Updated : Oct 2, 2025
Customer type: Property Manager
Property type: Short-Term Rental
Region: Europe
Products: Dynamic Pricing, Market Dashboard
Number of listings: 26-100
PMS: Octorate
Accidental Short-Term Rental Hosts
Recinto68’s journey began unexpectedly. Located near the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia, the aparthotel was designed for medium-length student stays. But as construction neared completion, contacts from the tourism industry encouraged owner Juan Esteban Leiva and his team to consider vacation rentals.
“With tools like PriceLabs and Octorate, we operate strategically and make confident decisions.”
— Juan Esteban Leiva, Owner
They saw the opportunity and made the shift. Recinto68, part of the Recinto Group managed by Areasociety S.A.S., launched on Airbnb, and their journey into short-term rentals began, almost by accident. Their story highlights how short-term rental tools in Latin America can empower hosts to grow with confidence, even when starting from scratch.
The Challenges of Managing Without the Right Tools
For the first two years, property management was handled by a third party. But when Juan’s Areasociety S.A.S. took over operations, they quickly realized the gaps in their business.
“We were making pricing decisions based on instinct, reacting last-minute, and didn’t have the tools or time to do a proper market analysis.”
Initially listed only on Airbnb, they added Booking.com after seeing occupancy dip in Medellín. That’s when it became clear they needed a better tech stack. They were on the lookout for something professional, integrated, and built for growth.
Discovery Through Community: The Asohost Connection
The turning point came through Colombia’s host association, Asohost. Juan joined a Revenue Management course provided by Asohost, where the instructor was Natalia Contreras from PriceLabs. By adopting a professional approach to revenue management for vacation rentals, Recinto68 was able to move beyond guesswork and align pricing with real demand trends.
“We started with the Market Dashboard. It helped us understand future demand and analyze the competition. That was a game-changer.”
Later on, at an Asohost conference focused on AI in short-term rentals, they discovered Octorate. Three things stood out: automated payments through Booking.com, direct reservations, and a full integration with PriceLabs.
“That level of automation and connectivity gave us the confidence to switch.”
Seamless Integration, Immediate Value
They expected onboarding to be tough. It wasn’t. The seamless channel manager and dynamic pricing integration between Octorate and PriceLabs allowed the team to automate key tasks while staying ahead of market shifts.
“The process was surprisingly smooth and fast. We didn’t expect implementation to go so easily.”
PriceLabs gave them the power to make data-informed decisions using real demand signals, events, and seasonal patterns. Octorate simplified daily operations, offering a centralized platform that unified payments, channels, and bookings.
Together, the two tools created a streamlined system that helped Areasociety move beyond gut feeling and into scalable, repeatable processes.
Real Results from the Start
Despite starting in Medellín’s mid-to-low season, the impact was immediate. After reviewing historical data, in April 2025, Recinto68 generated 30% more revenue with PriceLabs.
“In April, we saw a 30% increase in revenue compared to previous years. That confirmed we were on the right track.”
This early success gave the team the confidence to continue refining their strategies. May showed continued gains, and by June, their calendar was filling fast. With better visibility into market demand and the tools to automate and optimize operations, Recinto68 was able to navigate seasonal challenges and build a solid foundation for year-round performance.
Advice to Fellow Hosts: Don’t Hesitate
Juan and his team know many hosts hesitate to invest in tools.
“Many people see tools like PriceLabs and Octorate as costs, but they’re really investments. They help you stay ahead in a competitive market.”
For Areasociety and Recinto68, this decision marked the start of a new chapter. One where data, automation, and confidence replaced guesswork.
“We took the leap, and it’s one of the best decisions we’ve made.”
Inspired by Community, Powered by Integration
With the guidance of Asohost and the power of PriceLabs and Octorate, Recinto68 transformed from a student rental project into a growing short-term rental aparthotel operation. This story serves as a reminder: with the right tools, the right support, and a willingness to adapt, STR hosts across Latin America can thrive.
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