19. Barefoot DIY & Getting Frisky In The Shower
The Secret Serviced Podcast
08/18/25
•37m
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Season 3, Episode 19 – “Barefoot DIY & Getting Frisky in the Shower” 🎙️
This week on The Secret Serviced Podcast, Mark and Caroline are back with another behind-the-scenes update from our serviced accommodation and aparthotel journey.
🔑 In this episode:
- 🏰 Sefton Place Update – we have been knee-deep in R&D surveys, finalising concept plans, and getting close to an agreed spec on our state-of-the-art heating and cooling system. Think fancy air con, but with an environmentally friendly twist!
- 👥 Team Restructure at Gateway Accommodation – how we are reshaping roles within the business to drive efficiency, growth, and a smoother operation.
- 💷 Refinancing Serviced Accommodation – a deep dive into securing a commercial valuation, what the process looks like, and how it impacts scaling.
💡 Side note: apologies for the echo (you will hear what we mean) – we recorded in one of the grand reception rooms at Sefton Place with ceilings higher than our Airbnb occupancy rates. We did promise to keep bringing you updates no matter where we were, so sometimes that means trading studio-quality sound for a slice of real life.
Also... did anybody notice Mark very confidently calling this Episode 18? Turns out it is actually Episode 19! 🤦♂️ (Keeping it professional as always...)
👉 Don't forget to subscribe to our new YouTube channel @secretservicedpodcast - link in bio for full video episodes and exclusive updates.
#ServicedAccommodation #Aparthotel #PropertyInvestment #HospitalityBusiness #ScalingUp #SecretServicedPodcast
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Previous Episode
18. Splash The Cash & Cross Your Fingers
August 11, 2025
•50m
S3 EP18: Splash The Cash & Cross Your Fingers 💸🤞
In this week’s episode of The Secret Serviced Podcast, we lift the lid on the realities of running and scaling serviced accommodation and aparthotels — and this one is packed.
🏰 Sefton Place update – more rip-out work, meeting a potential builder, and yes... yet more surveys!
🛎 Our origin story – how we got started in serviced accommodation back in 2018 with a title split strategy that turned out to be a game-changer.
📊 Lessons learned – the common pitfalls we see people make when scaling SA or moving into aparthotels, and how to avoid overleveraging, poor financial planning, and operational headaches.
This one’s a mix of storytelling, straight-talking business advice, and plenty of laughs from the trenches.
📲 Click the link in our bio to watch the full episode on YouTube and subscribe for more BTS from Sefton Place.
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify – link in bio.
#SecretServicedPodcast #ServicedAccommodationUK #ShortTermRentals #AirbnbBusiness #AparthotelLife #HotelRenovation #SeftonPlace #PropertyInvestingUK #StaycationUK #BehindTheBookings #STRCommunity #BoutiqueHotelDream #HospitalityBusiness
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
20. Leaky Fire Alarms & Unlucky Room 13
September 1, 2025
•41m
🎙️ New episode of The Secret Serviced Podcast is LIVE! 🚀
This week we are:
🍏 Dreaming big with plans for our very own orchard at Sefton Place (and yes... a jam & chutney range is coming 👩🍳)
📶 Talking smart wifi hacks and how adding data capture can seriously level up your guest experience
🔥 Dealing with a little fire alarm drama at Eton House (spoiler: Mark definitely lost more sleep than the guests 😅)
🏖️ Celebrating the UK staycation boom and why we are so passionate about keeping things local
❤️ Plus, a totally honest chat about the joys and chaos of working together as a couple...
🎧 Tune in, laugh with us, learn with us, and see what goes on behind the scenes in the wild world of serviced accommodation!
👉 And do not forget... follow @staycation.gateway on Instagram to enter our epic £2,000 giveaway 🏆
Because who doesn't love free holidays?!
#SecretServicedPodcast #StaycationGateway #ServicedAccommodation #UKStaycations #PropertyInvesting #Aparthotels #SeftonPlace #EtonHouse #PodcastLife #PropertyEntrepreneurs #BehindTheScenes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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