16 Airbnb TV Show Must-Sees for Vacation Rental Owners

There are many ways for vacation rental entrepreneurs to stay up to date with the latest trends and ideas about the vacation rental industry, including blogs, podcasts, books — and Airbnb series.

The great thing about vacation rental tv shows is that it doesn’t feel like you’re working. The ones that make it to your screen are always well-produced and are entertaining and enjoyable to watch during your downtime. It’s a relaxing, low-effort way to stay in touch with the industry and see some amazing vacation rentals. Here’s our list of the 16 property TV shows that every vacation rental host should see.

1. The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals

A Netflix original series that was first released in 2021, The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals follows three travelers to different vacation rentals around the world. These vacation rentals are showcased in three categories per location: Luxury, Unique, and Budget.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Because each episode focuses on one budget, one luxury, and one unique vacation rental per location, every type of host will find inspiration for their specific type of rental property.

What’s more, if you offer budget property rental options, you will still be able to adapt ideas even from the luxury rentals because the show does a great job of highlighting what appeals to the traveler in each scenario. The show will inspire you to think beyond just your property, but the whole experience you can offer guests too.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The show has released two seasons in its first two years, indicating how popular the show was among Netflix viewers. The production quality is of a high standard and vacation rental owners can find a lot of hidden gems and inspiration throughout the series. However, because it is a show that features vacation rentals worldwide, a lot of the experiences showcased in the different countries may be impractical for you to offer at your vacation rentals.

2. Scott’s Vacation House Rules

Scott’s Vacation House Rules, which can be viewed on HGTV Canada, follows real estate expert Scott McGillivray as he helps rental owners transform their tired and run-down properties into fresh, money-earning rentals.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

This show is geared specifically towards vacation rentals and how to make them profitable, so you can learn a ton from Scott’s vast knowledge, including renovation, design, marketing, and business know-how.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The show is only available in HGTV Canada so it’s not very accessible. However, if you do have access to the show, we definitely think Scott’s knowledge and charisma make for an enjoyable show.

3. Vacation Rental Potential

Vacation Rental Potential can be found on the A&E Network and features real estate expert and longtime vacation rental owner, Holly Baker.

Aspiring rental owners have an idea of where they would like to purchase a second home and a budget they would like to work within, and Holly shows them a few different properties that have great potential for a successful vacation rental business.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

The host of the show has in-depth knowledge and experience of real estate, especially within the vacation rental market so she’s able to show you what to look out for when investing in your own vacation home. Viewers who are looking to buy their own vacation rentals can also get an idea of how much they could earn per night based on the average nightly price in the area.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The show’s concept takes a fresh spin on the traditional “property shopping” show format by focusing on the vacation rental market specifically and giving viewers expert advice for what to look for when purchasing their own vacation homes.

4. Instant Hotel

Instant Hotel is another Netflix original series. It follows Australian vacation rental entrepreneurs who are competing against each other to find out which vacation rental offers the best experience.

During the show, the vacation homeowners get to stay in each other’s instant hotel accommodation and get to review their stays. The highest-rated instant hotel will win a grand prize.

What’s in it for rental owners?

You are able to see how other hosts have set up their vacation rentals and compare them to your own rental homes. This could help you to improve your guest experience and attract more guests.

An added unique feature of the show is that they bring in a hospitality expert judge to review each of the short-term rentals. So you are able to take advantage of an expert’s knowledge by listening to her feedback on the different properties.

Our Review

★★★☆☆

3/5 stars

Because the tv series is set up to be competitive, it adds an extra layer of intrigue and entertainment value that’s enticing to watch. However, as the show progresses, it starts becoming more about the drama associated with reality tv shows, and giving strategically low ratings, rather than showcasing the interesting rentals.

We also liked that the show featured many unique and interesting themed spaces. Some had unique features like a private waterfall, and others went with a full-out 50s themed total home renovation.

5. Stay Here

A world-famous interior designer and a real estate expert team up to help vacation rental owners transform their spaces from low-rated problem properties to 5-star sought-after vacation homes. Stay Here is another Netflix original series.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Like most vacation rental TV shows, viewers are taken through the entire renovation process with the experts. This makes it easy to learn helpful tips and tricks for renovating and decorating your own vacation rentals. The show also includes marketing tips and reinventing the hosts’ listings to increase their bookings, which you can take on board in your own short-term rental business.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

Home renovation shows that include experts always provide a higher level of entertainment and education value, and this is what makes Stay Here shine. The show also renovates some interesting and unique homes, like houseboats and firehouses, usually with an inspiring story attached to them, which makes the episodes more heartwarming and enjoyable.

