Rephonic
Artwork for Vacation Rental Success

Vacation Rental Success

Heather Bayer aka @CottageGuru
Short-Term Rentals
Trust
Human Trafficking
Airbnb
Sustainability
Vacation Rentals
Canstays Rental Alliance Conference
Hospitality
Entrepreneurship
Vacation Rental Industry
Ontario
British Columbia
THRIVE Training System
Vrnation
Remote Work
Labor Trafficking
Housekeeping Training
Here Goes Nothin
Company Culture
Core Values

Heather Bayer, author of Renting Your Recreational Property for Profit, former CEO of a highly successful cottage rental agency, and a popular blogger, hosts the Vacation Rental Success podcast. With many years experience of owning and managing multiple vacation rental properties, Heather brings her knowledge and views on every aspect of the business, together with interviews with vacation homeown... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes647Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
InvestingBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Vacation Rental Success

Latest Episodes

In this solo episode Heather Bayer continues the series on training and development in the short-term rental space.

Drawing on her past as a training consultant and her years of managing hundreds of properties, Heather shares a clear, practical pa... more

In this episode, Heather Bayer welcomes back her son and business partner, Mike Bayer, for a timely New Year's discussion on a topic that affects nearly every property manager: onboarding and training.

After a holiday season filled with family chao... more

It's the first episode of 2026 - and that means it's time for our annual deep dive into what's happened across the vacation rental industry over the past year, and what's coming next. Back by popular demand, David Angotti joins Heather to break down ... more

What if artificial intelligence could actually enhance the human touch instead of replacing it?

In this episode, Heather speaks with Eliseo Palous, co-founder of Short Stay Media, to explore how AI - especially voice AI - is revolutionizing guest c... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Eliseo Palous
Co-founder of Short Stay Media
Short Stay Media
Episode: VRS643 – How Voice AI Can Elevate Hospitality Without Losing the Human Touch – with Eliseo Palous
Stacey St. John
A short-term rental expert, mentor, and founder of the STR Sisterhood, supporting women in the short-term rental business.
Episode: VRS642 - How Stacey St. John Built a High-Performing STR Portfolio From Scratch
Jake Mast
CEO and Founder of Rapid Response AI Housing
Rapid Response AI Housing
Episode: VRS641 - The Insurance Housing Opportunity: What Every STR Operator Should Know with Jake Mast
Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh
Founder of Short Term Gems, luxury rental investor, and educator
Short Term Gems
Episode: VRS638 - Democratizing Genius: How Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh Uses AI to Supercharge Short-Term Rental Success
Dennis Goedheit
Founder of Casiola Vacation Homes
Casiola Vacation Homes
Episode: VRS636 - Scaling Smart: How to Spot the Owners Who'll Sabotage Your Growth
Jenn Boyles
Founder of the Direct Booking Success Summit and host of the Direct Booking Success Podcast
Direct Booking Success
Episode: VRS634 - The Direct Booking Mindset Shift: What Every Host Needs to Hear Right Now
Humphrey Bowles
Founder of Truvi and speaker on digital sharecropping
Truvi
Episode: VRS631 - Are You a Digital Sharecropper? Taking Back Control with Humphrey Bowles
Louis Andrews
Director at OVO Network, involved in short-term rental industry since family founded OVO in 2008.
OVO Network
Episode: VRS630 - Build Trust, Book Direct: Lessons from Louis Andrews of OVO Network
James Rubino
Short-term rental entrepreneur and founder of Rubino Home Ventures and Lake George Vacay
Rubino Home Ventures, Lake George Vacay
Episode: VRS629 - From Digital Guides to Donut Walls: Inside a Next-Gen Guest Experience

Host

Heather Bayer
Host of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, Heather Bayer is an experienced property management professional, author, and blogger. With extensive knowledge of the vacation rental industry, she provides guidance on optimizing rental operations and enhancing guest experiences.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 275 ratings
  • Top Show!

    Thank you, Heather for sharing your wealth of information and expertise in this booming industry where it is easy to get lost among the giants.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Walter the Pole Vaulter
    Canada8 months ago
  • My favorite podcast.

