Airbnb Hot Tubs for All Seasons The Small Investment For Huge Returns

The Benefits Airbnb Hot Tubs:

From experience managing many Airbnbs in Cape Town we know which Aibnbs make money. And which will make money. Some make okay money. Some leave money on the table. Some are cookie cutters. And they don’t even know it.

Unfortunately, most Airbnb owners and hosts don’t know how much they could make because they don’t have the overall view we have. They look at their Airbnb in isolation. They have nothing to compare with.

As An Airbnb Host Can You Sell This Story?

And you can only tell it if you invest in Airbnb Hot Tubs.

Imagine yourself relaxing in a hot tub with your friends, drinks in hand, as you watch the sunset over the bay. The warm, bubbly water surrounds you, soothing your tired muscles and easing your mind. The peaceful setting and stunning view create an indescribable sense of calm, leaving you feeling renewed and rejuvenated.

As the evening fades into night, the twinkling stars above provide the perfect finishing touch to this idyllic scene. It’s hard to resist the urge to stay in this peaceful, luxurious setting for as long as possible. Whether you’re on vacation or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, this hot tub experience will be one you’ll never forget.

Very few Airbnb hosts show this, or say this. Very few will. Do you think those who will, will make guests happier than the neighbour next door without a hot tub?

Let’s read to get the facts…

Introduction:

Airbnb hosts are always on the lookout for ways to stand out from the competition and attract more bookings. One simple, yet most effective way to do this is by adding a hot tub to your Airbnb. It’s one of the most profitable differentiators; investment cost to reward.

Guests relax and indulge in the experience for guests. And they reward you with increased earnings. We’ll also discuss the benefits of adding a wood-fired hot tub to your Airbnb, including the low fixed and running costs and the changeover logistics.

“An Airbnb Hot Tub I Propose Is Not An Outdated Jacuzzi! No!”

We are looking for a romantic or fun setting – outside under the stars.

The Goal Is To UnBORE Your Airbnb: And Maximise Your Income For A Small Investment With Airbnb Hot Tubs

Most Airbnb’s are really nice places. They have fine fittings, pristine, even fancy. But they are “boring”. They lack uncommon features.

Yes. They have a roof, beds, baths, a pleasant kitchen, running water, high-speed internet, and a great interior. But if every nice Airbnb has the same features, it’s boring – to guests.

You may love your place, we may love your place. But give guests too many of the same and they get bored. Guests are the only judge of boring or not. And the way they reserve (fast or slow) tells us if they find your Airbnb boring.

You’ll make money with a nice and boring Airbnb. But you are making a lot less than what you should. I call these Airbnbs Draggers. Draggers have a low lead time to book (they reserve slowly), lots of last-minute availability and rates are under pressure.

But Wowers‌ have most of all the important differentiators. These Airbnbs have very little last-minute availability. They reserve fast, far in advance, with high lead time to book metrics and increasing rates.

To fix a dragger, hosts must make radical changes. And Airbnb hosts looking to maximise income must renounce being boring. It’s such a drag. And an expensive one. The solution is cheap.

Differentiate your Airbnb from others in the market.

Guests must have no choice but to choose your Airbnb. Let the ordinary (boring) Airbnbs fight amongst themselves. Uniqueness sells. A hot tub is unique. And, you’ll read, one of the most profitable features you can add. Especially if you have a smaller, ordinary place.

Soaking Up the Benefits: What Guests Say About Airbnb Hot Tubs

As you know, Airbnb hosts always encourage guests to leave feedback to see what they liked about their stay and how hosts can improve.

With hot tubs, the feedback is often overwhelmingly positive. Guests love the relaxation and indulgence that a hot tub provides, and many say it was a highlight of their trip.

What happens when guests love their Airbnb experience?

They brag. And what happens when they brag? Other guests read their gloating reviews. Demand increases. And annual income increases.

In this section, we’ll share some guest testimonials after staying with Airbnb hosts who have added hot tubs to their properties. Later, we will see examples of how it boosted bookings and income.

Evan wrote this review after staying at this Airbnb with a hot tub

Here are three more typical testimonials Airbnb guests gave after staying at a property with a hot tub:

“We were a little hesitant to pay extra for a property with a hot tub, but it ended up being worth every penny. The hot tub was a highlight of our trip and we used it every day. It was such a luxurious and indulgent experience.”

“The hot tub was the perfect addition to our stay. We had so much fun relaxing and socialising in the warm water. It was definitely a memorable part of our trip. Put this Airbnb on your love list.

