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.

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.

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.

• How Ruben got into hosting—and why he chose Boscombe West on the Bournemouth coast
• The types of guests a one-bedroom beachside retreat attracts and the seasonality of the market
• Ruben’s biggest surprises during his first year compared with now
• Managing changeovers, maintenance, and day-to-day operations from London
• How to find and vet reliable cleaners and handymen from a distance
• Building a remote property team that can handle problems when they arise
• Where Ruben draws the line between automation and the personal touch
• The gap in the market that led him to create The Curated Host
• Digital versus printed handbooks—and why guests use both
• How clear, well-designed communication can improve reviews and star ratings
• The essential sections every guest welcome book should include
• Handling awkward guest conversations, including linen changes during longer stays
• Why investing in quality pays off in short-term rentals
• Ruben’s number-one tip for buying your first remote investment property

• Cozy Maisonette by the Sea on Airbnb
• The Curated Host
• Follow Ruben on Instagram

• Ray’s Airbnb
• Silvia’s Airbnb