14 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Airbnb | S02E42
Tue Jun 24 2025
In this episode of The Hospitality Edge, we dive into what it really takes to thrive in a high-risk, high-reward short-term rental market. Sebastian Humbert, co-owner and founder of Tropicalia Puerto Rico, shares the raw truth about platform dependency, business reinvention, and building a resilient rental operation on an island where the lights don’t always stay on — literally.
From Hurricane Maria to Airbnb delistings, Sebastian has weathered it all. His experience isn’t just a survival story — it’s a masterclass in smart adaptation.
What You'll Learn:
The real dangers of relying too heavily on Airbnb
How to adapt your STR model in unpredictable markets
Why Sebastian shifted from arbitrage to full-service management
How to set expectations with property owners from day one
What makes a guest experience truly unforgettable — even during a power outage
Simple, scalable strategies to stand out in a saturated listing market
How to prepare your business for the next OTA algorithm shift
Whether you're just starting out or scaling past 50+ units, this episode will change the way you think about platforms, risk, and resilience in the short-term rental space.
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In this episode of The Hospitality Edge, we dive into what it really takes to thrive in a high-risk, high-reward short-term rental market. Sebastian Humbert, co-owner and founder of Tropicalia Puerto Rico, shares the raw truth about platform dependency, business reinvention, and building a resilient rental operation on an island where the lights don’t always stay on — literally. From Hurricane Maria to Airbnb delistings, Sebastian has weathered it all. His experience isn’t just a survival story — it’s a masterclass in smart adaptation. What You'll Learn: The real dangers of relying too heavily on Airbnb How to adapt your STR model in unpredictable markets Why Sebastian shifted from arbitrage to full-service management How to set expectations with property owners from day one What makes a guest experience truly unforgettable — even during a power outage Simple, scalable strategies to stand out in a saturated listing market How to prepare your business for the next OTA algorithm shift Whether you're just starting out or scaling past 50+ units, this episode will change the way you think about platforms, risk, and resilience in the short-term rental space.