We’re hosts at heart.
At Guest House, we understand that a great stay (and a great review) starts with the first interaction with the guest. We’re Niagara locals who love hospitality, have a passion for interior design, and years of sales and management experience. We are your Airbnb Co-Hosts and vacation rental managers.
Lauren Harasty
Guest House Founder
Airbnb Superhost
Allesandra Szczepaniak
Executive Admin Assistant
Guest Experience Manager/Co-Host
Hi, I'm Lauren, the founder of Guest House. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, my journey in hospitality has come full circle in the most unexpected and rewarding way. After graduating from Queen's University in Kingston, I spent my twenties building a successful career in retail management in Toronto, where I honed invaluable skills in operations, team leadership, and maintaining exceptional standards.
When the pandemic arrived, it prompted a profound shift in my priorities. Seeking more balance and connection to nature, I returned to my roots in Niagara Falls. This homecoming sparked an entrepreneurial journey born from my passion for travel and hospitality. Years of staying in vacation rentals had given me unique insights into what makes a truly exceptional guest experience.
I noticed a gap in the market: property owners needed help delivering five-star experiences, managing guest communications, and maintaining their properties effectively. This realization led to the launch of Guest House in December 2021. Since then, we've successfully hosted over 600 stays across 25+ properties, turning this vision into a thriving reality.
Today, I'm proud to call Niagara Falls home again where I live with my partner Brad and our cat Jeff. When I'm not elevating vacation rental experiences you'll find me staying active, diving into fantasy novels, exploring interior design, keeping up with pop culture, and discovering the region's latest restaurants and cafes. My love for hosting extends beyond business – I'm passionate about creating memorable experiences in all aspects of life.
Hey, I’m Allesandra, but most people just call me Al. I’m the Executive Admin Assistant and currently acting as the Guest Experience Manager/Co-Host at Guest House. It is my responsibility to ensure our Guests and Property Owners have the most optimal experience from an operational and management standpoint. We're hosts with heart, and I'm here to ensure that shines through in everything we do. I am a Niagara Falls native, and admittedly, I could not wait to leave after I completed my four years in high school. After a longer duration away, I'm thrilled to be spending time here again – The Niagara Region is a vibrant and diverse place with so much to offer!
With a background in Music Business Management from Durham College and more recently Medical Office Administration from Niagara College, I have been able to craft my skill as a high level administrative professional. My focus and expertise is in operational efficiency and innovation- not only for the client but from a business perspective as well. I’ve been lucky to work in industries where customer service is key, from retail management to pharma/biotech coordination, and even in-person medical services. Implementing that service focus has been incredibly rewarding.
I am definitely the creative type and I love being able to implement this into everything I do. I am a music culture hub of information, I love crafting (mainly paper and floral), and I look forward to creating art from the most unusual items. When I’m not working with Guest House you can find me catching up on my favourite music podcasts, actively procuring framed art to update the gallery walls in my home, hanging out with my favourite people or attending a live music or comedy gig.