Ray and Silvia are joined by Stefan Jordana, a Brisbane-based host (and emerging interior designer) behind a colourful, tropical one-bedroom Airbnb nicknamed “The Fishbowl.”

They kick off with a practical host topic: communal facilities in strata buildings—what guests should be allowed to use (pool, gym, rooftop BBQ), what’s often too hard to manage (bookable cinema/dining rooms), and why some residents and building managers default to blaming Airbnb guests when issues arise.

Stefan then shares how he transformed his ground-floor, south-facing unit into an experience-led stay—using statement pieces, lighting, and multi-purpose furniture to solve space and brightness challenges, and to stand out in a market full of “white-on-white” listings. He also breaks down what surprised him most once hosting began, why he chose a co-host/property manager, and what he’s learned about launching confidently while maintaining five-star standards.

The episode wraps with Stefan’s next chapter: documenting his interior design studies and building his brand, with plans to expand his Airbnb portfolio—while keeping an eye on evolving Brisbane short-stay regulation.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Communal facilities in strata buildings: what to allow vs what to avoid (especially bookable amenities)
• Why issues in buildings are often blamed on Airbnb guests first
• How “The Fishbowl” aesthetic came to life and why bold design stands out in search results
• Brightening darker apartments with reflective finishes, white balance, dimmable and mood lighting
• Space-maximising design: storage walls, hidden study, Murphy bed, pull-out sofa and multi-purpose furniture
• What guests actually comment on versus what hosts tend to worry about
• Co-hosting best practices, transparency and communication expectations
• The fine line between helpful guest messaging and over-communication
• Choosing a property manager when quality and detail matter

Guest

Stefan Jordana
Instagram: @stevielarkin_design

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team

Ray’s South Yarra Property
https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5

Ray’s North Melbourne Property
https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3

Silvia’s Property
https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X

This week on Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia are joined by returning guest Tanya, plus Superhost couple Jay and Rod. Tanya shares a recent, highly stressful stay that escalated fast — including late-night Airbnb support contact, refund pressure, a privacy breach, cancellation outcomes, and a retaliatory one-star review. Jay and Rod then share how they built three strong-performing Airbnb listings and a complementary paddleboarding business, plus the systems they use to host reliably even while travelling.

Tanya’s complex guest stay and what hosts can learn

How amenity expectations (like air conditioning) can create disputes

Practical ways to approach Airbnb review disputes (including using policy-based language)

Why one bad review shouldn’t define a good host

Jay and Rod’s journey from early hosting challenges to three cash-flow-positive listings

How they manage operations, cleaning, maintenance, and contingencies

Hosting while travelling internationally: communication, backups, and checklists

Using a local experience business to differentiate the guest experience

Be extremely clear in your listing description about amenities and where they apply (for example, air conditioning location)

If a stay becomes a dispute, document everything and reference Airbnb policy when escalating

Don’t over-optimise for star ratings — focus on consistent service and clear expectations

If you can, self-manage at the start so you understand what “good” looks like before delegating

Reliable cleaners, trades, and simple operating systems make remote hosting realistic

Jay & Rod’s Airbnb listings

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/835771603387295054?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40829555?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/40413091?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

Shoal Bay SUP

www.shoalbaysup.com.au

Instagram: @shoalbaysup

South Yarra Property

https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5

North Melbourne Property

https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3

Silvia’s Property

https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X

Instagram

@superhosts_down_under

This week on Superhosts Down Under, Ray and Silvia sit down with Will from Mel Boutique Property, the operator behind Degraves Street Apartment — a design-led short-term rental tucked into one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways.

Located just moments from cafés, galleries, and the city’s creative pulse, Degraves Street Apartment is a thoughtful example of how boutique hospitality can exist within a dense urban environment without losing warmth, comfort, or personality. Will shares how Mel Boutique Property approaches hosting differently, focusing on guest experience, consistency, and the details that turn a central-city stay into something memorable.

Ray, Silvia, and Will explore what it takes to run a high-performing inner-city apartment — from managing noise expectations and body corporate realities to designing spaces that photograph beautifully but still function for real guests. They discuss the balance between style and durability, why clear communication matters even more in CBD listings, and how Melbourne’s short-stay market has evolved post-pandemic.

The conversation also touches on distribution strategy, guest screening, and why boutique operators often outperform larger portfolios by staying close to the guest journey. If you’re hosting (or considering hosting) an apartment in a busy urban area, this episode offers practical insights and grounded lessons from someone doing it day in, day out.

In this episode, Will shares:

• What makes Degraves Street a unique (and challenging) location to host
• Designing city apartments that balance aesthetics with durability
• Setting expectations around noise, access, and urban living
• Why professional photography needs to reflect reality, not fantasy
• Managing guest experience in high-density buildings
• How Melbourne’s short-stay demand has shifted over the past few years
• The importance of systems, consistency, and clear communication
• When self-managing makes sense — and when it doesn’t
• Why smaller, well-run portfolios can outperform scale
  

Where to stay:

• Degraves Street Apartment — Melbourne CBD ⁠https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1425769022784223775⁠
• South Yarra Property ⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/I2cCaaW5⁠
• North Melbourne Property ⁠https://www.airbnb.com/l/KGfcunu3⁠
• Silvia’s Property ⁠https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X⁠

Connect:

Instagram: ⁠@degravesstreetapartment⁠

Email: ⁠will@melboutiqueproperty.com