We were lucky to catch up with Alena Babiy recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alena , thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

When we decided to purchase our A-frame cabin in Washington and rent it out, we felt something was missing from many rentals in the area. While there are plenty of beautiful cabins with stunning views, we chose to go against the grain—and the advice of many—to treat our property as more than just an investment. We wanted to pour our hearts into it, prioritizing the details over cutting corners to make the numbers work. We invested in floor-to-ceiling glass, high-end furniture, premium finishes, and top-tier lighting, aiming to create a luxury experience that felt like a personal resort, not a typical rental.

While most cabins in the area embrace a “cabin feel” or “modern” aesthetic, we wanted to create something unique—something we hadn’t seen in Washington. Inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which celebrates natural imperfection, we designed a space that’s both grounded in nature and elevated. We were captivated by natural stones, so instead of typical tile, we worked with one of the few companies in Washington that creates a seamless microcement look for the bathroom and kitchen—despite the higher cost.

We didn’t want a standard kitchen, so we opted for custom floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that adds warmth and maximizes storage in our tiny home. We also layered lighting throughout the space to enhance the ambiance and highlight the beauty of natural materials. One of our most unique features is a hand-chiseled stone sink from Turkey, adding a touch of craftsmanship and character.

We knew our approach wouldn’t be for everyone—but that was the point. We wanted to offer something rare and special, filling a gap in the market for guests seeking an authentic, thoughtfully designed experience that feels like more than just another investment property.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A little about myself: I’ve always worked a corporate 9-5 job since I was a teenager. When I got married in my 20s, my husband and I started traveling together, and over the years, we’ve visited over 30 countries.

During our travels, we stayed in so many unique places and met many Airbnb hosts who left such a lasting impression on us. These experiences sparked an obsession with the idea of having our own place. We knew we wanted it to be an A-frame, as we felt that style was the most representative of Washington State, where we met and grew up. But we also wanted it to reflect the many places we had visited and fallen in love with. Inspired by textures and natural elements used in beautiful spaces around the world, we set out to create a destination that felt like home—a place to escape to, and a spot for others to do the same.

We spent years searching for the perfect A-frame. But after the birth of our baby boy, I faced a difficult decision: go back to my 9-5 job, leaving my son for many hours each day, or take the leap, as scary as it was, and invest in our dream. Needless to say, we took the plunge—and we’ve never looked back.

We bought the A-frame in 2024, spent a year making it our own, and launched it in 2025. We’re both perfectionists when it comes to our vision, so for us, this wasn’t just about creating a space—it was about crafting a design project that reflected our passion for beauty. My husband, with his tech design background, and I, were both obsessed with making this cabin something truly special. Our philosophy is simple: you feel as good as the space you’re in. The more beautiful and nature-inspired it is, the easier it is to unwind and clear your mind.

Watching it evolve into my full-time career has been nothing short of amazing. There’s been so much to learn in a short time, but my background in customer service, digital marketing, and working with people has been a huge help. I’m still figuring out new things every day, but it’s been such an exciting ride. Sharing the space we created has completely stolen our hearts, and hearing the feedback is so rewarding.

Now, we’re dreaming bigger. We’re already eyeing a big piece of land with plans to build something on a much grander scale—something that feels like our very own personal resort or hotel experience. We’re all in on this business model!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

So, I’ve actually known him for quite a while—I’ve been married to him for almost 9 years now! To be honest, my husband and I couldn’t be more different when it comes to running a business. He’s been an entrepreneur for years, running his own software development company, while I’ve always worked for others. He’s incredibly disciplined and numbers-driven, while I’m more of a free spirit who leads with emotion and a “it’ll all work out” mindset. I’m all about not sweating the small stuff.

When we first started talking about doing this business together, I’ll admit, it scared me a little. I used to say I’d never be able to work with my husband, considering how different our approaches were. But we decided to go for it anyway. And, surprisingly, our marriage is still intact—haha!

In all seriousness, it’s actually turned out to be an amazing combination. I come up with the ideas, and he takes them to the next level. It’s a perfect balance. I honestly can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. We’ve learned a lot from each other along the way, and I’m so grateful we get to do this together.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

To be honest, this is still very much a work in progress. Social media is so different from what it used to be, and growing an online presence is much harder in such a saturated market. Every Airbnb and hotel seems to have its own page, and the algorithms seem to change every month. But for us, we’ve learned to just keep pushing forward—keep trying new things, because honestly, you can’t really mess it up. The key is to build your brand and stick to it. I see it like a digital resume—so many people will check out your socials before committing to a booking. It’s also a wonderful way to connect with people who are looking for the same experience we are offering.

It’s tough not to get discouraged when things aren’t performing as well as you hoped, but continuing to experiment with new strategies has been really helpful. And I’ve learned to embrace doing the things that scare me. For example, I was terrified of TikTok. It seemed overwhelming, and I had never used it myself. But sometimes, the most unexpected platforms can deliver the best results. I made a few amateur videos, and to my surprise, they brought us bookings! That was a huge shock and a reminder that stepping out of my comfort zone can pay off.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lafastays.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafastays/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BD965JGVJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Eva Seelye
Sarah Sheehan