Introduction
At Vacarya, we believe the right tools make all the difference in running a smooth, profitable short-term rental (STR) business. Managing multiple platforms, guest communications, and property operations can quickly become overwhelming, but with the right tech, much of that complexity disappears.
This article explains the technology stack we use, why we’ve chosen these platforms, and how each one is designed to save you time, protect your properties, and maximize your revenue.
Why This Matters
Our tech stack isn’t just a collection of apps; it’s a fully integrated system. Together, these tools:
Eliminate manual work and repetitive tasks.
Protect your units and reduce risk.
Enhance guest experience, leading to better reviews and repeat bookings.
Maximize revenue by optimizing pricing and occupancy.
Centralize operations, giving you more control and less stress.
🏡 Hostaway: Your Property Management System
The backbone of your STR business.
Hostaway keeps your reservations, guest messages, and calendars synced across all booking platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, and more).
Benefits:
One dashboard for all platforms, no more switching between Airbnb and VRBO.
Prevents double bookings with real-time calendar sync.
Centralized guest communication and automation.
Scales easily if you’re managing multiple properties.
Basic automated messaging.
Learn more about Hostaway
🗂️ AppFolio: Your Billing & Maintenance Portal
Your central hub for payments and property requests.
AppFolio is where you’ll manage all financial obligations and unit maintenance requests with Vacarya.
Benefits:
Simple bill payments: Pay all fees owing to Vacarya (such as tech stack subscriptions) directly through AppFolio.
Payments can be made manually each month, or you can set up autopay for convenience.
Maintenance requests: Submit unit maintenance requests through the platform.
Our team will communicate updates, progress, and resolutions directly in AppFolio so everything stays in one place.
Clear records: Access your payment history and all maintenance communications in one secure, centralized portal.
Learn more about AppFolio
💰 PriceLabs: Dynamic STR Pricing
Maximize your nightly rates with zero guesswork.
Requires you to be connected to our Hostaway.
PriceLabs uses market data to automatically adjust your pricing based on demand, seasonality, and local events.
Benefits:
Always priced competitively, never undercharging or overpricing.
Higher revenue without extra work.
Automatic adjustments for local events, weekends, or slow seasons.
Exclusive to Vacarya clients: when you opt into PriceLabs through us, you also gain access to our dedicated Revenue Management Team.
This team continuously monitors your pricing in real time.
They make manual adjustments where automated systems might miss key opportunities (e.g., sudden demand spikes, unique property advantages, or local anomalies).
The result: smarter pricing that blends automation with human expertise, ensuring your units perform at their highest potential.
Learn more about PriceLabs
✨ EnsoConnect: An Enhanced Guest Experience Platform
Your guest’s digital concierge.
EnsoConnect manages guest communication from booking to checkout, with smart automations and upsell options.
Benefits:
Branded guest portal with check-in instructions, guides, and support.
Ability to upsell add-ons (late checkout, pet fees, airport transfers, etc.).
Robust Automated messaging.
Streamlined communication = fewer guest complaints.
Improves guest satisfaction and 5-star review potential.
Learn more about EnsoConnect
🔑 EnsoLocks: Automated Smart Access Control
No more lost keys or lockouts.
EnsoLocks integrates with Hostaway reservations to generate unique door codes for each guest.
Benefits:
Automatic code generation for each guest, eliminating the need for manual processes.
Higher security for your properties.
Hassle-free check-in for guests, 24/7.
Learn more about EnsoLocks
🌐 Vacarya Direct Booking Site
Your direct booking advantage.
Every client using Hostaway gets access to stayvacarya.com, allowing you to take bookings outside of Airbnb/VRBO.
Benefits:
Reduce reliance on Airbnb/VRBO.
Avoid platform fees (higher profit per booking).
Build repeat guest loyalty with your brand.
🤖 HelloHost: AI Guest Communications
Your 24/7 AI guest messaging assistant.
Optional add-on: $15/unit per month. Requires you to be connected to our Hostaway.
HelloHost AI answers 80%+ of guest questions instantly and consistently, and learns from your past conversations with your clients.
Benefits:
Saves hours of inbox time for you or your VA.
It ensures fast, professional replies every time.
Allows you to focus on scaling instead of guest messaging.
Learn more about HelloHost AI
🛡️ AutoHost: Automated Background Checks
Keep your properties safe with smart guest screening.
Optional add-on: $40/unit per month. Requires you to be connected to our Hostaway or Ensoconnect.
More and more buildings, HOAs, and condo boards are now requiring that Airbnb guests go through a background check procedure before checking into your unit. AutoHost automatically verifies guests before check-in, protecting your properties and neighbours.
Benefits:
Built-in ID verification and risk scoring.
Filters out problem guests (no sensitive data like SIN required).
Protects your property, neighbors, and reputation.
Learn more about AutoHost
Included in Every Vacarya Unit
Beyond the core tech stack, every Vacarya property comes equipped with smart devices designed to keep your units safe, compliant, and guest-friendly. These are standard in all our managed units.
📹 Blink Doorbell Cameras
Front-door visibility and peace of mind.
Monitors who is entering and leaving the property.
Helps ensure guest compliance with booking terms.
Provides added security for guests and owners.
🔔 Alertify (Smoke + Noise Monitoring)
Protects your property and avoids neighbor complaints.
Detects unusual noise levels or smoking indoors.
Sends alerts so issues can be handled before they escalate.
Maintains good standing with neighbors and municipalities.
📺 Amazon Fire Smart TVs
Entertainment made simple.
Pre-installed smart TVs in every unit.
Guests can easily log into their favorite streaming services.
A modern amenity that enhances guest satisfaction and reviews.
Final Thoughts
By combining these tools into a seamless tech stack, you’ll run your Vacarya STR arbitrage business like a pro. From pricing to communication, guest experience to security, every piece works together to save you time and maximize your profits.
At Vacarya, we handle the setup and optimization so you can focus on growing your portfolio, not on tech headaches.