Superhosts Down Under with Silvia and Ray

Welcome to Superhost Down Under! In this week's episode, Silvia and Ray tackle the great pet debate: to host or not to host furry friends? We are then joined by Lis, a former magazine decorating editor turned successful farmhouse Airbnb host. Lis shares her origin story of turning an investment property into a highly sought-after rural retreat, the power of professional photography, and her top cleaning hacks for managing large properties.Are you a creator looking to dramatically reduce your marketing workflow? This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Riverside's AI suite handles post-production effortlessly, offering perfectly vertical shorts with dynamic captions, and one-click studio-grade audio.​Special Offer: Try Riverside for free and get 15% off any paid plan using the code REY15.Silvia and Ray discuss their differing views and personal experiences regarding pet-friendly short-term rentals:​The City Apartment (Silvia): Does not allow pets due to space and building constraints. Silvia shares a cautionary tale from a fellow host involving a dog and a hallway wall.​The Traveling Pet Owner (Ray): Traveling with a large Greyhound is tough. While Ray seeks pet-friendly spots on the road, his studio apartment isn't durable or large enough to host pets.​The Farmhouse Approach (Lis): Welcomes pets with a sliding doggy door. She mitigates risks by checking for flea treatments, ensuring current vaccinations, and charging an extra cleaning fee.From Magazine Editor to HostLis turned an investment property in Wairala into a thriving retreat known as the Big Sunny Farmhouse. After dealing with a nightmare long-term tenant, she pivoted to short-term rentals, outfitting the large space with spare furniture to attract families and working teams.Styling & Photography InsightsDrawing from her career as a decorating editor, Lis emphasizes that styling for the camera is everything.​Ditch the iPhone: Professional lighting and photography are non-negotiable for making your listing stand out.​Budget-Friendly Upgrades: Paint old pine furniture white and incorporate cotton tablecloths with distinct accent colors.​Unique Touches: To help rural guests find the driveway, Lis creates custom, arty letterboxes through Letterbox Art.Pricing and Technology​Manual Pricing: Lis found that dynamic pricing tools didn't work for her rural market. She prefers firm cancellation policies and manual pricing.​Direct Websites: Instead of relying entirely on OTAs, Lis built a custom direct booking website to host local maps and provide added value to guests.Cleaning a massive farmhouse is time-consuming. Here is how Lis streamlines the process:​Ditch the Long Checklist: Lis created a hidden page on her website with photos showing cleaners exactly how to arrange towels and set up rooms.​Furniture Sliders: Put sliders under heavy furniture so cleaners can easily push them back to vacuum underneath.​Robo-Vac: Invest in a robot vacuum to clean under beds while human cleaners tackle other tasks.​Color-Coded Linens: Keep three sets of sheets on hand, color-coded by bed size.​BBQ Fees: Leave a polite note with cleaning tips for the BBQ, including a warning that a small fee applies if left excessively dirty.Connect with Lis:​Direct Booking Website: Big Sunny Farmhouse​Airbnb Listing: Lis's Farmhouse Retreat​Custom Letterboxes: Letterbox Art​Instagram: @bigsunnyfarmhouse Other Resources:​Ray's Direct Booking Sites: raymondyee.com.au & lanestay.com.au​Silvia's Airbnb⁠

In this episode, we speak with Lorna Hay, a Western Australia–based superhost, business owner, and operator of multiple successful Airbnb properties across Perth, Darwin, and the Kimberley. Lorna shares how her hosting journey began when her son moved to boarding school and how it grew into a thriving, lifestyle-driven business supported by her trade services company.Alongside Ray and Silvia, Lorna discusses remote hosting, managing cleaners, family-friendly stays, preparing homes for extreme climates, and how her background in plumbing and trades gives her a unique advantage in short-term rental management.In This Episode Silvia’s experience with poor hosting practices in Italy and why first impressions matter Lorna’s transition from family needs to building a short-term rental portfolio How she manages Airbnb properties remotely from a remote region of Australia The importance of strong cleaner and co-host relationships Managing humidity, mold, and tropical climate challenges in Darwin How Airbnb provides creative fulfillment beyond traditional business How her plumbing business, IBAC Plumbing & Trade Services, supports her hosting Advice for hosts wanting to operate in the Northern TerritoryWhere to Find Lorna’s Properties Darwin Property: airbnb.com.au/h/careycove IBAC Plumbing & Trade Services: www.ibacplumbingandtradeservices.com.au Travel Blog & Booking Info: www.deadsettravel.com.au Instagram: @deadsettravelStandard Links Ray's Property⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠Silvia's Property⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠About Superhosts Down UnderHosted by Ray Yee and Silvia, Superhosts Down Under features real stories and practical insights from Australia’s top short-term rental operators. Each episode shares lessons, experiences, and strategies to help hosts deliver exceptional stays and build successful hosting businesses.

