From Duplex to Luxury Glamping: How Zach Wilms Built a Short-Term Rental Empire

We’re diving into the journey of Zach Wilms, a Canadian-born real estate entrepreneur who built a micro-resort glamping business in Canada and now manages luxury vacation rentals in Tulum, Mexico.

Zach Wilms: Real Estate and Short-Term Rental Background

Zach started in real estate over ten years ago with single-family rentals, duplexes, and multifamily properties. Early on, he explored short-term rentals using Airbnb, renting out part of a duplex while living in the other unit. This house-hacking approach allowed him to double his revenue compared to traditional long-term rentals.

Although regulations, taxes, and licensing began to complicate short-term rentals in Canada, Zach never lost his passion for travel and hospitality.

Grotto Getaways: Transforming a Canadian Campground into a Luxury Glamping Resort

Four years ago, Zach and his partners purchased a 100-acre campground near Toronto. The site was commercially zoned, making it easy to expand accommodations. The original property included:

• 20 seasonal rentals
• 35 RV sites
• 20 tent camping sites

To create a luxury glamping experience, they reduced overcrowded RV pads, renovated trailers, and introduced themed glamping tents. The first two tents booked 100% occupancy in their first season, proving the model worked.

Over the next few years, Grotto Getaways expanded to:

• 12 trailer sites
• 14 glamping tents (some pet-friendly and family-oriented)
• 4 geodesic domes

Pricing ranged from $185–$450 per night, with geodesic domes as the highest revenue generators. Zach emphasizes investing in guest experience, privacy, and Instagrammable design to maximize occupancy and ADR.

Strategic Decisions and Revenue Growth

• Eliminated BYOT (Bring Your Own Tent) to protect the glamping brand
• Introduced pet-friendly tents and extra beds for underperforming units
• Reinvested profits into expanding trailers, tents, and geodesic domes
• Focused on premium experiences over maximum site quantity

Glamping tents cost $12,000–$15,000 to install, but generated $25,000–$30,000 per season, recouping costs within half a season.

Marketing for Grotto Getaways

Zach’s team leveraged Instagram and influencer marketing to grow an audience of over 30,000 followers. Key tactics included:

• Micro-influencer collaborations, driving direct bookings
• Macro-influencers to boost brand recognition and SEO
• Engaging content showcasing unique accommodations and experiences

Result: 71% of bookings came directly through their website, reducing reliance on OTAs and increasing profit margins.

Zuna Stays: Luxury Short-Term Rental Management in Tulum, Mexico

After years in Canada, Zach moved to Tulum to manage luxury vacation rentals. Zuna Stays specializes in:

• Full-service villa management
• Maximizing occupancy and revenue for international owners
• Providing a high-level guest experience to achieve 5-star reviews

Key Differences Between Canada and Mexico Operations

• Less regulatory restriction on short-term rentals in Tulum
• Focus on high-touch service: concierge, housekeeping, and maintenance
• Owner trust is critical for growth and onboarding new properties
• Daily operations include pricing, guest communication, and staff management

Zach emphasizes the importance of systems, marketing, and hands-on involvement in managing high-end properties.

Lessons Learned from Building Short-Term Rental Success

1. Location Matters: Invest in scenic, tourist-friendly areas with proximity to attractions.
2. Branding is Key: Differentiated, Instagrammable properties drive higher ADR and repeat bookings.
3. Invest in Guest Experience: Privacy, comfort, and attention to detail build loyalty.
4. Marketing Drives Revenue: Social media, influencer collaborations, and strong SEO increase direct bookings.
5. Adapt and Innovate: Transitioning from traditional rentals to glamping required creative problem-solving and operational flexibility.

Zach’s journey shows that with vision, strategy, and a focus on quality, short-term rental investors can create profitable, sustainable micro-resorts and luxury vacation rental businesses.