We specialize in managing America’s finest rental properties, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and hassle-free ownership. With a commitment to quality, we handle every detail so owners can enjoy truly passive income. From seamless bookings to pristine maintenance, we make renting homes effortless and rewarding.
It all began in 2017 with a romantic journey when Alan Mels, one of our co-founders, traveled to Europe to marry Ayla Mels, another co-founder. While waiting for Ayla’s permission to enter the United States, Alan rented out his upscale apartment in Bellevue, Washington, to fund their overseas stay. To their surprise, the rental not only covered their expenses but also generated a significant income. This experience sparked the idea for Alan and Ayla to expand their focus beyond their primary careers and invest in high-quality short-term rentals (STRs).
Here are some pictures from that trip:
When Alan and Ayla returned to the U.S., they didn’t waste any time turning their newfound passion into action. They began managing their own properties in Texas, Colorado, and Washington, crafting each space to provide guests with a truly memorable experience. It didn’t take long before friends and acquaintances noticed their success and asked for help managing their properties as well. What started as a personal venture quickly grew into something much bigger.
In 2021, Alan and Ayla officially launched StellarStay in Texas, driven by their mission to uncover the “secret ingredients” that make a stay extraordinary. This vision became the foundation of StellarStay — a commitment to blending thoughtful design, exceptional hospitality, and meticulous care to create stays that feel like home.
Since its inception in 2017, StellarStay has expanded into multiple states, curating cozy, welcoming spaces for guests to enjoy. With 58 properties under management, we’ve successfully serviced over 17,300 nights, completing more than 4,690 check-ins and check-outs along the way. Our dedication to excellence has earned us a stellar 4.9/5 Airbnb rating, reflecting the glowing 5-star reviews from countless happy travelers.
Beyond delighting guests, we’ve built lasting relationships with property owners who trust us to care for their homes as if they were our own. Through it all, our focus has remained unwavering: delivering unforgettable stays while helping property owners achieve peace of mind through expertly managed properties.
Alan Mels
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Alan Mels combines decades of experience in technology, management, and entrepreneurship to deliver exceptional short-term rental services. With a master’s degree in International Law and Economics (MILE) from the World Trade Institute in Bern, Switzerland, Alan’s career spans roles in IT leadership, digital innovation, and property management.
Alan has a proven track record of creating innovative solutions, including founding an IT company specializing in secure and reliable data systems for businesses. Since 2017, his focus has been on the short-term rental market, where he has turned his passion for exceptional service into a thriving business.
Under Alan’s leadership, StellarStay is dedicated to helping property owners maximize their rental income while providing guests with unforgettable experiences. His expertise and forward-thinking approach ensure that StellarStay remains at the forefront of the short-term rental industry.
Ayla Mels
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer
Ayla Mels brings her expertise in international relations and her passion for exceptional hospitality to the world of short-term rental management. With a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Kyrgyzstan Russian Slavic University, Ayla began her career working briefly for the Government of Kyrgyzstan before emigrating to the United States.
Since 2017, Ayla has shared her husband Alan’s enthusiasm for the short-term rental market, combining their talents to build a business focused on helping property owners achieve success while providing unforgettable guest experiences. Ayla specializes in consulting short-term rental investors on interior design, ensuring spaces are both functional and inviting. She also oversees the coordination of housekeeping, cleaning, and contractor teams across multiple states, ensuring compliance with policies and maintaining the highest standards.
Ayla’s meticulous attention to detail and dedication to excellence make her an integral part of StellarStay’s success, ensuring every property meets and exceeds expectations.
Like hardworking bees in a hive, our dedicated team members work tirelessly across regions to ensure seamless operations, exceptional guest experiences, and thriving success for property owners.
Elmira Dane
Regional Manager for the Fort Worth area
Elmira plays a key role in ensuring StellarStay properties in the region are expertly managed and guest-ready. Recently immigrating from Kyrgyzstan, Elmira joined StellarStay with a strong commitment to excellence and a meticulous eye for detail. Her organizational skills and dedication to maintaining high standards quickly earned her a leadership position. Today, Elmira oversees the cleaning and maintenance teams, ensuring every property in Fort Worth meets StellarStay’s reputation for quality and guest satisfaction. Elmira’s hard work and passion make her an integral part of the StellarStay team.
Dmitry Rubashka
Maintenance Manager for South Colorado
Dmitry ensures all StellarStay properties in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas are impeccably maintained. With a focus on efficiency and reliability, Dmitry oversees all maintenance needs, from routine upkeep to urgent repairs. His dedication and expertise ensure that every property meets the highest standards of safety and functionality, making him an essential part of the StellarStay team.
Russel Ruzakh
Maintenance Manager for North Colorado
Russel plays a crucial role in ensuring all StellarStay properties in the region are in top-notch condition. Known for his reliability and expertise, Russel handles all maintenance matters with efficiency and dedication. From urgent repairs to routine upkeep, he is always there when needed, ensuring that every property is safe, functional, and welcoming for guests. Russel’s commitment and skill make him an invaluable part of the StellarStay team.
