Examples of Successful Vacation Rental Businesses in the USA

BookingTeam.com encounters all kinds of vacation rental businesses. These are some of the top properties in the United States currently, and what you can learn from their example. 

1. Mushroom Dome Cabin

Location: Aptos, CA

Listed as the number one property on AirBnB, the mushroom dome cabin is described as a “geodesic dome loft & a large deck in the trees”. It is located in the middle of the woods, close to a redwood grove with lots of outdoor activities like hiking and camping nearby. However, it also has WiFi, hot showers and other comfortable amenities. It has over 1,000 reviews and a five-star rating with some guests saying it is like stumbling into a “fairytale or storybook”. 

2. Dreamy Tropical Tree House

Location: Fern Forest, HI 

This tropical tree house property is off the beaten path, literally. To get to it, guests follow a “red cinder path” and through the Hawaiian jungle. The main attraction for the listing is, of course, the property itself. Like the dome cabin, it embodies what people imagine in a paradise getaway. The host built the tree house herself and views it as a retreat she can share with guests.

3. Serene Peaceful Tower Retreat

Location: Carmel Valley, CA 

Secluded retreats are hot spots in the vacation rental business right now. This property described as a serene peaceful tower has over 600 reviews and a five-star rating. An accurate description, the retreat is built in a tower shape and features a scenic deck. It is specifically geared towards guests looking for a secluded getaway, but it is also a short trip away from nearby outdoor activities, restaurants, and shops. Other than the amazing views, guests cite the hosts’ incredible knowledge of the area and helpfulness as major benefits. 

4. Casita de Chuparosa

Location: Abiquiú, NM

In English, Casita de Chuparosa means Little House of the Hummingbird and it is packed with amenities, fun activities and scenic views. On VRBO, the listing has over 350 reviews, and all of them are five stars. Because it is located on a ranch, guests can visit the hosts’ Horse, Mini Donkeys, Llama & Alpacas or they can take a dip in the private hot tub. 

5. Lake Lanier Retreat

Location: Gainesville, GA

This massive 12,000 square foot lake house is built for corporate retreats, reunions, and large get-togethers. It sleeps up to 45 and has a wide range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy including kayaking, a pool, fire pit, volleyball court and hot tub. In reviews, guests cite not only the amazing space but the owner for being welcoming and helpful throughout the entire experience.

To increase the performance of your vacation rental business, take a cue from the top rated properties. The top vacation rental businesses share common characteristics. They have 100% response rates, over 200 reviews, the majority of which are five stars. In addition, they include lots of high-quality photos and thorough, up-to-date descriptions on their listings. A large portion of vacation rentals are located in places that are off the grid. Even when located in an urban area, it is important to decorate your vacation rental in a way that feels comfy and cozy, like a well-designed home.

Many successful properties have a unique design and architecture. However, you don’t necessarily have to have a treehouse or a mansion to have a profitable vacation rental. You do need to have a personalized experience that an individual couldn’t easily find somewhere else or recreate on their own. Most importantly, be authentic and welcoming to guests. At BookingTeam.com, we help hosts manage all of these aspects and more when it comes to property management. We’ll do the heavy lifting so you can focus on being a spectacular host with exceptional guest relationships.