From home gyms to cozy theaters, dedicated offices to kids’ playrooms, why standout amenities drive bookings, reviews, and repeat guests in 2026.
The Future of STR Isn’t Just a Place to Sleep
If you’ve been in short-term rentals long enough, you know guests choose properties for reasons that go far beyond a good nightly rate. They want experiences. They want comfort. They want convenience. They want moments they can’t get from a typical hotel room.
That’s where creative features come into play. Amenities today aren’t just checkboxes on a platform filter. They tell a story about your space and help guests imagine what their stay will feel like. A dedicated home gym says “you can keep up your routine.” A cozy projector theater says “movie nights are built in.” A Zoom-friendly office says “you can work without compromise.”
These creative features are powerful because they meet modern traveler expectations and can make your listing stand out in a saturated market.
Why Creative Features Matter More Than Ever
Travel is evolving. Guests aren’t just booking a place to sleep: they’re planning how they’ll live during that stay. Whether it’s remote workers needing focus space, families wanting entertainment for all ages, or groups seeking wellness experiences on site, imaginative amenities make a space feel like home with benefits.
Here’s how creative features benefit your listing:
- Increased bookings: Unique amenities differentiate your property from similar listings.
- Higher nightly rates: Guests will pay more for convenience and experience.
- Better reviews: Guests remember what made their stay fun or easy.
- Repeat stays and referrals: Experiences turn into memories.
1. Home Gyms and Wellness Spaces
Guests today care about wellness, and I don’t mean just relaxation. A home gym, even compact, signals that guests can stay healthy regardless of where they are.
What Makes a Great STR Gym
- Free weights + adjustable bench
- Cardio equipment (treadmill, bike, elliptical, and you don’t need to offer all 3!)
- Yoga mats + resistance bands
- Clean storage for gear
- Inspirational wall art or motivational quotes
Why It Works
For travelers who don’t want to miss workouts while on the road, whether remote workers, fitness enthusiasts, or recovery travelers, a dedicated gym is a huge plus. Listings featuring gyms consistently get attention from guests who plan longer stays and have specific preferences.
Real inspiration: A Sacramento Airbnb showcases a private home gym complete with equipment and wellness-oriented spaces, alongside a steam-room shower and 5.1 home theater for after-workout relaxation.
2. Saunas, Steam Rooms, and Spa Areas
There’s nothing like a sauna after a long day of travel or hiking. These spa-like amenities give your listing a hotel-level luxury feel without the high cost of resort stays.
Creative Ideas
- Traditional wood sauna
- Infrared sauna
- Steam-room shower
- Heated benches or seating
- Spa locker area with robes + slippers
Why Guests Appreciate It
Wellness amenities help guests wind down, reduce stress, and feel pampered. They’re especially popular with couples, honeymooners, and travelers who want restorative experiences at the end of an active day.
Real Inspiration: The UK’s popular English treehouse “The Owl’s Nest” pairs a cozy cabin vibe with its own private sauna and underfloor heating. It’s a standout example of how unique wellness features earn rave reviews.
3. At-Home Theaters and DIY Media Rooms
You don’t need a full cinema to wow guests. Even awkward spaces with blank walls and cozy seating can become a movie night haven.
Quick Setup for a DIY Theater
- Projector + large blank wall or drop screen
- Comfortable seating (bean bags, cushy sofas)
- Surround sound or quality speaker system
- Popcorn machine or snack station
- Blackout curtains
Why It’s a Hit
Travelers love shared experiences, and a theater room sets your space up for memorable evenings. Kids, families, groups of friends, and even couples appreciate evenings in, and these rooms often become the highlight of a trip.
Real inspiration: Some STRs include a projector facing a large blank wall with cozy seating, like this townhouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it’s entirely budget-friendly but massively fun.
4. Private or Dedicated Office Space With Video Meeting Ready Setup
Remote work isn’t going away, and guests choose properties based on workspace quality.
What Makes a Great STR Office
- Fully closable door for privacy
- Desk + ergonomic chair
- Extra monitor or dual-screen setup
- Clean, clutter-free background wall (great for Zoom)
- High-speed internet + surge protection
- Desk lighting
Why It Matters
Guests who balance work with travel (digital nomads, remote professionals, corporate travelers) are looking for spaces where they can actually be productive. A dedicated office isn’t just nice; it’s a reason to book your property over others.
Real consideration: Hosts often list “dedicated workspace,” but many rentals fall short. According to Airbnb host discussions, simply having a desk in the bedroom doesn’t cut it; the workspace needs to genuinely support an 8-hour day or working guest satisfaction drops. (Reddit)
5. Kid-Focused Playrooms and Adventure Spaces
Families often make the biggest decisions about staying somewhere based on how easy it will be for kids to enjoy themselves. A dedicated playroom can be a major draw.
Creative Features for Families
- Slides, mini climbing walls, or built-in bunk beds
- Toys, board games, and craft stations
- Chalk or universe wall with safe paint
- Cozy reading nooks with children’s books
- Soft flooring or padded play mats
Why This Elevates Your Listing
Parents want their kids happy and engaged. When a property has a space kids actually love, parents can relax knowing their little ones are entertained and safe. These features often mean longer stays, higher ratings, and fewer complaints.
Example: This Utah Airbnb includes a dedicated adventure kids room with custom built-in bunks, rock wall, and slide, all alongside adult-oriented amenities like a private gym and game room.
6. Multi-Activity Game Rooms and Lounge Areas
Sometimes the simplest fun is group fun. Game rooms are a versatile way to add social energy to your rental.