    I’ve listened to every episode since June of 2017 and bought my first STR in August of 2017. By far the most informative and useful podcast about the STR market. Two thumbs way up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crüefan
    United States2 years ago
  • Expert advice and thoughtful conversations

    Heather is so wonderful in her interactions with guests. I’ve never met her but feel we are already friends. I’ve listened to so many of her episodes and continue to be challenged and learn. As a guest on the podcast, I found Heather’s professionalism exceptional but more than that she is the real deal, warm, kind and encouraging. She is a pioneer in this industry and has offered endless content and advice we can all learn from. I love that she is a continual learner and is so committed to this ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    goodwinfamily7
    United States3 years ago
  • Amazing resource

    Great solid advice from the amazing Fairy Godmother of short term rentals.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hostesswithmostess
    United States3 years ago
  • Great actionable content

    This is my favorite podcast to listen to for STR content. It’s no fluff! Just loaded with incredible, actionable content. Thank you for all the time you put into this amazing resource for your listeners!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Lodge on Twinkle Lane
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The content is described as actionable and focused, with many expressing gratitude for the insights that help improve their rental businesses.
Listeners appreciate the wealth of information and expertise shared, citing it as a significant resource for both new and seasoned vacation rental hosts.
The host is praised for her friendly, supportive demeanor and her ability to simplify complex topics within the vacation rental industry.

Top Investing Podcasts

The Ramsey Show
The Ramsey ShowRamsey Network
Prof G Markets
Prof G MarketsVox Media Podcast Network
Wake Up to Wealth
Wake Up to WealthBrandon Brittingham
Odd Lots
Odd LotsBloomberg
The Science of Flipping
The Science of FlippingJustin Colby, Bleav
Motley Fool Money
Motley Fool MoneyThe Motley Fool
Money Guy Show
Money Guy ShowBrian Preston and Bo Hanson
Financial Audit
Financial AuditCaleb Hammer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

VRS643 – How Voice AI Can Elevate Hospitality Without Losing the Human Touch – with Eliseo Palous
Q: What should property managers focus on regarding AI adoption?
Property managers should focus on guest communication and data entry, which are universally applicable across all sizes of vacation rental operations, rather than trying to adopt every new tool at once.
VRS643 – How Voice AI Can Elevate Hospitality Without Losing the Human Touch – with Eliseo Palous
Q: What does human AI collaboration actually look like?
Human AI collaboration involves using AI for tasks that free up employees' time, allowing them to focus on creative guest experiences and enhance service quality without the burden of repetitive tasks.
VRS639 - Optimizing for AI: What Short-Term Rental Brands Need to Know About GEO and the Future of Search with Neely Khan
Q: What would be one actionable tip for listeners to improve their website copy for AI search?
Conduct a self-audit on your website to ensure clarity about what you do, where you're based, and your unique offerings.
VRS633 - The Trustology: The Secret to a Successful Direct Booking Strategy with Chris Maughan
Q: How and when should hosts assess their trust marketing strategies?
Hosts should view trust as an ongoing strategy, constantly analyzing and improving their approach as new methods emerge to enhance guest confidence.
VRS633 - The Trustology: The Secret to a Successful Direct Booking Strategy with Chris Maughan
Q: What do you think is the most important aspect of creating trust in your listings?
Creating a specific trust page and highlighting safety measures are essential, but it should communicate why guests can trust your brand.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Vacation Rental Success

What is Vacation Rental Success about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the vacation rental industry, this podcast offers an array of insights aimed at both novice and experienced hosts. The episodes cover pivotal strategies related to optimizing short-term rental businesses, leveraging technology including AI, and establishing strong relationships with guests and homeowners. Notable discussions delve into the importance of direct bookings, pricing strategies around major events, and practical advice to enhance guest experiences. Unique perspectives from industry experts further enrich the content, making it an essential resource for those looking to navigate the complexities of vacation rental management.

Where can I find podcast stats for Vacation Rental Success?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Vacation Rental Success. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Vacation Rental Success and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Vacation Rental Success get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Vacation Rental Success, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Vacation Rental Success?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Vacation Rental Success, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Vacation Rental Success have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Vacation Rental Success has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Vacation Rental Success?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Vacation Rental Success:

1. BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast
2. Real Estate Rookie
3. Alex and Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals
4. Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management
5. The Ramsey Show

How many episodes of Vacation Rental Success are there?

Vacation Rental Success launched 13 years ago and published 647 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Vacation Rental Success?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Vacation Rental Success?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Vacation Rental Success from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Vacation Rental Success?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Vacation Rental Success. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Vacation Rental Success?

Recent guests on Vacation Rental Success include:

1. Eliseo Palous
2. Stacey St. John
3. Jake Mast
4. Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh
5. Dennis Goedheit
6. Jenn Boyles
7. Humphrey Bowles
8. Louis Andrews

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days