Building a Boutique Brand: How Steve Turk Brings Hotel Standards to Vacation Rentals

Every week, Alex & Annie sit down with the biggest names in vacation and short-term rentals, seeking to find the one story, idea, strategy or decision that led to their guests’ big aha moment. Hit “subscribe” to get your weekly dose of sunshine and rental gold! ??

In our latest episode, we sit down with Steve Turk, founder of Tangy Management and host of The Hospitality Mentor podcast. Steve shares how his 24 years in luxury hotels have shaped his approach to vacation rental management and why guest experience is at the heart of everything he does.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Steve Turk.

From Hotels to Vacation Rentals: Steve’s Journey

Steve’s career in hospitality began in luxury hotels, where he worked with renowned brands like Mandarin Oriental and Loews Hotels. However, the demands of hotel life and a desire for entrepreneurship led him to explore vacation rentals.

In 2016, Steve began managing his first properties, eventually co-founding Tangy Management. His mission? To bring the same level of excellence and personalization found in high-end hotels to the world of short-term rentals.

Why Hospitality Standards Matter in Vacation Rentals

At Tangy Management, Steve and his team implement hotel-style practices to create exceptional guest experiences. This includes:

• Personalized Touches: Anticipating guest needs and customizing stays, from curated playlists to thoughtful welcome notes.
• Staff Training: Ensuring the team delivers prompt, professional service, with response times under three minutes.
• Data-Driven Insights: Collecting guest preferences, like favorite activities or allergies, to enhance future stays.

These efforts build trust and loyalty, turning one-time guests into repeat customers.

The Importance of Education in the Industry

One of Steve’s biggest concerns is the lack of education for newcomers to vacation rentals. Many jump into the business with unrealistic expectations, often misled by promises of easy, high profits.

“Hospitality is more than just profit,” Steve explains. “If you’re not ready for the realities, it can hurt you—and the industry as a whole.”

Both Tangy Management and platforms like Alex & Annie and The Hospitality Mentor aim to fill this gap by sharing knowledge, insights, and real-world advice to help hosts succeed responsibly.

Expanding Beyond Traditional Rentals

Steve is always innovating. Tangy Management now includes services like long-term rental management and glamping projects. He’s also exploring partnerships with hotels to offer short-term rental options within their properties, blending the best of both worlds.

One particularly inspiring project is Biscayne Coffee, a coffee brand Steve created to support Biscayne Bay conservation. Not only does it enhance his guests’ experience, but it also tells a story that resonates with the local community.

Key Advice for Aspiring Hosts

Steve emphasizes the importance of clarity and focus for business owners. Having a clear mission and core values helps filter decisions and ensures alignment with long-term goals.

He also advises newcomers to “dabble before diving in.” Start small, understand the realities of hospitality, and be prepared to handle unexpected challenges—whether it’s a late-night maintenance call or high competition in the market.

Watch the full episode here: