The Accommodation Show

22/10/2025

Discover how Hello Queenstown scaled from a few Airbnbs to nearly 150 properties in just two years.

From acquisitions and branding to in-house cleaning and developer partnerships, this episode is packed with lessons on service, mindset, and scaling smart.

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qev3zqfn9zI

20/10/2025

In this episode of The Accommodation Show, we continue our Building It series with Tim Mortimer, founder of BNB Made Easy, one of the fastest growing short-term rental brands in regional Australia.

What started in Tim’s garage with one listing has grown into a thriving operation with 200+ properties across four markets. But what makes his story so compelling is how he built it: thoughtful planning, community roots, operational discipline, and a strong sense of purpose.

🎯 If you're in the accommodation industry, whether it's short-term rentals, motels, hotels, or boutique stays, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Tim shares the exact strategies he used to scale smart, hire well, and systemise the business without losing what made it special.

👇 Ready to grow your short-term rental business without burning out? This episode is for you.In this episode of The Accommodation Show, we continue our Buil...

15/10/2025

From 1 to 250+ properties in under two years. Tim Mortimer breaks down the playbook: clear values, smart tech, and relentless focus on service. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp0mT_gdq8E&t=2s

10/10/2025

In this episode of The Accommodation Show, I sit down with Alexandra and Tom Ormerod, the powerhouse duo behind Luxico, Australia’s premier luxury villa rental brand and now stars of the brand-new global reality TV series, Billion Dollar Playground.

🎬 Billion Dollar Playground is now streaming on BINGE, Foxtel, BBC iPlayer, and airing in Canada, New Zealand, and more. We lift the lid on what it takes to build a luxury short-term rental business – and then turn it into a TV show broadcast around the world.

In this episode of The Accommodation Show, I sit down with Alexandra and Tom Ormerod, the powerhouse duo behind Luxico, Australia’s premier luxury villa rent...

07/10/2025

From luxury chaos to reality TV gold, Alex and Tom Ormerod of Luxico take us behind The Billion Dollar Playground.

🐾 Every call, every drama, every surprise guest (including the dog) was real. No scripts, no retakes. Watch the

full episode here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWE5lCukSYY&t=43s

06/10/2025

In this episode, I sit down with Ronda Amende, founder of TimeOut, a charity that connects terminally ill people and their families with donated holiday homes across New Zealand. Her story is honest, moving, and an incredible reminder of the human side of what we do in accommodation.

💡 We often focus on occupancy rates, automation, and scale — but what if a few unused nights could change someone’s life? What if your business could make a difference without costing you a thing?

Ronda and I dive into what it means to lead with heart, the power of community, and how kindness can become your most valuable brand asset. Whether you manage five listings or five hundred, this conversation will shift how you think about success, impact, and contribution.

This one is deeply personal, and I’m so glad I get to share it with you.In this episode, I sit down with Ronda Amende, founder of TimeOut, a charity that con...

29/09/2025

🧱 Building It: Becoming a CEO When No One Hands You the Title 👔

This week, we go beyond scaling businesses and get into what it takes to lead them.

Shaun Shirazian is the CEO of Lodgify, one of the top tech platforms for short-term rental hosts around the world. But his story did not start in boardrooms. It started in Dallas, raised by immigrant parents, learning to hustle, build, and reflect.

In this episode, Shaun shares what it really takes to become a CEO. We talk about impostor syndrome, asking for what you want, leading teams you used to be part of, and why clarity, not constant hustle, is the mindset shift that matters most.

If you have ever wondered whether you are ready to lead, this one is for you.

🧱 Building It: Becoming a CEO When No One Hands You the Title 👔This week we go beyond scaling businesses and get into what it takes to lead them.Shaun Shir...

25/09/2025

This episode is all about the leap. The grit. And the reality of building a startup from scratch in the short-term rental world. If you've ever stared at a clunky check-in system or juggled five tools just to welcome a guest, this one's going to hit close to home.

Our guest is Michael O’Connell, founder of Happy Guest; a smart, frictionless platform designed to simplify guest journeys from check-in to check-out. Before launching Happy Guest, Michael led strategic sales and partnerships at Turno and worked across the STR tech landscape. He knew the chaos operators were facing and decided to fix it.

This is a raw, honest chat about what it really takes to go from idea ➡️ ex*****on. Michael opens up about the sacrifices, burnout, and brutal clarity needed to survive the startup rollercoaster, without a fancy VC cheque.

This episode is all about the leap. The grit. And the reality of building a startup from scratch in the short-term rental world. If you've ever stared at a c...

24/09/2025

Your conference ROI depends on 5 to 10 conversations. Do you know who they are?

Conferences can triple your business if you show up with the right plan. In this episode, I’m joined by Simon Lehmann (AJL Atelier), Yoav Tourel (Guesty & ASTRA), and Aaron Taylor (BNB Made Easy & ASTRA) to reveal how to turn events into real ROI.

🎥 Full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzhIr4GSpP4

22/09/2025

In this episode, I’m chatting with Simon Sechusi, co-founder of SuiteOp. Simon’s journey from a 400-unit property management business to raising $3M for his new platform is filled with insights and real talk about what it takes to scale in the accommodation space.

🏠 We dive into:

How he grew SoSuite from a single listing in Philly to 400+ units.
Why master leases worked — and didn’t — in his market.
The decision to build their own tech in-house (and how that pivoted their business).
The realities of raising $3M (not just the headlines — the real story).

Key lessons on risk, scaling, and how to know when it’s time to rethink your ops.

💡 If you’re running a hotel, short-term rental business, or thinking about expanding, this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Simon Sechusi, co-founder of SuiteOp. Simon’s journey from a 400-unit property management business to raising $3M for his ...

16/09/2025

We’re back with another instalment of Building It, where we dive in with founders who didn’t just dream big, they built big. This time, I’ve got Marcus Rader, co-founder and CEO of Hostaway, sharing how he turned a scrappy start-up into a global powerhouse PMS for the short-term rental world. If you’re curious about what it takes to go from zero to a near-unicorn (and do it without losing your mind or soul), this one’s for you.

In this episode, Marcus shares the mindset that’s powered Hostaway’s growth, less about shiny marketing campaigns and more about solving real problems for real people. He explains why focusing on your guests’ needs is the surest way to win, and how you can apply these lessons to your own accommodation business. We also dig into the challenges of raising capital, scaling smart, and how to balance ambition with the daily grind. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and the confidence to think bigger, no matter what stage you’re at.

We’re back with another instalment of Building It, where we dive in with founders who didn’t just dream big, they built big. This time, I’ve got Marcus Rader...

16/09/2025

🚀 “It’s really important to stay focused on the growth.”

Dennis Goedheid, founder of Casiola, reveals why many property managers stall when they focus only on operations instead of sales. His advice: keep your eyes on growth to hit your targets.

👉 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwPdXX67GCI