Agency: Zero Billion
Industry: Luxury Hospitality & Villa Rentals
Location: Algarve, Portugal
Objective: Transform Casa Aurelia into a year-round luxury destination, reduce third-party dependency, and elevate direct bookings through brand storytelling and guest-centric automation.
Casa Aurelia, a collection of minimalist Mediterranean villas in Portugal’s Algarve region, had earned acclaim for its private chef experiences and oceanfront elegance. Yet, despite its idyllic offerings, the brand struggled with seasonal volatility, over-reliance on third-party platforms, and a fragmented guest journey. Zero Billion reimagined Casa Aurelia’s digital ecosystem and operational infrastructure, delivering €106K monthly revenue (152% growth), 81% off-season occupancy, and 68% direct bookings within five months—solidifying its status as a soulful retreat for Europe’s discerning travelers.
Challenges
Casa Aurelia’s potential was stifled by systemic inefficiencies common to boutique hospitality. Peak-season demand masked off-season vacancy rates of 62%, while 70% of bookings via OTAs eroded margins with steep commissions. A visually striking but functionally limited website failed to rank for critical searches like “luxury Algarve villa,” relegating the brand to price-driven travelers. Compounding these issues was the absence of guest nurturing systems, resulting in a mere 6% repeat booking rate despite glowing reviews.
Solution
Brand Repositioning & Digital Ecosystem Revamp
Zero Billion redefined Casa Aurelia’s identity around “Private Stays for Soulful Travelers”—a narrative emphasizing mindfulness, privacy, and curated experiences over transactional bookings. The website was rebuilt as a sensory journey, featuring cinematic property films, guest storytelling reels, and real-time availability checkers. AI-driven personalization matched visitors with villas based on travel intent (romance, family, remote work), while trust-building elements like private chef diaries and sustainability certifications justified premium pricing.
Precision Audience Targeting
Machine learning optimized Google and Instagram campaigns for high-intent travelers searching “luxury Algarve villa” and “private chef holiday homes.” Geo-targeted ads near premium travel agencies and lifestyle hubs achieved 4.8x ROAS, while retargeting sequences recaptured 58% of abandoned inquiries with tailored “Stay 4, Pay 3” offers during shoulder seasons.
Guest Retention Architecture
Automated workflows nurtured relationships at every touchpoint: pre-arrival wellness upgrades (private yoga, spa packages), mid-stay local experience offers, and post-departure loyalty incentives. The “Aurelia Circle” program rewarded repeat guests with exclusive perks like priority rebooking and complimentary sunset cruises, tripling retention rates to 21%.
Premium Experience Monetization
A dynamic pricing architecture elevated revenue:
- Shoulder-Season Campaigns: “Pay Less, Stay Longer” deals filled off-peak calendars.
- Experience Bundles: Curated packages (wine tours, chef-led dinners) added 35% to average booking value.
Remote Work Retreats: High-margin weekday packages targeting digital nomads.
Results
The collaboration drove €106K monthly revenue (from €42K) through direct bookings and experience upsells. Occupancy surged to 81% in off-seasons (from 38%), while average stays lengthened by 2.3 nights. Operational efficiency improved dramatically, with inquiry management time slashed by 75%, allowing the team to focus on guest experience over administrative tasks.
“Zero Billion transformed Casa Aurelia from a seasonal rental into a year-round sanctuary. Their systems attract guests who value soulful travel—not just sunsets. We’ve reclaimed our margins, our calendar, and our identity as a luxury brand.”
— Sofia Almeida, Founder, Casa Aurelia
Zero Billion’s fusion of hospitality storytelling, precision targeting, and guest lifecycle automation propelled Casa Aurelia beyond platform dependency. By replacing seasonal volatility with self-sustaining demand, the brand now thrives as both a profit engine and a curator of transformative escapes—proving boutique hospitality scales when operations align with ethos.