Looking Back to Move Forward: Our Story, From Spare Room to Portfolio

Looking Back to Move Forward: Our Story, From Spare Room to Guesture

Some journeys begin with grand plans.

Ours began with something simpler—more heartfelt. A spare room, two full-time jobs, and a quiet dream of creating something meaningful. It wasn’t a leap into the unknown, but a gentle step into a world we hoped to shape, one thoughtful moment at a time.

That spare room was more than just a start.

It was where we first learned the beauty of true hospitality—the kind that goes beyond polished surfaces and scripted smiles.

Every late-night check-in and handwritten welcome note carried the hope that someone, somewhere, would feel a little more at home because of us.

AirFreedom was born from that small beginning.

It grew quietly, like a story unfolding, with each guest, each home, and each connection adding another page. It became more than we imagined—something to be proud of, yes, but also something deeply personal.

And now, as we step into this next chapter, AirFreedom has become Guesture.

Not because we’ve changed who we are, but because we’ve become more of who we’ve always been.

Guesture isn’t just a name; it’s a reflection of the values we’ve carried with us from that first spare room—care, kindness, and a belief in the power of small gestures to make a big difference.

This isn’t just the story of how it all began.

It’s a love letter to every moment that brought us here. To the late nights and early mornings, to the laughter and lessons shared with guests, and to the enduring belief that hospitality is, at its heart, about people.

It All Started at Home

In 2017, we had just moved into our flat in Newport. We had one extra bedroom – nothing fancy, but warm, welcoming, and ours. On a whim, we decided to list it. We thought we might meet interesting people, earn a little extra, and make use of the space.

We didn’t know it then, but that modest decision would change everything.

It was never about launching a company. But then the first guest arrived with an open heart and a suitcase– and we were reminded of what drew us both to hospitality in the first place.

There was something unexpectedly magical in preparing the room for them, in arranging the pillows just so, and in placing a small welcome note on the bedside table.

The satisfaction of knowing someone felt at ease in your home.

The joy in preparing a space with care.

The unexpected connection between host and guest.

Each guest who passed through brought their own story, their own rhythm of life. There was laughter shared over morning coffee, stories swapped about travels and dreams, and the quiet joy of knowing we’d made someone feel at home far from their own.

In those early days, our home became a canvas for Alina’s natural flair for design. She turned that spare bedroom into a sanctuary – a place where every detail mattered. From the soft, warm lighting to the carefully chosen throws, guests felt the care woven into every corner. And they noticed.

We were humbled and inspired by their feedback. They spoke of feeling seen, of being met with kindness, and of the little personal touches that made all the difference. What started as a side project to furnish our home and fund a holiday began to feel like something far more meaningful.

Looking back, it wasn’t just about hospitality – it was about connection. These weren’t fleeting interactions or transactions; they were exchanges that enriched our lives as much as theirs.

That one spare room planted a seed. We hadn’t planned for it, but something meaningful had begun.

If one small space could bring such warmth and joy to strangers, what could happen if we dreamed bigger?

Building While Balancing It All

For the next five years, we built what would become AirFreedom – slowly, thoughtfully, and with full-time jobs still running in the background. Pedro remained in hotel management. Alina continued in tech. Evenings, weekends, and early mornings were filled with guest communications, changeovers, design decisions, and big ideas.

There were no shortcuts. No lightning-bolt moments of overnight success. Just a consistent belief that we could create something better – not just another letting agency, but a truly personal hosting service that treated every guest as more than a booking.

Every property we added came with care and felt like an extension of ourselves.

Every guest message was answered with intention.

Every guidebook, detail, and local tip – crafted like it mattered. Because it did.

Guidebooks weren’t just a collection of recommendations; they were love letters to the places we knew and cherished. We filled them with local gems, hidden corners, and thoughtful tips – pieces of our world that we were proud to share.

It wasn’t easy. Balancing it all meant late nights after long workdays, early mornings spent messaging guests, and weekends split between cleaning, designing, and dreaming. But in those moments of exhaustion, there was always a quiet satisfaction – a reminder of why we started and who we were doing it for.

Looking back, those years were transformative. They taught us patience, perseverance, and the power of small, meaningful gestures. They were the foundation not only of AirFreedom but of the values that would later define Guesture.

Because for us, every guest mattered. Every moment mattered. And every step forward – no matter how small – was a step toward something extraordinary.

AirFreedom Takes Shape

What began as one spare room eventually became a portfolio of homes across Newport, Cardiff, and Bristol – each one selected for its potential to offer more than just a place to stay. We didn’t scale for the sake of numbers. We scaled when we could do so without compromising on service.

And so, AirFreedom was born. The name carried layers of meaning – our love for hospitality, our unwavering commitment to guest comfort, and a nod to Pedro’s passion for paragliding: the freedom of the air, the freedom to chart our own course.

What began with one listing became a mission to redefine hosting, one thoughtfully curated experience at a time.

The first milestone came unexpectedly – and humbly – through a Facebook page. We created it on a whim, unsure if anyone would notice, let alone trust us.

But our very first client found us there. An experienced property manager from Australia, she brought high expectations and a wealth of industry knowledge. It was both a challenge and an honour.

We poured everything we had into managing her property, applying both professional rigor and heartfelt care. When her glowing feedback came in, it was a moment of quiet validation – proof that our vision resonated beyond the walls of our own home.

From there, the spark grew. Landlords and property investors began noticing the results we achieved – not just in earnings, though those were significant, but in the stories our guests shared.

The first property we managed beyond our own home earned over £35,000 in its first year under AirFreedom, nearly tripling its projected revenue. But more than numbers, it was the satisfaction of crafting spaces where people felt at home that inspired us to keep going.

We developed curated guest experiences, launched sub-brands like The HG Collection and Eveswell Studios, and created a guest support model built on trust, communication, and detail.

But along the way, something else became clear.

We weren’t just offering homes.

We were creating moments.

And we were doing it, always, through gestures.

From AirFreedom to Guesture

The name change was prompted externally, but the transition came from within.

Guesture was already there – in every welcome note, every tailored recommendation, every moment of quiet care.

The name brings together guest, you, and gesture. It reflects everything we believe in:

That the heart of great hospitality lies in the small things.

That personal service still matters.

That a guest’s experience is shaped by thoughtful acts, not just polished listings.

Guesture is not a rebrand for the sake of branding. It’s the clearest expression of what we’ve been doing all along.

This isn’t the start of something new – it’s the continuation of a story that began with a single spare room, a sense of wonder, and a belief in the power of small, meaningful gestures. With Guesture, we’re not just carrying that story forward; we’re writing its next chapter.

Thank You for Being Part of It

From the first guest who walked through our door, to the property owners who believed in us before we even had a name, to the team members who have stood with us through every change and challenge – thank you.

Guesture is built on years of work, of stories, of refinement. But more than anything, it’s built on care.

Every step of the way, it’s been about care – for the homes we manage, the guests we host, and the relationships we’ve built. It’s a foundation that started small, in a spare room in Newport, and has grown into something we’re truly proud of.

We’re proud of where we started. We’re proud of what we’ve built. And we’re excited for where Guesture will go next – with the same hands-on approach, the same heart, and an even clearer sense of purpose.

With gratitude,

Pedro and Alina Reis

Guesture – Hosting, Thoughtfully.