HGTV's 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel
The Sunburst Inn
In the laidback beachside town of Indian Shores, Florida, there is a mom & pop motel that has been operating since 1949, known as the Sunburst Inn. Its nostalgic exterior and laid-back coastal charm had always been beloved by its guests and the community. Still, it wasn't until a new owner arrived that its true possibilities, especially in this current short-term rental market, were recognized. It recently underwent extensive renovations, transforming the classic motel into a trendy and chic boutique-style establishment with a beachy vibe - all while being documented on camera for a little project called 🥁HGTV’s 100 Day Dream Home: Beachfront Hotel. That’s right, folks! The Sunburst Inn is the 100 Day Dream Home’s first-ever hotel edition, making it an extra special 2-part episode, that aired May 12th and 19th on Discovery+.
Our team at Host & Stay has a special interest in the Sunburst Inn thanks to the property owner and operator, Andi Diamond, enlisting our help late last year to get her boutique beachfront hotel up-to-date with new online travel agencies (OTAs) and hosting software, Hostfully. Andi and her team had taken over the original mom & pop motel as it was and ran it for a few years until she had the idea of being part of an HGTV series! We were excited to hear from Andi when she reached out to us for help on her tech stack as a hotel would be a first for us too!
While we knew it would be a big lift, we were eager to get to work helping Andi and knew right away it would be essential to get all of her properties aligned on one platform to streamline her business. We helped her get all of her rooms set up on multiple OTAs like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com, and updated her listings’ images, titles, and descriptions to reflect the new design and amenities’ upgrades to the property while being mindful of the revised brand tone and messaging that its new owners wanted to portray. We also transferred all her properties over from her previous PMS system and set up automated messaging to streamline communication with the hundreds of guests she hosts every year, which would play a huge role in the efficiency of the business as Andi has over 25 properties, most with unique messaging for their guests. Additionally, we integrated the main property management system on Hostfully with all of the OTAs and third-party applications like Stripe’s payment processor so everything was housed in one place. Finally, we assisted with the setup and design of the Sunburst Inn’s direct booking website. Over the course of the 8 month project, we also provided advice and guidance as needed and are proud to have helped Andi achieve her goal of streamlining her business operations. Throughout the project, Andi was a pleasure to work with, and even invited us to come visit the hotel in person! We arrived in sunny Florida blown away by the transformation of Sunburst Inn and quickly became lifelong friends with Andi.
We are so excited and grateful to have helped Andi and her team operationally over the past 8 months! It has been so incredible to watch their success continue to grow! After having the privilege of visiting the Sunburst Inn shortly after its renovations were completed and witnessing its unique charm firsthand, we can attest that it certainly lives up to the hype. We are thrilled for the hotel to garner the recognition and appreciation it deserves, and to become the go-to, quintessential Florida vacation destination where guests can return year after year to create new memories just as was done during its heyday.
In terms of upgrades to the original property and room, all of the guest rooms have been renovated and now feature a vibrant and stylish interior, each designed uniquely from the others. Outside, guests can relax and enjoy the stunning outdoor patio, perfect for vacationers, complete with a barbecue and ample lounging and dining areas - and of course, take advantage of the beautiful Indian Shores beach just steps away. Grab some beach loungers and find the perfect spot on the relaxing beach, almost completely private from the rest of the Gulf Coast beach crowds. The stunning panoramic view of the Gulf Coast remains as picturesque as ever, but can now be enjoyed from an updated and elevated location at the Sunburst Inn.
Some of our favorite highlights from the Sunburst Inn that we feel make it extra special include:
Being directly located on the beach - this is one of the best beachfront properties and beach access stays we have ever seen.
Still having the mom & pop feel. The owners did a fantastic job at maintaining the original character and charm of the former motel.
The cute boutique gift store onsite is stocked with beach and travel essentials in case guests forget something!
Sunburst Inn provides free bikes, paddle boards, and beach sun loungers for guests to use! No rental fees!
Ultimate environment for relaxation and vacation vibes. Whether guests are there to unwind and relax or to have fun in the sun, they will be in the right place!
There are countless areas for the ultimate Instagram-worthy moment just in case guests want to make their friends and family jealous of their amazing vacation. 😉
The Sunburst Inn’s guests are treated to a one-of-a-kind experience, with each room featuring unique and thoughtful touches. The communal spaces are just as impressive, with a laid-back patio, perfect for having a morning coffee in the sun, reading a book on the swinging chair, or enjoying a beer while barbecue-ing. We can’t recommend enough that you book a stay at the Sunburst Inn!
Whether you're visiting the Gulf Coast for a quick weekend escape or a family spring break vacation, the Sunburst Inn offers the perfect location for a relaxing, memorable time. For a truly unique and memorable stay on Florida’s Gulf Coast, look no further than this charming boutique hotel, available for bookings on Airbnb, Expedia, VRBO, Booking.com, and directly at www.sunburstinn.com. Its story is one of transformation, creativity, and passion - and it's waiting to be a part of your own story too!
You can also follow Sunburst Inn on Instagram @sunburst_inn and on Facebook @sunburstinnflorida.
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