This is Mike Fish, and welcome to Lesson Seven in Section One of our short-term rental training series. Section One focuses on analyzing a potential property for short-term rental profitability—whether you’re looking to buy your first STR or you already own a property and want to understand its potential.

At this point, some folks may be thinking, “Why are we still talking about amenities? Aren’t we supposed to be analyzing the property itself?”

The answer is simple: amenities are one of the biggest drivers of STR revenue. I cannot overstate how important they are.

To put it in perspective, I manage $400,000 homes that outperform $800,000–$900,000 homes because they are set up correctly—with the right layout and the right amenities. I’ve developed over 60 vacation rentals and analyzed hundreds more. I was directly involved in a property that sold for around $700,000 and grossed over $150,000 in its first year.

Why? Because guests are booking an experience as much as they are booking a home.

So when you’re analyzing a property, you need to ask:
What is the realistic potential for developing the amenities this home needs?

Every property is unique. No property is perfect. But our goal is to give you a clear understanding of which amenities truly move the needle.

Most successful owners invest $5,000–$10,000 into the initial setup and take 3–6 months getting the property fully ready. There are exceptions, but those are realistic expectations.

With that foundation laid, let’s walk through the guest groups we cater to—and the inside amenities that matter most to them.

1. Understanding Your Audience

Like any form of sales, everything starts with understanding your audience.

About 90% of our guests are family groups and multi-generational groups.
That almost always includes grandparents, parents, teens, and small children. These groups each have very different needs, and the best-performing STRs intentionally serve all of them.

2. Amenities for Grandparents & Older Guests

This crowd significantly influences the booking decision—and your reviews.

Key things to consider:

• A main-level bedroom with easy access

• A nearby bathroom without stairs

• Reasonable wheelchair access (even if not fully ADA)

• Easy access to the yard

• Quiet and comfortable spaces

  • Reading rooms

  • Three-season porches

  • Small sitting areas

In an ideal world, a property would be ADA compliant (currently required in Mille Lacs County), but even getting close is a huge advantage.

3. The Kitchen: One of the Most Important Selling Points

The kitchen is a major factor in guest satisfaction.

You want a kitchen that can comfortably handle half the sleeping capacity. If the home sleeps 10, five people should be able to work in the kitchen at once.

What we look for:

• A dishwasher—or at least space to install one

• Good water quality (very important for dishes and taste)

• A practical layout and reliable appliances

• A dedicated coffee bar (this is a guest favorite)

Dining space matters too

• Can you seat the same number of people the home sleeps?

• Does the flow move naturally from dining to the outdoors?

• Is there an outdoor dining area that matches the advertised capacity?

Grills count as part of the kitchen experience

• A high-quality propane grill

• A propane griddle (this is one of the most loved amenities we provide)

4. Amenities for Infants & Small Children

Families with babies and toddlers are a large percentage of bookings.

Important considerations:

• Is there a safe play area?

• Can you place baby gates where needed?

• Is there room for:

  • A pack-and-play

  • A changing table

• Is there a bathtub? (This is huge for families with little kids.)

These are small but extremely important details for review scores.

5. Amenities for Teenagers & “Fun Adults”

Teens and active adults are usually the most vocal reviewers—and the most eager to rebook if they have fun.

Top amenities for this group:

• A heated and cooled game room or family room

• Space for:

  • Pool table

  • Ping pong

  • Foosball

  • Darts

• A simple but fun theater setup

  • A spare room

  • Sheet or screen on the wall

  • Overhead projector

  • Inexpensive surround sound

• Comfortable TV hangout spots

• The potential for a hot tub (an off-season revenue booster)

These features dramatically increase year-round occupancy.

6. Inside Amenities for Fishermen & Outdoor Sports Guests

Much of this group’s experience depends on the lake, but inside the home, consider:

• A mudroom or area to remove winter gear

• Space for storing boots, snow gear, and tackle

• A heated garage or entryway (critical for winter stays)

This group is loyal and often books early—if the property is set up right.

7. Amenities for Professionals & Remote Workers

This group includes traveling nurses, contractors, conference attendees, and remote workers. They are an essential part of off-season revenue.

What they need:

• Very fast Wi-Fi

• A dedicated workspace

  • Ideally a room with doors

• Space for Zoom calls or virtual meetings

Even during week-long summer stays, someone in the group often needs to work. Having a dedicated office space is a major advantage.

8. Amenities for Women’s Groups, Men’s Groups & Small Retreats

Small group getaways are extremely common in spring and fall.

They look for:

• A comfortable family or gathering room

• Good kitchen and dining setups

• A coffee or snack bar area

• Decent sound systems

• Spaces to sit, relax, visit, or hold small meetings

These groups often leave long, detailed reviews—so serving them well matters.

9. Pet-Friendly Considerations

This is a massive opportunity. Roughly:

• 30–50% of travelers want to bring their dog

• Only about 5% of STRs allow pets

If you can allow dogs, you instantly stand out.

Things to consider:

• A dedicated area for the dog

  • A kennel

  • A gated hallway

  • A nook for food and beds

• Pet-durable furniture

• Clear pet rules

We cover pet policies in a separate training, but inside layout is a major part of doing this successfully.

10. Bonus Amenities That Make a Huge Impact

These aren’t required—but they help properties reach the $100,000+/year range.

• Arcade rooms (3–4 machines or retro systems)

• Dedicated gaming systems with couches and TVs

• Massage chairs

• Themed bunk rooms (extremely popular)

• A “board game wall”

  • Displayed like a feature, not hidden in a closet

• Reading nooks

• Fireplaces

• Indoor swing chairs (especially on a porch)

• Great lighting and summer string lights

• Large lofted rooms

  • Often above a garage

  • Great for teens and kids

  • Used to expand sleeping capacity (as long as septic allows)

These are some of the cheapest, highest-ROI amenities you can add.

Final Thoughts

These inside amenities are the backbone of a successful short-term rental. Not every home needs every amenity—not even close. Many small two-bedroom VRBOs perform great with just a few of these items in place.

But if you’re asking how properties reach $100,000+ per year, this list outlines the blueprint.

Remember:
Location matters. Layout matters. But amenities drive bookings and reviews.

In Lesson Eight, we’ll move outside and talk about exterior layout and outdoor amenities—another key component of STR success.

Thank you again for following along. I’m Mike Fish.
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