About The Key Guide
Travelers want clarity. Owners want recognition. The industry needs structure.
Purpose
To be the impartial, expert voice that defines luxury rental excellence: guiding travelers with confidence, empowering owners with credibility, and elevating entire markets by celebrating greatness where it is truly earned.
Mission
To evaluate, verify and recognize exceptional short-term rentals across the world through a trusted, independent, design-forward rating system that empowers travelers to book confidently and inspires hosts to elevate their craft.
Vision
To become the global authority in vacation rental excellence, with the Key Awards as the recognized standard: the symbol travelers trust, homeowners aspire to earn, and the industry respects.
Our values
Raising the bar, consistently and with purpose.
- Integrity
- Every Key is earned through performance, never purchased.
- Excellence
- A rigorous, consistent standard ensures only truly exceptional properties are recognized.
- Transparency
- Clear criteria, verified inspections and objective evaluations guide every decision.
- Innovation
- We bring long-needed structure and clarity to the short-term rental industry.
- Respect
- We honor the individuality of each destination and host we encounter.
The team
Founding team
David Adams
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Olivia Howington
Director of Guide Development, Founding Team Member