Author: Adam Knight

With 25+ years in luxury hotels and vacation rentals, Adam has led operations for brands like Fairmont and St. Regis and built high-performing hospitality businesses from the ground up. Today, as Founder & CEO of Recreation Stays, he brings that same expertise to helping owners unlock maximum returns while delivering five-star guest experiences. He’s also the host of The Proven Principles Hospitality Podcast, where industry leaders share what works in modern hospitality, and was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in US Hospitality.

Switching to Recreation Stays from another Management Company Switching to Recreation Stays from another Management Company

Switching to Recreation Stays: What to Expect

We don’t just take over. We take off. Switching property managers should not risk revenue, lose bookings, or drag on for weeks. At Recreation, we have transitioned...

Extended Stay Vacation Rentals in Seattle: Corporate Housing, Relocation & Remote Work

October 3, 2025
Adam Knight
Blog, Seattle

Relocating to Seattle for a new job? Starting a three-month project at Amazon or Microsoft? Working remotely from the Pacific Northwest for a season? Need temporary...

Vacation Rentals Near Seattle Hospitals: Extended Stay Housing for Medical Families

October 2, 2025
Adam Knight
Blog, Seattle

When you’re traveling to Seattle for medical treatment, surgery, or a loved one’s care, finding the right place to stay is just as important as finding...

Where to Stay in Seattle with Kids: Family-Friendly Neighborhood Guide & Best Vacation Rentals

October 2, 2025
Adam Knight
Blog, Seattle

Planning a family trip to Seattle and wondering where to stay? Skip the downtown hotel hustle and discover what local families already know: Seattle’s...

Winter Storm Watching on the Washington Coast: Best Vacation Rentals & Viewing Spots

October 2, 2025
Adam Knight
Westport, WA, Blog

There’s something primal about watching a Pacific storm slam into the Washington coast. From November through early March, massive storms pound the coastline,...

Best Westport Vacation Rentals for Fishing Charters & Marina Access

October 2, 2025
Adam Knight
Blog, Westport, WA

Westport, Washington isn’t just another coastal town—it’s the premier charter fishing destination on the West Coast. Every spring through fall, thousands...

Luxury 5BR | Hot Tub, Game Room, Steps to Beach Main Image

Wheelchair Accessible Vacation Rentals & Travel Guide: Washington Coast

October 2, 2025
Adam Knight
Blog, Westport, WA

Finding a vacation rental with genuine accessibility features on the Washington coast is harder than it should be. Most beach houses have stairs to the entry, narrow...

Vacation Rental Management Contracts Explained

For many owners, the contract is where surprises live. Fee percentages may look clear on a website, but it’s the fine print that determines flexibility, control, and...

How Much Does Vacation Rental Management Cost?

Owners ask this first because it determines everything else. The problem: fee structures look similar on the surface but behave very differently in practice. This...

Evolve vs Recreation Stays - Vacation Rental Management

Evolve vs Recreation Stays: Which Vacation Rental Manager Is Better for Premium Homes in Seattle, Napa, Sonoma, and Bend?

Choosing a manager for a high-value vacation home is not just about who can list your property. It is about who can protect the asset, drive five-star reviews, and...

The Complete Guide to Seattle Vacation Rental Management

Complete Guide to Vacation Rental Management in Seattle

Seattle is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic hospitality markets: strong year-round demand drivers (tech, healthcare, sports, cruise traffic), pronounced...

Vacasa vs. Recreation Stays: Why Boutique Vacation Rental Management Wins in Seattle, Napa, Sonoma, and Bend

Choosing the right vacation rental management company has a direct impact on your bottom line, guest satisfaction, and peace of mind. Vacasa is the largest operator...

The Airbnb-Hotel Hybrid Model Is the Future. Here’s What It Really Means

The hospitality industry is at a crossroads. Traditional hotels are being squeezed by rising labor costs, changing traveler expectations, and capital markets...

Revenue Killers You Can’t See in Airbnb’s Dashboard

Your listing looks fine. Your calendar’s full. So why are you leaving $30K on the table? The vacation rental industry has evolved dramatically over the past...

Hotel Mindset vs Host Mindset in Luxury Vacation Rentals

Why Luxury Vacation Rentals Need a Hotel Mindset, Not a Host Mindset

At a Four Seasons, your favorite wine is waiting in the fridge. At an Airbnb, you’re lucky if the fridge is clean. That’s the difference between a hotel...

The Recreation Guarantee - 5 star guest reviews guaranteed or you don't pay

The Recreation Guarantee: Why We Put Our Management Fee on the Line to Protect 5-Star Guest Experiences

Most vacation rental managers talk about guest satisfaction. We tie our management fee to it. At Recreation Stays, if we don’t earn a 5-star review from your...

Is Your Home Really Worth $1,000 a Night? The Pricing Mistake That’s Costing Luxury Owners Thousands

Beautiful Home, Bad Pricing: The $1,000/Night Myth You’ve invested in premium finishes, curated designer furniture, and created an Instagram-worthy space. Your...

The Hidden Costs of Low-Quality Guest Experiences: Why 4.7 Stars Isn’t Good Enough for Luxury Properties

In luxury hospitality, “almost perfect” doesn’t cut it. I spent years managing guest experiences in luxury hotels and saw how minor lapses—an inconsistent shower, a...

Luxury in the Off-Season: How to Maintain Premium Rates Year-Round

When I was managing luxury hotels, we had a saying: “Peak season is easy money. The real pros make it year-round.” This principle is even more...

