April 5, 2026 • By Jonah Schmiechen

Which Amenities Actually Pay for Themselves? ROI Data for STR Hosts

Every STR host eventually faces the same question: should I add a hot tub? Build a game room? Install a pool? The answer isn't "yes to everything" — it's "yes to the right things for your property and your guests." Here's what the data actually says about amenity ROI so you can spend smart and earn more.

Hot Tub: The King of STR Amenities

If you could only add one amenity, make it a hot tub. The numbers are hard to argue with:

• +24% average daily rate (ADR)
• +7% occupancy
• +33% RevPAR (revenue per available room — the metric that combines rate and occupancy)

Installation runs $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the unit and site prep. Annual maintenance costs around $1,000 (chemicals, water, electricity, occasional repairs). For a property earning $50,000/year, a 33% RevPAR boost means roughly $16,500 in additional annual revenue. Even at the high end of installation cost, you're looking at a payback period of well under a year.

Hot tubs work across almost every market and guest type — couples, families, friend groups. They're the single most searched-for amenity filter on Airbnb.

Pool: High Impact, High Investment

A pool delivers strong returns but requires serious capital:

• +18.5% ADR
• +5% occupancy
• +24% RevPAR

Installation costs range from $25,000 to $60,000 for an in-ground pool, with ongoing maintenance of $2,000-$4,000 annually. The payback period is 2-4 years depending on your market and property revenue. Pools make the most sense for larger properties in warm-weather or resort markets where they significantly expand your competitive set.

Sauna: The Underrated Performer

Saunas are gaining traction fast in the STR world, and the economics are favorable. They boost ADR by 15-20% with a relatively low installation cost of $3,000 to $8,000 for an indoor or barrel sauna. Maintenance is minimal compared to a hot tub — no chemicals, no water treatment. For mountain, lake, and rural properties especially, a sauna can be a major differentiator that pushes you above the competition in search results.

Game Room: Low Cost, Solid Returns

A game room with a pool table, arcade machine, or board game collection adds 5-10% to your ADR at a cost of just $600 to $3,500. The ROI math is excellent — even a modest rate increase pays for the investment within a few months. Game rooms also reduce the chance of bad reviews from families with restless kids on rainy days, which is an underrated benefit.

Fire Pit: Maximum Bang for Minimum Buck

Fire pits are the best ROI amenity in the business. A 5-8% ADR boost for an investment of just $200 to $2,000. A simple metal fire ring with Adirondack chairs can be set up in an afternoon for a few hundred dollars. It shows up in guest photos, gets mentioned in reviews, and creates the kind of memorable experience that drives repeat bookings.

EV Charger: Future-Proofing Your Property

EV adoption is accelerating, and listings with a Level 2 charger are starting to command premium rates in many markets. Installation runs $500 to $2,000 including the unit and electrical work. The ADR impact varies by market, but the real value is competitive: as EV ownership grows, guests will increasingly filter for properties with charging. Being early means capturing those guests before your competitors do.

The Power of Amenity Stacking

Here's what experienced hosts know: three or more premium amenities together command pricing above the sum of their individual premiums. A property with a hot tub, fire pit, and game room isn't just +24% + 6% + 7% — it's positioned in a higher tier entirely. You're no longer competing with basic listings. You're in the "experience" category, and guests will pay accordingly.

Match Amenities to Your Guests

Not every amenity fits every property. Think about who actually books your place:

• Families — game rooms, pools, fenced yards, bunk beds, high chairs
• Couples — hot tubs, fireplaces, saunas, quality linens
• Remote workers — fast, reliable WiFi (100+ Mbps), a dedicated desk, good lighting
• Groups/friend trips — fire pits, outdoor dining, game rooms, multiple bathrooms
• Pet owners — being pet-friendly adds an average of $17.41 to your ADR, and the cost is mostly just a pet fee structure and some durable furnishings

Invest in the amenities that match your primary guest profile, and you'll see the strongest returns.