The Marilyn on Monroe is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Airbnb home in West Palm Beach that can accommodate up to 9 guests. A retro glamour inspired home design paired with luxurious amenities at this vacation rental makes the perfect space for your next trip! We stumbled upon this beautiful home on Instagram (@themarilynwpb) and love following all of the photos for inspiration and Airbnb hosting ideas.
In this post, we’re sharing our Airbnb host interview with the owner, Jenny. Find out how she got started in the Airbnb space and a little behind her home design process. Hear what she has to say about the good, the bad, and the pretty!
Tell us a little background about yourself. How did you get started in the short term rental space?
I was raised in South FL and spent a year living in West Palm Beach while attending Northwood University (now known as Keiser Univ). After that, I lived in Los Angeles, CA for a few years before moving back to South FL, where I stayed for several years.
Eventually, I relocated to Houston, TX, which is my current place of residence. I have a great passion for traveling and I do it frequently. As a matter of fact, I’m currently answering these questions while on a plane heading to Paris, France, for the first time!
Throughout my travels, I have stayed in Airbnb’s all over the world, and it has always been something I wanted to experience.
To prepare for this adventure, I did as much research as possible through books, podcasts, and Facebook groups. I knew I wanted my Airbnb to be close to home so that I would have a place to stay when visiting my family. I saved up my money, and last year, I finally made the decision to make it happen.
How long have you been a host and how many properties do you own and operate?
I’m a brand new host! I’ve been up and running since April. This is my first and only property at the moment.
Are you a full time short term rental host or is this a side hustle?
This is currently a side hustle, but hopefully one day it will be full time!
Did you design the space yourself? Tell us a little bit about the process.
The Marilyn is a mix of modern luxury combined with unique antique finds from local antique furniture shops in the area. Interior design has always been a hobby of mine and I love the process of picking out everything from furniture, to wallpaper, to décor and piecing it all together.
Through a lot of trial and error, several trips to Homegoods and other stores, we ended up with what it is today.
What are the features of your space that attract guests the most?
So far guests have loved hanging out in the backyard, utilizing the peloton and gym equipment and cooking in our amazing gourmet kitchen.
What has been the biggest challenge during your hosting journey?
So far my hosting journey has been pretty great (knock on wood). I’ve had amazing, respectful guests who have thoroughly enjoyed their experience and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
What has been the biggest reward during your hosting journey?
The biggest reward is watching the property gain traction and knowing that all the blood sweat and tears has and continues to pay off.
Where can people find you?
We are listed on Airbnb and VRBO. We also have an IG page that has a ton of local recommendations and fun things to do in the area.
Airbnb: airbnb.com/h/themarilynwpb
VRBO: https://www.vrbo.com/3500542
IG: @themarilynwpb
Enjoy some more photos of this space!
Thank you to Jenny with The Marilyn on Monroe for participating in our Airbnb host interview.
Local West Palm Beach Tips
If you’re traveling to the West Palm Beach area of Florida, staying in an Airbnb is a great choice. You’ll get some more space to be able to relax and unwind without the crazy prices of hotels. And don’t forget to get your beach vacation packing list together to make sure you’re not forgetting all the essentia.s
Here are a few things to do while you’re in Palm Beach:
- Public Beaches in West Palm Beach
- Peanut Island – perfect for “Sandbar Sunday”
- Lake Worth Beach historic cottages
- Antique Row
- Sunset picnics on the beach
Hey, I’m Melissa… As an Airbnb Superhost and someone who is passionate about investing in real estate, I created Beach Life Bliss to share my experiences and help short term rental operators. I have been a landlord for over 10 years and started my first Airbnb property in 2019.
Creating a space with amenities that guests love, beautifully designed rooms, and providing exceptional hospitality will make your Airbnb business thrive.
I hope that all of my Airbnb hosting resources are helpful as you navigate the challenges and rewards of being an Airbnb host!