From Flipping to Flourishing: How Wendy Doris Transformed Her Short-Term Rentals with Direct Bookings

In the world of short-term rentals, standing out is essential, and Wendy Doris, owner of Mostess, has mastered this art. With properties located in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Prescott, and Cottonwood, Arizona, Wendy's journey from house flipper to a successful short-term rental host has been nothing short of inspiring.

From House Flipping to Hosting

Wendy's entry into the short-term rental market was initially driven by necessity. "I got started in short-term rentals when I was flipping houses and decided to try to branch out a little bit," Wendy explains. Facing the challenge of unsold properties, she saw an opportunity: why not turn these houses into short-term rentals? This decision led her to explore platforms like Airbnb, but eventually, Wendy found her way to Hospitable's direct feature, a move that has significantly shaped her business.

Why Hospitable?

As Mostess began to grow, Wendy faced the common challenges that come with managing multiple properties—coordinating with the cleaning team, communicating with guests, and keeping track of bookings. "We started using Hospitable because we were growing to maybe three to five properties, and the text messaging between our team, primarily the cleaning team, and trying to message the guests was just all over the place," Wendy recalls. The solution? Consolidating all communications and calendars into one platform.

One of the standout features that drew Wendy to Hospitable was its automated messaging system. "We really, really liked that we could have automated messaging," she says. This early decision to streamline operations through Hospitable laid the groundwork for Mostess' future success.

Embracing Direct Bookings

Wendy has fully embraced Hospitable's direct booking solution, which has allowed her to create a unique brand experience for her guests. "I really like Hospitable's direct booking solution because we can have the little widget on our website," Wendy shares. This widget allows her to capture direct bookings through a website that features stunning photos and customized page layouts, amplifying her brand's appeal.

But Wendy's success with direct bookings didn't stop at just having a well-designed website. A key to her success has been leveraging a particularly unique property: a Taylor Swift-themed home called Lavender Haze. "Our direct bookings have really taken off primarily because of one home that has exploded on social media," Wendy says. This home has garnered significant attention, leading to features on radio shows and news channels. The result? A flood of direct bookings, far surpassing those on Airbnb.

Wendy has also utilized her network of vendors and partners to drive traffic to her direct booking site. By collaborating with decorators, private chefs, and other service providers, she ensures that guests looking for a special experience are funneled directly to her website rather than third-party platforms.

The Future of Direct Bookings at Mostess

Wendy's experience with Lavender Haze has set a new standard for Mostess. Looking ahead, she plans to replicate this success across all her properties by continuing to focus on direct bookings. "We are looking to build our direct booking, and we are very excited about it," Wendy says. She's committed to creating themed homes that stand out and attract guests directly to her brand.

Her advice to other hosts looking to grow their direct bookings? "Separate yourself from the rest of the herd. How does your home stand out? How does your business stand out? How can you market your business?" Wendy emphasizes the importance of uniqueness and effective marketing. In her view, hosts must go beyond merely listing on platforms like Airbnb and instead focus on creating a special experience that draws guests to their direct booking sites.

A Look at What's Next

As Mostess continues to grow, Wendy is excited about the new features Hospitable is rolling out, particularly the owners' dashboard. "My favorite new release is the owners' page, the owners' dashboard," she says. Having been part of the beta testing, Wendy looks forward to its final release, confident that it will further streamline her operations.

Wendy Doris's journey with Hospitable and direct bookings is a testament to the power of standing out, embracing the host life, and continuously evolving in the short-term rental industry. For those looking to grow their direct bookings, Wendy's story is a great example of finding a niche and sticking with it. Let Hospitable Direct push your business further.