At Getaway Properties AZ, Lori Baker has built a business around the belief that every getaway should tell a story. Managing 17 short-term rentals for other owners and several of her own, Lori’s mission is to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. From the desert to the pines, her homes offer a true home away from home, where every detail invites guests to unwind and experience Arizona’s natural beauty.
Can you tell us a little bit about your history?
I was raised in a small town in Arizona and now live on the outskirts of the city. My spouse and I purchased our first long-term rental in 2003. Many years, a few moves, and a few more purchases later, we turned our casita into our first short-term rental. From there, we bought a small one-bedroom cabin in my hometown, which quickly became a guest favorite. That growth eventually led to our real estate broker asking if we’d be interested in purchasing his short-term rental management business. We took the leap, and today we own GPAZ, LLC dba Getaway Properties AZ, where we manage 17 short-term rentals for other owners in addition to our own three long-term rentals and two personal STRs.
What is your background?
First and foremost, I’m a wife, a mother to three, and a grandma to the best three littles. For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom while working various jobs from home, everything from daycare to data entry. During tax season, I worked as a tax preparer.
As my kids grew into their teens, I earned my real estate license and began working for a company that sold homes to investors while also managing long-term rentals. Later, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in a school nurse’s office before transitioning to a pediatric hospital. I’ve now been with that hospital for nearly 15 years, working in both admitting and the pediatric emergency department.
Throughout those years, I continued helping buyers and sellers in real estate and assisted my husband with managing our rental properties. Eventually, that experience, combined with our passion for hospitality, led us to open our homes on Airbnb, manage additional properties through Getaway Properties AZ, and ultimately purchase the company ourselves.
Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later? If later, what drew you to that area?
Yes, I’m originally from Arizona. I currently live about three hours away from the mountain areas where most of our properties are located. I actually grew up about 45 minutes from that area, so the mountains have always felt like home to me. I’ve always loved the fresh air, tall pines, and slower pace of mountain life; it’s the perfect escape from the desert heat and city hustle.
What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?
I love being a part of creating lifelong memories for guests. Knowing that families, couples, and friends are celebrating milestones, reconnecting, or simply finding peace in one of our homes is incredibly rewarding. It’s about more than a place to stay; it’s about providing a space that feels like home and helps people unwind from the stress of everyday life.
What do you dislike the most about it?
It can be challenging when guests ask us to bend rules that are clearly outlined in the listing, especially when it comes to bringing pets to no-pet properties or requesting steep discounts during peak or holiday seasons. We always strive to be kind and accommodating, but we also have to protect the property and maintain fairness to owners and other guests.
How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?
OwnerRez allows us to manage all of our properties from one central system, everything from pricing and calendar control to guest messaging and reporting. It’s incredibly efficient and helps us stay organized while managing multiple owners, properties, and guests.
What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?
I love the automation and messaging features, which save so much time and help ensure consistency across all of our listings. But my favorite feature is definitely Rezzy AI, and I can’t wait until the full system is live! The idea that it can handle guest inquiries automatically is a huge game-changer for busy managers like us.
From a single casita to managing 17 vacation rentals, Lori Baker has built Getaway Properties AZ around a clear mission to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. With OwnerRez supporting her business, we look forward to seeing her continued success as she helps guests feel right at home across her home state of Arizona.