Ep 66: Running a UK Beachside Airbnb from 100 Miles Away, with Ruben de Bruin

<p>This week, we head to the other side of the world to meet Ruben de Bruin. For the past four years, Ruben has run Cozy Maisonette by the Sea, a one-bedroom beachside retreat in Boscombe West on the UK’s south coast—all while living in London.</p><p>Ruben has turned long-distance hosting into a reliable system, combining a trusted local team, automation where it counts, and a personal touch where it matters. That same attention to detail also inspired a business: The Curated Host, which creates digital and printed guest handbooks for short-term rental hosts. These thoughtfully designed guides help reduce late-night questions like, “How does the heating work?” while improving the guest experience and supporting better reviews.</p><p>Silvia and Ray talk with Ruben about remote property operations, the realities of the UK coastal market, and why a well-designed welcome book is one of the highest-leverage investments a host can make.</p><ul><li>How Ruben got into hosting—and why he chose Boscombe West on the Bournemouth coast</li><li>The types of guests a one-bedroom beachside retreat attracts and the seasonality of the market</li><li>Ruben’s biggest surprises during his first year compared with now</li><li>Managing changeovers, maintenance, and day-to-day operations from London</li><li>How to find and vet reliable cleaners and handymen from a distance</li><li>Building a remote property team that can handle problems when they arise</li><li>Where Ruben draws the line between automation and the personal touch</li><li>The gap in the market that led him to create The Curated Host</li><li>Digital versus printed handbooks—and why guests use both</li><li>How clear, well-designed communication can improve reviews and star ratings</li><li>The essential sections every guest welcome book should include</li><li>Handling awkward guest conversations, including linen changes during longer stays</li><li>Why investing in quality pays off in short-term rentals</li><li>Ruben’s number-one tip for buying your first remote investment property</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://airbnb.com/h/cozy-maisonette-by-the-sea">Cozy Maisonette by the Sea on Airbnb</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thecuratedhost.com/">The Curated Host</a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thehostcurator/">Follow Ruben on Instagram</a></li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.raymondyee.com.au/airbnb">Ray’s Airbnb</a></li><li><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/slink/Kpse4K4X">Silvia’s Airbnb</a></li></ul><p><br></p>