Luxury Amenities That Boost Your Vacation Rental Income

At Wander, we manage the top 1% of vacation rentals, exceptional luxury homes across the U.S. and now the Caribbean. Every home is evaluated against our Wander-worthy standard, a benchmark for newer, design-forward properties with true wow factor.

But we go beyond aesthetics. Through a process we call “hotelification,” we bring luxury hotel standards to vacation rentals, premium linens, curated coffee stations, rigorous cleaning, and 24/7 concierge service, to name a few.

We also enhance every step of the guest journey, starting with beautifully designed listings, transparent pricing, and flexible payment options for a seamless booking experience.

This approach, The Wander Method, was refined by managing our own homes, learning what it takes to outperform standard vacation rentals and match top-tier hotels, while keeping the warmth and space guests love.

When evaluating new properties, we provide personalized, data-backed recommendations proven to increase your average daily rate (ADR) and help you stand out from the competition.

And naturally, one of the top questions we hear is: Which upgrades actually move the needle?
That’s exactly what we’ll break down, so you can make smart, strategic choices to maximize your revenue.

Methodology
We used our own proprietary data along with data from Airdna, Beyond Pricing, Guesty, and Statista. We focused on key performance metrics for upscale 3-bedroom, 2-bath homes across multiple locations. To measure the impact of specific amenities, we compared the performance of listings with each amenity to those without it, helping us calculate the boost each amenity provides.

Top-Performing Amenities for Luxury Vacation Homes

Let’s dive straight into the top-performing amenities for luxury homes, because let’s be honest, your property likely already checks all the basic boxes the market typically recommends. We’re talking about essentials like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer, cable TV, and other standard features that are expected in a luxury home rather than exceptional.

Here are the top 7 amenities with the greatest impact on your revenue and why they’re worth considering for your luxury rental.

• Hot Tub

• Pool

• Gym

• Work Station

• Pet Friendliness 

• Repaint (to neutral modern tones)

• Upgraded Furniture

• Large Family Amenities (Ping pong tables, arcade games, etc.)
  

Hot Tub

Hot tubs consistently boost all key performance indicators.
On average, listings with hot tubs see a 24% increase in ADR, a 7% rise in occupancy, and an impressive 33% uplift in RevPAR.

KPI Boost

Just to give a few quick examples:
(Upscale vacation rentals with 3 beds, 2 baths, and an occupancy of 8)

These numbers show how the revenue impact of a hot tub varies by market but consistently adds meaningful income potential. Hot tub costs typically range from $4,000 to $10,000, with an average annual maintenance expense of around $1,000.

Pool

Pools are one of the most valuable upgrades for a vacation rental.

On average, they drive an 18.5% boost in ADR, 5% higher occupancy, and a 24% jump in RevPAR.

They’re especially effective in coastal and warm-weather markets, where guest demand for outdoor space and premium features is high. In beach towns alone, over half of listings already have pools, and they’re also popular in suburban, family-friendly markets.

If you own a luxury home, operate in a coastal or tropical area, or cater to longer stays and families, a pool could significantly increase your revenue and help your property stand out.

KPI Boost

Just to give a few quick examples:
(Upscale vacation rentals with 3 beds, 2 baths, and an occupancy of 8)

Most inground pool projects in the U.S. land in the $40,000 to $70,000 range, including installation and basic landscaping. If you’re going for a more high-end look with luxury finishes, costs can climb over $100,000.

Ongoing maintenance typically runs around $1,200 to $1,800 per year.

Of course, it’s important to run the numbers based on your local market, but in strong vacation rental areas, a well-performing property can pay off the cost of a pool in under two years.

Gym

Wellness isn’t a trend, it’s a shift. As remote work grows and trips get longer, the line between vacation and daily life keeps blurring. For luxury rentals, home gyms are quickly going from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.”

Right now, only 24% of luxury properties offer a gym, which means adding one is a smart way to stand out and attract wellness-focused guests.

A 2022 Skift survey found that 78% of travelers are more likely to book a hotel if it offers wellness services. And according to Statista, 35% of guests only book if a gym is available. These numbers make it clear, wellness is no longer optional. Properties need to adapt to meet this growing demand.

According to HomeGuide, an all-in-one home gym setup can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the brand and how much equipment you include. The biggest expense is usually the gear itself, weights, benches, and cardio machines. 

Work Station

Strategically adding work-from-home amenities allows you to charge more per night and attract longer stays. Travelers increasingly blend work and leisure—“workcations” are on the rise. Guests willing to stay for a week or more expect a professional setup, and they’ll pay more for it.

While 50.8% of short-term rental listings advertise a “dedicated workspace,” very few actually go beyond a desk and chair. This creates a massive opportunity: hosts who deliver ergonomic furniture, strong Wi-Fi, and tech-savvy touches win a clear competitive edge.

