The little details. The best vacations.
Musings
Thoughts on destinations, memorable trips, and the small things that make them special.
You Waste More Food on Vacation Than at Home. Here's the Easy Fix.
A peer-reviewed Ohio State study found travelers waste more food in a rental than at home, about $12 a night. Here is why it happens, and the simple packing ...
The 5-Star Touch Most Hosts Miss: Helping Guests Waste Less Food
Only 21 percent of hosts help guests handle leftover food, yet most guests wish they would. Here is the small, five-star touch that cuts waste and earns bett...
Which Condiments Go Bad Fastest, and What to Leave Instead
Some condiments keep almost forever, and a few turn long before you would think to check. Here is which ones spoil fastest, which ones you can count on, and ...
Airbnb Welcome Basket Ideas: What Guests Actually Want When They Arrive
Most welcome baskets look nice and do very little. Here is what guests actually use in those first few hours, from arrival snacks to an easy first breakfast,...
Do You Have to Leave Condiments for Airbnb Guests? A Host's Guide
You do not have to leave condiments for guests, but a few thoughtful, sealed basics can make the stay easier and nudge your reviews in the right direction. H...
Best Things to Do on a 3 Day Trip to Beaufort, South Carolina
Alligators, waterfront seafood, Spanish-moss and live oaks — here's my favorites guide to the best things to do on a three-day trip to Beaufort and Port Roya...
What Made a Small Vacation Rental Feel Magical
We stayed in a tiny two-bedroom cottage above the Beaufort marsh — and it turned out to be one of our favorite rentals ever. Here's what made a small space f...
Why Your Cleaning Crew Just Cost You a Repeat Booking
Getting a first booking is a marketing problem. Photos, listing copy, pricing. You know how to do this — or the resort or property manager is doing it for yo...
Let The People Lounge!
I can't count the number of vacation villas and condos I've rented. After 20 years of obsessing over the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and the US coasts, I've d...
5 Easy Ways to Get Better Airbnb Reviews (Hint: Start in the Kitchen)
Guest expectations have shifted — and the kitchen is where five-star reviews are won or lost. Five easy, low-cost ways to get better Airbnb reviews.
The Complete Vacation Rental Kitchen Checklist for Hosts
A great vacation rental kitchen doesn't have to be expensive — it just has to be thoughtful.