From gray to beach paradise: redesigning an Airbnb in Miami Beach (case study)

Who Isolda is

Isolda is Venezuelan, a pediatric dentist and orthodontist. She came to the United States 11 years ago, bought her own practice and built a team of specialists. Today she's changing businesses: she sold the practice and is focusing on Airbnb, where she already has several listings.

She got into the business almost by accident, much like Airbnb itself. She bought a house with a high mortgage that came already furnished, saw it was perfect for short-term rental and ran the numbers: the property covered the mortgage and still left a profit. That's where the idea of growing came from.

The starting point: a property that told no story

The first time our team saw photos of the Miami Beach apartment, everything was gray: walls, furniture and decor that had nothing to do with the location. The building and the location were good choices, but the space didn't evoke what guests come to Miami Beach for.

The transformation

1. Define the experience before buying a single piece of furniture

The first step with our interior designer, Eve, was answering one question: what do we want to convey? The answer was clear: a beach experience. From there, every design decision had to add to that feeling: light colors, brightness, elements that recall the ocean and a vacation mood.

2. Design with intent

• The gray tones that dulled the space were removed.
• Colors and textures were chosen to convey brightness, freshness and rest.
• The decor was designed for the setting: a beach apartment, not just any apartment.

3. Professional photography

Once the space was ready, the photographers came in. Photos are a listing's first impression and what decides whether someone clicks. Good design only pays off if the photos show it.

4. Amenities beach guests value

The finished listing offers everything a couple or a small family needs to enjoy Miami Beach:

• Beach gear included
• Sleeps 4 (queen bed + sofa bed)
• Equipped kitchenette
• Air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi and a smart TV
• Entire private space

Airbnb vs. long-term renting: what Isolda learned

Isolda tried both with the same apartment, and her conclusion is clear:

• Long-term renting isn't where you see the returns. It gives some peace of mind, but you're renting for a year to someone you don't know. She once received forged documents from a tenant.
• On Airbnb, guests arrive with a track record. They're already platform customers with reviews, and reviews matter to both host and guest.
• Nightly income is much higher than monthly rent, and you don't lose control of your property for a whole year.
• A business where you're there without being there. Unlike her profession, which only produces when she's present, she can run Airbnb remotely.

Like any business, some months are up and some are down. But with clear rules and support, for her it's a win-win.

What she valued most about the coaching

• A full team, not one person: a designer, photographers and coaches.
• Everything is structured and written down: nothing is improvised, and classes are recorded.
• Constant support whenever questions or problems come up.

She learned to run her operation so well that when a property manager called to offer their services, she ended up telling them she didn't need one.

What you can apply to your own Airbnb

1. Define the experience before decorating. Beach, city, family, romance? Every piece of furniture should add to that story.
2. Remove what dulls the space. Gray walls and generic decor make your listing disappear among hundreds of identical ones.
3. Invest in professional photos once the space is ready.
4. Think about what your ideal guest needs. At the beach: beach gear, a good bed and air conditioning that works.
5. Know your numbers. Compare what your property earns as a short-term rental versus a long-term one. The RentaClara profitability calculator helps you do it.

You can see the result and book the Tropical Oasis here. And if you're thinking about launching or transforming a property, you don't have to do it alone: book a video call with our team.