Wellness travel is no longer a fringe preference. It’s now fueling one of the fastest-growing sectors in hospitality. From 2020 to 2022, wellness trips surged by about 30% annually, with spending climbing 36% per year, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Guests are traveling with intention, seeking experiences that restore, reset, and replenish.
Meanwhile, there are over 7 million active short-term rental listings worldwide, and guest expectations continue to rise. Clean and cozy isn’t enough anymore. Travelers are choosing design-driven spaces and experience-first stays.
In this competitive environment, the right wellness amenity can be your differentiator. And of all the options available, the sauna stands out as the smartest upgrade: low maintenance, year-round ready, and hands-off for hosts, especially when using electric models.
So how do you keep your calendar full and your rates strong? By evolving with what travelers are actually booking. Let’s break down what’s working and why thoughtful wellness design, especially saunas, is becoming a go-to advantage for forward-thinking hosts.
The Current State of Short-Term Rentals: Stats That Matter
- Record-level supply, stabilized occupancy: Listings continue rising globally, but U.S. occupancy levels—hovering near 54–55%—are returning to pre-pandemic norms (AirDNA).
- ADR and RevPAR gaining ground: Revenue per Available Rental is projected to climb 2.9% in 2025, driven by strategic nightly rate increases (AirDNA).
- Heightened host competition: Around 76% of hosts feel the pressure of increased supply, and 55% flag market saturation as a top concern (AirDNA).
- Booking windows shrinking: Guests are booking closer in, especially for summer stays—so last-minute conversion strategies are more critical than ever (AirDNA).
- Longer stays are trending: Average booking lengths have grown from ~3.7 to 4.1–4.4 nights, reflecting the rise of the “slomad” traveler (arXiv).
- Wellness = Bookings: A growing body of research shows that 72% of travelers say the availability of wellness amenities impacts their lodging choice (Wellness Travel Insights).
9 Proven Ways to Stay Relevant in the STR Market
- Add a wellness amenity – Saunas, hot tubs, cold plunges, or outdoor showers. These drive higher ADR and longer stays.
- Professional photography & video walkthroughs – Listings with high-quality visuals convert 40% better.
- Install an outdoor sauna – A turnkey sauna instantly sets your property apart.
- Optimize listing SEO – Include keywords like “private sauna”, “outdoor spa retreat”, and “wellness stay”.
- Appeal across seasons – Saunas are as attractive for snowy retreats as they are for post-hike recovery.
- Upgrade outdoor spaces – Firepits, lounge zones, and string lights amplify ambiance.
- Offer curated add-ons – Partner with local yoga instructors, chefs, or massage therapists.
- Automate smart touches – Digital locks, wellness playlists, and sauna-use guides make the stay seamless.
- Encourage sauna-focused reviews – Nothing sells like guest word-of-mouth: “The sauna made our stay.”
Why Saunas Are the #1 Wellness Upgrade
Guests are seeking rituals that linger long after checkout. The sauna is that ritual.
For Your Guests:
- Enhanced mood, circulation, sleep, and recovery
- A photogenic experience worth sharing
- A timeless ritual that feels both grounding and indulgent
For You, the Host (or Boutique Hotel Operator):
- Effortless upkeep compared to hot tubs and pools
- All-season appeal – Unlike pools or patios, saunas thrive in the “off-seasons.” When snow piles up in winter, when spring rains keep guests indoors, or when autumn nights get chilly, the sauna becomes a reason to book. This makes it one of the few amenities that actually stabilizes occupancy during slow months.
- Simple installation with plug-and-play models
- Fast ROI through increased ADR, occupancy, and RevPAR
- Boosted visibility in platform algorithms and wellness-driven searches
Data-Driven Results: How a Sauna Affects STR Performance
| Metric | With Sauna |
| ADR (Average Daily Rate) | +25–30% uplift |
| Occupancy Rate | +10–15% gain |
| RevPAR | Significantly higher |
| Estimated Added Revenue | +$7,000/year at ~50% occupancy |
According to Backcountry Recreation, adding an outdoor sauna or hot tub can lift ADR by up to 30% and occupancy by 15%. This directly drives RevPAR, one of the most important profitability metrics for STRs.
