Why Every STR Host Should Watch Stay Here
by azulomo | 4 min read
The Azulomo Masterclass Hidden Inside Netflix’s Stay Here
Design, Demand, and Direct Bookings: Lessons from Stay Here
We’ve watched our fair share of property shows — everything from Amazing Vacation Rentals to Interior Design Masters, from Dream Home Makeover to Restaurants on the Edge.
But Stay Here has a different heartbeat. It doesn’t just show renovations. It narrates evolution of space and of mindset.
Each episode opens with hosts who love their properties (well, sometimes obsessively) and shows what happens when passion meets strategy.
The series is equal parts empathetic and analytical, which means as hosts ourselves we find ourselves: Leaning in. Taking notes. Saying things like “Ooh, oh yes, I would do that!”. Or “Oh no, don’t do it that way…” It’s not just binge-worthy television. In a way, it’s actually host education disguised as entertainment;)
The premise sounds simple enough. Interior designer Genevieve Gorder and real estate expert Peter Lorimer step in to transform eight underperforming short-term rentals. But what they are really transforming is mindset. The show reimagines eight struggling short-term rental properties — and the businesses behind them — turning them into confident, income-generating showstoppers that guests actively choose.
Well, he tagline says it all: “Makeover. Make money.” Television-friendly, yes. But that second line? That’s the business. Because design alone does not guarantee bookings. And bookings alone do not guarantee profit. It is the alignment between design, positioning and distribution that changes everything. And this series walks us through that alignment, step by step.
Beautiful spaces attract attention. Structured systems turn attention into revenue.
The Presenters: Why This Works So Well
Part of what makes Stay Here so compelling is the dynamic between Genevieve and Peter.
Genevieve brings instinct. Texture. Narrative. Emotional clarity. She doesn’t just redecorate; she extracts the soul of a space. Peter brings recalibration. Pricing logic. Market awareness. He asks the questions many hosts avoid: Who is this for? Why would they choose it? Are you charging correctly? Are you positioned clearly?
Together, they model something we teach constantly: Design without strategy is decoration. Strategy without design is forgettable. And that’s exactly what azulomo’s Slow Living Hosting Masterclass teaches…
__
The Pattern Every Host Recognises
Every episode follows a rhythm that feels almost uncomfortably familiar:
• A host who deeply loves their property
• A space that is “nice” but not distinctive
• Inconsistent occupancy
• Pricing confusion
• Quiet frustration
Sound familiar? The show gently exposes something we often experience but rarely articulate: Attachment is not strategy. That shift — from emotional to intentional — is the most valuable renovation of all.
Why We Fell in Love With Every Episode
Stay Here is entertaining, aspirational and beautifully shot. But it is also quietly strategic.
Each episode doesn’t just transform a property, it really reframes how we think about hosting. And as we watched, we kept recognising principles we teach inside the azulomo masterclass. Because underneath the styling reveals, there’s a blueprint unfolding. Let’s walk through the episodes the way we experienced them; as hosts, as strategists, and yes, as slightly obsessed viewers.
Episode 1: Seattle Houseboat
The Seattle houseboat may be one of the most romantic transformations in the series. Originally tired and slightly chaotic, it becomes something entirely different: intimate, layered, European boutique in feel, all wrapped in hygge softness.
What we adored was the intentional brand identity. It wasn’t just redecorated. It was named, positioned and emotionally framed as the #seattlelakesidelovenest (that hashtag alone tells you everything…).
It signals:
• Romance
• Intimacy
• Destination appeal
• Searchability
And that is not accidental.
Inside the masterclass, we talk about emotional positioning and brand clarity, how a name, a tone and a clear audience can transform a listing from “available” to “desired.”
This episode proves it. Makeover created visibility. Brand identity created demand.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 2: Malibu Beach House
This one felt like sunshine. The Malibu property already had the million-dollar view. But stunning views don’t automatically convert bookings. What changed everything was the introduction of deliberate “social media moments.” Not gimmicky. Not overdone. Just beautifully framed, Pinterest-worthy nooks. A hammock corner. An ocean-view seating vignette. A place guests instinctively want to photograph. We absolutely loved how subtle it was.
And when they added a second bedroom, something even more strategic happened, the target guest widened. Couples, small groups, families. Revenue potential expanded instantly.
Lesson for hosts:
• A single Instagram moment can multiply exposure
• Layout decisions impact pricing power
• Design influences who feels invited
In the masterclass, we call this engineered shareability. Thoughtful, not theatrical.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 3: Austin Pool Pad
Before the transformation, the Austin Victorian lacked personality despite being in SoCo, one of the coolest areas in town. After? It leaned into Texan charm unapologetically. Cast iron BBQ. Retro Pac-Man machine. Games room with foosball. Outdoor seating that screams “summer night cookout.” It kind of became experiential.
