Sometimes, one small change can have a huge impact on your business.

In the penultimate mini episode of The Accommodation Show, I sat down with Julie George, author of Million Dollar Host, to talk about one simple yet brilliant tip that can help you stand out in 2025. This isn’t about big budgets or major renovations—it’s about creating a memorable guest experience that drives better reviews, more repeat bookings, and higher revenue.

If you're looking for a fresh idea to kickstart your inspiration for the year ahead, this episode is for you.

Julie shares a surprisingly simple way to surprise and delight your guests—something that keeps them engaged until the very last day of their stay and makes them want to book again.

It’s the small details that make the biggest difference.

SHOW LINKS:

📌 Julie George’s Website – https://www.milliondollarhost.com.au

#GuestExperience #SurpriseAndDelight #StandOut2025

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - Introduction

00:44 - Behind the Scenes at the Head State Conference

00:51 - Biggest 2024 Takeaways for Accommodation Hosts

01:30 - Surprise and Delight: Transforming Guest Experiences

01:56 - The Genius Lockbox Idea That Guests Will Love

03:20 - Wrapping Up: Final Insights

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What makes guests choose one property over another?

Is it the price? The location? The number of bedrooms?

While all of those factors matter, the reality is your property needs to stand out from the moment a guest lays eyes on it, whether that’s on an OTA, your website, or social media.

This episode is part of my special mini-series where I sit down with top industry professionals and ask them:

“What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”

With competition heating up and guest expectations rising, it’s no longer enough to simply list your property and hope for the best. You need to make strategic updates to ensure your property gets seen, booked, and remembered.

I sat down with Craig Westaway from BNB Booking, a short-term rental legend who manages some of Australia’s most sought-after high-end properties. Craig has built a business around delivering an exceptional guest experience—one that drives repeat bookings and higher nightly rates.

Craig’s answer?

Optimisation is …

SHOW LINKS:

📌 BNB Booking Website – https://bnbbooking.com.au

📌 Follow Craig on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-westaway

#ListingOptimisation #GuestExperience #MoreBookings2025

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:31 Overview of B&B Booking

01:24 Challenges in Short-Term Rentals

02:29 Importance of Quality and Experience

05:48 Tips for 2025 and Listing Optimization

09:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Regulation. A rule or directive made and maintained by an authorityThe act of controlling or maintaining something according to a system or standardRegulation often sparks fear in our industry, but what if it could also bring legitimacy, stability, and long-term success?This season on The Accommodation Show, I’ve been sitting down with industry leaders to ask one simple but powerful question: “What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”For many property managers, regulation is the elephant in the room; it’s unpredictable, ever-changing, and, let’s be honest, a little terrifying. The uncertainty around new rules can make it hard to plan ahead, and some hosts are worried about how these changes will affect their business.That’s why, in this episode, I spoke with Eacham Curry, Senior Director of Government & Corporate Affairs at Expedia Group, to uncover his top tip for 2025.SHOW LINKS:Expedia Group: https://www.expedia.com/ #FutureProofYourRental#RegulationInsights#AccommodationGrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Meet Eacham Curry: Role and Expertise01:13 Why Regulation Matters for Short-Term Rentals03:11 Understanding the Current Regulatory Landscape05:53 How to Engage with Local Councils on Regulation08:53 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.