Aygul Beken
Regional Manager for the Smoky Mountains area
Aygul plays a key role in ensuring StellarStay properties in Gatlinburg and the surrounding cities are impeccably managed. Starting with StellarStay as part of the cleaning team, Aygul’s dedication and exceptional organizational skills quickly propelled her to a leadership position. Today, she oversees the cleaning and maintenance teams, ensuring every property meets the highest standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Aygul’s commitment and attention to detail are central to StellarStay’s success in the Smoky Mountains region.
Tonisha Robinson
City Manager for Peoria, Arizona
Tonisha Robinson plays a pivotal role in StellarStay’s operations in Peoria. Beginning her journey with StellarStay as a cleaner, Tonisha’s outstanding organizational skills and unwavering dedication quickly propelled her into a leadership position. Today, she leads the team responsible for managing all properties in Peoria, Arizona, ensuring they consistently uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Tonisha’s commitment and leadership have been crucial in solidifying StellarStay’s reputation for excellence in the city of Peoria.
Yulia Bashtan
Regional Manager for the Dallas area
Yulia ensures StellarStay properties in the region are impeccably maintained and guest-ready. After immigrating from Ukraine with her husband and young son to escape the war, Yulia brought her resilience and dedication to StellarStay. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail quickly earned her a leadership role. Today, Yulia oversees the cleaning and maintenance teams, ensuring every property meets StellarStay’s high standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Her commitment and determination have made her an invaluable part of the StellarStay team in Dallas.
Zarina Baisal
Regional Manager for Dubai
After living and working in education management at the best universities across Eurasia, Zarina Baisalova migrated to Dubai in 2022 and was captivated by the city’s dynamic real estate market. Zarina delved into property investments, as well as took over short-term rentals at a leading local real estate agency. As her portfolio of managed properties expanded, she sought a more structured approach to managing the growing business. After learning about StellarStay and engaging in intensive consultations, Zarina embraced StellarStay’s proven practices and adopted their powerful automation platform. Today, Zarina is proud to be StellarStay’s first representative across the Atlantic, bringing exceptional service and expertise to Dubai’s thriving rental market.
Asher Dane
Property Manager for Moorhead, Minnesota
Asher, a Political Science major at Minnesota State University Moorhead, brings dedication and multitasking skills to his role as a property manager for StellarStay in Moorhead. Balancing his studies with his responsibilities, Asher expertly manages a few properties in the area, ensuring they are well-maintained and guest-ready. His commitment to excellence and ability to juggle academics and property management make him a valuable member of the StellarStay team.
Salta Beken
Regional Manager for North Colorado
Salta has been an integral part of StellarStay since its inception. Starting in a housekeeping role for the very first properties in Colorado, Salta’s dedication and attention to detail quickly set her apart. Today, she oversees a team of cleaners responsible for maintaining all properties in the Denver area, ensuring they meet the highest standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Salta’s leadership and commitment have been instrumental in StellarStay’s growth and success in the region.
Olga Rubashka
Regional Manager for South Colorado
Olga has been a vital part of StellarStay’s operations in the region. Starting her journey with StellarStay as a cleaner, Olga’s exceptional organizational skills and dedication quickly earned her a leadership role. Today, she oversees the team responsible for maintaining all properties in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas, ensuring they meet the highest standards of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Olga’s commitment and leadership have been instrumental in maintaining StellarStay’s reputation for excellence in South Colorado.
Antrice Jackson
Regional Manager for the San Antonio area
Antrice plays a vital role in maintaining StellarStay’s high standards in one of Texas’s most vibrant cities. Starting her journey with StellarStay in property care, Antrice’s exceptional dedication and organizational skills quickly earned her a leadership position. Today, she oversees the team responsible for cleaning and maintaining all properties in San Antonio, ensuring they meet the highest levels of cleanliness and guest satisfaction. Antrice’s commitment and leadership are essential to StellarStay’s success in the region.
Aigerim Erkinbek
Regional Manager for the Cancun Region, Mexico
After migrating from Kyrgyzstan to Mexico in 2023 with her husband and daughter, Aigerim fell in love with the Cancun region after exploring different parts of the country. They decided to settle in Cancun, where her husband works as an IT specialist, and Aigerim joined the StellarStay Team to manage properties in the area. She quickly mastered StellarStay’s procedures and successfully adapted practices refined in the U.S. market to the Mexican market. Under her management, the Cancun properties rapidly gained traction, earning highly satisfied 5-star reviews from guests.
Let StellarStay handle your short-term rental property with the care and expertise it deserves. From maximizing your income to ensuring seamless guest experiences, our reliable and dedicated team is here to make property management truly hassle-free!
