Best AC option for short term rental?

[Halil C.]

Hi everyone, not sure if this post should be in STR section vs BRRRR section but here we go..

I recently got a BRRRR type of duplex property (3 br 2 bath in each unit) in Ft Lauderdale (Yayyyy!) and it currently has "wall/window AC" that looks horrible (old style, dirty, randomly located like under the window or high above the window) so really bad for marketing the unit in STR platforms.

I want to change them ASAP!! with the most practical, economical, but also nice-looking AC option:

Would you recommend Split AC or Central AC?? (there is enough space under the roof to set up the central AC).

A few pros and cons that I can think of for each option:

Mini split:

-Flexible room temperature control

-Less costly to operate if I turn it off in the rooms that I don't use

-Takes more visible space, not very pleasing to eye

-Renter might loose the remote or break the unit (somehow!!)

- Noisy?? 

Central AC:

- No flexibility to chose your room's temperature: Entire unit is the same temperature

- If it is broken, no other room to escape

- Quiet

- Cleaner look on the walls (guessing the outlets will be on the ceiling)

- I think costlier to set up 

[Andrew Steffens]

If it were a single family residence, I would lean toward Central as it would help resale.  Since it is a duplex I would likely do whichever is cheaper.