“Cold winters! We chose it for the hot tub. It was the perfect way to spend wintry days. Even at night. My favourite part of the stay was sitting in the warm water and watching the stars. Hope we can find more places with a hot tub for future holidays.”

Is this not what you would expect?

If this is true, and guests love a hot tub will Airbnb hosts make more money by adding a hot tub?

Let’s consider a few examples of hosts who made the small investment.

(Wood Fired) Airbnb Hot Tubs: Expected Income At A Cape Town Property

We all know pools make a massive difference to Airbnb host’s income. I am sure you read the article on pool Airbnbs vs all Airbnbs in Cape Town. We saw a conservative estimate of 140% premium on a pool vs ALL Airbnbs. Well, with a hot tub it may just get better.

Airbnb Host With Two Hot Tubs Double His Income

Airbnb host, at the Airbnb Community Center, Richard had this to say:

A hot tub (at least for our 2 listings) has proven to be absolutely crucial.

Our first listing started off without a hot tub. And, yes, the home did great. It was simple to manage. We ran 100% booked but were doing about R2100 on average. Then, after about 8 months, we added the hot tub and a couple of other little amenities (hammock, better outdoor seating). Now we’re doing around R5000 on average. Still booked 100%. It ended up being the best investment we ever made (was maybe R170K start to finish to add it)…….it’s just so, so, so much more lucrative. We laugh when my wife and I see the typical “hot tubs can earn you up to

20% more”. Drivel. It’s more like double!

How Much Money Are A South African Airbnb Host With A Hot Tub Make?

Let’s have a look at this 6-sleeper Airbnb in Stellenbosch. The owner scores 4.9 for 126 Airbnb reviews. It is a high average rating with many reviews.

There is a nearly direct relationship between many positive reviews and high occupancy (read the LearAirbnb.com research paper for more). If you check his availability calendar; as of the current time, his Airbnb has a pretty full schedule. This is what I expected.

Assuming a conservative occupancy of 60% to 70% for the year, the host’s net income will be between R600 000 and R700 000 annually. Not bad for a 3 bedroom house.

Obviously, I am not suggesting you will do the same. You may, but you will definitely do a lot better than what you do currently.

Hopefully, these hot tub examples and the pool study here showed you that hosts do 140% to 200% more.

Great stuff. You are still with me. But you have questions about fixed costs, management logistics and running costs. Let’s continue…

How Much Are Wood-Fired Hot Tubs In Cape Town?

The above tubs are from R32500. It is a portable hot tub made from recyclable plastic. And suitable for all weather – it is UV stabilised.

Since these hot tubs are freestanding, no installation is required. There are even two ice buckets for summer or wood storage holders built into the tub with bung plugs for easy draining.

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The above wood fired hot tub seats 4 people easily and 6 average size people at R24000. A larger six seater a little more. The standard size is 1.5 x 1.8. Or 2.0 x 1.5. Or custom.

A Little More Expensive Wood-Fired Hot Tubs

These hot tubs are from R37000 to R80000.

A more expensive version can even go under the roof or be placed on tiles. And with a rocket stove which may not be necessary. And a wooden cover.

BTW. These hot tubs can be run with a filter to clean water rather than dumping it.

All the accessories like a drinks tray and a paddle, you add a safe rocket stove. It will be R80 000.

Installation is virtually nothing if you don’t need decking. And transport (some suppliers) is free within 30 km from the location in Cape Town.

Now that we have the fixed cost out of the way you must be wondering if you would get a proper return from this small investment.

How Long Would It Take To Pay Back Your Wood-Fired Hot Tub

Let’s see if investing as little as R24000 to R80000 is a risk worth taking? We assume a 140% premium on rates.

Let’s now see how long it takes to pay for the R80000 wood-fired hot tub:

• A small Airbnb pays it back in one year: If you have a small Airbnb and your current income is R200 000 per year, at a 1.4 premium, you’ll pay R80000 back in one year.
• If you already earn R1 million, a hot tub may increase it to R1.4 million.

Obviously, the higher your current income, the quicker you’ll pay it back. And if you hit the jackpot like Richard, you may even pay it back in no time.

Obviously, hosts are not familiar with hot tubs. Just the name is an oddity. A hot tub is also a cold tub if there is no fire. That’s why some hot tubs have ice buckets for summer.

But let’s look at a pool…

Why Not A Pool Rather?

A pool is an excellent investment. As it’s with a tub. And the most important Airbnb differentiator for Cape Town if you want to increase your profitability.

When adding a water feature to your Airbnb property, you have two main options: a pool or a hot tub. While pools can be a great amenity for guests, they also come with several drawbacks.

