When we launched our second STR in Maine, we invested in a cohesive design with a professional STR designer and fully loaded the home with indoor and outdoor amenities for a luxury mountain retreat.

We personally tested everything, including the hot tub and the sauna, and loved it. But something still felt… off.

The best upgrades aren’t always the most expensive, but they're the ones that make the biggest difference in how guests experience your space.

The walk from the hot tub to the barrel sauna? Muddy. Cold.

Not exactly the relaxing experience we envisioned, especially on a 20° winter night. So we asked ourselves:

How do we make this better without overcomplicating or overspending?

That’s when the idea of a wellness pathway came to life, creating a clean, intentional transition between spaces.

But we didn’t stop there.

We wanted to elevate the experience, not just fix the problem. So we added a glow platform—a softly lit pathway that transforms the entire wellness area at night. Guests now move seamlessly from the bar table to the hot tub to the sauna, surrounded by warm, ambient lighting inside and out.

We brought in a photographer to capture it and the result was exactly what we had envisioned. Guests started raving about the hot tub and sauna in their reviews.

Then one evening, we received this message:

“Quick question, how do we turn on the LED outdoor lights like you have in the listing photos? It looks super cool!”

That message made my day. Because it meant one thing:

👉 The experience we created in real life matched what guests saw—and felt—in the listing.

And the best part? This wasn’t a massive investment, but it completely changed how guests experienced the space.

It’s not the amenity but the experience around it

In a ski market, a hot tub isn’t a differentiator. It’s expected.

But the experience around it? That’s where you stand out.

Guests don’t just want to sit in the hot tub. They want to linger, connect, and enjoy the space together.

So we added a bench, a high bar, and chairs to create a true spa corner—a place where guests can gather before and after their soak.

A simple, low-cost addition, but it extended how guests used the space.

Not every detail makes it into your listing photos. But every detail contributes to the guest experience and the memories they take home.

And the more complete and thoughtful the experience, the more likely you are to earn a 5-star review.

The upgrades you don’t expect to matter… often do the most

We added a karaoke machine almost as an afterthought. It was inexpensive, low maintenance, and just felt like a fun extra.

Then the reviews started coming in.

Guests kept mentioning it as one of their favorite parts of the stay. We were surprised.

When we later refreshed the game room, our local team suggested leaning into it. So we built out a full karaoke setup, adding mic stands, disco lighting, and a more intentional layout.

We brought our photographer back in. And just like that, the space was transformed. We’ve even heard from families whose kids were most excited about the karaoke when booking.

"The hot tub was perfect after skiing, the sauna was amazing, and the karaoke made our evenings so much fun."

One of the lowest-cost additions we made, yet one of the most talked-about.

The real takeaway

Guests book a vacation rental based on photos and the experience they imagine having.

Amenities matter. But it’s the details, flow, and atmosphere that bring those amenities to life.

This is something we see again and again:

You don’t need a bigger budget to create a better experience. You need more intentional design.

Final thoughts

STR is more competitive than ever. The hosts who stand out are the ones who think intentionally about the guest experience, from first impression to final memory, without overspending.

If you’re looking for ways to elevate your STR on a budget, we’d love to help.