Tucked away in the Catskill Mountains lies a secluded, picturesque bungalow cabin. Set amongst 35 acres of verdant state land, The Trillium Cabin stands out as a dreamy getaway designed by creative Alison Renga. Nestled on a private two acre lot, there is plenty of space to hike, bike and explore––with easy access to ​​Platekill Mountain and Bellayre Beach nearby.

And while this picture perfect destination seems as if it’s been around forever, host Alison Renga will tell you otherwise. When she first started, it was a lot of trial and error to get the design and guest experience just right. We explore her hosting tips and tricks, as well as her advice for new hosts getting into the Airbnb game. 

When did you first decide you wanted to be an Airbnb host? 

My husband and I got married at the Roxbury Barn & Estate in 2018 and fell in love with the Catskills. We made it our goal to have a home up there within a few years. Three years later, we purchased The Trillium Cabin. Living in Queens, NY we knew we would only be able to get upstate one or two times per month and thought that hosting and turning the property into an Airbnb would be a great way for others to spend time at the cabin while we couldn't. 

Tell us a little bit about your property. Do you have a favorite room or feature? 

The Trillium is a two bedroom cabin set back on about two acres of land. What drew us to this particular space was the immense amount of state land right past our backyard. We love to hike and explore wildlife — what a great place to do it! The house itself gives a light and airy feel, while still being super cozy. Our favorite feature of the house is the living room. It is a great place to sit around with family and friends to relax and have a great time.

Were there any challenges in setting up your Airbnb? 

Starting a vacation rental has been a learning process! It was something that I had never done before and researched A LOT. The hardest part about setting up the Trillium has been marketing our property and showing off how great it is. As a special education teacher, advertising and marketing on Airbnb and Instagram is not something I’m used to. With some practice, it has become such a fun way to interact with guests and show just how incredible our cabin is!

What sets your short-term rental apart from other vacation rentals? 

The location and decor of the space is what sets The Trillium apart from other rentals. While decorating the cabin, we wanted to give each room a different vibe when you walked in. In the bedrooms, we set up a tranquil and peaceful space where guests can relax. In the living room we wanted to make sure that the space allowed for late night conversations and spending time with family and friends. 

Do you have any advice for newbie hosts?

If I could give one piece of advice to other hosts, it would be to not be so hard on yourself! Setting up a vacation rental for the first time can be stressful. Be open to guest feedback and take that into consideration before your next guest arrives. Some of my guests have given me great feedback that my future guests have loved so much.

What do you wish your guests knew about being a host? 

Something I wish guests knew about being a host is how much we care! We always want our guests to have the most amazing time at The Trillium Cabin and do our best to make their experience the best it can be.

Learn more about the Trillium Cabin and inquire about booking your next getaway on their Airbnb page. You can read more host stories for additional insider tips on running a short-term rental that guests will rave about.