The Beach Abode
INTERVIEW SERIES | BEHIND THE BUCKET LIST STAYS
There are two types of travellers…
Those who choose a destination and then find somewhere to stay.
And those who choose the stay first, because the accommodation itself becomes part of the experience.
We call those stays Bucket List Stays.
For our next feature in the Behind the Bucket List Stay series, we’re chatting with Melissa Bliss, owner and designer behind The Beach Abode Nelson Bay, about creating a family friendly coastal stay, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her advice for new hosts wanting to create a memorable guest experience.
Please note: Since this interview was conducted, Melissa and Kain have passed The Beach Abode Nelson Bay onto its new owners as they move into an exciting new chapter, with the property continuing on as a much loved coastal stay.
TO BOOK VISIT: thebeachabode.com.au
Q: What was the vision behind The Beach Abode?
I really wanted it to feel relaxed, welcoming and easy for families to actually holiday in. Somewhere beautiful and considered, but still warm and comfortable, not overly styled or too precious.
A lot of the inspiration came from those nostalgic family beach holidays you remember forever. Slow mornings, sandy feet, kids running around downstairs while everyone gathers upstairs together. I wanted people to walk in and instantly feel themselves exhale a little.
Pull quote:
“I wanted people to walk in and instantly feel themselves exhale a little.”
Q: What do you think makes a stay truly memorable?
Honestly, I think it’s always the feeling a place leaves you with.
It’s rarely the expensive things people remember most. Usually it’s the thoughtful little touches. A beautiful outdoor shower after the beach. Soft lighting at night. A fireplace going in winter. A little coffee spot in the morning sun. Spaces that naturally bring people together.
I think the best stays make people slow down a little and feel really comfortable being there.
Pull quote:
“The best stays make people slow down a little.”
Q: What details do guests seem to connect with most?
Definitely the atmosphere and all the family friendly details.
Guests always mention the natural light, the fireplace, the kids retreat downstairs, the climbing wall and the nursery connected to the master bedroom. I think families really appreciate when a property feels designed for real life and not just for photos.
The outdoor shower is also always a favourite after the beach.
Pull quote:
“Families really appreciate when a property feels designed for real life.”
Q: What have been some of your biggest learnings as a host?
One of the biggest things I learned pretty quickly is that holiday homes need to work hard behind the scenes too, not just look good online.
You start realising how important practical things are once you’ve had lots of guests through a property. Durable finishes, good storage, easy to clean surfaces, practical layouts. Those things make such a difference long term.
There are so many beautiful pieces out there, but some just don’t survive high turnover properties very well.
Pull quote:
“Holiday homes need to work hard behind the scenes too.”
Q: What advice would you give someone setting up their first holiday property?
I’d say spend less time worrying about trends and more time thinking about how guests will actually live in the space.
Think about where people will gather, where they’ll drink their morning coffee, where kids will naturally play, and what little things could make the stay easier or more memorable.
Those are usually the details guests remember most afterwards.
Pull quote:
“Guests remember how a stay felt far more than individual products.”
Q: What role do branding and photography play in a successful holiday property?
Such a huge role.
Before guests ever stay at your property, they experience it online first, so photography is incredibly important. But I also think it’s important that the images tell a story and capture the atmosphere of the stay, not just the rooms themselves.
People want to imagine themselves there. A coffee in the morning sun, kids coming back from the beach, a book by the fire. Those little moments create emotional connection and help people picture the experience before they even arrive.
Pull quote:
“People want to picture the experience before they even arrive.”
Q: What’s one thing you think hosts often overlook?
Probably the systems and organisation behind the scenes.
Things like good storage, spare linen, reliable cleaners and contractors, and simple turnover systems make such a difference once the property is running regularly. A beautiful property can become really stressful very quickly without good systems supporting it.
Pull quote:
“A beautiful property becomes stressful quickly without good systems.”
Q: What makes a stay become a true Bucket List Stay?
I think it’s when the stay becomes part of the trip itself, not just somewhere you sleep at night.
The stays people remember most usually feel thoughtful, personal and memorable in some way. They create an emotional connection. Guests leave talking about how the property made them feel, and those are usually the places people return to again and again.
Pull quote:
“The best stays become part of the trip itself.”
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.