The remote work boom isn’t fading, it’s expanding.
Digital nomads, freelancers, and corporate employees now travel year-round, and they seek rentals with work-ready environments.

These guests help:

• Fill seasonal gaps

• Deliver consistent occupancy

• Boost year-round cash flow
  

You don’t need to do a full renovation to make your place remote-work friendly.
A few thoughtful upgrades—like an ergonomic chair, a proper desk, a monitor with an HDMI cable, solid Wi-Fi, and a desk lamp—can go a long way. 

The total investment usually falls between $510 and $1,320, and the payoff is huge.

You’ll be able to charge more per night, get longer bookings, and fill those slower seasons with digital nomads looking for exactly this setup. One extended stay can easily cover the cost, and after that, it’s all upside. Simple changes, big impact.

Pet Friendliness 

In today’s vacation rental market, one of the easiest ways to increase bookings and boost revenue is by saying yes to pets. Welcoming four-legged guests isn’t just thoughtful, it’s a smart, data-backed business move.

Pet-friendly rentals consistently outperform their no-pet counterparts across key performance metrics:

•  54% more bookings: Pet-friendly properties are booked far more often than those that don’t allow pets, significantly improving occupancy.

• Higher rates: Pet-friendly rentals achieved a 9% boost in ADR.

• Longer, more valuable stays: Pet travelers stay 30% longer and spend 40% more per trip, according to U.S. travel data.

• Larger audience: With 45% of U.S. households owning at least one dog, opening your doors to pets immediately expands your potential guest pool.

• More visibility: “Pet-friendly” is now one of the most-used filters across major platforms. If you’re not checking that box, you’re getting filtered out.
  

Travelers with pets often plan ahead, book longer stays, and are willing to pay more for the peace of mind that comes with bringing their furry companions along. In peak seasons, pet-friendly listings often book earlier, giving owners a competitive edge in high-demand windows.

Being pet-friendly it’s a growth strategy. For a minimal upfront adjustment and a modest pet fee, you unlock a high-demand segment of the market that’s loyal, profitable, and underserved. In a sea of rentals, standing out sometimes means being the one that says “yes” to the whole family, including the dog.

Interior Design 

Interior design isn’t just about looks, it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in a vacation rental as it directly impacts your bottom line. 

According to AirDNA, professionally designed properties can see up to a 40% increase in revenue. Why? Because good design lets you charge more, attract better guests, and reduce wear and tear thanks to thoughtful, durable choices.

Repaint 

A great place to start? Color. 

Repaiting to a neutral palette can increase your bookings by up to 15%—one of the highest returns on investment, with a relatively low cost of around 4-10k per home.

Keep it tight and intentional. A limited, neutral palette helps your space feel calm and cohesive, because the brain loves order. 

Stick with the 60-30-10 rule: 

• 60% light neutrals (walls, large furniture)

• 30% deeper neutrals (accent furniture, textiles)

• 10% pops of color (art, pillows, accessories)

For short-term rentals, light, bright walls are key. They’re clean, modern, and most importantly, they photograph well. Your photos are your first impression, and better photos = more bookings.

Upgraded Furniture

Old, outdated furniture is one of the quickest ways to turn guests away, but also one of the easiest things to fix. Swapping out antique or overly traditional pieces for clean, modern ones can instantly change how your space feels and how it performs.

Think of it as a design refresh. Clean lines, balanced proportions, and a pulled-together look that instantly feels more inviting, and photographs way better. 

It’s not just about swapping a few pieces of furniture; it’s about creating a space that feels current, intentional, and appealing the moment someone scrolls past it.

Upgrading furniture can boost bookings by up to 4.5%, with costs usually ranging from $2K to $15K, depending on the size of the home and how much needs updating. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s one with high ROI, especially when paired with great photos and a cohesive design style. 

Guests love a space that feels fresh and thoughtfully put together. And in a crowded market, that’s what helps your home stand out, and command higher rates.

Large Family Amenities

Properties that add large family-friendly amenities can see a booking increase of approximately 2.5% to 3.5%. The investment required ranges from $600 to $3,500, depending on the type and quality of equipment you choose.

This upgrade strikes a solid balance between moderate investment and a measurable lift in performance. While it doesn’t produce the highest percentage increase on the chart, it has broad appeal, especially to multigenerational families or groups traveling with kids, who are more likely to stay longer and book higher-value dates (e.g., holidays, school breaks).

Unlike upgrades like hot tubs or gyms that require ongoing maintenance, large family amenities are relatively low-maintenance and durable. They also create a strong visual appeal in listings, which can improve click-through rates and guest satisfaction.

If your rental is large enough to attract groups or families, this is a smart mid-tier investment. It enhances guest experience, extends average stay duration, and positions your property as a fun, family-friendly option, leading to better occupancy and stronger reviews.