Short Rental,
Without Illusions

Turn an apartment into a predictable business — not an experiment

An interactive web book with audio, calculators, and checklists — for hosts who want decisions, not guesswork.

Web bookAudio included
rentalwithoutillusions.com/book
Introduction2:02
00Preface

Why Most Hosts Fail in the First Year

What you get

Interactive Book + Audio

Read or listen directly in your browser. Real examples, real numbers, and the trade-offs most hosts avoid talking about.

Market & Pricing Calculators

Check demand, competition, and calendar logic before mistakes lock your calendar for months.

Start-up Checklists

Know exactly what must be ready before your first months become the most expensive. Built from running a real short-term rental end to end — not theory.

Who this is for — and who it isn't

This is for you if:

  • You want a predictable system, not passive income promises
  • You're willing to think in processes, not tricks
  • You accept seasonality and trade-offs
  • You prefer calm decisions over constant optimization

This is NOT for you if:

  • You want a hands-off Airbnb side hustle
  • You expect automation to solve human problems
  • You panic over empty days
  • You want shortcuts instead of understanding
Complete Guide

Everything you need to master Airbnb & Booking.com

A comprehensive guide based on one year of real experience managing properties on Airbnb and Booking.com in Krakow. No fluff, just actionable insights.

Smart Setup

Realistic cost calculator, pre-launch checklist, and rules configuration to avoid costly beginner mistakes.

Dynamic Pricing

Understand seasonality, optimize your calendar, and set prices based on data instead of emotions.

Guest Management

Automate processes, not relationships. Learn when to use templates and when to add a personal touch.

Operations & Quality

Cleaning schedules, inventory tracking, maintenance planning. The foundation of 5-star reviews.

Reputation Building

Reviews are built in the first 30 minutes. Master the arrival experience and response strategies.

Business Intelligence

From intuition to data. Track net revenue, understand seasonality, and make strategic decisions.

Table of Contents

A complete roadmap to rental success

6 chapters, 50+ pages of actionable content based on real data and experience.

Start reading for free

No credit card required

Realistic expectations, cost calculator, pre-launch checklist, rules configuration, and photography guidelines.

Dynamic pricing, seasonality patterns, calendar optimization, gap management, and cancellation analytics.

Communication timeline, guest profiling, issue management, digital guidebook, and automation boundaries.

Apartment in Kraków
Krzysztof - Host
Krzysztof PiskorzHost in Kraków
Our Story

Built on Real Experience

What started as an experiment — testing if short-term rental could work when done right — became a sustainable operation in central Kraków. No theories, no shortcuts. Just real observation from living next door, day after day.

90%
Occupancy
380 PLN
Avg. rate
5.0
Rating
Family-run operation with consistent standards
Real data from living next door, not assumptions
Designed for comfort, not just photos
Focus on stability over rapid growth

"Growth is not the goal. Stability is."

Proof of operational quality

What Our Guests Say

Authentic reviews from guests who stayed at our Krakow apartment

5.0(18 reviews)

The same systems that produced these guest reviews are explained in the book.

"Krzysztof is the best host I've ever had. He responded to messages quickly, very helpful. You can feel that he enjoys the contact and really finds himself in running his rental property. Beautifully furnished apartment, fully equipped kitchen, huge TV, very comfortable bed. You can see that heart was put into organizing this place, and it wasn't done like a large part of Airbnbs at the lowest cost. I can really wholeheartedly recommend!"

Translated from Polish

D
Dagmara
6 years on Airbnb
January 2025
One night stay

"Everything as described, incredibly clean, lovely hosts, we recommend!"

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A
Arkadiusz
4 years on Airbnb
November 2025
One night stay

"Everything as described, great option for four people - two separate bedrooms. I recommend!"

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N
Nikola
8 years on Airbnb
June 2025
Several nights stay

"One of the better Airbnbs I've had the chance to stay at. Flexible check-in options, Krzysztof showed us around the apartment and explained where everything is. In the apartment itself, everything you need and even more! Perfectly clean, super comfortable bed and well-equipped kitchen. Great neighborhood - very close to tourist attractions, but in a quiet area. Close to tram, shopping mall, restaurants. Owners very proactive, recommended restaurants to us and were easily accessible. I will definitely return on my next trip to Krakow!"

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T
Toby
8 years on Airbnb
January 2025
Several nights stay

"Great, nice and well-furnished apartment. Krzysztof was a great host, he was very flexible and helpful. The apartment is so tastefully decorated and well equipped with everything you need. It's only 15 minutes walk to the old town and there's a great flea market on Sunday 8 minutes walk. Highly recommend this place!"

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D
Denys
Kharkiv, Ukraine
December 2025
Several nights stay

"Highly recommend! Clean, spacious and cozy apartments with a completely renovated interior. Equipped with everything needed for a nice and pleasant stay. Easy check-in/check-out, comfortable place to sleep, easy access to the city center. Good Wi-Fi, fully equipped kitchen, heated floor in the bathroom - everything is just perfect and feels like home."

