Case Study: How One STR Used Premium Amenities to Increase Bookings by 32 Percent
Short-term rental owners face intense competition today. Traveler expectations are rising. Listings keep increasing. You need a clear point of differentiation if you want pricing power and strong occupancy. The STR operators who win focus on durability, guest excitement, and strong visual impact.
That philosophy shaped The Tournament House from the beginning.
The Tournament House started as our own vacation rental in Scottsdale. We built it as a place for family and friends to gather, connect, and play. The home featured incredible putting greens, ping pong battles, pizza nights, grilling sessions, pickleball tournaments and poolside lounging. Guests told us the home created moments they remembered long after checkout.
That feedback shaped everything we built next. We took our 50-plus years of combined experience in medical sales and real estate and created an e-commerce brand designed to help other operators replicate that impact. The Tournament House now curates premium amenities that elevate entertainment, increase visual appeal, and drive real ROI for STR owners.
This case study shows what happens when an STR applies these principles with intention.
Property Profile
Initial challenges:
• Stagnant occupancy
• Low guest engagement with outdoor areas
• Reviews requesting stronger amenities
• Frequent replacement of low-quality items
The management company wanted a clear improvement in bookings, rates, and operational efficiency. They followed the same core standards we built our brand on: durability, guest appeal, and strong listing visuals.
The Goals
They aimed to:
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Increase bookings in shoulder season
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Strengthen visual appeal in listing photos
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Reduce replacement costs
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Improve reviews by elevating the entertainment experience
The Amenities Installed
After a design and flow evaluation, the property upgraded to a curated set of durable, high-impact amenities.
Amenities installed:
- Pickleball and basketball sport court
- Weather-safe outdoor ping pong table
- Commercial-grade cornhole set (weather resistant)
- Strategic outdoor heating on patios
- Golf putting green
- Giant Mega Chess set
These upgrades matched a consistent theme. Durable products reduce turnover. Elevated entertainment keeps guests engaged. Strong visuals increase conversion rates.
The Visual Transformation
The home received:
- A redesigned backyard and side yard layout with sport court and golf putting green
- Dedicated entertainment zones for multiple "fun" areas
- Upgraded games including pool table, ping pong table, shuffleboard table and all weather cornhole set
- A refreshed listing that featured entertainment elements in the first images
The result was immediate. Guests scrolled less and booked faster.
The Results After 60 Days
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32 Percent Increase in Bookings
Listing photos with premium entertainment amenities drove higher conversion on Airbnb and VRBO. -
18 Percent Increase in Nightly Rates
Guests paid more because the value was clear. -
Five-Star Reviews Increased from 72 Percent to 98 Percent
Guests highlighted the backyard experience and the quality of amenities. -
30 Percent Reduction in Replacement Costs
Commercial-grade items outperformed previous budget items. -
Increase in Repeat Stays
Several repeat bookings occurred within the first 6 months. This had never happened before.
STR Owner Takeaways
This case study reinforces a simple formula.
Durability and high-end amenities plus guest excitement plus strong visuals lead to compounding revenue gains.
Lessons for STR owners:
• Guests choose with their eyes. Your photos drive your revenue.
• High-quality amenities reduce long-term costs.
• Entertainment upgrades influence booking decisions for families.
• Enhanced reviews raise your ranking and increase pricing power.
This is the same playbook that powered our own success with The Tournament House. It is why we built an e-commerce brand focused on curated, durable, elevated products that create connection and strengthen STR performance.
Ready to Upgrade Your STR
Premium amenities strengthen your booking velocity, average nightly rate, and review profile. They transform a listing into an experience. For homeowners, developers, and STR operators who want a competitive edge, the right upgrades create measurable returns.
You create the space. We help you make it unforgettable.
