Send us a message!In this special episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Tim Rosolio, Vice President of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Vrbo, for a behind-the-scenes look at Vrbo’s Vacation Rentals of the Year program and what it takes to earn that recognition.Recorded on location at Lakefront Escape on Squam Lake, New Hampshire, one of this year’s winning properties, the episode offers both a platform perspective and a firsthand look at the kind of hospitality Vrbo is celebrating.Tim shares how Vrbo selects winners from millions of properties across its global network, using a mix of performance data, guest reviews, local market insight, and hospitality storytelling to identify homes that deliver standout guest experiences.The conversation then shifts to David Rose, owner of Lakefront Escape, who shares how he transformed a dated lake house into an award-winning retreat designed with intention, warmth, and usability in mind.From intuitive in-home tech and thoughtful labels to tailored recommendations and architectural details, this episode highlights how exceptional hospitality is built through the details.In this episode, we cover:03:50 - Why Vrbo created the Vacation Rentals of the Year program04:39 - How Vrbo selects its Vacation Rentals of the Year08:04 - What makes a vacation rental experience feel personal and memorable13:35 - Meet David Rose and the story behind Lakefront Escape16:42 - Why intuitive technology matters more than flashy features23:00 - How David Rose designed Lakefront Escape for connection, comfort, and discovery25:20 - Why David chose self-management and how Vrbo supports pricing and promotion26:43 - How personalized recommendations can elevate the guest stay30:34 - How labels, notes, and in-home guidance reduce guest friction32:21 - The Japanese design influence behind the home’s guest experience35:27 - How design, layout, and local insight help create repeat guestsThis episode captures both the criteria behind Vrbo’s recognition and the real-world hospitality choices that help a property earn it.Connect with:David Rose / Lakefront Escapehttps://www.squamlakehouse.com/ Tim Rosolio / Vrbohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rosolio-434b2a98/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Automate your short-term rental operations with Hospitable. Start a 14-day free trial and get 25% off your bill for the first 6 months.👉 Get started: https://hospitable.com/partners/alex-annieReach more guests across top travel sites with BookingPal. Alex & Annie listeners get onboarding fees waived + 20% off the first two months.👉 Get started: https://alex-and-annie-offer.bookingpal.com/ Enjoy 20% off a monthly or annual subscription to Lasoh’s Guest Portal or House Manual when you use code: AlexandAnnie. Valid through May 31, 2026.👉 Access the offer here: https://explore.lasoh.io/alex-annie #vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #vrbovacationrentalsoftheyear

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