Bans, Competition, and Higher Standards—How the World of Airbnb Has Dramatically Changed

2. Guests Aren’t Buying Bedrooms. They’re Buying Experiences.

One of the most apparent shifts in the STR industry is that guests choose stays based on how the experience makes them feel rather than the number of rooms. A perfectly furnished two-bedroom will often lose out to a smaller but more unique cabin with great lighting, a fire pit, or a forest deck. The emotional impact is what matters.

This clicked for me after reading a guest review that said, “The fire pit under the trees made us feel like we were in our own little world.” They never mentioned the mattress, linens, kitchen, or decor I spent weeks perfecting. Their memory centered on one intentional experience.

To lean into this shift, hosts should think like experience designers rather than landlords. Ask: What detail in your listing creates a moment guests will remember for years? That moment could be:

• A romantic outdoor soaking tub.
• The first morning coffee on a deck above the treetops.
• A curated playlist plays softly when they arrive.
• A stunning interior design aesthetic.
• A stargazing hammock with soft lighting.

People are not buying a place to sleep. They are buying a story they want to live inside.

3. Every Great STR Needs a Moat

A moat is a competitive advantage that other hosts cannot easily copy. It could be a view, a unique architectural style, a location near a major attraction, or a premium amenity other hosts are unwilling to invest in. Without a moat, you will always be competing on price.

One of my lakefront properties had a small private cove. It wasn’t grand or luxurious, but guests fell in love with it. They drank wine by it, took anniversary photos, and wrote emotional reviews. That cove became the listing’s moat because no other host could re-create it.

Examples of strong moats include:

• A breathtaking view.
• A rooftop deck with a fire table.
• A sauna or outdoor shower experience.
• A property directly beside a hiking trail or waterfall.
• A private forest clearing.
• A design theme executed at a high level.

If a competitor can copy your advantage with a weekend shopping trip, it is not a moat.

4. Views Are Always Worth Paying For

Views are among the most consistent drivers of STR performance across every data set I have analyzed. Whether it is mountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans, a property with a view typically earns higher nightly rates and occupancy and stronger guest sentiment.

I once toured two cabins in the same neighborhood that were practically identical. One overlooked the tree canopy. The other opened to a sweeping mountain panorama. 

The cabin with the view generated more than $40,000 in additional annual revenue. Same layout, size, and furniture quality. The only difference was the emotional impact when a guest stepped onto the deck.

A genuine view also improves long-term resale value. If you gasp when you first see a view, your guests will too.

5. Direct Bookings Are the Future of STR Profitability

Every experienced host eventually learns that Airbnb is not their business. It is one marketing channel. Direct bookings create higher margins, better guest relationships, and more consistent income. They also reduce dependency on platform policies or algorithm changes.

Building a strong direct booking ecosystem takes time. I started with a simple Lodgify site and eventually upgraded to a custom Boostly site as my brand grew. 

Social media became a major accelerant. Guests discovered my properties through Instagram Reels or TikTok videos, and then booked directly via the website link in my profile.

Direct booking guests tend to:

• Stay longer.
• Spend more on add-ons.
• Complain less.
• Treat the property with more care.
• Return more frequently.

A diversified booking strategy creates stability and long-term resilience.

6. Dominate One Market Before Expanding Everywhere

Many investors spread themselves too thin by buying one property in several different markets. It sounds attractive, but it creates operational chaos. Multiple vendors, other regulations, unfamiliar tax rules, different time zones, regulatory hurdles, and inconsistent guest expectations can quickly turn a fun project into a stressful business.

When you dominate a single market, you build density, which creates efficiency. Vendors know you. Cleaners prioritize you. Guests follow your brand. Systems are easier to scale. You intuitively understand the seasonality, pricing patterns, legal landscape, and visitor behavior.

Benefits of going deep before wide include:

• Lower operational costs.
• Better vendor relationships.
• Higher-quality cleans.
• Better guest communication.
• Improved brand recognition.
• A scalable, sellable business model.

Once your systems are built and tested in one place, expanding elsewhere becomes far easier and far less risky.

Final Thoughts

Short-term rentals are not dying. They are maturing. Travelers are more experience-driven, booking patterns are tighter, and the operational bar is higher than ever. Hosts who adapt to these shifts are seeing stronger performance now than at any point in the last decade.