From Host to Independent Pro: How PriceLabs and Lodgify Empowered Frank to Take Control of His Business

Customer type: Host

Property type: Short-Term Rental

Region: Europe

Products: Dynamic Pricing, Market Dashboard

Number of units: 1

PMS: Lodgify

Executive Summary

Frank Matthaes, owner of Villa Noho in Bavaria, transitioned from using a commission-based property management company to running his luxury vacation rental independently. To manage pricing and operations efficiently, he adopted PriceLabs and Lodgify. With automated rate adjustments, calendar syncing, and streamlined guest communication, Frank now runs his business with more control, less manual work, and better results — all while delivering a premium guest experience.

A Family Villa and a Big Leap

Tucked away in the serene town of Nonnenhorn, on the banks of Lake Constance, stands Villa Noho — a historic, family-owned retreat with lakefront views, a private beach, and a long list of thoughtful, high-end amenities. Frank Matthaes didn’t buy this property to enter the vacation rental business; he inherited it, loved it, and lived in it.

But in July 2022, he took a leap of faith.

“I decided to rent out the ground floor and basement of the villa as an exclusive holiday apartment. At first, I relied on a property management company to help manage the listing.”

Frank Matthaes, Owner, Villa Noho

What began as a helpful solution soon became financially limiting. With high commission fees on top of platform charges, Frank realized he could operate more sustainably — and more profitably — by managing vacation rentals independently.

Saying Goodbye to Commissions — and Starting from Scratch

When Frank parted ways with the property management company, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. He lost all guest reviews, had to build new listings from scratch, and retake all his photos. But in exchange, he gained something far more valuable: ownership — of his brand, his processes, and his pricing.

“Since I live in the villa myself, I prepare the apartment, welcome the guests, and manage everything on-site. It didn’t make sense to keep paying 8% commission on top of platform fees.”

With more financial flexibility, Frank reinvested in the property — upgrading beds, windows, appliances, and even the heating system. The villa’s charm and exclusivity attracted a premium guest segment, but pricing it right without support was still a major hurdle.

Discovering PriceLabs and Lodgify

Frank first heard about PriceLabs and Lodgify through a recommendation from an Italian friend who manages several vacation rentals. The idea of combining automated pricing with streamlined booking and operations immediately appealed to him.

“The integration between the two platforms was seamless. It allowed me to take full control — from pricing to bookings to guest communication.”

Enter PriceLabs: Smarter Pricing Without the Stress

Running a luxury rental is one thing. Pricing it dynamically to reflect demand, fill small gaps, apply discounts, and stay competitive across platforms is another. That’s where PriceLabs changed the game.

“With its smart dynamic pricing engine, I can now automatically adjust nightly rates based on seasonality, local events, and market demand.”

From last-minute discounts to custom minimum stay rules, PriceLabs gave Frank the flexibility he needed — without hours of manual work. The Market Dashboards and Neighborhood Data helped him understand how other properties in his area were performing, which added confidence to his decisions.

“And most importantly, syncing prices across all platforms is now fully automated. That saves me time and prevents mistakes.”

Lodgify: The Daily Command Center

While PriceLabs handles the pricing strategy, Lodgify is Frank’s operational anchor.

“It’s the software I use every day. I manage bookings, calendars, guest details, and availability — all from my phone, wherever I am.”

Lodgify lets Frank manage reservations from Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo — without fear of double bookings. He also uses Lodgify’s automation features to streamline guest messaging and ensure a consistent, high-quality experience.

“It’s professional, easy to navigate, and has a built-in payment system. That makes a big difference.”

It’s easy to see how Lodgify helps Villa Noho offer a seamless guest experience. From check-in instructions to thoughtful reminders, guests are guided every step of the way — without needing Frank to send every message manually.

The Outcome: Independence, Efficiency, and Confidence

With PriceLabs and Lodgify working in tandem, Frank has gone from being a host reliant on a third-party service to an empowered vacation rental operator who manages everything with clarity and control.

“In short, I’ve gone from a dependent host to a fully independent, efficient, and confident property manager.”

Villa Noho isn’t just a beautiful place to stay — it’s a testament to what’s possible when you combine a passion for hospitality with the right technology stack.