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A
Angela
Huntersville, North Carolina
September 2025
Several nights stay

"We stayed for two days in Krzysztof's apartment, it was small but had everything we needed. I appreciate how clean it was and how helpful the host was. He met us outside and helped pay for parking. It was a good place to stay for us as a couple and our daughter. Close to the Jewish Market and shopping center."

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M
Mark
2 years on Airbnb
August 2025
Several nights stay

"Highly recommend Krzysztof and this beautiful apartment. He was always very helpful and quick to respond to any questions. He was also very patient when I had to change the luggage pickup time twice after check-out. My son and I visited the host during Christmas holidays. When we arrived late on Christmas Eve, a generous welcome package was waiting for us. Krzysztof also gave us tips about restaurants and shops open during our stay. The apartment is in an excellent location for public transport, including a direct train line from the airport, and it's easy to walk to the historic main square. It's cozy, very nicely decorated (wonderful shower and underfloor heating in the bathroom - bliss). Very well equipped and spotless. I plan to come back to see more of Krakow and the area, and I'll happily stay here on my next visit. Thank you for helping make our Christmas magical!"

Translated from Polish

K
Kate
10 years on Airbnb
December 2025
Several nights stay

"Perfect place. Beautiful finishes, good location, very friendly hosts and lots of good tips for your stay. Free guide on site indicates restaurant addresses. If the opportunity arises, I will choose this place to stay again."

Translated from Polish

S
Shalitha
8 months on Airbnb
October 2025
Several nights stay

"Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Krzysztof, whose kindness and hospitality immediately won us over. He gave lots of helpful advice, a personalized Google map with recommended places, and even a few thoughtful little treats. We've never met a host who tried so hard to make guests feel welcome. Krzysztof and Paulina's apartment is as close to home as a guest room can be. It's freshly renovated, cozy, stylish, spotlessly clean, and perfectly located. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore Krakow, Wieliczka Salt Mine and many other great places nearby. Krzysztof and Paulina, thank you for opening the doors of your 'Nest on the Vistula' to us. We wish you success in hosting guests!"

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A
Anna
7 years on Airbnb
August 2025
Several nights stay

"We had a great time at Vistula Nest. It's a beautifully renovated apartment with great attention to detail - it looked like home. The host was lovely and responsive, with recommendations ready in case you needed a good place to eat nearby. There's also a large shopping center nearby where you can quickly stock up. We'll be back!"

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M
Marta
San Francisco, California
April 2025
Several nights stay

"Very nice apartment close to the Jewish district. Everything was clean and spotless. Don't hesitate and book!"

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J
Jacobo
Mexico City, Mexico
October 2025
Several nights stay

"Cozy and clean apartments, everything is the same as in the photos. In the kitchen and bathroom you will find all the necessary things you may need during your trip, and even more."

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A
Aleksandr
4 years on Airbnb
October 2025
One night stay

"We had a great time at Krzysztof's apartment during our 3-day visit to Krakow. The place is quite easily accessible from the main train station by tram and a short walk, about 15-20 minutes of travel, and the location is convenient for exploring Kazimierz district, Old Town and the surrounding area. The apartment itself is small but decently furnished. We traveled with our toddler (2.5 years old), so we found ourselves lacking a living room and had to spend our free time in the kitchen, but the kitchen was full of light and pleasant, and the bedrooms were comfortable, if minimalistic. The host was responsive from booking to check-out and we appreciated the thoughtful book of local recommendations (and used several). We'd be happy to return and recommend this place to others."

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O
Otylia
College Park, Maryland
September 2025
Stay with children

"Very pleasant place, I recommend!"

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A
Agata
2 years on Airbnb
May 2025
Several nights stay

"Good location. Very good equipment, with all amenities to feel at home. Easy communication with the host."

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M
Marcos
7 years on Airbnb
August 2025
Several nights stay

"Simply perfect in every way, I can imagine many 5-star comments. Thank you for everything Krzysztof and see you soon!"

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S
Samuel
12 years on Airbnb
August 2025
One night stay

"Great place to stay, and Krzysztof is a great host."

Translated from Polish

A
Anders
4 years on Airbnb
December 2025
Several nights stay

Reviews collected from

Airbnb

Ready to stop guessing?

If this way of thinking resonates, the full system is available as an interactive web book with audio, calculators, and checklists.

Trusted by hosts

What property owners are saying

500+
Hosts helped
4.9
Average rating
1,200+
Properties managed

"I wish I had this guide before my first listing. Would have saved me 3 months of costly mistakes and stress."

M
Marta K.
2 properties in Warsaw

"The pricing chapter alone paid for itself. I finally understand seasonality and stopped panicking during slow months."

T
Thomas B.
Host since 2022

"Clear, honest, no BS. This is what the YouTube gurus don't tell you about short-term rental."

A
Anna S.
3 properties in Krakow

Works with all major platforms

Built from running a real short-term rental — not theory.