Key Takeaways

  • Plum Guide offers access to a curated marketplace of luxury vacation rentals focused on high guest expectations and longer stays.

  • Its proprietary AI vetting system filters out low-quality listings, ensuring only the top 3% of homes qualify.

  • The platform supports scalable, high-end property management through property management system integrations and editorial consistency.

Plum Guide is a short-term rental platform that lists only the top-performing homes in each market. Unlike traditional booking sites, it filters aggressively for design, comfort, and consistency—accepting fewer than 3% of properties that apply.

That level of curation changes the game for property managers. It means less competition, better guest expectations, and a platform built for long stays, higher rates, and fewer surprises. If you manage upscale homes and care about presentation, Plum Guide can be a powerful tool—not just for bookings, but for brand positioning.

In this blog, we’ll cover how Plum Guide works, what’s new, and what you need to do to succeed on the platform.

How Plum Guide selects homes

Plum Guide doesn’t leave quality up to chance. Every home goes through a strict approval process that focuses on real-world guest experience—comfort, design, cleanliness, and attention to detail. Only properties that meet high standards across these areas get listed, cutting down on guesswork for both guests and hosts.

A proprietary AI system evaluates each home using patterns learned from over 100,000 listings, matching human judgment with 91% accuracy. The system slashes onboarding costs by 85% and increases booking conversions by 45%. For property managers juggling multiple listings, that means faster approvals and less back-and-forth without sacrificing quality.

Of course, approval is just the starting point. Plum Guide's internal editorial team reviews every listing to make sure content stays consistent across the platform. Descriptions follow a uniform voice, photos meet strict visual standards, and every detail aligns with what high-end guests expect. Hosts manage availability, pricing, and policies, while editorial teams shape how each listing appears to travelers. The approach builds trust and keeps presentation polished.

What hosts are responsible for after approval

So, if your property is already listed on Plum Guide—congratulations. But now the hard work begins…

Properties must continue to meet the same standards shown in listing photos and descriptions. If the guest walks into a space that feels neglected or stripped down, the listing loses credibility—and eventually, its place on the platform.

Hosts also need to follow Plum Guide’s editorial guidelines when submitting updates. That includes syncing seasonal amenities, removing features no longer offered, and making sure descriptions match the actual guest experience. If a listing starts to drift, editorial teams step in to fix or flag content.

Poor reviews, recurring maintenance issues, or noticeable wear won’t go unnoticed. When a property no longer meets the quality bar, it gets removed. The platform stays tightly curated, which keeps the value high for hosts who stay aligned with the standards.

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How to list a property on Plum Guide

Illustration of two people using laptops in a modern, colorful room with plants and bookshelves. Concept for Plum Guide.

Listing a property on Plum Guide isn’t a quick upload-and-go task. The process is deliberate, structured, and built to support operators managing multiple high-performing homes. 

For property managers focused on scaling without sacrificing quality, the setup strikes a balance between control and efficiency.

Step 1: Set up your host profile and upload documents

Start by setting up a host profile tied to a verified business or individual. You’ll need to submit documentation like proof of ownership, insurance coverage, and, where applicable, tax or permit registrations. The platform uses this step to filter for professional operators who meet elevated guest expectations.

Once your profile is verified, each property needs its own set of details—location, amenities, capacity, and accurate property descriptions. Every listing must be complete before moving forward. Skipping fields or uploading placeholder content only delays the review process.

Step 2: Define your pricing, availability, and rules

After approval, you control how the property appears to guests. Set nightly rates, minimum stays, and cancellation terms with a focus on attracting longer bookings from higher-spend travelers. The platform doesn’t cater to discount hunters, so aggressive price drops won’t gain traction.

You can also define lead times, check-in parameters, and any restrictions around pets or children. Each setting shapes the booking experience, and consistency across listings helps build trust with returning guests.

Step 3: Connect your PMS to stay organized

To manage multiple listings efficiently, Plum Guide offers both full and light integrations with Property Management Systems (PMS) like Uplisting. With full integration, calendar availability, pricing, and content sync in both directions. Light integrations support one-way data flow—ideal for setups with limited system access.

Syncing listings eliminates the manual back-and-forth that leads to errors. Rates stay current, availability reflects real-time changes, and policies remain aligned across platforms. With properties in multiple regions or markets, that kind of consistency keeps operations smooth.

Automate your updates and reduce admin work

Once properties are live and connected, the platform supports ongoing automation to reduce repetitive tasks.

  • Real-time calendar and rate sync: Any updates made in your PMS—like blocked dates or pricing changes—carry over instantly.

  • Automated rule triggers: House rules, message templates, and guest instructions can trigger based on booking details, cutting down on manual coordination.

  • Operational consistency: When you adjust amenities, update seasonal pricing, or revise policies, the changes push out across all synced platforms automatically.

For managers scaling across cities or regions, Plum Guide offers a listing system that stays lean without compromising visibility or control.

Can you earn more revenue with Plum Guide?

