The 5-Star Host'r Coach
Currently booking for 2026/2027
Currently booking for 2026/2027
Own Your Rental Business
The 5-Star Host'r Strategy
for a Direct-Booking Future
Book Catherine DeGeorge for Your Podcast or Stage
Are online booking platforms quietly draining your audience's STR profits — and no one's telling them how to stop it?
Catherine DeGeorge is a design-driven strategist and the 5-Star Host'r Coach, helping short-term rental hosts stand out, attract their ideal guests, and build a reliable direct booking business. With a background spanning interior design, hospitality, real estate, marketing, website development, and app creation, she brings a holistic perspective the STR industry rarely sees.
She's the author of The 5-Star Host, founder of the 5-Star Host'r Movement, and creator of EasyBookSTR — a booking engine built to help hosts break free from Airbnb dependence. She specializes in turning overwhelmed hosts into confident, high-performing 5-star brands through practical design, clear systems, and the kind of instincts you can't automate.
Hot Topics
The Truth About Direct Bookings: What Hosts Get Wrong Most hosts assume direct booking is too complicated or only for "big" operators. Catherine breaks down why that's a myth — and what's actually holding hosts back.
Why Every Short-Term Rental Host Needs a Backup to Airbnb and VRBO Relying on a single platform is one of the riskiest moves a host can make. Catherine explains the hidden risks and how to build real independence.
Why Most Direct Booking Setups Fail (and How to Do It Right) Direct booking websites often look right but quietly lose guests. Catherine shares where most setups go wrong — and the fix.Bullet List 3
Professional Bio (For Introductions)
Catherine DeGeorge is the author of The 5-Star Host and the creator of the 5-Star Host'r Movement. With three decades of experience in hospitality, design, and software development, she empowers short-term rental owners to move beyond platform dependence. Through her actionable frameworks and tech tools like EasyBookSTR, Catherine helps hosts raise the bar, secure their rankings, and build independent, high-performing rental brands.
What Catherine Brings to Your Show
No-Nonsense Action Teaches the technical systems and design steps listeners can implement immediately.
The Traveler's Perspective Understands both the technical backend of the business and exactly why a guest leaves a 5-star review.
A Ready-to-Go Guest Comes prepared with suggested interview questions, a clear roadmap for the conversation, and a free chapter of The 5-Star Host to gift listeners.
Elevating the Modern STR Business
Beyond the Interview
As a developer and strategist, Catherine doesn’t just talk about the direct-booking shift—she provides the infrastructure to make it happen. She is the creator of EasyBookSTR, a streamlined booking engine and CRM that keeps your calendars in sync and payments secure.
She is also the founder of DiBSTR, a complete website-building system that provides STR hosts with professionally designed, high-converting Squarespace templates, step-by-step video training, and the copywriting tools needed to launch a profitable direct-booking site from scratch.
Looking Ahead: Keynotes & Live Events
While Catherine is currently focused on podcast guest appearances for the 2026 season, she's also accepting early inquiries for keynote speaking and panel engagements for 2027. If you're planning an event and want to bring the 5-Star Framework to your stage, reach out — Catherine would love to hear more about your audience and timeline.
Media & Event Inquiries
Ready to bring a fresh, multi-dimensional perspective to your audience?
SCHEDULE A BOOKING CALL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "5-Star Host'r Movement"?
It is a mission to professionalize the STR industry by putting the guest at the center of every decision. It teaches hosts to raise their standards through strategic design, intentional hospitality, and trailblazing technology.
How does Catherine's background influence her consulting?
By combining interior design expertise with software development, Catherine provides a rare, dual-focus approach that addresses both the physical guest experience and the digital engine running the business.
Why does Catherine focus on direct bookings?
Direct booking infrastructure is the only way for a host to capture guest data, eliminate platform service fees, and gain control over their business's future.
Does Catherine only work with luxury properties?
No. The 5-Star Host'r methodology is designed for any STR property, in any price range or location. It is about implementing the right systems and intentional design, not spending a fortune on luxury upgrades.
What topics does Catherine cover?
Catherine specializes in the 5-Star Framework, the psychology of the guest experience, technical direct-booking infrastructure, and the transition from platform reliance to independent brand ownership.
Is Catherine currently accepting podcast or speaking invitations?
Yes. Catherine is actively booking podcast guest appearances for the 2026 season. Keynote speaking and panel inquiries for 2027 are also being accepted.Describe the
Can podcast hosts or event organizers offer their audience exclusive resources?
Yes. Catherine is happy to provide actionable insights tailored to your audience's specific pain points and often offers a complimentary chapter of The 5-Star Host to listeners or attendees.
Is Catherine available for virtual panels?
Yes. Catherine is equipped to participate in both in-person events and virtual panels or podcast recordings.Descri
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