Sauna, Hot Tub, Fire Pit: The Amenities Western Maine Guests Actually Pay More For
Owners often assume that more amenities automatically means a higher nightly rate. In practice, guests pay a premium for a fairly specific, short list of features, and pad the rest with amenities that are nice to have but don’t move booking decisions or rate. Knowing the difference matters, especially when deciding where to spend renovation or furnishing budget.
What actually drives rate in this market
A private sauna. In a region defined by cold winters and outdoor recreation, a sauna reads as a genuine amenity rather than a gimmick. It’s one of the few features guests specifically filter for on Airbnb and VRBO, and listings with one consistently outperform comparable properties without it.
A hot tub. This one’s table stakes at this point in the western Maine market, but it still matters. A property near Sunday River without one is competing at a real disadvantage against the majority of comparable listings that do have one.
A fire pit. Lower cost than a sauna or hot tub, but high perceived value. It signals an outdoor-oriented, “retreat” experience rather than just a place to sleep, and photographs extremely well for listing marketing.
Water or river access. Direct access to a river, brook, or lake is one of the strongest differentiators available, and it’s not something a competitor can simply add, which makes it a durable advantage if your property has it.
Floor-to-ceiling windows or a strong view. Guests are increasingly booking based on the visual experience of a stay, not just the bed count. A property that photographs like a retreat, with natural light and a real view, consistently outperforms a comparable property that photographs like a generic rental.
What doesn’t move the needle as much as owners expect
Game rooms, extensive kitchen gadgets, and generic “extra” furniture rarely influence booking decisions or rate in this market, they’re often a sign of over-investment in the wrong place. A pool table doesn’t compete with a sauna for guest attention.
The combination effect
These amenities compound. A sauna alone is good; a sauna plus a hot tub plus a fire pit plus river access, presented well in photography, is what separates the top-performing properties in the market from the merely adequate ones. Owners chasing revenue growth are usually better served focusing renovation budget on this shorter list than spreading it thin across many minor upgrades.
A note on maintenance
High-value amenities like saunas and hot tubs also carry real upkeep responsibilities, regular maintenance, seasonal prep, and quick response when something breaks. An amenity that’s frequently out of service does more damage to guest experience (and reviews) than not having it at all. Budget for maintenance alongside the initial investment.
Stay Hygge designs and builds short-term rentals across western Maine with amenities selected specifically to drive booking performance, not just checklist appeal. If you’re planning a renovation or new build, we’re happy to talk through what’s worth the investment for your property.
