💸 Hot Tubs & High Returns: The ROI of Adding a Spa to Your Short-Term Rental in the Southeast U.S.
- ISWE Hot Tubs
- Jul 25, 2025
- 4 min read
In today’s competitive short-term rental market, standing out isn’t just about great photos or clever listing titles. It’s about offering amenities guests can’t wait to book. Few features deliver as much return on investment as a hot tub.
If you're an Airbnb or VRBO host in the Southeastern U.S., especially in high-traffic areas like metro Atlanta, North Georgia, or along the Blue Ridge Mountains, adding a hot tub isn’t just a luxury; it’s a strategic upgrade that pays for itself.
Let’s break it down.
What’s the ROI of a Hot Tub in a Rental Property?
Short-term rentals with hot tubs:
Earn 20%–40% higher nightly rates: According to AirDNA, listings with hot tubs can command significantly higher rates compared to those without.
Get more bookings year-round, especially during colder months: Airbtics reports that properties with hot tubs experience increased occupancy rates as high as 10%.
Receive more 5-star reviews: guests love sharing spa selfies and soothing experiences.
Attract longer stays from couples, families, and wellness travelers.
These aren’t just national trends, though. We’re seeing this across Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and northern Florida. Travelers are looking for unique, comfortable escapes with upscale amenities.
Why Arctic Spas Work Better for STRs Than Traditional Hot Tubs
Hot tubs can be a smart investment - but only if they’re built to handle the wear and tear of rental guests. That’s where Arctic Spas shine with our Custom series.
Unlike other brands, Arctic Spas feature a Forever Floor: a rigid, insulated base that can sit directly on level ground. That means no concrete slab, no deck, no major construction. For hosts in remote or mountainous locations, this is a game-changer. You can install a spa one weekend and be ready for bookings by the next.
Let’s be real… not every guest is careful with the water. Spa Boy® takes the guesswork (and stress) out of water care by automatically monitoring and adjusting your sanitation levels. No more worrying about whether the hot tub is clean for the next guest.
It’s one of the only true automated saltwater systems on the market. And it's exclusive to Arctic Spas.
Smart pH works hand-in-hand with Spa Boy® to balance your water, automatically dosing pH to keep things stable. That means fewer chemicals, fewer service calls, and happier guests. For property managers juggling multiple listings, it’s a must-have.
Peace of Mind for Hosts: Easy Maintenance, Smart Technology
One of the biggest concerns hosts have about adding a hot tub is ongoing service and upkeep - especially when a guest checks out and the next one arrives in just hours.
That’s why Arctic Spas are designed from the ground up to make ownership easy, even for busy or remote short-term rental hosts.
Unlike many spa brands that restrict access to one or two service panels, Arctic Spas come with 360-degree Total Access™ to all major components, including pumps, plumbing, and electronics. This allows for:
Quicker repairs and troubleshooting
Easier inspections between guests
Reduced downtime and fewer technician visits
No disassembly or costly panel removals
Whether you're managing the property yourself or working with a partner, Total Access™ ensures issues can be resolved fast, keeping your hot tub (and your stays) running smoothly.
Spa Boy® + Smart pH: Water Care from Your Phone
Remember that automated saltwater care system we mentioned earlier? Arctic Spas offers Spa Boy®, an advanced automated water care system that continually monitors and adjusts sanitization levels. Paired with Smart pH, it keeps water chemistry balanced without constant manual testing.
These systems:
Keep water clear and properly balanced between guest stays
Send real-time status updates and alerts to your smartphone
Allow you (or your manager) to remotely monitor and adjust settings
Automatically display error codes with clear diagnostics so you, and your technician, know exactly what’s wrong with no guesswork required
You can even receive alerts if the spa cover is left open or water levels drop, allowing you to act fast and maintain a five-star experience.
When you combine automated maintenance, smart alerts, and full component access, you're not just adding a hot tub. You're adding a high-return, low-interruption amenity that improves your rental's appeal without increasing your stress.
Bonus: Hot Tubs Photograph Beautifully
In the world of short-term rentals, first impressions are made through photos. A beautiful hot tub can be the difference between a booked night and a passed-over listing.
Why Hot Tubs Grab Attention in Listings
On platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, guests often search using filters like “hot tub” or “spa,” and your listing gets an instant boost in visibility just by having one. But beyond the checkbox, it’s the photos that seal the deal.
Here’s what makes Arctic Spas especially photogenic:
🌲 Natural cedar cabinets A rustic, high-end look that complements cabins, cottages, and upscale homes
💡 Family and Ultimate Lighting packages Soft, ambient lighting that adds life and color to dimly-lit atmospheres
🌊 Tranquil waterfall feature A soothing visual element that brings both motion and sound to your photos and videos
☁️ SkyFogger™ feature Creates a soft mist over the water surface for a steamy, luxurious aesthetic
💧 Crystal-clear water thanks to Spa Boy® and Smart pHWater that looks so inviting, it will have guests daydreaming about hopping in
TLDR: Invest Now, Profit for Years
Adding a spa to your Airbnb or VRBO property in the Southeast is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase bookings and justify a premium price. In fact, you can anticipate $6,000 to as high as $34,000 more in annual revenue, just by adding a hot tub to your property!
When you choose Arctic Spas Atlanta, you get a solution that’s built for heavy use, designed for fast installs, and supported by a local team that knows what hosts need.
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