ELLEN McDonald
Ellen McDonald — Founder, Ace of Stays

Build the business.
Back yourself.
Live a bigger life.

I built my first serviced accommodation business because I wanted more freedom. What I didn't expect was how much building a business would change me in the process.

Five years later I run serviced accommodation businesses across the UK, work with investors and landlords, mentor people building their own, and somehow still find myself answering guest messages from airports.

Find Your Next Move Work With Me
Ellen McDonald
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Where it started

I didn't start because I felt ready.

I was a primary school teacher with no property background, no entrepreneurial family and definitely no secret masterplan. I just knew I wanted more choice over my time, my income and what my life could look like.

The first few years were not the glossy version of entrepreneurship. I signed deals I shouldn't have, lost money, built systems far too late, questioned myself constantly and had more than one "what on earth am I doing?" moment.

Property was the vehicle. Choice was always the goal.

But I kept learning. And eventually the thing I was building stopped feeling like a side project and started feeling like a life I had chosen.

So what can I actually help you with?

Three ways to work with me and the team.

You might want to learn the whole thing yourself. You might have the capital but not the time. Or you might already own the property and want the day-to-day taken off your plate. I don't believe in pushing everyone into the same offer — start with the route that sounds most like you.

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ROUTE 01

Mentorship

For the person who wants to build their own serviced accommodation business and learn how to do it properly, with me in their corner while they do.

Explore Mentorship →
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ROUTE 02

Done For You

For busy investors who want us to source, analyse, negotiate and help set up the opportunity without spending months learning the process from scratch.

Explore Done For You →
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ROUTE 03

Property Management

For landlords and property owners who want a hands-on team managing guests, pricing, cleaning, maintenance and performance.

Explore Management →

Not sure which one is you? Tell us where you are, what you're trying to achieve and what you realistically have in terms of time and budget. If I don't think one of our services is right for you, I'll say so.

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I'm not going to tell you every property works. It doesn't. I'm not going to pretend serviced accommodation is passive. It isn't. And I'm definitely not going to make a deal look better because I want you to buy it.
On the numbers — and why they have to be real
30+
Serviced accommodation properties operated or managed
50+
Investor opportunities consulted on or sourced
£60k+
Invested in my own education, so clients don't pay for my mistakes
6
Countries I've run the business from — UK, Bali, Australia, NZ, Spain & counting
One sentence to leave you with

You're allowed to want the business and the life.

I spent years thinking success meant working harder, proving more and eventually earning the right to slow down. Now I think the whole point is to build something that gives you options — the flight, the no, the Tuesday you actually choose.

Work With Me
Ellen McDonald working remotely by the beach Running the business from a beach, laptop and all