HOW HIGH-END AMENITIES LIKE PLUNGE POOLS ARE REDEFINING SHORT-TERM RENTAL DESIGN

The short-term rental market has evolved far beyond a place to sleep. Today’s travelers are booking experiences. For designers, developers, and investors, this shift presents a clear opportunity: properties that deliver elevated, wellness-driven amenities are commanding higher nightly rates, stronger occupancy, and long-term value.

At the Vacation Rental Design Summit this past January, one theme came through consistently. The most successful short-term rentals are intentionally designed to stand out and amenities are leading that charge.

The New Standard: Design That Drives Revenue

Short-term rental platforms are more competitive than ever. With thousands of listings in any given market, creative functional design is no longer optional. It is a revenue strategy.

Properties that feel intentionally designed, high-end, and unique consistently outperform standard listings. Industry data from platforms like AirDNA and Vrbo suggests that listings with premium amenities can generate meaningfully higher nightly rates and increased booking frequency.

For investors, this translates directly into:

• Higher average daily rates

• Increased occupancy

• Stronger long-term resale value

For designers, it reinforces the importance of specifying features that are both visually compelling and functionally valuable.

Want to see how designers are integrating plunge pools into real homes?
Explore a recent project with Emily Henderson and how her family uses a Soake Pool year-round.

Amenities That Guests Actually Search For

Today’s travelers are filtering their searches by amenities first, location second. Some of the most in-demand features include:

• Hot tubs and heated pools

• Outdoor living spaces

• Fire features

• Wellness-focused experiences like saunas and cold plunges

Listings with hot tubs and water features consistently rank among the most saved and highest-performing properties. Wellness amenities, in particular, are becoming a defining factor in booking decisions.

This is where a plunge pool becomes a strategic design decision.

Why Plunge Pools Are Gaining Momentum in STR Design

A plunge pool bridges the gap between a traditional swimming pool and a hot tub, offering flexibility, efficiency, and a high-end guest experience.

Increase Nightly Rates Without Expanding Footprint

Unlike full-size pools, plunge pools are compact and can be integrated into smaller outdoor spaces. This allows designers to add a premium amenity without sacrificing valuable square footage.

Design your own plunge pool layout and see real-time options
Use the Soake Pools 3D Pool Builder to explore sizes, benches, jets, and cover configurations.

Extend the Rental Season

In colder climates like New England or mountain destinations, a heated plunge pool transforms a seasonal property into a year-round destination.

Guests are just as drawn to a warm soak in winter as they are to a summer dip. Extending usability even by a few months can significantly impact annual revenue.

Experience it in person before specifying
Visit the Soake Pools New Hampshire Experience Center and take a test swim in one of three display pools.

Deliver a Luxury, Wellness-Driven Experience

Today’s guests are seeking more than aesthetics. They want experiences that feel restorative and memorable.

A heated plunge pool supports:

• Hydrotherapy

• Contrast bathing

• Relaxation after travel or outdoor activity

Learn more about how Soake Pools are designed for year-round wellness
Explore our approach to hydrotherapy, heating, and efficient design.

Create Scroll-Stopping Marketing Content

From a marketing perspective, water is one of the most powerful visual assets. Listings with pools or water features consistently outperform in search and on social platforms.

A beautifully designed plunge pool becomes:

• The hero image of the listing

• A differentiator in crowded markets

• A reason for guests to share and rebook

Browse design inspiration and completed projects
See how Soake Pools are integrated into outdoor spaces across the country.

Designing for ROI and Resale Value

Beyond nightly rates, thoughtful amenity design has a lasting impact on property value.

High-quality, permanent features like a precast concrete plunge pool signal durability, intention, and long-term investment. For buyers evaluating income properties, these elements can justify higher asking prices and reduce perceived risk.

Get a personalized estimate for your project
Use our design tool to generate a custom plunge pool estimate based on your space and preferences.

What We’re Seeing Next in STR Design

Based on conversations and trends emerging from the Vacation Rental Design Summit, a few key directions are shaping the future of the industry:

• Smaller, more intentional footprints with higher-quality features

• Outdoor spaces designed as extensions of interior living

• Wellness-forward amenities becoming expected, not optional

• Four-season usability driving design decisions

In other words, it is no longer about adding more. It is about adding better.

The Takeaway

For designers and investors alike, the path forward is clear. The most successful short-term rentals are not competing on price. They are competing on experience.

A well-designed plunge pool is more than an amenity. It is a revenue driver, a marketing asset, and a long-term investment in the value of the property. 

Contact us to learn how a Soake Pool can elevate your short-term rental and increase its value.