[Day 1] Aesthetic ROI: How to Redesign Your STR for Maximum Bookings

Loved this session!

Yesterday at the conference thay said that it would be possible to stream it afterwards. As I am living in Europe it is rather late for me to participate and i would like the streaming option.
How do I acces it

KR

Morten Wulff

Hi ​@morten!

You are right. You can replay the conference by following the link you got in your email from Hospitable just before the conference started, but I’m sharing a general access link here too:

https://workshop.hospitable.com/register/hospitable-day-1-str-success-action-plan-hospitable-workshop-days

Enjoy!

[Recap]

Aesthetic ROI: How to redesign your STR for maximum bookings

Bri West & Jordan McDonough

Why aesthetics are now a revenue strategy

Short-term rentals have entered a more competitive, professional era. As inventory grows, listings that win are no longer just “nice”—they’re intentional. Design has shifted from decoration to a financial lever that directly impacts ADR, occupancy, and booking lead time.

Top-performing hosts treat design as part of their marketing strategy, not an afterthought.

What separates average listings from top performers

Average properties tend to rely on last-minute bookings, compete on price, and attract inconsistent guests. In contrast, top listings share a few consistent traits:

• A clearly defined target guest

• Strong visual identity and standout photos

• Amenities designed around experience, not checklists

• Longer booking lead times and higher nightly rates

The difference isn’t luck, it’s strategy.

Five design-driven strategies that increase ROI

1. Clear target audience
Design decisions should be made for the guest you want, not personal taste. Understanding who books, why they travel, and what matters to them allows the space to convert more effectively.

2. Experiential design
Guests want something they don’t experience at home. Cohesive themes, local inspiration, and consistency across the entire property create a memorable stay—not just a place to sleep.

3. High-impact amenities
Competitive amenities keep you in the game. Unique amenities win bookings. Think beyond “does it exist?” and focus on “does it create a moment worth choosing?”

4. Property branding
A named, branded property builds trust, recall, and repeat stays. Branding supports direct bookings and positions the host as professional and intentional.

5. Photography as conversion
Great photos don’t just document the space—they sell the experience. Styling, lifestyle imagery, and thoughtful post-production dramatically improve click-through and booking confidence.

The takeaway for hosts

Design that’s rooted in market research, guest psychology, and experience creation consistently outperforms “pretty but generic” listings. When done intentionally, aesthetics don’t just look good—they pay for themselves.

Community Q&A highlights

Will Airbnb penalize listings for visible property branding?
No. Property branding (names, logos, signage) does not violate platform rules, as long as it doesn’t infringe on copyrighted names or trademarks. In fact, branding often increases trust and memorability—especially for repeat and direct bookings.

How do you find great photographers and lifestyle models?
Start local. Referrals from other hosts and STR-focused networks tend to produce the best results. Look for photographers who already shoot STRs and can handle interiors, exteriors, lifestyle, and editing. For models, local agencies or community referrals are often more cost-effective than national platforms.

Should hosts re-shoot photos seasonally?
If possible, yes—especially for exterior-heavy or destination-driven markets. The priority is getting listed quickly, but updating photos for peak seasons (snow, summer, foliage) can significantly improve conversion and guest expectations.

What amenities deliver the highest ROI right now?
There’s no universal top three, but current high-performing trends include:

• Game rooms (designed intentionally, not generic)

• Outdoor experiences (fire pits, gathering spaces, courts)

• Wellness features (hot tubs, saunas, cold plunges)
  The best-performing amenities align with the target guest and local demand.

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