What we loved was how unapologetic it felt. Instead of generic upgrades, it embraced local culture.
Lesson:
• Amenities should reflect location
• Experience beats aesthetic alone
• Playfulness drives memorability
Inside the masterclass, we talk about experiential layering; the difference between furnishing a house and designing a stay. And, well, Austin really nailed that distinction.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 4: Brooklyn Brownstone
This episode hit differently. Gordy, the owner of Yellow Block BnB, made one decision we deeply respect: he didn’t want to spike the prices just because the property was refurbished. That tension between renovation and accessibility is fascinating.
The redesign focused on comfort, flow and sociability, especially in shared areas. The kitchen became a heart space.
What made it novel:
• Large group capacity in NYC is rare
• Multiple bedrooms and baths increase booking flexibility
• Community-centred design enhances perceived value
Lesson:
• Positioning isn’t always about going luxury
• Clarity of audience matters more than price escalation
• Shared spaces influence guest experience ratings
We teach in the masterclass that pricing must align with intention. This episode demonstrates integrity in positioning.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 5: Paso Robles Wine Country Cottage
This cottage transformation felt cinematic. Originally described as “higgledy-piggledy,” it becomes elegant, rustic and wedding-ready. The real hero here? The 40 acres of vineyards framing the private landscaped garden. The show leaned into outdoor positioning rather than square footage limitations.
Lesson:
• Context is currency
• Small interiors can feel expansive with strong external framing
• Niche targeting (destination weddings, wine experiences) increases pricing power
Inside azulomo, we emphasise contextual amplification, how your surroundings can elevate your offering if you lean into them properly. Paso Robles did exactly that.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 6: Hudson River Carriage House
Dating back to 1842, this Hudson Carriage House carries real history. The renovation honours that story rather than erasing it.
But the strategic shift? Adding a self-contained unit on the ground floor.
Suddenly the owner has:
• One full-home rental option
• Two separate unit options
• Flexible pricing structures
• Increased occupancy resilience
This is operational intelligence. And this is also where Lodgify makes its meaningful appearance. One of the principal features of Lodgify’s software is its website builder; enabling hosts to create a professional vacation rental website and take direct bookings. And, in the episode, that moment symbolises something powerful: Ownership.
Instead of being dependent on OTAs alone, the host builds digital infrastructure. As you know, we certainly recommend using Lodgify — and you can read our full review of Lodgify to understand why it aligns so closely with strategic hosting.
Because: Design creates attention. Infrastructure creates margin. This episode beautifully demonstrates both.
Photo: Netflix
Episode 7: Palm Springs Time Machine
This one is pure personality. A perfectly preserved 1969 home that leans unapologetically into 70s California style.
The kitchen renovation doesn’t modernise, no, it restores era authenticity. The Huffington Post described it as a new dream house. And we loved it because it teaches something bold: Differentiation beats neutrality. Strong USP beats safe design. Nostalgia is marketable.
Inside the masterclass, we talk about owning your USP. Palm Springs didn’t soften its identity. It amplified it. That’s courage!
Photo: Netflix
Episode 8: DC Firehouse
The final episode feels historic and emotional. Transforming DC’s first all African-American firehouse into a welcoming residence honours history while creating hospitality. What we loved: The respect for narrative.
The redesign didn’t erase the building’s past. It celebrated it.
Lesson:
• Story adds depth
• History increases emotional weight
• Guests value meaning, not just mattress quality
In the masterclass, we talk about legacy positioning, how cultural and historical context can elevate a stay beyond accommodation. The DC Firehouse does that beautifully.
Photo: Netflix
__
What Stay Here Ultimately Teaches
When you step back, the series quietly reinforces something fundamental:
Makeover creates visibility.
Positioning creates demand.
Infrastructure creates margin.
Partnerships create resilience.
That’s hosting strategy.
At azulomo, this is exactly what we teach. Not just how to make your space look better. But how to make your hosting smarter.
Once you see hosting through that lens, design, distribution, psychology and revenue working together, you truly cannot unsee it. And that’s why we keep pressing play…
The azulomo Masterclass ~ Hosting With Soul
Our Azulomo Hosting Masterclass guides you through every layer of soulful hosting, from emotional design to quiet luxury, from guest psychology to micro-moment rituals.
→ Want to create that kind of guest experience, the kind that doesn’t just impress, but connects? We share exactly how inside the azulomo Hosting Masterclass.
“Stay Here on Netflix is more than a renovation series, it is a strategic blueprint for modern short-term rental hosts. Across eight property transformations, the show reveals how design, positioning, direct booking infrastructure and local partnerships work together to turn charming rentals into profitable, memorable businesses.”