And crucially, saunas perform strongest when the weather turns. While competitors may slash rates to attract bookings in cold or wet months, you’ll have guests actively searching for “Airbnb with sauna” to make the season part of the experience.
A Real-World Example: Nordlys Lodging Co.
On 140 acres of pristine wilderness in northern Wisconsin, Nordlys Lodging Co. is showing exactly how wellness amenities transform guest experience and host performance.
Each cabin at Nordlys is designed for privacy, architectural beauty, and a seamless connection to nature. And outside the MetalLark Cabin sits a Cedar & Stone Model 3 sauna, fully integrated into the retreat experience.
Guests rave about it in reviews:
“Two words: sunrise sauna. Highly recommend it. Don’t miss this place—it’ll heal your soul.”
For co-owner Jeff, the sauna wasn’t just about luxury, it was about building a distinctive, lasting experience.
Unlike the busy lake cabins of Wisconsin, they wanted something quieter, more modern, and with a clean aesthetic. “I love my cozy knotty pine log cabin,” Jeff said, “but here we have floor-to-ceiling glass that brings in the outdoors. It almost feels like a treehouse, with modern kitchens that look like a loft in Northeast Minneapolis.”
Why Sauna Was the Right Fit
- Exclusivity: Each cabin has a private sauna, giving guests full privacy and an intimate wellness retreat.
- Efficiency: The Model 3 is compact, durable, and easy for staff to maintain—even with near year-round bookings.
- Ease of use: Guests can control settings via a tablet—robe, towel, and a short walk away.
- Longevity: With cabins booked most nights, Jeff needed durability:
“When I saw one of the saunas not complete yet and there was the cross-laminated lumber…I thought, ‘If a bullet won’t get through this, I think this is strong enough for daily use from guests.’”
The Impact
The sauna has become one of Nordlys’ defining features both in reviews and repeat bookings. And crucially, it keeps demand steady during shoulder seasons.
“Most people think of sauna at a hotel pool—indoors, with a tiny window. Here, the sauna brings the outside inside. That’s unique.”
Even when the weather is snowy, rainy, or cold, guests see the sauna and wood-fired hot tub not as a consolation prize but as a reason to book. That means fewer empty nights, stronger occupancy, and a steadier revenue stream year-round.
Watch the Interview
Hear Jeff’s full story about why sauna became the heart of their guest experience:
A Signature Amenity, Thoughtfully Designed
For hosts and boutique hotels, our outdoor saunas deliver more than just heat, they deliver a signature guest experience worth traveling for.
Built in Duluth, Minnesota, each unit arrives pre-designed, fully assembled, and ready to use. With minimal site prep and timeless durability, it’s the kind of investment that delights guests, elevates ADR, and strengthens reviews, through all seasons of the year.
Ready to Transform Your Short-Term Rental?
Choosing the right sauna shouldn’t mean starting from scratch. That’s why we designed our pre-designed premium outdoor line with everything STR owners need and nothing you don’t.
Each model is built from sustainable mass timber, finished in warm Western Red Cedar, and powered by your choice of wood-fired or electric heat. Details like a full window wall from H Window Company, under-bench LED lighting, and three timeless colorways come standard.
From there, you have the freedom to personalize your experience. Whether that means smart lighting, hidden tech, or a pop of color, your sauna is already thoughtfully designed, leaving you to reserve the model that fits your property best.
For short-term rental owners, this is the simplest way to add an unforgettable, low-maintenance wellness amenity that keeps calendars full year-round.
Order your Cedar & Stone outdoor sauna and give your guests a reason to book again, no matter the season.
