Ep 59 - 18 Years of Hosting, 5-Star Standards, and the Ultra-Personal Model with Geoff Gedge

In this episode of Superhosts Down Under, hosts Ray Yee and Silvia are joined by short-term rental industry veteran Geoff Gedge. Geoff shares his incredible 18-year hosting journey and the secrets behind maintaining a near-perfect 5.0-star track record. We dive deep into his properties—Bluegums Retreat and Kurrajong Retreat in beautiful Hepburn Springs, Victoria—and discuss how he navigates multi-platform listings across Airbnb, Stayz, and Booking.com. Geoff also opens up about his innovative, "ultra-personal" hosting concept where he lives alongside guests to act as a local guide, finishing the experience with a community-first dinner finale. Finally, as an Airbnb Ambassador and Host Advisory Board member, Geoff shares his perspective on advocacy and the future of true hospitality in Australia.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• ​
• ​The 18-Year Origin Story & Portfolio: Geoff discusses starting out on Stayz back in 2008 and joining Airbnb in 2013, highlighting how the regional short-term rental landscape has evolved over nearly two decades.
• ​
• ​The Multi-Platform Juggle: Practical insights into seamlessly managing calendars and guest experiences across Airbnb, Booking.com, and Stayz without double bookings.
• ​
• ​The Ultra-Personal Model: Geoff breaks down his fascinating pivot to staying with guests at Bluegums Retreat, acting as a professional guide, and navigating the social dynamics and boundaries involved.
• ​
• ​A Community-First Dinner Finale: How hosting a farewell dinner at a local restaurant fundamentally changes a guest's connection to the local region.
• ​
• ​The Secret to a 5.0-Star Rating: The operational non-negotiables of running a top-tier listing in a competitive wellness destination like Hepburn Springs, plus tips on balancing hands-on prep with outsourcing.
• ​
• ​Leadership & Host Advocacy: Insights from Geoff's work on the Airbnb Host Advisory Board and his role as an official Ambassador advocating for Australian hosts.
• ​
• ​Evolving the Hosted Experience: Looking ahead to the next stage of Geoff's hosting career and the enduring legacy of hospitality.
• ​

About the Guest:

Geoff Gedge is an Airbnb Ambassador, Host Advisory Board member, and long-time hospitality host operating in Hepburn Springs, Victoria.

Explore Geoff's Listings:

• ​
• ​Bluegums Retreat — Airbnb Listing 1
• ​
• ​Kurrajong Retreat — Airbnb Listing 2
• ​
• ​Hepburn Springs Property — Airbnb Listing 3

• ​@geoff.gedge

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team:

• ​
• ​Ray's South Yarra Airbnb
• ​
• ​Silvia's Airbnb
• ​