Host Success Story: Konrad Schmid
Discover host Konrad’s tips on how to run a successful holiday rental business.
May 2025
Host Konrad Schmid is a true Holidu hero, with four lovingly furnished holiday rentals on the shores of Central Europe’s Lake Constance. We catch up with him to discuss how he’s turned his small business into a thriving success, and we also discover why Holidu is the perfect holiday rental portal for him. Want to know how to be a successful holiday rental host? Read on for Konrad’s tips for Holidu hosts and to get the inside scoop on how to run a successful holiday rental business.
“An experiment that became a true passion”
So, Konrad, how did your journey as a holiday rental host begin?
“Actually, quite by chance! My wife and I moved to the Höri peninsula on Lake Constance in 2020 and bought an apartment – but it didn’t have a guest room. Since our families are from Bavaria, which is quite some distance away, we needed a place for them to stay when they came to visit us. So, in 2021, we bought our first holiday rental home, an apartment for our family and friends. It was often empty, so we thought: Why not rent it out? What started as a practical solution turned out to be a huge success. We had great guests, it was really fun – and it was financially lucrative, too. So the experiment turned into a true passion.”
“The holiday spirit is contagious”
What makes holiday rentals so appealing to you?
“Without a doubt, it’s the personal touch. Every day, we welcome people who are in the holiday spirit, and their energy is contagious! I also love working on the little details and constantly surprising our guests. Our apartments are designed in such a way that we would love to live in them ourselves – modern, cosy properties with great attention to detail. We regularly invest in new furnishings and renovations so that our guests don’t just rent a holiday apartment on Lake Constance but rather come to our Höri Nest — our own special brand.
The area depends on tourism, of course. Without it, there would be little going on here in Gaienhofen — just a few restaurants and small craft businesses. That’s why we’re delighted about the increasing popularity of holidays in Germany. Our occupancy rate is sensational — we’ve had bookings since mid-February. I’m really looking forward to more good times ahead!”
“Personality is key”
What do your guests particularly appreciate about your accommodations?
“Definitely the love that goes into each apartment. We’ve furnished them as if we’d love to live there ourselves, so they’re modern, stylish, and use a lot of high-quality materials. There are hand-painted pictures on the walls, lots of plants, and always a small personal touch upon arrival. A welcome organic drink, fresh cookies, or — a brand new initiative — a beach bag with our logo. We also built a small play park with a sandbox and slide for our son in two of the apartments — and our guests are, of course, welcome to use it.”
Are there any special moments with guests that you remember?
“”Yes, many! I once hosted guests with my two-year-old son. The children immediately started playing together — and the next day, the guests transferred a small amount to Anton’s piggy bank. It’s a small gesture, but it meant so much to us.”
“We hosts are the main reason why guests come back.”
Your rebooking rate is very high. Why is that?
“We firmly believe that people make a difference. Our guests don’t just rent a house for holiday stays, but they also want to feel welcome. We are personally on-site, answering questions, giving insider tips for the region, and helping wherever we can. Many repeat guests return every year, often with the whole family. Our apartments are designed so that families can comfortably share their space. For example, the grandparents can stay in the lake view apartment while the children are with their parents in the garden apartment. Our cousin even comes twice a year and says, “We don’t want to go anywhere else.” That’s the best compliment we can get.”
“Holidu does it all for me”
Why did you choose Holidu?
“To be honest, we started out using another holiday rental website, but Holidu won us over with its ease of use and professional support. The calendar function is super intuitive, pricing strategies are easy to implement, and we save a huge amount of time. Add to that the reach — 95% of our bookings come through Holidu and Booking, and those Booking.com customers are coming via Holidu. And the best part: I don’t have to sign separate contracts with each portal or manage logins — Holidu does it all for me! This means our ad is displayed on all major platforms, and I don’t have to spend so much time trying to advertise holiday homes. That means I can focus fully on our guests.
Since we started using Holidu, our bookings have increased significantly. The system is efficient, flexible, and perfect for our needs.”
What advice would you give new hosts?
“Use Holidu! I’m a definite fan and recommend it to anyone who wants to run a successful holiday rental business. It saves time, brings more bookings, and makes life as a host much easier.
Invest in your accommodation! You’ll always get back what you put in. Furnish the apartment so that you’d love to live there yourself. I recommend spending two nights in your own holiday apartment – that way, you’ll quickly notice if something is missing or could be improved.
Be friendly and warm — but professional — and enjoy it!”
“My dream: accessible holidays for everyone”
You have ambitious plans for the future. What is your goal?
“I want to own 20 holiday apartments and establish my own foundation. Holidays are becoming increasingly expensive, and not everyone can afford them. My dream is to make some of our apartments available to those who otherwise couldn’t afford a vacation, such as single parents or people in difficult situations. These apartments can then be rented out for just €1 per day, and the other apartments will help finance this. This is how we want to give something back. My goal is inspired by the Fuggerei in Augsburg — a social foundation that provides affordable housing for people in need.”
Konrad is a prime example of a dedicated holiday rental host. Passionate and caring, he runs his business as an extension of his family, and he’s got big things in mind for the future. Join him as you write your very own hosting success story. Check out the listings for the properties that form part of his Höri Nest brand at Lake Constance, and get inspiration for the future of your holiday rental business. Thanks, Konrad!