Read more on the article we wrote on pools. If you are against hot tubs, for whatever reason, installing a pool is critical. It draws guests.

Some cons of adding a pool to your property:

• Fancy new pools are expensive.
• They cost more to maintain than a hot tub.
• Pools can be relatively large, limiting their overall application.
• Pools are expensive to heat during winter if not solar heated. And not a universal draw card when it’s cold or wet.

What Are The Benefits Of A Wood-Fired Hot Tub At Your Airbnb?

Compared to pools, (wood fired) hot tubs offer several benefits that make them a more appealing option for many Airbnb hosts.

Here we’ll list the advantages of adding a hot tub to your property, including the low cost and maintenance requirements, the flexibility in terms of size and installation, and the potential to attract guests year-round.

• A hot tub is small and could fit in odd and small areas.
• They are a relatively inexpensive investment.
• Not expensive to maintain.
• Wood-fired hot tubs are not dependent on Eskom (expensive energy).
• Wood-fired tubs are cheap to run as guests get a starter bag of wood only.
• Hot tubs attract guests year-round.
• A great differentiator, especially, while most Airbnb hosts are still ignorant about the importance of a hot tub.
• No chemical cleaning is required if the water is replaced.
• You can add a water filter if you want and chemicals.
• More advanced (and slightly more expensive) designs are required for wooden decks or slated covered patios.
• Simple installation as they don’t require wiring up to an electrical outlet.
• They are portable.
• They can cater for small groups to larger groups of 6. Or double up for 8.

What Are The Cons Of Airbnb Hot Tubs?

• The water needs to be replaced every 4 days. Or sooner if guests stay for less than 4 nights. (Or you can add a water filter)
• There are running costs. Replacement water and starter bag of wood.
• Care is required at the fire end. I recommend enclosing the fireside. Most designs have an integrated divider to reduce the risk of burning.
• Require indemnity from guests just like when you have a pool, balconies, etc.
• They are mostly for groups of 6 or fewer depending on the size tub you want.

More here.

Wood-Fired Hot Tub Management Logistics And Running Cost In Cape Town

As an Airbnb manager or host, you need to plan for changeovers. Will you be able to clean the hot tub given a little time? And will the cost make sense given the increased income?

Wood-Fired Hot Tub Running Cost

The most significant running costs of a wood-fired hot tub are:

• Water cost at 80% Airbnb occupancy (every 4 days) will be approximately R4905 per annum (R409 per month) for a 1600 litres tub at 4.2 cents per litre.
• One bag of wood at max turnover (every 4 nights) at R40 per bag of hardwood: R2920 per year.

With a consumable running cost of R7825 per year (R652 per month). The guests would cover extras. (And, pay a premium for the benefit).

Wood-Fired Hot Tub Management Duties And Time To Change Over

After each stay, the Airbnb host arranges the cleaning of the hot tubs and replaces the water. When drained, the host wipes it clean with a cloth. It takes a few minutes.

A 4-seater hot tub uses about 1600 litres of water. It should take about 80 minutes in Cape Town (at 100 litres every 5 minutes). But always check the water pressure before buying a hot tub.

Getting a starter bag of wood; When hosts buy essentials like tea, coffee, and milk, they can purchase a starter bag of wood. Or, if the host has storage space, they can buy additional bags for future replenishment of starter bags.

I believe guests should source their own wood to top up. It’s readily available in shops. This would simplify and eliminate additional transactions. It may be a little inconvenient for the guests. But if they are told upfront, there are no surprises.

Conclusion: A Hot Tub For All Seasons Is THE Difference

Well, not the only difference. But THE most critical if you don’t have one or don’t have a pool.

In conclusion, adding a hot tub to your Airbnb property can be a highly profitable investment. Not only do hot tubs provide guests with a luxurious and relaxing amenity, but they can also significantly increase your annual income.

As shown by Richard, hot tubs can boost Airbnb income by up to double the original amount. And with a relatively small investment and low running costs, the financial benefits of adding a hot tub are clear.

The emotional appeal of a hot tub can attract guests who will pay a premium for a unique and memorable experience. So if you want to take your Airbnb to the next level and increase your income, consider adding a hot tub for all seasons.

Are you convinced? You will not really know. Only the Airbnb host who took the risk and invest a few bucks will know.

Have Fun

Johan Horak

P.S. All Airbnbs can be a wower. Apart form an instagramable interior a (wood-fired) hot tub is the most effective way to differentiate. You don’t want to be a dragger. You dont want to be a cook-cutter Airbnb. Do this . If you get your verdict and you are not called a wower you are not making what you can.