s here that Turtle Garden Lodge has evolved into a soulful stay above the Sulu and Celebes Seas.

And it’s also where we meet Reed, originally from Chicago, who now calls this stilted sea lodge home. He joins us over WhatsApp (“It’s been a long time since I’ve used Zoom or Google Meet,” he laughs). His story is a reminder that hosting journeys don’t need to be linear;  sometimes, they’re beautifully accidental.

What inspired you to start hosting?

“I never planned to host. I was a lawyer for 25 years, retired early, moved to Malaysia, and planned to buy a sailboat at some point. Right before COVID, my son and I went diving in Arbol. He mentioned a house for sale in Mabul, and ten days later, I bought it. I had no hosting experience, but something about the island and that house spoke to me.”

Did you face any challenges getting started? What helped you push through?

“The house sits on wooden stilts over the sea. What I thought would be a 2-month remodel turned into a year and a half. I’d renovated homes before, but never like this. We were turning a rundown backpacker lodge into something elevated, a stay where the experience matched the world-class diving and snorkelling here.

We spent months without water, electricity, or toilets. All I can say is that it was truly a real labour of love. On an island like this, you roll with the punches, look out at the ocean, breathtaking views, the community around you, and remember why you started.”

How is the journey going?

“We attract guests who really appreciate the beauty here, people who create content to share what the island offers. The pace is slower, but we have a great team and attract like-minded travellers: professionals, doctors, lawyers, CEOs, people who could stay somewhere more commercial but choose us for the personal touch. People arrive as guests and leave as friends. That’s part of the reason why I do it.”

What experience do you want guests to have?

“We want the island to touch their soul. We have green sea turtles (the second-largest in the world) and hawksbill turtles, and we are 15 minutes from Sipadan Island, a diver’s dream with barracuda tornadoes, sharks, and endless marine life. People can come to dive there, but our focus is snorkelling. 

We have a turtle garden wall right off the property and untouched coral fields. You also meet the local bajau laut,  the sea gypsies, who live in dugout canoes, fish, and sell coconuts and seafood. It’s like stepping into living history.”

And how did you start working with Smoobu?

“We’ve been open since January 2024 and have been working with Smoobu since then. We aren’t aiming for 100% occupancy, but we do want to reach more guests.

I extensively researched the top vacation rental management software offerings and tried several. I was disappointed by many and very disappointed by some. Then I found Smoobu. After signing up for a free trial, it was apparent to me that Smoobu was the best option. It had everything I needed and wanted. Pricing was reasonable, and it was easy, intuitive, and robust. I rarely needed customer support, but when I did, I received prompt, understandable responses.

I worked for a market-leading software company years ago that offered unrivalled software and customer service. Smoobu reminds me of that company. Smoobu really understands how to make a great product and how to take care of their users.”

What are you looking forward to?

“I’m not looking to expand. I want to enjoy this phase of my life, hosting, meeting incredible guests, and letting software like Smoobu handle the rest.”

Let us handle the rest.

Whether you need support building a website, syncing calendars, optimizing pricing, or handling guest communication, to name a few. Start your free 14-day Smoobu trial today.

Want to experience Mabul Island for yourself?

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