Ep 58 - Leaving Airbnb Behind: David Speirs on Booking.com, Family Hosting, and Haven Retreats in Adelaide

In this episode, Ray and Silvia are joined by David Speirs, an Adelaide-based property investor and former Airbnb superhost who now runs two short-term rentals as a family business under the Haven Retreats brand. The episode opens with Ray's candid update on joining the Guesty multi-channel platform and the unexpected cash flow trade-offs. David then shares why he walked away from Airbnb entirely in favour of Booking.com and direct bookings, and the lessons he's learned along the way.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Ray's experience with Guesty: more channels, more exposure, but a slower monthly payout cycle
• Why David chose Lodgify for direct bookings across Booking.com, Airbnb and VRBO
• Designing a family home with a self-contained downstairs apartment as a revenue stream
• Running short-term rentals as a true family operation, with cleaning, hosting and admin shared between siblings and mum
• Why David left Airbnb despite a 4.9 superhost rating — including the water leak and bar-of-soap reviews that pushed him over the edge
• How Booking.com compares: fewer reviews, less guest chat, and 90%+ occupancy on his Brighton property
• The Middleton Shack story: a retro 1960s surf shack, 2,500 Instagram followers, and 20% direct bookings
• Why David sold the shack along with its website, Instagram and contact database
• Social media tips: professional photography, rotating image libraries, and targeted paid ads
• Giving back: $5 from every stay split between Still Aware and Friends of Osprey, the sea eagle conservation charity David chairs
• Local partnerships, including welcome coffees from Dozy café on Jetty Road, Brighton
• Future plans for a rural Fleurieu Peninsula property near McLaren Vale — farm stay or wedding venue
• David's role as an advocate for the Short Term Accommodation Association of Australia
• The one piece of advice every host should follow: stay in your own property at different times of year

Interview with STRA business owner: David Speirs

David Speirs is an Adelaide-based property investor and short-term rental host with a background in politics, law and conservation. After building a family home with a purpose-designed guest apartment and purchasing a property on Jetty Road, Brighton, David became an Airbnb superhost before transitioning entirely to Booking.com and direct bookings under the Haven Retreats brand. He previously co-owned the Middleton Shack on the Fleurieu Peninsula, chairs Friends of Osprey, and is a volunteer advocate for the Short Term Accommodation Association of Australia.

Website: havenretreats.com.au
Instagram: @havenretreats.adl

Where to stay, hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team

Ray's Airbnbs: raymondyee.com.au/airbnb
Silvia's Airbnb: airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X