The Sanctuary
Hong Kong
My first Airbnb, and a third-floor walk-up. Automated guest communication and a detailed house manual hold a 4.95 star average across 63 reviews, at 94% occupancy in July 2026.
- Challenge
- Convert my own 3rd-floor walk-up apartment (60 steps, no elevator) into a short-term rental that could cover rent, utilities, and still deliver a return, while managing same-day turnovers in a dense urban market and repositioning the space as Hong Kong reopened to travellers post-COVID.
- Role
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Space Designer: styled the apartment with a sanctuary-inspired interior to create calm within a busy city.
Operations Lead: built an automated check-in and communication system (arrival info shared days ahead, access details sent at 1 PM on arrival day).
Efficiency Manager: coordinated cleaners and scheduling for seamless same-day turnovers.
Platform Explorer: listed on Airbnb and tested HomeExchange to earn travel points for family stays abroad.
- Outcome
- Consistently covered rent and utilities while generating a reliable return, with steady bookings despite the walk-up. Guests praised the tranquility, clear communication, and ease of stay. HomeExchange became a parallel model that unlocked accommodations for family travel.