Popular Game Room Features
- Pool table
- Arcade cabinets
- Foosball or air hockey
- Board games + card tables
- Mini bar or snack station
- Large TV or projector
The Benefit
Game rooms keep guests entertained on site, which is especially valuable when weather or schedules interfere with outdoor plans. Listings with game rooms often receive mentions in group travel searches and get higher occupancy from family or friend groups.
Tip: A featured amenity list or photo gallery highlighting your game room can dramatically increase views on your listing.
7. Outdoor Enhancements That Feel Like Experiences
Indoor features are great, and outdoor spaces often create lasting memories.
Popular Outdoor Upgrades
- Hot tubs with views
- Outdoor fire pits
- Backyard movie screens
- Private outdoor spa areas
- Rooftop lounges
Outdoor amenities extend usable space and let guests feel like they’re on vacation, not just staying somewhere.
Benefits of Creative Features
Each of these creative features does more than just fill space. They:
- Expand your guest demographic
- Justify higher nightly rates
- Support longer stay bookings
- Improve reviews and recommendations
- Differentiate your listing in search results
In a crowded market, it’s not enough to be “good.” You have to be memorable.
The Curious Case of the “B&B” in Airbnb, And When Breakfast Actually Pays
There’s an irony baked right into the name Airbnb that most guests don’t consciously think about, but they absolutely feel. The “bnb” implies bed and breakfast: a cozy, often historic home, a small number of rooms, and yes, an actual breakfast. Today, however, the vast majority of listings look nothing like traditional B&Bs, and most don’t serve food at all.
And that’s not a failure, it’s an evolution. Modern guests expect privacy, self-check-in, flexible schedules, and the freedom to make coffee in pajamas without small talk. In fact, for many travelers, a hosted breakfast would feel more intrusive than inviting.
What’s interesting is that when breakfast is offered thoughtfully, it becomes a true differentiator, not a baseline expectation. Listings that include a real breakfast (not a single granola bar and a Keurig pod) tend to fall into two successful pricing strategies. Either they operate more like boutique inns, with fewer rooms and a clear hospitality-forward identity, or they position breakfast as a premium add-on rather than a standard inclusion.
In both cases, pricing works best when breakfast is intentional, limited, and clearly communicated. Hosts who attempt to quietly absorb the cost often underprice themselves and burn out. Hosts who price breakfast transparently (whether baked into a higher nightly rate or offered as an optional upgrade) tend to attract guests who value the experience and respect the service.
For everyone else, the modern equivalent of “breakfast” is something far simpler and more scalable: a well-stocked kitchen, excellent local coffee, and clear guidance on nearby bakeries and cafés. Guests don’t miss breakfast when the alternative feels curated rather than absent, and hosts avoid adding labor-heavy services that don’t necessarily increase five-star reviews.
The takeaway? Breakfast only pays when it aligns with the identity of the property. Otherwise, flexibility, autonomy, and thoughtful self-service amenities deliver better margins and happier guests.
Service-Ready Luxury: Amenities That Justify Higher Rates Without Nickel-and-Diming
Luxury short-term rentals are increasingly defined not by square footage alone, but by how well they accommodate services. Not just relaxation, but the ability to seamlessly host chefs, wellness professionals, stylists, trainers, and production teams, without the space feeling improvised.
Some higher-end properties now include secondary or prep kitchens, designed specifically for private chefs or catered events. These kitchens aren’t meant for everyday cooking; they’re about flow, discretion, and functionality. From a pricing standpoint, this feature quietly justifies higher nightly rates, particularly for group bookings, retreats, and celebrations where guests already expect to spend more.
Wellness-focused rentals are also carving out dedicated rooms for massage, yoga, or bodywork, complete with open floor plans, storage for equipment, dimmable lighting, and neutral aesthetics. These spaces don’t require constant use to be valuable, they simply signal possibility. Guests who want to book a massage or private class feel empowered to do so, and hosts benefit from longer stays and higher perceived value without managing the service themselves.
The same applies to glam rooms or prep spaces designed for hair, makeup, and styling teams. With proper lighting, mirrors, outlets, and seating, these rooms appeal to wedding groups, photoshoots, influencers, and corporate travelers. Pricing works best when these amenities are framed as part of the home’s design rather than line-item fees. Guests are far more comfortable paying a higher nightly rate than being charged separately for using a room that already exists.
The common thread across these features is restraint. The most successful hosts don’t charge extra for every possible use; they price the home to reflect its capabilities. When a space is clearly designed to support professional services, guests intuitively understand why it costs more, and they rarely question it.
In an era where guests are increasingly sensitive to feeling nickel-and-dimed, service-ready amenities offer a smarter alternative. They raise perceived value, attract higher-intent travelers, and allow hosts to charge more without adding friction or complexity.
How to Decide What Fits Your Property and Budget
Not every home needs every amenity. Think about:
- Your ideal guest (families, couples, remote workers, groups)
- Your location (mountains, urban, beach, rural)
- Budget vs ROI
- Space usability
- Safety and maintenance costs
Start small if needed: an office nook with dual screens or a DIY projector theater in a basement can be massive value add without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
Creative features transform a place from somewhere to sleep into somewhere guests want to talk about. Whether it’s wellness spaces like home gyms and saunas, immersive entertainment like theaters and game rooms, or productivity boosters like dedicated offices, these amenities speak directly to what guests really value in 2026.
When you thoughtfully design for elevated comfort, fun, and real-life needs, your short-term rental becomes a destination in itself and not just a listing.
What are some differentiating amenities you offer guests?