6. Matt Landau’s ‘Sense of Place’

Sense of Place takes a fresh look at how the rental industry is moving and evolving. It shows how travelers’ wants and needs are moving away from which property has the most luxurious fittings, to which vacation rental offers the best all-around experience. The show can be watched on the Vacation Rental Show Youtube Channel.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

This, like many vacation rental tv shows give you a traveler’s perspective on what they find meaningful and what makes a truly lasting impression on guests. It focuses on the entire guest experience and the added value within the area rather than just whether the house they rent comes with a fancy pool table or luxury living room.

Our Review

★★★★★

5/5 stars

Matt Landau makes an excellent host for the series and brings a new angle to the property television genre. It shows that improving the service you provide your guests does not always mean spending more money. The people and culture of the location add just as much to the guest experience.

7. Amazing Interiors

As the name suggests, this Netflix show focuses on homes that look seemingly ordinary from the outside, but hold extremely unique, wacky, and extravagant interior designs.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

While you may not consider putting a sci-fi museum in your own home, refurbishing a historic houseboat, or covering every single part of your home in bright pink decor and furnishings (with absolutely nothing else), this show will inspire you to think way out of the box when it comes to designing your short term rental.

Our Review

★★★★★

5/5 stars

This show brings something fresh to the property television scene and is well-liked by those who have seen it. The fact that the property owners are putting their interests and passions into their properties is also evident in the show and is entertaining to watch for hosts and non-hosts alike.

8. Income Property

This HGTV show focuses on sprucing up problem properties through renovation and modern interior design to maximize its earning potential for its homeowners.

What’s in it for rental owners?

Even though this show is not specifically geared towards the short term rental market, but rather towards long-term rental properties, vacation rental homeowners are still able to get helpful tips and ideas on the interior design of their own home or any renovations that they may be doing themselves.

Our Review

★★★☆☆

3/5 stars

While this TV series is enjoyable to watch and features beautiful home designs, there are many other shows that have a very similar format, so viewers don’t feel like they’re watching a unique or new show.

9. Selling Sunset

Selling Sunset on Netflix puts luxury front and center in a television show that follows the elite real estate brokers of The Oppenheim Group as they sell luxury multi-million-dollar homes in the sought-after Beverly Hills/West Hollywood area in the US.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Luxury homeowners can get a good idea of what to aspire to when it comes to preparing and decorating luxury vacation home accommodation. They can also get an inside look at what guests may expect if they are booking a luxury Airbnb.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

This is what you could call ‘guilty pleasure’ viewing, as each episode features the daily drama the agents live through in between selling homes to the rich and famous. It also accurately reflects the fast-paced lifestyle and high stakes that these agents find themselves in every day. For those who enjoy dramatic reality tv, this show will hit the spot.

10. The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes

This Netflix show sees an award-winning architect and an acclaimed property developer experience some of the most architecturally unconventional yet stunning homes around the world.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

This is another great show that can inspire you to think outside the box and use what you’re passionate about in creative ways around your property. The expert architect host will also inspire you to consider new style designs and materials, and to work with your surroundings.

Our Review

★★★★★

5/5 stars

The series features one-of-a-kind homes around the world that people won’t see in their ordinary lives. It goes one step further to have experts explain the best parts of each home and how the same idea can be applied to any home, making the show seem less out-of-reach than other luxury or custom-built properties might seem.

11. Getting Away Together

PBS’s Getting Away Together travel show follows groups of travelers as they visit vacation spots across America. It shines a light on the current trend of travelers preferring to share their vacations with different friends and family.  You are able to watch the show on Amazon prime and some episodes are available on YouTube.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

This series places an emphasis on the guests’ experience and you can adapt what stands out to the travelers to your own properties. Also, because there are different groups traveling together, vacation rental hosts who target a specific audience, like honeymooners or work colleagues, may be able to take some of the niche ideas on board.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

This is another show which highlights the importance of the guest experience and it does so in a way that is exciting to watch. The viewers get to go along on the unique adventures and hosts can get a clear picture of what guests enjoy during a vacation stay

12. Property Brothers

The Property Brothers are well known in property television. They are twins Jonathan and Drew Scott who are real estate experts. Their HGTV show centers around them helping different families sell their old homes while buying a new one — all while trying to make a profit during the process.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Vacation rental owners who watch this show will get practical tips on how to maximize the earning potential of their properties. The show includes additional breakdowns of how much renovations would cost compared to how much extra value is added, so you will also get a good idea of which renovations are a worthwhile investment that could increase bookings.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

From the first to the final scene of every episode, the audience can tell the twin brothers are not only very knowledgeable in the field but also genuinely love helping other people realize their property dreams.