DescriptionIn this episode of Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia chat with Karen, host of Rosehaven on Rosebud—a charming 1950s European-style cottage on the Mornington Peninsula. Karen shares how a first-guest backyard party taught her to vet bookings and set clear rules; why final walk-throughs, sustainable cleaning hacks (bicarb, lemon, ultra-fine steel wool), and thoughtful touches help maintain a perfect 5-star record across 24 reviews; and her plans to add Pilates, personal training, and candle-making as experiences for guests. Whether you manage one cottage or multiple listings, you’ll pick up practical systems for fast turnovers, smart supply management, and exceeding guest expectations. [oai_citation:0‡raymond-yees-studio_silvia-karen-ray-oct-15-2025-001.txt](file-service://file-JaBcJKYfMqFBZPEALjvM9G)Links Rosehaven on Rosebud: https://rosehavenonrosebud.godaddysites.com/ Airbnb Listing: Rosehaven on Rosebud Instagram: @rosehaven_on_rosebud Follow us: @superhosts_down_under

In this episode of "Superhost Down Under," we welcome Fei, the owner of Hazel Beach House, to share her journey from being an avid Airbnb guest to a successful host. Join us as we delve into the challenges and joys of managing a coastal property, the importance of community connections, and the art of creating a memorable guest experience. Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, Fei insights and stories offer valuable lessons on navigating the world of Airbnb. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical tips and heartfelt moments.Fei’s Propertyhttps://www.airbnb.com/l/B77AJ7aE@hazelbytheseaConnect with Us:Follow us on Instagram: @superhostdownunderLinks to Ray and Silvia’s Properties: Ray's Property⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠Silvia’s Property – ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠

In this episode of Superhosts Down Under, we speak with Marg, a superhost based in Mount Barker, South Australia. Marg is a vibrant artist, retired mediator, and theatre performer who welcomes guests into her quirky, history-filled home—Fettlers Cottage.Marg shares her unique approach to live-in hosting, how she manages two Airbnb rooms with one shared bathroom, and why transparency, empathy, and human connection are key to her hosting style. We also hear stories of traveling guests, sharing spaces, and how Airbnb has brought friendship and creative energy into her life.Whether you’re a live-in host or thinking of listing your cottage-style home, this episode is packed with reflections, practical tips, and heartwarming stories that will inspire you to open your doors with confidence and creativity.Links to Ray and Silvia’s Properties:Ray’s South Yarra Property –

In this episode, Ray and Silvia sit down with Pierce from Keynest to explore how short-term rental hosts can simplify their Airbnb check-in process, eliminate lockbox confusion, and deliver a seamless guest experience. They discuss the challenges of late arrivals, complicated key handovers, and building restrictions—plus how Keynest’s automated solutions and 24/7 pickup points offer a game-changing approach to property management. Learn about integrations with Airbnb, pay-as-you-go vs. subscription pricing, and upcoming proptech innovations like key lockers. Whether you’re a single host juggling flight delays or a co-host scaling multiple listings, discover how Keynest can streamline your Airbnb hosting operations and boost your check-in ratings.Ray's Property⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠Silvia's Property⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠Direct Message Us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠@superhosts_down_under⁠⁠⁠SponsorKeyNest - 50% off first month coupon code: superhostpodcast50

In this episode ofAirbnb Superhosts Down Under, we chat with Alina Zhao, Director of Coolibah Downs Private Estate in Mount Nathan, Gold Coast. Alina shares her journey from running a wedding venue to expanding into luxury Airbnb stays, offering a blend of nature, relaxation, and retreat-style accommodations. Learn how Alina transformed her family home into a high-demand short-term rental, overcame challenges with large group bookings, and introduced smart tech to manage her properties.Key takeaways:Managing large group bookings with smart tech solutionsThe importance of guest qualification and setting expectationsCreating unique guest experiences with luxury and nature at the forefrontWe also discuss exciting future developments, including luxury modular homes and wellness amenities like saunas and cold plunges. Tune in for inspiring stories and tips for Airbnb hosts looking to expand and diversify!Alina’s propertyhttps://www.airbnb.com/l/JNxMrjsHhttps://www.airbnb.com/l/eaXgUZHIhttps://www.airbnb.com/l/VQOEBoHzRay's Property⁠⁠⁠https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb⁠⁠⁠Silvia's Property⁠⁠⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠⁠⁠Direct Message Us on Instagram⁠⁠⁠@superhosts_down_under⁠⁠⁠SponsorKeyNest - 50% off first month coupon code: superhostpodcast50