Lesson #6: (Section 1) Understanding the Power of Amenities in Short-Term Rental Success

This is Mike Fish, and I’m back with Lesson Six of Section One in our short-term rental training series. Section One is all about analyzing the potential of a lake home for short-term rental profitability. Over the next few lessons, we’re going to dig deeper into amenities—because you might be wondering, why are we talking about amenities so early?

The answer is simple: we sell an experience as much as we rent a property.
Amenities directly determine the return on investment. They’re not just “nice to have”—they are the engine that drives performance.

I manage properties that are worth $400,000 and outperform homes worth $800,000–$900,000. I’ve seen $30,000–$40,000 annual performers sitting right next to properties in Minnesota generating $150,000–$200,000 a year. The difference almost always comes down to amenities.

When you’re analyzing a potential vacation rental, you must understand how important amenities really are, and whether the property lends itself to offering them. Sometimes a home simply limits what you can add—and that matters just as much as size, layout, or location.

The Big Amenity Categories We Evaluate

When we work with owners, we give them detailed amenity lists and target-market checklists. And the truth is:
the more boxes you check, the better your property performs.

Here are the major categories:

1. Waterfront & Outdoor Amenities

For lake homes, waterfront usability is at the top of the list.

• Can you develop a swimmable beach?

• Is the lake bottom sandy or mucky?

• How clean is the water?

• What’s the water depth at the end of the dock during low-water years?

We’ve had years when water levels dropped and guests couldn’t launch their boats. We ended up issuing large refunds because the water was only a foot deep at the end of the dock. That’s a huge consideration for buyers planning to bring or rent bigger boats.

Beyond the shoreline, the yard itself plays a major role:

• Flat, usable space for games like spike ball, ladder golf, volleyball, and bean bags

• A designated area near the beach for lounging

• A well-designed fire pit area

• Outdoor dining spaces (deck or patio) that seat the full sleeping capacity

Outdoor usability is one of the strongest revenue drivers for family groups.

2. Indoor Family & Entertainment Amenities

Inside the home, we assess whether the layout supports group activities and comfort:

• Is there space for a game room, movie theater, or at minimum a good TV/family room?

• Do you have high-speed internet? This is a constant battle for remote properties, and slow internet absolutely impacts reviews.

• Does the home have central air and reliable heating?

Indoor amenities also need to match your advertised occupancy:

• The dining area must seat the number of guests you sleep.

• The kitchen needs to be large enough to cook and entertain.

A beautiful lake home loses its appeal quickly when families can’t cook, sit together, or play together.

3. Cleanliness as an Amenity

This may sound obvious, but it’s worth stating:
cleanliness is an amenity.

Even if a space is technically clean, if it looks worn, dated, or dingy, reviews will reflect that—especially for families with babies crawling on the ground.

A fresh smell, clean surfaces, and updated finishes go a long way toward guest satisfaction.

4. Luxury Add-Ons

These can dramatically move revenue upward:

• Hot tub (when permitted)

• Sauna

• Usable fireplace

• Second refrigerator

• Outdoor bar area

• Indoor bar area

• Multiple indoor and outdoor hangout spaces

These aren’t mandatory, but every one of them adds value.

5. Pet-Friendly Amenities

Pet-friendly homes continue to outperform.

Consider:

• A fenced-in yard or fenced section

• Durable, pet-friendly flooring and finishes

Families traveling with dogs are a large, loyal market.

Checking the Boxes = Higher Revenue

We approach amenities using targeted checklists. Each amenity helps attract a different segment of guests. The more segments you can serve, the stronger your booking calendar becomes.

If you already own a property and are considering turning it into a vacation rental, this breakdown helps set expectations.
If you are shopping for a property, these considerations become essential. You need a home that allows you to check as many boxes as possible to maximize ROI.

This lesson is just the overview. We’re going to break down interior and exterior amenities in more detail in the next videos, keeping each lesson short and focused.

Final Thoughts

Amenities are at the heart of short-term rental profitability. They create the experience, shape guest satisfaction, and ultimately determine how well your lake home performs.

Thank you for taking the time to follow along. If you’re watching or reading this through one of our platforms, please like, subscribe, and stay connected. We’re committed to building out extensive training to help both new and experienced hosts succeed in the vacation rental world.

— Mike Fish