Welcome to the world of Catherine Weide, the visionary behind Casa Tortuga—a tranquil oasis in the heart of Ponte Vedra Beach. This haven offers guests a seamless blend of relaxation and play, with a private saltwater pool, expansive game room, and inviting outdoor spaces. Catherine’s journey in the short-term rental industry began this year, inspired by her passion for transforming spaces. HostGPO has been a key partner in her design journey, as showcased by the distinctive touches that set Casa Tortuga apart. Join us as we explore Catherine’s dedication to creating dreamy spaces and the magic of Casa Tortuga—a place where relaxation and play intertwine seamlessly.

How many years have you been in the short-term rental industry and how did you get started?

I just started this year! I was renovating and reselling homes in my area then I found the perfect property that I didn’t want to let go so I turned it into a vacation rental.

What do you find most rewarding about your career?

I love finding the hidden potential. There are homes and spaces that haven’t been loved in awhile but I see the vision of what it can be, how wonderful it can feel, and then I’m crazy enough to do (with lots of help) all of the hard work to make the dream come true.

What’s the craziest story you have from hosting?

A very entitled guest didn’t want to follow our house rules for pets so she was name-dropping the dogs’ training facility. I’m not an expert in that space so it didn’t mean much to me (sorry, not sorry) and I just emphasized our rules are for our home AND the dogs’ safety!

What’s one “pro-tip” you’d be willing to pass on to the community?

Make sure your linens have the bed size on a label or thread color on the sheets! It’s hard to tell a queen from a king when you’re washing and drying mountains of laundry on a quick-turn day. This will save your sanity not having to try sheets on the bed only to discover they are too short or long.

What’s the most recent item that you can remember that you’ve ordered from HostGPO?

This rug from RugsUSA was definitely a major starting point for my design! It helped me set a color palette that brought in some more boho/global vibes by picking up a deep sea teal green that I could add into the decor of other rooms as well. I think this allowed me to set my home’s design apart from more traditional beach rentals.

What would you tell others about whether to join HostGPO?

I love how quick and simple it is to place orders. Some vendors require a little lead time on creating an account but for the most part it’s exactly the same as shopping online so you can order anywhere, anytime.

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