Our Story

Our journey began in Dubai in 2014, where we fell in love and married just eight months later to the song “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit — a name that now lives on through our business. Ten years later, we’re proud parents to two beautiful girls and passionate advocates for meaningful family travel.

Rather Be Properties started with just the two of us and a shared dream. What began as a side project has grown into a thriving, family-operated short-term rental management company. Today, we combine our love of travel with personal experience to create spaces where families and travelers feel truly at home.

We’re dedicated to maximizing the potential of every property we manage while delivering exceptional 5-star service — ensuring guests enjoy stays filled with comfort, care, and unforgettable memories.

What Makes Us Unique?

At Rather Be Properties, we go beyond the basics to create stays that truly feel like home — especially for families. As parents ourselves, we know how important it is to arrive at a vacation rental that’s fully equipped for kids. That’s why our homes come stocked with cribs, toys, books, games, and plenty of entertainment to keep little ones happy and parents relaxed.

But we don’t stop there. We also specialize in adults-only getaways — from ski trips and off-roading adventures to bachelorette parties in Palm Springs. Whatever the occasion, we’re here to help plan a memorable escape tailored to your needs.

What began with just the two of us — Al and Elissa — has grown into a full-time team of 10 professionals. Our crew includes former Airbnb guest experience specialists, IT and bookkeeping pros, and a dedicated in-house design division: Rather Be Design, which brings every property to life with thoughtful, stylish interiors. Learn more about our design services at Rather Be Design.

AL- FINANCING & CONTRACTS

Al has had an extensive background in residential real estate over the last decade. He has been Nationally Recognized as one of the Top 1% of Mortgage Loan Originators in the United States every year since 2015.
Over the last few years, he has expanded his expertise into residential real estate wholesaling and flipping, long-term real estate acquisitions, apartment syndications, private equity, and now of course parlaying into the Short-Term Rental space.
Al’s passion for numbers, business execution, growth, and giving back has supported him in his growth in business.
This has translated very well to Rather Be Properties as he focuses his skillsets on strategic growth, investor relations, and vertical integration.

ELISSA- TEAM & GUEST COMMUNICATION

Elissa has over 10 years experience in the 5 star hospitality industry.
She has worked in some of the finest 5 diamond resorts in the world including Hayman Island, The One & Only Great Barrier Reef Australia and Atlantis The Palm Dubai.
She primarily worked with a passion for team training and development.
She has extensive knowledge and patience when it comes to communication and exceeding guests expectations.

Al & Elissa