⭐️ Resort Style Pool + Hot Tub + Fire Pit | Stunning Interior | Perfect For Family Gatherings ⭐️, Austin, Texas
View Property
The Distinguished Stays Story
Welcome to our passion project, born from a life-long commitment to creating great experiences and putting smiles on people’s faces! We have been inviting guests into our homes for over two decades, finding new ways to delight with every visit, and we look forward to meeting you.
Our start in hospitality began in our own personal home, long before Distinguished Stays. We loved welcoming guests and took it as a challenge to provide everything a visitor would want, like a recreational retreat. Family and friends loved the resort-like treatment with an impeccably clean, fully stocked home, toiletries, extra towels, and things they may have forgotten at home. It allowed them to relax and fully enjoy their stay without hassle.
Before Distinguished Stays, we had long-term rentals and a vacation rental managed by a national company. We found the vacation rental was being managed like a commodity—Basic professional photos, brief description, and an “ok” rating on online travel agencies like Airbnb and Vrbo. We wondered, what would happen if we treated each guest at the rental like we did our own guests at home—And marketed the listing in a way that represented that great experience. We tried this approach, and the results were incredible—The listing began generating dramatically higher owner revenue.
Distinguished Stays was born from this concept, and we became obsessed with both the owner and guest experience. Our own decades of experience in private aviation, real estate, hospitality and automotive rental technology gave us an understanding of travel—and that at every point, every detail along the way matters. From arranging private aircraft for executives and celebrities, to families needing a much needed getaway, there are unique needs and expectations that we move mountains to exceed — for every person.
We love getting to know our neighbors, learning about and respecting the communities we work in. We’re committed to serving our communities by providing exceptional, curated, hassle-free, and delightful experiences. Most of all, we seek to serve you in the business and adventure we call life.
Our Core Values:
Have Fun. Show Respect. Do The Right Thing. Work Hard and Take Ownership. Learn and Improve. Be Awesome.
Meet The Distinguished Stays Team
Tim
Tim.Barnes@distinguishedstays.com
As a kid, Tim loved the idea of flying. He started cleaning airplanes for flight time, and ultimately went on to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to graduate with an Aeronautical Science degree, Business Minor, and a commercial pilot's license to follow his passion.
With a passion for business and marketing, Tim co-founded two businesses: a private aviation company, which has expanded globally and continues to thrive, and a real estate company, which he grew to over $225 million in sales.
Over the years, Tim and his husband Ben developed a reputation for their fun and generous spirits, as family and friends received the royal treatment whenever they visited, as if they were guests at an elite resort. Additionally, as they rented out numerous properties to hundreds of guests, Tim’s zeal for meeting and delighting guests only grew… which led to the creation of Distinguished Stays.
Tim works round the clock to ensure Distinguished Stays guests have exceptional, curated, hassle-free, and delightful experiences. With his two decades of experience in short- and long-term rentals, Tim supports the Distinguished Stays team day-to-day on booking, marketing, operations, and long-term growth with an easy-going and practical approach, taking every opportunity seriously while bringing a smile to people’s faces. Tim is the life of the party and a hard worker who believes delight is in the details.
Tim loves fitness and discovering new ways to stay active, participating in anything from Crossfit to Bikram, skydiving to volleyball. He believes in helping others and has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, and Metro Caring. Tim spends much of his time on the lake with his husband, Ben, and connects with friends and family whenever possible.
Most of all, Tim seeks to participate in the adventure we call life.
Jamie
Jamie.Perkins@distinguishedstays.com
Jamie is an outdoor enthusiast who loves yoga, hiking and all things nature (except snakes and spiders!). Her love for travel and interior design fueled her desire to work with Distinguished Stays, where she incorporates her background in public relations and journalism into writing property descriptions and corralling the best photography possible, with wine, cheese, poolside views.
Engaging in meaningful work that is uplifting and in service to the community is very important to Jamie. She believes that taking a vacation and spending time in a different space is essential to well-being... that when we leave our familiar surroundings, we see things a little more clearly and have a different perspective which can be great for renewing mind, body and spirit. Working as a team, across the country, to provide exceptional, curated, hassle-free, and delightful experiences for Distinguished Stays guests is a joy.
With over two decades of experience as a communications professional with expertise in the areas of health and wellness, education, and female-focused endeavors, working in the travel and hospitality arena is a new experience for Jamie. Her favorite part of the job is reading the amazing reviews guests leave and seeing a property go from empty space to furnished with love and looking fabulous.
Jamie lives in Austin, Texas with her two children, husband and a sweet black lab named Ziggy.
Melissa
Melissa.Arapoff@distinguishedstays.com
Melissa has always been an energetic, positive, and creative individual. From writing plays and acting them out as a kid, to writing blogs and creating countless games and fun activities for her four children today.
In her teenage years, Melissa never wanted to leave the water. She fell in love with the ocean and became an ocean enthusiast, taking day trips to the beach to clean up trash, visit with the local sea lions, and, if Oregon Coast weather permitted, go for a swim. She competed at state level in swimming and taught swim lessons, water safety, and scuba diving to children and adults. Once Melissa realized being a mermaid wouldn’t pay the bills, she got to work.
Melissa served as a Business Development Consultant for several financial companies and managed two Verizon Wireless Retail stores before her recent years working in the vacation rental industry. At Distinguished Stays, Melissa brings her experience in customer service and hospitality and passion for adventure to developing creative marketing and online engagement.
Rebecca
Rebecca.Teiber@DistinguishedStays.com
I live in Georgetown with my husband and five dogs. We love riding motorcycles, watching horror movies,spending time at our cabin in Colorado, and really enjoying time with our grandkids, Max and Rory. I also really love to cook and bake. I was a police dispatcher for 15 years and decided to try something new and different! Currently, I'm really enjoying focusing on reviews and guest feedback and looking forward to taking on more projects as a part of the Distinguished Stays team!