Lifestyle Hosting: Funding Travel From a One-Bedroom in Melbourne

Ray and Silvia are joined by Carmel O’Beirne, a lifestyle host from Clifton Hill, Melbourne, who uses her one-bedroom apartment to fund travel and supplement her income as she transitions toward retirement. The episode opens with Ray sharing a challenging guest situation involving a dropped wallet, refusal to check out, and police intervention — a reminder that hosting can sometimes take unexpected turns.

Inspired by her daughter’s success paying off a mortgage through Airbnb, Carmel began hosting her “cosy nest” — an earthy, plant-filled apartment with a green urban jungle balcony in a vibrant Melbourne neighbourhood. Her approach is what she calls “lifestyle hosting”: using Airbnb income to support extended travel, including a month in India, while keeping her home active and secure.

Carmel relies on trusted neighbour friends when she travels, meeting guests in person for key handover to reinforce respect and care for her home. She is selective with bookings to maintain strong relationships in her owner-occupied building. Rather than scaling, she plans to continue hosting sustainably, avoiding “empty house syndrome” while balancing income, community harmony, and flexibility.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• How to handle difficult guest situations, including when police become involved.
• Why guest preparedness and clear house rules are essential.
• Pricing strategies: Smart Pricing vs manual or third-party tools.
• The power of clear instructions to prevent misunderstandings and bad reviews.
• Preparing a personal home for guests while protecting privacy.
• Building a reliable local support network for remote management.
• Managing neighbour relationships in owner-occupied buildings.
• How lifestyle hosting can fund travel and supplement retirement income.

Guest

Name: Carmel O’Beirne
Airbnb: View Carmel’s Listing

Where to stay — hosted by the Superhosts Down Under team

Ray’s South Yarra Airbnb: View Listing
Ray’s North Melbourne Airbnb: View Listing
Silvia’s Airbnb: View Listing

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Riverside. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.
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