Tier 1 Home - vacation rental management

What Makes a Property a Tier 1 Vacation Rental—And Why It Matters

Not all vacation rentals are created equal. Two properties with identical bedroom counts in the same general area can have wildly different financial outcomes. One...

How to Know When It’s Time to Stop Managing Your Airbnb Yourself

The Tipping Point: When Self-Managing Your Luxury Vacation Rental No Longer Makes Sense I love “go-live” day for our clients. Whether it’s their...

a white counter with a light from the ceiling

Self-Service Hotels: Do Guests Really Want No Staff?

February 5, 2025
Adam Knight
Hotel Management, Blog

The Rise of Self-Service Hotels Imagine arriving at a hotel after a long flight. Instead of waiting in line for check-in, you scan a QR code, unlock your room with...

Is Traditional Hotel Management Dying? The Rise of Lean Hospitality

February 5, 2025
Adam Knight
Hotel Management, Blog

The Hotel Industry is at a Crossroads Traditional hotel management is facing serious challenges. Rising labor costs, ongoing staffing shortages, and shifting guest...

How Boutique Hotels Can Compete with Short-Term Rentals

February 5, 2025
Adam Knight
Hotel Management, Blog

The Battle for Bookings Boutique hotels are facing increasing competition from short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb and Vrbo. But are they really at a...

April 14, 2026

After reserving, the managed host asked us for extra verification. Halfway through I reached out and was happy I did not have to continue on the site external to Airbnb. This would’ve been a deterrent, but I’m so happy we continued and enjoyed this place very much. The host was very friendly and responsive in helping us get the access code and welcoming guidebook. After our late night, flexible arrival, we immensely enjoyed our stay. It was clean, comfortable, a great bed, a great shower. There is some street noise, but the mostly enclosed bedroom helped for a comfortable rest. The kitchen had what we needed, but would’ve been great to have salt/pepper, and vinegar/oil to make it more usable. Tea would’ve been a nice addition, but the coffee was great! We bought milk at the downstairs market, so we had it for morning coffee. The location was great, allowing us to walk to many sites, nearby restaurants, hop on/off bus. We highly recommend this location and would return!

One Sky Loft | Suite, Queen Bed

April 13, 2026

Positive: Great location Negative: Smell of smoke

Near Space Needle, DT | 10 min to World Cup Games

Beautiful location. We thoroughly enjoyed our time. It was exactly what we needed. Everyone was very helpful, patient and kind. We will be back.

The World is your Oyster at this Unique Condo

Cozy place to stay with a beautiful view. Very clean!

Treasured Cove Condo at Ocean Surf Condo

April 12, 2026

Clean well located. Know before you go: no black out curtains so little privacy or quiet with so many windows at street level (but lots of great light!). Place is minimally stocked-one towel person- caliber and price of the place warrants the two towel standard at least. No bathroom on main floor so you have to go up or down stairs for toilet. Had no kitchen towels but when I inquired they had them delivered the same day so excellent responsiveness. Parking on the street was sometimes a challenge and we had to park 2 blocks away, though sometimes got close space. Carpet upstairs coming loose in several places (has rolls in it). Bed fills whole Master bedroom so little room left after that and light switches glow even when off. Rain shower provides minimal force. Otherwise very nice space, great location two blocks fromClimate Pledge, induction oven, everything very clean, nice space to gather downstairs and roof terrace a great spot. Would recommend!

Everything was wonderful, WiFi was in and out but all in all a beautiful place to stay had a beautiful walk on the beach and trails surrounding the place. Will definitely be back in the future.

Beachfront Condo on the Moclips River

My son and I came to Ocean Shores to visit my mom who was in a rehab. facility. The condo was perfect for us. The location is perfect. The condo was clean, yet could use a little deeper clean in the bathroom and base boards could use a little attention, however it is the ocean and sand & dust do accumulate. I appreciated that my 6 pounds dog was welcome as long as I paid the $20 per night. That part was a little confusing to me (per night) as there is no cleaning service each day. As a host myself & knowing there is extra cleaning that goes into cleans with pets, I understand the need for an additional fee, just don't really understand the per night. Suggestions: a whole roll of toilet paper for two people for a weekend would be nice. Half a roll, not adequate. Found one blanket, an additional throw would be great, a knife and cutting board would have helped for cutting a take and bake to fit in the small oven. We will be back even if on the pricier side and entry instructions emailed.

Hear the Surf at Sea Star Condo

Especially great for traveling with dogs. Great fenced yard with front and back areas that can be separated. Lots of privacy.

King Bed | Fenced Yard | 15 min to World Cup Games

April 11, 2026

My family and I really enjoyed the location and the home. It was very nice and quiet and had everything we needed

Beach Dream North, directly on Moclips Beach

April 9, 2026

This home has an incredible view, the two king ensuites are perfect for any gathering in the space the hot tub is fabulous. Excellent place to stay for you want some serenity. Oh and the library was a chef's kiss, fun collection to paw through.

Beachfront Moclips Retreat w/ Hot Tub & Fire Pit

We had a great little family trip at this location! Although the location is about a 15-20min drive away from amenities, the drive is easy and the surroundings are beautiful. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful, the kids enjoyed playing in the yard while we BBQd and the views from the back deck were amazing!

Phenomenal Sunsets, Wild Orca & Private Beach

we had a really lovely time the water doesn't come as close to the condo as it shows in the pictures and there was a few little issues the lights were off over the table. and the plumbing is a little outdated but other than that it was a quiet nice beautiful place everybody was really sweet I would come and stay there again and tell a friend about it.

Stunning Views from this Waterfront Condo