Rising Stars: Meet Lyndsey Autrey of Cincinnati, OH

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyndsey Autrey.

Hi Lyndsey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Just across the river, 8 min south of downtown Cincinnati ,OH is Ludlow, KY—a community with a true ‘hometown’ heart. That’s where Grandma’s House lives. After years of collecting family heirlooms, antiques, and vintage decor—including a curated collection of artwork by artist Joni Powers (the real ‘Grandma Joni’)—we realized we had the ingredients to create something special. With travelers in mind, we didn’t want to just offer another place to crash; we wanted to build a destination. Our goal was to trade the sterile, ‘cookie-cutter’ hotel experience for a space that’s an experience of warmth and connection, not just stay in a room.

The story of Grandma’s House actually begins long before we ever filed for a short-term rental permit. We purchased the home years ago from a loving widower who, at the real estate showing, had photos of his late wife—the love of his life—displayed on the table. They were married for 40 years, and you could feel that warmth and devotion in every single room. In fact, their bells still hang on the front door today as a nod to the love that started here.

Originally, the home was a labor of love by “Pappy” and Grandma Joni, who rehabbed it to create a space for their daughter and granddaughter to grow. But it quickly became more than just a residence; it became a beacon for family gatherings and a retreat for friends. When it came time to decide “what’s next,” we realized we couldn’t just let it go. The house had become a part of our family history.

We wanted it to be part of our family’s future, too—a place we could continue to enjoy while sharing that same feeling of safety, nostalgia, and “home” with the rest of the world. It’s our way of offering a curated, soulful alternative to a sterile hotel, right in the heart of our hometown of Ludlow.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a “smooth” ride, but seeing Grandma’s House come to life has been worth it.

The biggest struggle was finding that sweet spot between modern comfort and historical charm. We spent nearly a year renovating a traditional home to be a short term rental property, but not just your average “Air BnB”. We wanted to make sure the space felt upgraded (those bathrooms needed some serious love!), but we were obsessed with keeping the “soul” of a 100-year-old home intact.

The goal was to make it feel sleek and functional without losing that cozy, lived-in magic. We wanted guests to step inside and immediately get that hit of authentic nostalgia—the kind you only feel when you’re walking into your actual Grandma’s house.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Grandma’s House, our “work” is the art of hospitality. We specialize in creating a high-touch, timeless lodging experience that bridges the gap between the stories past of a 100-year-old home and the modern needs of today’s traveler.

As Kentucky girls through and through, our heritage is rooted in generations of women—Great-Grandmas, Aunts, Great Aunts Mothers and Daughters —who prided themselves on hosting, southern comfort, cooking/baking, and the classical arts. We’ve poured that collective family DNA into every corner of the property, from the curated artwork, open kitchen, and small details like a “help your self” Grandma’s Purse Candy selection in the entry cabinet to the “lived-in” warmth you feel the moment you walk through the door.

What sets us apart is this “sweet spot” we’ve created: we offer the authentic, soulful heart of a family home, but we back it up with the highest level of professional management. We’ve partnered with The Grand Welcome, a premier property management company and “Super Host,” to ensure that every guest receives seamless, five-star service.

We are most proud of how this property serves as a beacon—offering the quiet, restorative feeling of “Grandma’s House” while being just minutes away from the energy of the city. It’s a reflection of who we are: deeply rooted in local tradition, but professionally equipped to welcome the world.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
For us, happiness is found in connection. It’s the comfort of knowing that even when we aren’t in the same room, we are connected by spirit, history, and the traditions that have shaped us.

What makes us truly happy in the context of Grandma’s House is the ability to take those deeply held family values—the warmth of southern hospitality, the love of a shared meal, and the peace of a safe space—and offer them to others to enjoy. There is a special kind of fulfillment in knowing that our family’s history is helping other families create their own new memories.

We believe that everyone deserves to feel the unconditional love and welcome that “Grandma’s House” represents. Seeing a guest find joy, rest, or connection within these walls makes our hearts feel full. It’s more than just a rental to us; it’s our way of extending our family’s table to anyone who needs a place to call home for a while.

Pricing:

• Our pricing varies depending on the time of year so be sure to check at different times.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.grandmashouseludlowky.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmashouseludlowky?igsh=OGo1dmd2bGFkMmE0
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18SDbnSeZg/
• Other: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1628488173043909734?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76