Of course, we all already know the beauty and charm of our little slice of the Jersey Shore. And every summer, visitors from out of state come to experience it for themselves, whether for a weekend, a week getaway, or the entire season.
With our prime location, beloved beach towns and flocks of people heading this way, short-term rentals have become increasingly popular, especially on the islands. As a result, over the years, many homeowners and entrepreneurs have become experts in the field.
One such couple is Steve and Kim Resnick.
Long before they were business owners, the Resnicks were regular visitors, bringing their family to the Shore year after year to make memories in towns like Ocean City. What began as a love for the area eventually turned into a business venture and then into a mission.
In 2015, the couple started small, owning and managing just three properties. After learning the ins and outs of the industry, they officially launched Heavenly Rez in 2021, a short-term vacation rental management company based in Ocean City.
“Now we manage 85 properties in OC, and our company is different since our entire focus is on full hospitality,” Steve Resnick said. “We provide full linen service and 24/7 guest support. If guests have any issues at any time of day, they can reach out. We have a local team ready to handle maintenance issues or anything that comes up with the property.”
That hospitality-first mindset is what sets Heavenly Rez apart in a market that traditionally operated differently. In Ocean City, it has long been standard practice for guests, no matter how long their stay, to bring their own linens and basic supplies. The Resnicks wanted to change that experience.
Each home they manage is fully stocked with essentials like, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, makeup remover, coffee, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dishwasher pods and more. In short, everything a guest might need for a comfortable stay is already waiting for them.
“We’re 100% focused on making sure guests have a great experience and feel comfortable,” Kim Resnick said. “Instead of having to run out to the store for the little things you didn’t think about packing, it’s all there.”
Their commitment to hospitality recently earned Heavenly Rez recognition as the number one property management company in the area for the most five-star reviews, an honor they attribute to their focus on delivering a better, more elevated guest experience.
To further streamline their operations and support their growing portfolio, the couple even purchased a hub in Somers Point to house linens and consumables, ensuring everything is organized, stocked and ready to go for whenever needed.
“We want to create a higher-end, hotel-style experience, but with the comfort of home,” Steve said.
Recently, another opportunity came their way, one that allowed them to share not only their business journey, but their personal story as well.
Steve is part of a global group of short-term rental hosts, which led to an invitation to participate in Hospitable Hosts, an international book series and community where hospitality leaders share the real stories behind their journeys while working to raise standards in the industry. The series currently includes four collaborative books featuring STR professionals from around the world.
For the newest edition, the editor created a special couples-focused installment, inviting 14 couples to contribute chapters about building their STR businesses together.
Kim and Steve’s chapter, titled “Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste,” focuses not only on Ocean City’s unique short-term rental market, but also on the personal hardships that shaped their life and business.
“The name is because we’ve gone through some tragedies in our lives, losing our daughter and Steve having major surgery,” Kim shared. “Those experiences made us hyper-focused on what’s truly important. We want families to make the most of their time together and create memories.”
The company’s name, Heavenly Rez, is a tribute to their daughter, whom they often brought to Ocean City for family vacations. The Shore holds deep meaning for the family as it was their favorite place to spend time together and still is. They want to help other families come to the Shore and have that special time together too.
In a touching and unexpected development for the pair, the book’s proceeds will now benefit research for the type of rare disease that claimed their daughter’s life, leukodystrophy. They chose a leukodystrophy foundation as the charitable recipient of all sales from the book during its first year of publication.
“That made it even more meaningful for us,” Kim said. “We were already excited but knowing it could help other families and raise awareness about her rare disease made it that much more special.”
For Steve, the message of their chapter is universal.
“As humans, we all face tragedies. It’s really about how you respond to them,” he said. “You can curl up in defeat, or you can use it as ammunition to propel your life forward and reach your goals. It’s a never-give-up kind of story.”
The couple hopes readers, whether they are entrepreneurs, other couples building a life and business together, travelers, or simply someone going through a difficult season, walk away inspired.
“It’s usually the tough times that push you to the next level,” Steve said. “That’s where growth and success come from.”
Through Heavenly Rez, the Resnicks continue to raise the bar for hospitality at the Jersey Shore, proving that even in a long-established market, there is always room to innovate and to lead with heart. They hope other families continue to come spend time together in Ocean City and offer a comfortable and luxurious way to do so.
To learn more or book a stay, visitors can find Heavenly Rez properties on major vacation rental platforms and through the company’s website: https://www.heavenlyrez.com/
Delaney Crawford is a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for storytelling and digital marketing. Driven by a desire to empower local businesses, Delaney founded DLC Media, a company dedicated to helping businesses enhance their brand image and thrive online.
