About us

Who We Are

STAY Short Lets is a Cyprus-based Airbnb management company founded by Mike Hadjioannou, built to deliver professional, consistent results for both property owners and guests. The focus is simple: help owners turn their property into a strong, sustainable source of income through modern property management—combining data-driven revenue strategies, structured operations, and proven hospitality standards.

Today’s guests expect hotel-level quality, fast support, and a seamless stay, which is difficult to maintain without a professional team behind it. STAY manages 200+ properties across Cyprus and brings together hands-on property expertise (backed by 30+ years of construction experience through HA.DE.CO Ltd) with dedicated short-let operations: dynamic pricing, multi-channel distribution, guest screening, cleaning and maintenance coordination, inspections, and 24/7 guest support—ensuring every home is protected, well cared for, and performing at its full potential.

How It All Started

STAY Short Lets started with a simple goal: to run short-term rentals properly—like a real hospitality business, not a side project.

The idea emerged in early 2017 when Mike Hadjioannou saw a clear gap in the vacation rental market. Many properties had strong potential but were underperforming due to poor condition and inconsistent management. With a background in construction as a shareholder and Director of HA.DE.CO Ltd (30+ years’ experience and 100+ completed projects), the opportunity was obvious: combine renovation know-how with professional, end-to-end rental management to help owners unlock better results.

In the early days, everything was hands-on. Apartments were renovated, listings were built from scratch, guest messages were answered, check-ins were handled, and problems were solved at all hours. Those first properties defined the standards that still guide STAY today—consistency, maintenance, fast communication, and attention to detail.

As demand grew, the operation grew with it. What began with a small number of homes expanded across Cyprus, and a specialised team was built across revenue management and pricing, guest operations and support, marketing and distribution, property inspections and quality control, and maintenance coordination. Systems and processes were created to deliver the same high level of service at scale, while staying focused on quality over quantity.

Today, STAY manages 200+ properties and continues to improve every part of the owner and guest experience—from inspections and cleaning control to maintenance follow-ups, reporting, and communication. The foundation remains the same: treat every home like it’s our own, protect the owner’s asset, and deliver a stay guests genuinely remember.

Our Mission

STAY Short Lets exists to deliver exceptional service to both guests and property owners. The focus is on innovation and practical solutions that create real value—higher performance for owners and a smoother, more reliable stay for guests. Human interaction matters, which is why support remains personal, responsive, and available whenever customers need it.

Technology is used to work smarter and achieve better results, staying educated and ahead of market changes. STAY is built on collaboration and a diverse team, combining expertise to continuously improve. Excellence is a daily standard—driven by honesty, accountability, and the willingness to learn, adapt, and improve whenever needed.

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Meet the Founders

A Higher Standard of Stays for Guests

STAY’s philosophy goes beyond managing properties—it is also about supporting Cyprus as a high-quality tourism destination. Over the years, the guest experience in vacation rentals has sometimes been inconsistent, with some hosts over-promising and under-delivering. From homes that didn’t match listing photos to poor cleaning standards and weak communication, guests often arrived without knowing what to expect.

At STAY, the goal is to remove that uncertainty by delivering a consistently high standard across every stay. From the moment of booking to check-out, each guest is welcomed with professional support and a well-prepared home. Comfort, cleanliness, consistency, and customer service are always the priority. By raising standards and operating with a hospitality-first mindset, STAY helps improve the overall quality of short-term rentals in Cyprus—creating better experiences for guests, stronger results for owners, and a positive impact on the local tourism economy.

Mike Hadjioannou
Leadership

Mike began his professional career in the construction industry. He holds a diploma in structural engineering and worked for five years as a site engineer at the family business, Ha. De. Co. Ltd. He later completed a diploma in surveying and spent another five years as a quantity surveyor before joining a local QS firm to broaden his experience. During this period, he also pursued his BSc degree while providing cost estimates and bills of quantities for individual contractors and developers.

In 2012, following the collapse of the construction industry due to the recession and limited job opportunities, Mike relocated to Protaras and later Ayia Napa, where he entered the hospitality and tourism sectors. He worked as a bartender in bars and hotels while continuing his studies, and was later promoted to hotel manager—a role that deepened his industry knowledge and experience. He soon discovered a passion for combining his background in construction with tourism and hospitality.

In 2017, he identified an opportunity to renovate old buildings for short-term rentals on Airbnb. After securing a long-term agreement with a landlord, Mike renovated two properties into low-cost, high-quality, two-bedroom apartments. Despite economic challenges, he leveraged his construction knowledge and network to deliver excellent results, generating strong returns and satisfying both guests and the landlord.

At the time, Mike was completing his university dissertation while working three jobs. He lived in the same properties he rented out, often having to find alternative accommodation when they were occupied. Managing the rentals proved stressful, and early attempts to outsource property management to traditional firms were unsuccessful due to unreliable service, high costs, and negative guest feedback.

Recognizing both the market potential and the gap in service quality, Mike founded STAY in 2019—a next-generation Airbnb management company. He partnered with Xanthos, a trusted friend known for his integrity, knowledge, and management skills. Their shared vision was to maximize profitability for property owners while delivering exceptional guest experiences. Together, they established STAY as a growing force in the property management industry—and their journey continues.

Xanthos Yiallouros
CEO

Xanthos has built a career of almost two decades across retail, customer service, and operations, shaped by international experience and a strong academic background in marketing and business. Before leaving for England to complete his Master’s degree in Marketing Management, he was studying to finish his BSc in Multimedia Design while working two jobs—first as a waiter in a large franchise restaurant and also as an assistant in a retail shop. He also spent one year working as a teleservice assistant.

In 2009, he moved to England, where he spent two years completing his Master’s degree, returning to Cyprus immediately after graduation. At the time of his return, Cyprus was beginning to feel the shockwaves of the global credit crunch, and unemployment was rising. Unfortunately, he was unable to apply his studies right away, but after a short period of unemployment, he secured a role as a store manager in a retail company that placed customer focus at the center of its strategy. It was a valuable experience in a market-leading organization with strict procedures and a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.

In 2013, following the “haircut” and its significant impact on the economy, the company Xanthos was working for had to let some employees go. After that, he decided to migrate to Australia. Life in Australia—where he worked mostly in retail and construction—was good: strong salaries, a beautiful country, and a new culture to learn. However, something was missing. His family was far away, and he was also limited by the visa he held. When his visa expired, he decided it was time to return home, as things in Cyprus were beginning to improve. With his luggage full of new friendships, experiences, and knowledge, he boarded the plane back to Cyprus.

After returning in 2016, he quickly found work in retail again, this time being responsible for timely inventory replenishment and the addition of new products to meet market demand. After one year in this role, he decided to begin an MBA at the University of Cyprus—a choice he believes has been one of the most important steps in advancing his career.

Around this time, Mike first proposed that Xanthos become a partner in founding the company, but he felt he was not ready. Mike remained confident in him and, after some time, came back with another offer. As Xanthos was close to completing his MBA and had always wanted to build his own business, he felt this was a promising opportunity—one that could help him fulfill his ambitions and put into practice everything he had learned throughout his working and academic journey.

Working alongside Mike and building the company together gave Xanthos the environment to grow into the role, take on responsibility, and demonstrate the full value he brings as a partner.