Yes—and not just by charging more per night. Plum Guide attracts guests who book longer stays, treat properties with care, and value consistency over quick discounts. These travelers are often working remotely, relocating with family, or booking extended breaks—and they’re willing to pay for the right space.

Longer bookings come with real benefits: Fewer turnovers, fewer gaps, and less time spent coordinating cleanings or guest communication. You can also optimize revenue by offering thoughtful rate breaks on 7-, 14-, or 28-night stays. Instead of undercutting your pricing, this strategy rewards guests who stay longer—and helps you fill the calendar without the stress of constant turnover.

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Where Plum Guide is going—and how to stay ahead

Short-term rentals aimed at higher-end travelers are shifting fast. Large platforms once built around mass listings are narrowing their focus, while curated marketplaces like Plum Guide are building traction through consistency, longer guest stays, and controlled expansion.

For property managers scaling portfolios without compromising standards, the next growth phase is already in motion—and it’s not subtle.

Expansion into new markets

Plum Guide currently lists homes in over 500 destinations across 29 countries and now targets 60 more locations by the end of 2024. The plan isn’t about chasing bigger numbers. It’s about entering cities and regions where travelers book longer stays, expect comfort without clutter, and treat properties with respect.

For managers already operating in lifestyle-driven cities—places like Lisbon, Austin, or Edinburgh—the timing lines up. Getting listed before the platform opens to broader host applications in new markets gives early adopters an edge. Properties that already meet quality benchmarks are more likely to be approved quickly, published faster, and featured more prominently.

New revenue streams for high-performing managers

As listings grow in number and geographic reach, so do options to boost income beyond nightly rates. Managers running well-maintained homes in high-demand areas can layer in:

  • Extended-stay pricing models: Offering rate breaks for 7-, 14-, or 28-night bookings helps fill calendars without dropping ADR (Average Daily Rate). Longer stays also reduce turnover, guest messaging, and cleaning frequency—less work, more stability.

  • Add-on guest services: Travelers booking through Plum Guide often expect more than a clean space. Partnering with local vendors to offer extras like private chefs, stocked fridges, or mid-stay cleaning can increase revenue per stay and improve guest reviews.

  • Cross-property repeat bookings: Guests who enjoy a stay in one city often look for the same comfort elsewhere. Operators managing properties across different cities can guide returning guests toward other listings, building loyalty without relying on loyalty programs.

Staying ahead by offering premium guest expectations

Travelers choosing higher-priced rentals bring a different set of expectations. They don’t want glitz. They want a place that works—quiet bedrooms, fast Wi-Fi, comfortable workspaces, and frictionless check-ins. Design still matters, but it leans toward clean lines, good lighting, and smart layouts over flashy features.

Visual consistency across listings builds trust. A guest who books a modern loft in Amsterdam expects the same standard when booking a townhouse in Barcelona. That pressure makes consistency across photography, amenities, and service level a competitive advantage, not just a nice touch.

Guest preferences also shift quickly. Sustainability, for example, is no longer a bonus—it’s expected. Operators installing water-saving fixtures, stocking reusable kitchen supplies, or sourcing eco-friendly toiletries meet those expectations head-on. And that matters when platforms filter listings based on guest priorities.

Staying in sync with where premium travel is headed—and adjusting before travelers ask—keeps listings relevant. Platforms like Plum Guide aren’t waiting for hosts to catch up. They’re already curating for what comes next.

The bottom line on Plum Guide

Plum Guide continues to redefine what premium short-term rental platforms can offer by emphasizing quality, consistency, and guest trust. With rigorous vetting, editorial oversight, and marketplace exclusivity, it’s a valuable distribution channel for property managers focused on delivering a high-caliber experience. The curated approach rewards operators who prioritize long-term guest satisfaction over short-term volume.

But staying on top of Plum Guide’s demanding property requirements doesn’t just happen by accident. Clever hosts know that integrating your listing with Uplisting is essential for keeping up with Plum Guide’s standards at scale. 

FAQs

Is Plum Guide like Airbnb?

Not really. While both platforms connect short-term rental guests with property owners, Plum Guide filters listings far more aggressively, so that only the top 3% of homes in each market make the cut. 

What is Plum Guide and how does it work?

Plum Guide is a booking platform that focuses on high-end short-term rentals. Every home goes through an AI-based screening process followed by review from an in-house editorial team. Listings must meet strict design, comfort, and service expectations before they appear on the site. 

Are Plum Guide homes truly as luxurious as advertised?

Yes. If a home doesn’t meet high standards for cleanliness, layout, functionality, and comfort, it doesn’t stay on the platform. 

The team checks for over 150 quality markers, including mattress quality, lighting in workspaces, and Wi-Fi reliability. Homes that fall short—whether through wear and tear or inconsistent guest experiences—are removed, which helps protect guest trust and keeps pressure on hosts to maintain standards.

How many homes does Plum Guide have?

Plum Guide lists more than 30,000 curated properties across 500+ destinations worldwide.

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