Will Donaldson
Building 101 Airbnb units.
Across four countries.
Without owning any of them.
International short-term rental operator.
Bali, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Koh Samui.
or get the free AI Arbitrage Toolkit →
Introduction
I started with one unit in Dubai. Then everything changed.
In 2023, I signed my first sublease agreement on a 2-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina. The owner agreed I could list it on Airbnb. I made 1.8x my rent in the first six months.
Three years later, I operate forty-something units across four countries. None of which I own. The mechanism is the same: long-term leases from owners who've never heard the word arbitrage, optimised listings on every platform, AI-designed interiors, and dynamic pricing that beats the local market.
I'm not selling you a course. I'm not promising 7-figures in 90 days. I'm building a global operating business that happens to have an audience.
If that's the kind of thing you want to follow, the letters below are where I write about it weekly.
Operator first. Educator second. Always.
The Portfolio
The numbers, country by country.
🇦🇪
01 · UAE
32
Active management contracts
Dubai + Abu Dhabi · since 2023
🇮🇩
02 · Indonesia
10
Bali villas, growing
Canggu · Pererenan · Berawa
🇲🇾
03 · Malaysia
1
Kuala Lumpur, just signed
Live May 2026 · scaling to 5+
🇹🇭
04 · Thailand
1
Koh Samui, just signed
Company formed Q2 2026
40+ active. Building to 101.
Where to Start
Four ways to follow along.
Free letters and toolkits if you're curious. Paid products if you're ready to act.
01
Free · Weekly
The Letters
Operator notes from the road. What's working, what's failing, what I'm building this week. Roughly 600 words, in your inbox every Thursday.
Subscribe — it's free →
02
Free · Instant
The AI Arbitrage Toolkit
The 10 AI prompts I use most days — interior design, listing copy, photo editing, guest comms, market analysis. Plus the country-selection framework I run before signing any lease.
Get it free →
03
Paid · Launching July 2026
The International Arbitrage Playbook
80-page operating manual covering market selection, contract clauses, AI workflows, and the systems running 40+ units across four countries. Founders' price £37 · regular £67 · first 100 only.
Join the waitlist →
04
By Application · Opens July 2026
Founder's Circle
A three-month group mentorship for serious operators with at least one unit live or in signing. Six members per cohort. Weekly calls, WhatsApp access, country-specific introductions.
Apply for July cohort →
Direct Booking
DVH Luxe Retreats.
Book direct. Better rates. No platforms in between.
Our portfolio of villas and apartments across Bali, Dubai, and beyond is bookable directly through DVH Luxe Retreats. No Airbnb commission. No Booking.com middleman. Just better rates and a more personal experience.
Concierge service available on every stay. Long-stay discounts for digital nomads and remote workers.
As Seen In
Coverage coming soon. We're early.
Want the operator's view in your inbox?
The Letters arrive Thursdays. Roughly 600 words. Mostly tactical. Always honest. Free.