Direct Booking Success: How Scott McAdara Grew His STR Business with Hospitable

When Scott McAdara and his wife first purchased a house on the shores of Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri, back in 2014, they had modest goals—just a weekend getaway that could help pay the mortgage. Little did they know that this first venture into short-term rentals would spark a successful business that now manages over 60 properties. Today, through Branson Lakes Lodging, Scott and his team have embraced the power of direct bookings, thanks in large part to their use of Hospitable.

From Humble Beginnings to Property Management Pros

Scott's journey into short-term rentals (STRs) started simply enough. After purchasing their lake house, it quickly became apparent that demand far exceeded their expectations. The house was booked more often than they could use it themselves, and they realized they had found a business they loved—hosting guests and sharing their home.

In 2022, Scott joined the business full-time, and Branson Lakes Lodging grew from a personal venture into a company managing over 60 properties, with a goal of reaching 100 in the near future. The company has also created a network of local contractors, service providers, and cleaners, contributing approximately $400,000 annually to the local economy. This includes exclusive partnerships with a cleaning company they helped establish, which now has a team of 40 cleaners dedicated solely to their properties.

The Shift to Direct Bookings

Initially, Scott and his team relied on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to get their business off the ground. However, as they developed relationships with their guests, they saw an opportunity to save both guests and themselves money by encouraging direct bookings.

Scott explains, "Once we have those relationships established with our guests, why not save them a little bit of money and save us a little bit of hassle and have them book directly?"

That's where Hospitable came in. Initially, Scott set up Hospitable's Direct Basic feature, which allowed for online payments via Stripe and gave guests an alternative to the big platforms. As direct bookings started to gain traction, Hospitable's Direct Premium feature took things to the next level. With guest verification, guest vetting, and insurance included, it became an easier sell to both owners and guests.

"Having the credit card processing fees rolled into the service fee that gets charged to the guest was huge," says Scott. "Not only are guests saving 8-12% by booking direct, but they also get to interact directly with us. We can help make their experience better than what it could be through the platforms."

How Direct Bookings Impact the Business

In 2023, direct bookings made up 4% of Branson Lakes Lodging's total bookings—a number Scott is working to double by the end of this year. Their strategy? A combination of email campaigns and social media outreach, including Instagram and Facebook, where they promote exclusive offers through their direct booking site.

In fact, their most recent email campaign has already driven more direct bookings than ever, proving that there's ample opportunity to grow outside of traditional STR platforms. Scott attributes part of this success to having a dedicated social media coordinator who has helped elevate their online presence and ensure their messaging resonates with potential guests.

"We had one TikTok that got a million views," Scott recalls. "It was mostly thanks to a popular song, but hey, a million views is a million views! It's a feather in our cap, and we'll take the credit."

The Value of Control with Direct Bookings

One of the key benefits Scott has found with direct bookings is control—both over the guest experience and how their properties are marketed.

"The ability to say yes or no to bookings is fantastic. With Airbnb, there's always that pressure to accept reservations, even if something feels off, for fear of being penalized," Scott explains. "Direct bookings allow us to interact with guests more personally, ensure they're a good fit for our properties, and avoid the risk of being delisted from the platform for issues beyond our control."

For example, Scott shares an incident where a guest didn't bother to read the check-in instructions, went to the wrong building, and even entered the wrong unit—leading to a three-star review despite the mistake being entirely on the guest's end. With direct bookings, he can ensure clear communication and a smoother guest experience without the looming threat of platform penalties.

Looking Ahead

Branson Lakes Lodging continues to thrive, and direct bookings are a growing part of their success story. With Hospitable's tools, Scott and his team are able to offer guests a more personalized and cost-effective way to book their stays, all while maintaining control over their properties and interactions.

"We're always looking for ways to improve and expand what we do," Scott says. "Hospitable has been a great partner in that journey, and we're excited to see where direct bookings take us next."

By leveraging Hospitable's direct booking platform, Scott has turned his Branson STR business into a thriving local ecosystem, building lasting relationships with guests and supporting the local economy—all while reducing dependence on third-party platforms.

For hosts like Scott, the future of short-term rentals is clear: direct bookings aren't just a way to save money—they're a way to take control of your business and deliver a better guest experience.