The ROI Multiplier: How to Command Premium Rates with Game-Changing Airbnb Amenities
If you’re listening to the market noise, you might hear warnings about competition. But here at Showplace, we see something entirely different: unprecedented opportunity.
The short-term rental market hasn't crashed—it's simply leveled up. It’s no longer enough to offer a clean bed and working Wi-Fi. The new golden rule is this: The investor who offers the most compelling, photo-worthy experience wins the booking.
Killer amenities are your new leverage point. They instantly elevate your property from a standard stay to a coveted destination, justifying premium pricing, driving irresistible demand, and making 5-star reviews nearly automatic.
Ready to transform your investment into a revenue machine? Here are the highest-impact amenity categories successful hosts are using right now to maximize their ROI.
I. The Experience Economy: Outdoor & Active Amenities
In the search filter, guests aren't looking for a place to sleep; they are looking for a place to play and connect. These high-impact outdoor additions generate instant social media shareability and dominate your crucial first five listing photos.
Highest Performing Active Amenities
Pickleball / Basketball Court: This is a non-negotiable amenity for maximizing appeal in many drive-to and luxury markets. Pickleball, in particular, is one of the highest-performing amenities we track, catering to a massive, active demographic.
Mini Golf: Whether it’s a quick 1-hole challenge or an elaborate 18-hole course, this amenity provides instant, family-friendly entertainment that guests mention in every review.
Volleyball Courts: Simple, fun, and perfect for group bookings. Ready, set, serve your way to a higher occupancy rate.
Disc Golf: An affordable, space-efficient option for adding active fun that appeals to a wide age range.
Year-Round Comfort & Gathering
Hot Tubs: Still a powerhouse amenity, especially in cold-weather and mountain markets. A must-have for commanding top dollar during shoulder seasons.
Custom Fire Pits and Swings: Move beyond the basic portable ring. Custom-built stone fire pits or integrated swing sets create a cozy, memorable gathering space that guests photograph immediately.
Cowboy Tubs: A uniquely charming and photo-friendly add-on for many markets, offering a rustic-chic cooling option that gets massive engagement.
Playsets & Kid Cities: Families are high-value customers. Investing in a robust outdoor playset or creating a dedicated "Kid City" ensures your listing pops in family-focused search filters.
II. Maximizing Group Bookings: Interior & Entertainment Amenities
Group stays—family reunions, corporate retreats, friend getaways—are the backbone of high STR revenue. These guests book longer, pay more, and demand premium entertainment features that keep them engaged indoors.
The ROI Sleep Multiplier
Custom Bunk Beds: This is one of the highest ROI investments you can make. Converting a standard bedroom into a high-end bunk room drastically increases your occupancy capacity without a massive investment in new construction. Think built-in, thematic, and luxury adult-friendly bunks.
Game Rooms: Whether you dedicate an entire space or create an Amenity-Filled Interior (like a shuffleboard table integrated into a dining area), offering a dedicated space for fun is key. Equip it with a PS5 or XBOX and a selection of nostalgic arcade or poker tables.
Movie Theatres: A simple projection screen setup or a fully dedicated viewing room is the ultimate luxury touch. It turns a rainy evening into a highly anticipated event.
Specialized Installations: The Fine Print of Fun
Golf Simulators: The golf course comes to you. This high-end amenity attracts premium clientele and serious golfers, providing a unique differentiator in luxury properties.
Custom Interiors: Don't just furnish—design an experience. Think shuffleboard, poker setups, and dedicated areas for classic nostalgic games.
III. The Silent Stars: Comfort, Safety & Smart Home Tech
These aren't the features that get clicked on, but they are the features that guarantee a 5-star review and ensure your operations run smoothly.
Smart Home Automation: Use cutting-edge smart home services for seamless self-check-in, temperature control, and security. Efficiency here means less time managing and more time earning.
Professional Audio & Video: Don't leave guests frustrated by complicated wiring. Professional audio-video installations (including outdoor sound systems) ensure effortless entertainment and a high-end feel.
Noise Reduction: A host-initiated cancellation is a ranking killer, and complaints from neighbors lead to headaches. Investing in advanced noise reduction and soundproofing protects your investment and ensures peace for both your guests and your neighbors.
Final Takeaway: Stop Competing, Start Dominating
It’s not too late to get into short-term rentals; it’s just too late to be lazy.
The future of STR success belongs to the bold investor who recognizes that they are in the hospitality and experience business. By strategically selecting and expertly executing these high-impact amenities, you move past the competition and command the highest rates in your market.
Ready to build your five-star destination? Let's talk strategy.