Anyone Here Build Experience-Driven STR Outdoor Spaces?

Question

Currently working on an outdoor STR project and looking for people with experience building/designing experience-driven Airbnb spaces.

Particularly interested in people who’ve worked on:

• spa/wellness-style backyards
• outdoor STR amenities
• lighting/ambiance
• hot tub or sauna setups
• cozy outdoor lounge spaces
• hospitality-focused design

Would love to check out your work or connect.

Andrew Steffens · Answer

I would just consult with a local designer that has solid background in STR setups and then also connect with a local contractor who can make that happen.  What I do here in FL (i.e. putting greens and pickleball courts) are totally different than what works in the Smokies or out in Arizona.

John Underwood · Answer

The hot tub is required because everyone else has one.

The custom firepit is a place for people to gather have conversations and make memories.

Nicole Riseley Ketchum · Answer

Yes me. I am an STR Designer and design interiors and exteriors for STR's. Reach out.

John Underwood · Answer

We have a custom firepit in back and a hot tub on a very large Trex front deck.

We have a Lake and a private dock at another property.

Wilson Vanhook · Answer

What part of the process is it that you are needing assistance with? I'm doing a big project myself right now. If it's the design aspect, I've just been throwing photos of my outdoor spaces at chatGPT with the amenities I want added. You can get cool ideas flowing very fast with some AI renderings.

Arthur Tolentino · Answer

That’s awesome @John Underwood. Curious - looking back, which outdoor features  do you think actually moved the needle and were there any things you invested that ended up not not mattering nearly as much as expected?

Mike Grudzien · Answer

Let the competition begin!  I'm thinking of a scale model of Mt. Everest next to a pond with a scale model of the Mariana Trench!

Arthur Tolentino · Answer

@Jon Martin - agree on the overbuilding risk. I appreciate the insight

Arthur Tolentino · Answer

I’m in the acquisition phase and underwriting properties. I’ve been doing a lot of that already and it’s been super useful for quickly visualizing potential.

The part I’m trying to improve now is bridging the gap between “cool AI concept” and “actually realistic + executable for STR use.”

Especially when evaluating privacy, guest flow, terrain, where amenities should actually go, what’s worth the investment vs not, etc.

Curious what kind of project you’re working on, and whether you’ve actually taken an AI-assisted concept all the way through a real project. How did the outcome compare to the original vision, and what were the biggest things you learned throughout the process—from early visualization and planning all the way to implementation and execution?

Jon Martin · Answer

John Bianchi (STR Search) regularly talks about how outdoor amenities matter far more than interior features like nice kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc, with indoor "fun" amenities also being more important than the basics of the house. He goes so far to say that renovating a kitchen is like buying a Ferrari to do door dash. Maybe a bit simplistic although it illustrates the point, and they have mountains of data to back up their recommendations.

Some of those items listed above are cheap low hanging fruit and simply a matter of design choices. Once you get into pools, hot tubs, saunas, pergolas, outdoor games etc the sky is the limit in terms of how much you can spend, although you are capped in terms of how much you can earn from it! I would look at the top competition in your market, and if the revenue is strong relative to the input cost then got for it. Shoot to be a few notches above the best, or at least be in the top tier. Look for where the gaps are and fill those, and try to make them thematic and relevant to the location, such as a barrel sauna in a wine or whiskey destination.

Anyone Here Build Experience-Driven STR Outdoor Spaces?

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