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Is a hot tub worth it?
I've gotten a ton of value from the course and the discussions here. It's been incredibly helpful as I've started thinking more strategically about design, guest experience, and ROI. I'd love some feedback from those of you who have experience with family-focused STRs. I have a 2021-built duplex in Nampa, Idaho. One side is becoming an STR after my tenant moves out at the end of July. It's a 3 bed, 2 bath unit, about 1,350 sq ft. After digging through hundreds of reviews of the top-performing listings in the area, the primary guest seems to be families visiting family, rather than traditional vacation travelers. AirROI estimates around $40k/year in revenue. I'm designing around that avatar: - King bedroom with space for a crib in the walk-in closet - Queen bedroom - Secret bookshelf door leading to a bunk room for kids• - Garage converted into a game room/hangout space for older kids and teens• - Family-friendly kitchen and gathering spaces I've attached some mockups of the direction I'm considering. My biggest question is the backyard and hot tub. The yard is very small, and I'm not sure whether a hot tub would meaningfully move the needle in this market or if that money would be better invested elsewhere, such as the game room, bunk room, lighting, furnishings, or other guest experience upgrades. For those of you operating family-focused properties: 1. Would you add a hot tub in this situation? 2. If not, where would you invest that budget instead? 3. Looking at the mockups, what would you change to make this a top-performing family property in the Treasure Valley? I'd really appreciate any honest feedback before I start furnishing and making final decisions.
Is a hot tub worth it?
2 likes • 14d
Hello Jennifer. We have friends in Nampa and the Treasure Valley. We've stayed in airbnbs there before a few years ago. Your theme is very cohesive through out the home, and it looks lovely. What is you amp up your color use even more? For example, some deep teal, black, maybe a royal blue, even a mural wallpaper across the back of your couch wall and dining space (Wayfair has some forest themes that would fit your look). Just go 1-2 notches up from what you have here. Throw in some unexpected metals like copper and forged iron. Mock up more paint colors on walls that is carried throughout. I think fire pit and lawn games seem better than full hot tub expense. Get some momentum for your airbnb and see if you can amp up the bookings later with a bigger expense like that (even have an idea where you would put it and run the electrical you will need). That's my 2 cents on hot tub for you. I am considering amping up the color and textures for one of my airbnbs, whereas the one with more pops of color gets noticed more than my more neutral one. The neutral palette is more serene but the colorful one is more happy. I have always found that how quickly the one with pops of color books was noticeable. So I am rethinking mine after busy summer season is over.
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Melanie Johnson
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@melanie-johnson-2696
Along with raising a big family and planning for legacy impact upon the generations, we enjoy real estate investing and helping others prosper.

Active 5d ago
Joined Jun 20, 2026
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