In this Host Planet Playbook episode – powered by Hospitable – we’re joined by Sab Mulligan from Zzzing, one of the biggest short-term rental operators in Malta.

Sab shares her journey into hosting, how Zzzing has scaled, and what really sets the brand apart in a competitive island market. We dive into delivering outstanding guest experiences, navigating the challenges and opportunities unique to Malta, and the branding and marketing tactics Zzzing uses to drive direct bookings.

From hard-earned lessons to quickfire insights, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for hosts and operators looking to build a stronger, more recognisable short-term rental brand.

1:35 Zzzing – based in Malta and scaling fast

2:01 Sab’s journey into short-term rentals

3:02 The growth of Zzzing

4:10 What makes Zzzing stand out

5:40 How to deliver an outstanding guest experience

7:40 The challenges and opportunities in Malta

11:00 Biggest lesson learned

12:16 Branding and marketing tips

14:50 The marketing tactics to drive direct bookings

16:48 What Sab loves about hosting

17:44 Quickfire questions

Download a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbook

The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with the property management software, Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet

Sab Mulligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinamulligan/

Zzzing: https://www.zzzing.com/

The Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

The Host Planet Podcast is where Airbnb hosts, Booking.com hosts, Vrbo hosts, and short-term rental operators come to learn what actually works. Each episode features expert insights from people actively building, managing, and scaling short-term rentals, covering everything from Airbnb hosting fundamentals to advanced rental strategies. Whether you’re focused on guest satisfaction, rental management, or smarter automation tips, the show delivers practical advice you can apply immediately to improve performance and increase Airbnb bookings.

Across the series, we explore Airbnb host tips, listing optimization, price optimization, and Airbnb listing optimization – alongside real-world investing insights and behind-the-scenes Airbnb secrets you won’t hear elsewhere. From hosted conversations with industry leaders and Airbnb ambassadors to actionable guidance on bookings and short-term rental growth, Host Planet helps hosts navigate short term rentals with confidence and clarity.

The show is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: info@hostplanet.club

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer

Shorter booking windows, unpredictable demand, and more competition – pricing short-term rentals has never been more challenging.

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – we're joined by Siana Vesselinova from PriceLabs to break down the key pricing trends hosts need to understand heading into 2026. We talk about how to respond to last-minute bookings without panic discounting, why local market data matters more than ever, and how to optimise minimum stays and listings to maximise revenue.

This video examines whether reducing rates too soon is a misstep for property managers, emphasising the importance of data analysis for informed decision making. Instead of relying on broad market trends, hosts should focus on leveraging data to understand their hyper-local context. We explore effective pricing strategies and the need for thorough market analysis to maintain competitive rates.

If you want to price with confidence – not fear – this episode is for you.

0:12 Emerging trends hosts need to be aware of

1:12 How hosts can deal with a shortening booking window

3:16 The booking patterns from 2025 which will continue in 2026

4:56 Hold your nerve – don’t tank your rates too quickly!

6:53 Understand what’s going on locally to set your rates accordingly

8:34 PriceLabs helps you get pricing right

9:20 How to maximise revenue – get your minimum stay strategy right

12:29 How to optimise your listing

16:02 Siana’s recommended checklist for hosts heading into 2026

18:36 Attend the Host Planet Roadshow – network and learn to grow your STR business

21:51 Hosts outperform the market when they adapt to clear market shifts

24:12 Meeting hosts and property managers across the UK

PriceLabs Listing Optimizer: https://hello.pricelabs.co/listing-optimizer/

Looking for a great property management software or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo

Email Frank: frank@hostfully.com

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Siana Vessilinova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianavesselinova13/

PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/?utm_source=hostplanet&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hostplanet&utm_term=hp

Episode to check next: Is Your Direct Booking Website Useless?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGewt3ZV6UA&t=397s

Host Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: info@hostplanet.club

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #PriceLabs #DynamicPricing #Rates #Money #Data #Analysis

Managing pet-friendly short-term rental properties comes with its own challenges – especially when it comes to cleanliness and odours.

In this Host Planet Bitesize episode – powered by Hostfully – Sean Kemper from ETI Solutions shares practical tips on keeping odours out of your property, managing pet hair, and setting up the right cleaning processes to maintain five-star standards. From prioritising cleaning tasks to training your team and even leaving the right products for guests, this episode is packed with actionable advice for pet-friendly hosts.

1:54 How to keep odours out of the property

3:25 Understand your cleaning priorities for pets

5:37 Dealing with pet hair

6:57 Get your cleaning processes right

7:46 Implement the knowledge and training

9:16 Leave cleaning products for guests to clean up (if necessary!)

10:03 ETI Solutions

Looking for a great property management software or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo

Email Frank: frank@hostfully.com

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Sean Kemper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-kemper-51958312/

ETI Solutions: https://dropngocleaningproducts.com/

Episode to check next: The 5 Automations Every STR Host Needs to Scale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nszD2cXYM8&t=1s

Host Planet Bitesize is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: info@hostplanet.club

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #SeanKemper #ETISolutions #Pets #Dogs #Cats