Why should you watch vacation rental TV shows?

Running a short‑term rental is a constant balancing act — design, pricing, guest experience, branding, operations. And while blogs and courses help, sometimes the best inspiration comes from somewhere unexpected: TV shows.

The right shows don’t just entertain. They reveal:

• how to design a space guests actually book
• how to fix the guest‑experience issues hurting your reviews
• how to position your rental to charge more
• how to stand out in a crowded Airbnb market

Whether you’re a new host or managing multiple properties, these shows offer real, practical lessons you can apply immediately.

Below, you’ll find the most valuable Airbnb and vacation rental TV shows — and exactly what each one teaches you about running a more profitable, memorable short‑term rental.

Quick Comparison Table 

Show	Platform	What You Learn	Best For
Instant Hotel	Netflix	Guest expectations, competition, scoring	New hosts
Stay Here	Netflix	Branding, design, revenue strategy	Hosts wanting higher ADR
Motel Makeover	Netflix	Renovation ROI, guest experience	Hosts planning upgrades
Amazing Interiors	Netflix	Unique concepts, niche appeal	Hosts wanting to stand out
Designing Miami	Netflix	Luxury design, premium positioning	High‑end rentals
The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals	Netflix	Niche positioning, experience design	All hosts
Set‑Jetting(Trend): TV & Movie Homes You Can Stay In	Airbnb Icons	Experience‑driven design, storytelling	Themed & experiential stays

1. Instant Hotel

Where to watch: Netflix

Instant Hotel follows Australian hosts competing to prove who runs the best short‑term rental. Because contestants stay in each other’s properties and score them brutally honestly, the show reveals exactly what guests notice — and what they won’t forgive.

What Hosts Learn

• Guests judge the entire experience, not just décor.
• Small annoyances (noise, unclear instructions, poor lighting) destroy reviews.
• Value perception matters more than luxury.
• Authenticity beats over‑styling.

How to Apply It

• Audit your property as if you were a guest.
• Fix friction points: Wi‑Fi clarity, mattress quality, lighting, parking.
• Add a “wow moment” guests remember.

Clear communication is essential for 5‑star reviews — Zeevou’s unified inbox keeps all guest messages organised. 

2. Stay Here

Where to watch: Netflix

Stay Here is one of the most practical shows for STR hosts. Designer Genevieve Gorder and real‑estate expert Peter Lorimer transform struggling rentals into profitable, guest‑ready businesses.

What Hosts Learn

• Branding is essential — not optional. Once your brand is set, you can automate your Airbnb business to scale without extra admin. 
• Design must serve the guest, not the host.
• Professional photos dramatically increase bookings.
• Amenities must match your target audience.
• Listing descriptions are sales pages.

How to Apply It

• Create a simple brand identity: name, colours, story.
• Add one signature feature that photographs well.
• Invest in professional photography.
• Rewrite your listing to highlight benefits, not features.

3. Motel Makeover

Where to watch: Netflix

This series follows two entrepreneurs transforming a rundown motel into a boutique, Instagram‑ready destination — a masterclass in ROI‑driven design and experience‑led hospitality.

What Hosts Learn

• Renovations must pay for themselves.
• Cohesive branding beats expensive materials.
• Instagram‑friendly design drives bookings.
• Guest experience starts with layout and flow.
• Small details create emotional impact.

How to Apply It

• Choose a clear design theme and stick to it.
• Prioritise high‑impact upgrades: lighting, paint, textiles.
• Add at least one Instagrammable feature.
• Improve entryways and outdoor spaces.

Smooth turnovers matter as much as design — Zeevou’s housekeeping management helps maintain consistency. 

4. Amazing Interiors

Where to watch: Netflix

This show highlights homes that look ordinary outside but reveal extraordinary interiors — a goldmine for hosts wanting to stand out.

What Hosts Learn

• Unique sells.
• A strong concept beats expensive décor.
• Instagrammable features drive organic marketing.
• Niche design creates loyal audiences.
• Surprise and delight boost reviews.

How to Apply It

• Add one bold, photogenic feature.
• Create a “wow moment” at entry.
• Build a micro‑theme around your property.
• Style a photo‑worthy corner.

Unique stays convert better when paired with a strong direct booking engine. 

5. Designing Miami

Where to watch: Netflix

This show follows two luxury designers creating high‑end homes — perfect inspiration for hosts targeting premium guests.

What Hosts Learn

• Luxury is about intention, not price.
• Consistency creates a high‑end feel.
• Lighting transforms a space.
• Premium guests expect refinement.
• Storytelling sells.

How to Apply It

• Upgrade textiles first.
• Use symmetry for visual calm.
• Add layered lighting.
• Stick to a cohesive colour palette.
• Style surfaces intentionally.

6. The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals

Where to watch: Netflix

This is the most relevant STR show in 2025. It showcases real, bookable properties worldwide — from treehouses to eco‑retreats — and explains why they succeed.

What Hosts Learn

• Niche properties outperform generic ones.
• Experience is the product.
• Unique amenities drive bookings.
• Storytelling shapes guest expectations.
• Differentiation beats location.

How to Apply It

• Identify your property’s niche.
• Add one signature feature that photographs beautifully.
• Rewrite your listing to highlight the experience.
• Curate small touches that reinforce your theme.

7. Set‑Jetting (Trend): TV & Movie Homes You Can Stay In

• Where to explore: Airbnb Icons

Set‑jetting — travelling to places featured in TV shows and movies — has become one of the biggest travel trends of 2024–2025. Instead of watching fictional worlds on screen, guests now want to step inside them. Airbnb has leaned into this trend with its Icons collection, offering stays inspired by major franchises, artists, and cinematic experiences. Many real filming locations are also now bookable as short‑term rentals.

For hosts, set‑jetting is a powerful reminder that experience‑driven design and storytelling can transform even simple spaces into high‑demand stays.

What Hosts Learn

• Guests want to feel part of a story, not just stay in a room.
• Themed and experiential stays outperform generic ones, even in average locations.
• Pop‑culture‑inspired design drives organic marketing — guests share it everywhere.
• Experiences matter more than amenities when it comes to emotional impact.
• Nostalgia sells, especially when tied to familiar aesthetics or cinematic vibes.

How to Apply It

• Create a subtle theme inspired by a vibe, not a copyrighted franchise (e.g., retro glam, coastal chic, neon‑noir, cabin escape).
• Add one cinematic feature: a projector wall, neon sign, styled reading nook, or dramatic lighting moment.
• Curate a “set‑jetting moment” — a photo‑worthy corner guests will want to post.
• Build a micro‑story into your listing description to shape expectations.

If your themed stay appears on multiple platforms, a channel manager helps you sync availability and avoid double bookings. 

Final Thoughts

Vacation rental TV shows aren’t just entertainment — they’re free masterclasses in design, branding, guest experience, and revenue strategy. Each episode gives you a behind‑the‑scenes look at what makes a property unforgettable, what guests truly value, and how small decisions can dramatically impact your bottom line. Tools like the property management system at Zeevou help automate the operations these shows highlight.

Whether you’re a first‑time host or managing a growing portfolio, these shows offer real, actionable insights you can apply immediately. Think of them as creative fuel — a way to sharpen your instincts, spark new ideas, and stay ahead of evolving guest expectations.

Want to turn inspiration into real results? Book a free consultation call with Zeevou and learn how to automate your operations, improve guest experience, and grow your STR business with confidence.