Learn How to Open an Eco-Stay

Opening a short-term rental isn’t just about income — it’s about creating a space that welcomes, inspires, and sustains. Nature-Based Hosting is for those who dream of offering more than just a bed for the night. It’s for those who believe in intentional spaces, gentle rhythms, and warm guest experiences grounded in nature.

Rooted in the Greensteading ethos, this course invites you to approach hosting as a natural extension of your values. Whether you’re starting with a tiny home, rustic cabin, or bush cottage, this is your invitation to build a stay that supports simplicity, beauty, and conscious living.

What is Nature-Based Hosting? It’s not about luxury, trends, or algorithms. It’s about creating a place that feels deeply restful and grounded — for your guests and for you. At its heart, nature-based hosting is about slowing down, inviting others into your world, and sharing a lifestyle that feels connected and calm.

This course helps you: – Clarify your vision: What story does your space tell? What do you want guests to feel?
– Style with intention: Using local materials, handmade touches, and thoughtful layouts that reflect your land and life
– Photograph with heart: Capturing the light, textures, and emotion of your stay (even if you’re using your phone)
– Write your listing in a way that attracts your ideal guest — not just anyone looking for a cheap stay
– Understand platforms and booking tools so you stay in control, not overwhelmed
– Price wisely, manage your calendar, and set boundaries that support a slower pace
– Handle communication with warmth, clarity, and grace
– Design memorable guest moments — like a garden harvest basket, a handwritten map of walking tracks, or a pot of lemon balm tea on arrival

Why it matters Your stay has the power to do more than offer accommodation. It can create ripples of rest, reconnection, and inspiration. Many people booking rural or eco stays are looking for more than a break — they’re looking for a glimpse of another way of life.

As shared in the Greensteading book, your home and land are more than physical assets — they’re expressions of what you value. Hosting is a way to open your gate to others and invite them into a slower, simpler, greener world — even for just a weekend.

Inside the course, you’ll get: – Real examples and video walkthroughs from successful eco stays (including Gumnut Cottage and Banjos Cabin)
– Editable templates for welcome books, guest check-in messages, and cleaning guides
– Photography and storytelling tips that help your space stand out without overcomplicating
– Revenue strategies that balance profit with sustainability
– Support with choosing platforms and syncing bookings across Airbnb, Booking.com, and direct listings
– Tips for managing peak season, reviews, and repeat guests

You’ll also gain confidence in: – Trusting your instincts when it comes to décor, tone, and vibe
– Setting clear expectations while still offering a warm, generous guest experience
– Creating moments of magic that don’t require constant labour or cost
– Letting go of perfection and showing up as a real, thoughtful host

This course is ideal for: – Hosts new to the short-term rental world who want to get it right from the beginning
– Owners of eco stays, bush cabins, tiny homes, or rustic retreats
– Anyone who wants their hosting journey to feel aligned, profitable, and light

If you’ve ever stood in your garden at sunset and thought, I wish I could share this with someone — this course is for you.

Nature-Based Hosting offers the structure, tools, and inspiration to help you build something real — a business that supports your lifestyle and your guests’ wellbeing.

Find out more here.

About the Author:

Written by Gumnut Co

Mel Chamberlain is a qualified life coach, short-stay superhost, author and aspriring horticulturist with a deep love for seasonal living and edible garden design. She’s the founder of Gumnut Co and the creator of two off-grid Greensteads in Central Gippsland, where she also hosts guests at Banjos Cabin and Gumnut Cottage. Through her writing, Mel shares real, down-to-earth ways to slow down, grow your own, and reconnect with what matters — no matter where you live.

Mel Chamberlain

Mel Chamberlain

Founder of Greensteading

Overwhelmed by
Your New Eco Stay?

Don’t stress – Our partner firm ElysiumCo offers seamless short-term rental management tailored for your eco-stay.

From listing your property across multiple booking platforms to syncing calendars, guest messaging, and availability,

ElysiumCo handles all the moving parts. They bring expertise in photography, branding, occupancy optimisation, revenue management, and marketing — helping you create a beautiful, booked-out stay with ease.

With a strong focus on guest experience and aligned values, ElysiumCo ensures your hosting journey stays intentional, profitable, and low-stress. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to grow, their team brings clarity and calm to the back end of your hosting life.

Contact us for details.

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