13. Tiny House Nation

The tiny home trend continues to grow in America and Netflix’s Tiny House Nation puts the market under a microscope. It follows tiny house experts who are on a mission to help families make the move to the minimalist lifestyle. They help families to design and build their own tiny houses.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Renting out tiny vacation homes is a growing niche trend on Airbnb and other short-term rental sites. For entrepreneurs looking to branch out into this niche market, this series will give you an accurate idea of what it’s really like.

Even if you’re not a tiny house owner, the show also gives sound advice for how to use a small space efficiently and eliminate clutter, which can come in handy in any vacation home.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The show has a unique concept that is delightful to watch and also gives helpful insight into the minimalist lifestyle.

14. Interior Design Masters

Aspiring interior designers compete in different interior design challenges to pursue their career dreams in this series that can be viewed on Netflix.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

You can pick up new and interesting interior decoration ideas from the show, and may even be inspired to do a few of the DIY decorating projects yourself.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The added competition aspect always adds extra entertainment value to the show and viewers will find themselves rooting for their favorite contestants. Of course, they’ll also be able to witness the creative process of each designer.

15. Log Cabin Living

As the name suggests, Log Cabin Living on HGTV focuses on the pros and cons of escaping the hustle and bustle of the busy city and retreating to the log cabin lifestyle.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

A look at the best cities for Airbnb businesses shows an upward trend in cities that offer mountain-rich areas and log cabin living. This show provides an inside look at how they differ from traditional vacation homes and what advantages log cabin owners could enjoy.

Our Review

★★★★☆

4/5 stars

The show is well-balanced in showing all kinds of log cabins, from simplistic and minimalistic to large and luxurious.

16. Beachfront Bargain Hunt

Families are looking to purchase property along the beachfront with a limited budget. HGTV’s Beachfront Bargain Hunt helps them find their dream home without breaking the bank.

What’s in it for vacation rental owners?

Having a beachfront property instantly increases the appeal of your short-term rental property and can improve the allure of your vacation rental business. If you’re looking to make an investment in beachfront property, it wouldn’t hurt to have this bargain-hunting knowledge on board.

Our Review

★★★☆☆

3/5 stars

While the show does what it sets out to do — proving that it’s possible to get a property near the beach at an affordable price — it does not bring much additional entertainment value to the show besides watching families shop for property. It is, however, very easy and relaxing to watch.

How To Leverage Vacation Rental TV Shows To Benefit Your Business

Did you know that many homes that were filming locations on popular series and films can actually be rented on Airbnb?  

Some of the most popular ones are the Godric’s Hollow childhood home in the Harry Potter films (including a full English breakfast), a Breaking Bad house location (complete with hazmat suits and Vamanos Pest uniforms), the house of Bella Swan from the Twilight films, and a Victorian home from the film ‘Solitary Man’ starring Michael Douglas.

While we can’t guarantee your rental will become a filming location on a hit series or film, you can still use television shows to benefit your business. Here’s how to do it:

• Know where you want to improve your vacation rental

We know life can get busy, and you do not always have the time to watch countless hours of television. So it’s a smart idea to prioritize shows that could give you an edge in your business. The best way to do this is to know what your weaknesses are so that you know how to improve — and the same goes for the Airbnb shows you watch.

For example, if you struggle with decor ideas, you can prioritize watching shows that focus on interior design. If you’re in the business of luxury accommodation, you can watch shows that focus on luxury property to stay on top of the latest trends. Similarly, if you’re sticking to a budget while redecorating or renovating, you can watch DIY and minimalist design shows to level up your business.

• Pay attention to emerging trends

By watching Airbnb tv shows, you can get a good sense of emerging trends in the industry and implement them to stay ahead of the pack.

Watch shows that fall into a similar market and geographical area to yours to keep an eye on the evolving market.

• Free up time to focus on growing your business

It’s pointless gathering all these great business ideas and trends if you have no time to implement them. That’s where vacation rental software comes in.

With short-term rental software like iGMS, you can automate all the tedious tasks associated with running your short-term rental property, freeing up time to watch your property reality tv, get inspired, and start taking action to grow your business.

With iGMS, you’re able to:

• Managing multiple accounts and listings on the top OTAs from a single interface
• Synchronizing reservations across multiple platforms to eliminate the risk of double bookings
• Organizing messages into a single feed with a unified inbox
• Improving communication with automated templates and triggered messaging
• Automating the process of guest reviews
• Creating and coordinating cleaning tasks with live tracking to completion
• Creating your own direct booking website
• Managing direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit
• Processing payments securely via integration with Stripe.
• Creating essential reports on your business results within minutes
• Adjusting your pricing in a smart way through integrations with PriceLabs, DPGO, and Wheelhouse

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About the Author
Callan Riddles is the Content and Social Media Specialist at iGMS. Callan has a passion for finding new ways to help vacation rental businesses thrive. In her free time, she loves to travel, read, and experience all the new things that life has to offer.