Finding Your Why
by Cassidy Mantor
“We talk through their concerns and through those conversations, we develop a deep understanding of what their goals are for their trip and how we can help achieve them. Ultimately, it comes down to us understanding the ‘why’ behind what they’re looking to accomplish.”
–Rachel Alday, Abode Luxury Rentals
Like many others, Rob and Rachel Alday each found themselves escaping to the Mountain West looking for a slower-paced life, a tight-knit community, and opportunity. With suitcases and moving boxes in tow, they both ended up settling down in a small ski town located amongst the Rocky Mountains with a desire to make a difference – though they never dreamed of what exactly that entailed.
Long before the pair’s lives intertwined, Rob’s family had purchased a second home, having seen how putting your entire heart and soul into that kind of opportunity could change lives, and they wanted to pursue something like that themselves. When Rachel and Rob met a few years down the road, they both noticed that the management team that was supposed to be keeping his family’s best interests in mind was ultimately investor-focused – a true division in principles considering the fact that they felt that the most value was in being owner- and guest-oriented. These management companies were simply growing too fast to keep up with the caliber of service, care, and sophistication required for such exceptional properties.
Rob and Rachel Alday, Co-Founders & Owners, Abode Luxury Rentals
So Rachel and Rob took a leap of faith and decided to use their experience in high-end guest services, hospitality, and real estate to support Rob’s family in managing and marketing their second home. As time went on, the duo realized how the same disconnect permeated so many property management companies and wasn’t just impacting Rob’s family – so with this knowledge in mind, they set out to create an entirely unique second-home ownership experience with the goal of approaching every situation from an owner’s point of view, taking the hassle and headache out of the experience, and allowing travelers to relax and unwind in luxury and comfort.
In the beginning, Rachel and Rob worked tirelessly from their pocket-sized home office to support their friends and families in their second-home ownership with the simple goal of ensuring that the ones closest to them and in their local community could have an unparalleled property management experience and be able to take full advantage of their most precious investments. In time, they coined the company name, “Abode Luxury Rentals,” and set out to make as big of an impact as they could, without compromising their core values and beliefs.
Abode’s primary goal from the very beginning has been to keep things sustainable. Rob shares, “When we started with our own first vacation rental, we noticed gaps in service and execution. We wanted to do it better.” Their hands-on approach and experience meant their one rental property steadily grew into a portfolio of carefully selected and thoughtfully managed luxury properties in the hearts of Sun Valley, Park City, and Jackson Hole.
“You can get the hot tub experience anywhere. Something you can’t experience anywhere else is a cozy room with a view unique to each of Abode’s properties and unparalleled personal service provided by our team.”
–Rob Alday , Abode Luxury Rentals
When their one rental snowballed into ten properties and a growing business, they hired Rachel’s sister, Laura, to help them with administrative tasks. Now she leads the owner services group. Abode’s family-oriented team has grown in a similar fashion, with core team members bringing on relatives and friends to join the firm. “Everyone is conscientious and caring – it’s been great for building culture together since everyone is aligned with the same goal in mind,” says Rachel. That same goal? To make people happy.
This small company composed of friends, neighbors, and family understands the importance of curating experiences that become the foundation for a lifetime of memories and lasting bonds – and their tight-knit infrastructure means that their operations and the experiences that they deliver aren’t just strictly business, they’re personal.
“We talk through their concerns and through those conversations, we develop a deep understanding of what their goals are for their trip and how we can help achieve them,” explains Rob. “Ultimately, it comes down to us understanding the ‘why’ behind what they’re looking to accomplish.” Abode is truly unrelenting in their mission to deliver a five-star hotel experience in the comfort of a well-loved luxury home.
From an owner standpoint, the team partners to maximize the potential of the property. Abode shares guest feedback – such as conducting property inspections, openly discussing rates before the season, and when it’s time to make an upgrade so your second home is always in peak condition. “We look at our relationships with our owners as partnerships,” Rob says. This intimate approach to property management requires a boutique, family-focused experience that is seamless for guests, owners, and the company.
While some might dismiss such a meticulous way of running a property management business, Rachel expresses pride in being an anti-scalable rental company, noting that when companies become scalable, processes become rigid. “From the moment we started the business, we knew we would allow for customization for each homeowner,” she says. “People don’t want their second homes treated like a widget, and we honor that. We are custom-focused on that homeowner’s point of view, not on a generic process we have in place to make it easier for us.”
In Sun Valley, Idaho, Abode at Elkhorn Estate is a stunning 7-bedroom, 7.5-bath home that is tucked away amongst shivering aspens, towering pine trees, and the rolling low foothills that branch out from the Sawtooth Mountains. This iconic home has been inhabited and contributed to by some of the most notorious American legends including the DuPont family, Brooke Shields, Larry Lerner, and more. Courtesy of its 7 bedrooms that can accommodate upwards of 20 guests, this Abode is a true dream escape for large groups that want to immerse themselves in the area, while simultaneously having infinite opportunities to enjoy the quiet luxuries that this home has to offer. Whether you’re a history fanatic wanting to experience the rich culture and history of Sun Valley through this home, a nature enthusiast who wants unparalleled views of the surrounding terrain and wildlife, or a purveyor of the finer things in life focused on enjoying a glass of wine in the steam room, there is truly something for everyone at this property.
“At the end of the day,our ‘why’ is that ethereal art of hospitality. There are so many facets of how to take care of people, and we all love that about this job.”
–Rachel Alday, Abode Luxury Rentals
The most meaningful memories happen while enjoying beautiful views over coffee in the morning or a cocktail service apres ski with loved ones. “You can get the hot tub experience anywhere,” says Rob. “Something you can’t experience anywhere else is a cozy room with a view unique to each of Abode’s properties and unparalleled personal service provided by our team.”
Rachel reflects, “At the end of the day, our ‘why’ is that ethereal art of hospitality. There are so many facets of how to take care of people, and we all love that about this job.”
Abode, this tight-knit business nestled in the heart of some of our favorite Mountain West towns, puts a personal touch on everything that they do simply because they believe that an excellent partnership starts with a personalized experience and ultimately, trust. Over the years, Abode has stayed true to their small family business values and commitment to providing focused results for every owner who entrusts their property to them and every guest who books their trip to the mountains with them.
