The Unique Hospitality Podcast
The rise of glamping and short-term rentals has created a golden opportunity, but there are a ton of hurdles to navigate. We grill elite operators in the space to arm you with all the knowledge you need ----- “I've been a loyal listener to your podcast, and it’s been a game-changer. The insights have been incredibly valuable" - Remo Kommnick, Owner of Doah House
Episodes
108 episodes
Christmas Special + An Update On the Future of the Podcast
Jacob Halverson joins Nick and Connor for a bumper Christmas special! We discuss our favorite glamping resorts, glamping naughty and nice lists, and our favorite Christmas movies.The podcast also begins with an update on our plans for t...
•
1:17:22
Why Winter Glamping Is a Hidden Goldmine, and How to Exploit It
Sorry for the delay on this week's episode - my laptop is broken!Everybody thinks of glamping as a summer activity, with the sun shining and the leaves in bloom. But have you ever considered glamping in minus 40 temperatures?The...
•
50:35
The Craziest Glamping Site We've Ever Seen
Today's guest is the opposite of every previous operator we've had on the show. And his counter-intuitive strategy may give you your next great idea.Introducing Travis Chambers, Founder of Outpost X. Travis isn't trying to create luxury...
•
57:21
The Secret to 1.2 Million Followers for Your Glamping Site
Derry Green returns to the podcast to reveal his secrets for social media domination. He tells us how Secret Garden Glamping accumulated 1.2 million followers and became an online phenomenon; how he designs his sites around social media engagem...
•
49:00
From Under Canvas to the Grand Canyon - The Story of Jeremy Budge and Backland Glamping
Jeremy Budge was one of the earliest hires at Under Canvas, the pioneering glamping brand that was acquired for over $100 million in 2019. He left Under Canvas at the peak of its powers to start Backland Glamping, a secluded Arizon...
•
1:15:58
The Future of Unique Hospitality - Round Table with Ben Wolff, Isaac French and Zach Busekrus
Today's episode is a special co-production with the "Behind the Stays" Podcast. Zach Busekrus and I were joined by two of the biggest names in the unique hospitality space, Ben Wolff and Isaac French. You'll learn why their philoso...
•
1:20:04
The Glampground with a 94% Occupancy Rate, Celebrity Clientele and a Netflix Show
With daily rates of $800+ per night and near-100% occupancy, Bolt Farm Treehouse is arguably the most successful independent glamping business in North America. Tori Bolt, one half of the husband-wife founding team at Bolt Farm, jo...
•
1:20:46
From Getaway to Nude Campsites - The Story of Topos Ventures
There's a growing class of glamping consultants that cut their teeth at the venture-backed brands like Getaway (now Postcard Cabins) and AutoCamp. The experiences they gained from scaling high-end hospitality quickly equipped them with a wide r...
•
1:17:40
What's the Most Popular Glamping Unit? - Data Deep Dive With Shari Heilala
Connor's boss joins us on the pod this week! Shari Heilala is the Founder of Sage Outdoor Advisory, the leading provider of feasibility studies in the glamping space. Sage have been collecting data on the American glamping industry...
•
1:09:44
How the glamping industry is evolving; how to choose the right form of capital; and how to prepare for a recession - Bryan Auchterlonie (Destination Capital)
Bryan Auchterlonie is one of the most knowledgeable people in the outdoor hospitality space when it comes to capital. Through his firm, Destination Capital, he's worked with some of the biggest players in glamping, including Under Canvas, AutoC...
•
1:13:09
Why Nature Is Everything; How to Listen to Your Guests; and Bootstrapping a Glamping Startup - Blake Smith and Bygnal Dutson
In what's rapidly becoming our favorite episode format, two of the best operators in the business join Nick and Connor in a wide-ranging, round-table glamping discussion. Blake Smith of Walden Retreats and Bygnal Dutson of Open Sky never disapp...
•
1:43:11
Gay Glamping! How Campit Resort Became an LGBTQ+ Haven
We love niche concepts at The Unique Hospitality Podcast, and this week we were delighted to talk LGBTQ+ hospitality with Randy Henry, Ops Manager at Campit Resort in Saugatuck. Campit is a campground that caters specifically (but ...
•
49:16
Meet the Guy Who Builds Hotels for Rockstars
Mike Baxter loves three things: hotels, rock 'n' roll, and partying. That's what led to the creation of House of Gods, a completely immersive rockstar hotel in the heart of Edinburgh.In a wide-ranging conversation applicable to all hosp...
•
56:25
Common Traits of Projects That Get Funded (3 Case Studies)
Nick Parker (Live Oak Bank) returns to the pod! He and Connor have worked on many hospitality projects together, and they have the inside track on the operators that get funding for the unique hospitality developments. You won't be surprised to...
•
1:31:08
Glamping Design Secrets From Autocamp's Former Senior Design Director
AutoCamp is one of the world's biggest glamping brands. After starting small with their first Santa Barbara location in 2013, their growth rate exploded following a $115 million investment from Whitman Peterson, a private equity firm, in 2019.<...
•
1:30:29
How Unreasonable Hospitality Can Transform Your Glamping Business (Book Club Episode 1)
Unreasonable Hospitality is a bestselling book by world-leading restauranteur, Will Guidara. Guidara found fame and fortune through Eleven Madison Park, his high-end New York restaurant that would go on to win 3 Michelin Stars and multiple Jame...
•
1:14:28
Hands-On vs Hands-Off Hospitality - Ben Wolff and Irene Wood Debate
Ben Wolff and Irene Wood are two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the boutique glamping / unique stay space. Despite their similar results, their models of hospitality couldn't be more different.At Onera (Ben's landscape hotel), ...
•
55:31
Why We're Bullish About Glamping; The Hottest Short-Term Rental Markets; and How to Get Your Next Great Hospitality Idea - Zach Busekrus
Unique stay aficionado, Zach Busekrus, is back on the Unique Hospitality Podcast! This week, we discuss the coolest unique stays Zach has come across; why nature gives glamping the edge over hotels; which parts of the US are experiencing a shor...
•
54:17
From Champagne Buttons to Gatorade at Dinner - The Coolest Shit We've Seen In the Industry
A "bring me my champagne" button; zorb balling through Chinatown, and serving Gatorade at dinner. Get your creative hat on, as our aim this week is to give you your next great idea for your unique hospitality business. Nick and Connor a...
•
1:09:03
What Sets Apart the Top 5% of Operators? (P.S. We've Revamped the Podcast)
Welcome to the first episode of The Unique Hospitality Podcast, formerly known as The Start A Glamping Business Podcast! We've revamped the format, with fewer interviews and more deep discussion on the important issues, ideas and challe...
•
1:10:00
Special Episode Part 2 - The Most Important Lessons from 75 Episodes of the Podcast
Welcome to Part 2 of the most important episode we've ever recorded. To celebrate recording 75 episodes of The Start A Glamping Business Podcast, Nick was grilled by regular co-host, Connor Schwab, on the most important lessons he'...
•
32:05
Special Episode Part 1 - The Most Important Lessons from 75 Episodes of the Podcast
Welcome to Part 1 of the most important episode we've ever recorded. To celebrate recording 75 episodes of The Start A Glamping Business Podcast, Nick was grilled by regular co-host, Connor Schwab, on the most important lessons he'...
•
47:01
From Building a Playhouse for Steph Curry's Kids to Owning a Magical Glamping Resort
Tyson Leavitt made his name in a Netflix show where he built a playhouse for Steph Curry's kids, but his best creative work has come at Charmed Resorts, a magical glamping escape in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. Charmed Resorts is truly...
•
32:10