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🎯 The Rise of Experience-Driven & Boutique Rentals

Travelers aren’t just booking a place to sleep anymore—they’re booking a feeling. From design-forward interiors to hyper-local touches, the best stays now feel personal, memorable, and worth sharing.

Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management â€“ Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder â€“ Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing a 10-15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

December 22nd, 2025

Good evening STR Report Community!

In today’s issue, you will find:

📱Today’s Article: 🎯 The Rise of Experience-Driven & Boutique Rentals

📈 Trending Market Highlight: Woodstock, New York and Saratoga Springs, New York

✉️ STR News: Investment opportunities at highest level since 2021, AirDNA report finds

💸 Mortgage Rate Watch

🌅 Unique Airbnb of the Week

🏫 Subscriber Perks: Go Live Playbook, including: Beginner’s Guide E-Book, Guest Communication Messaging Templates, Airbnb Welcome Guide Template, STR Buy Box Template, & Tax Savings E-Book

✅ Community Perks: Top-Tier Property Management, Personal Airbnb Investment Finder, and STR Loans & More

📬 See our collection of newsletters here: Prior Newsletters

🎯 The Rise of “Experience-Driven” and Boutique Rentals

Travelers aren’t just booking a place to sleep anymore—they’re booking a feeling. From design-forward interiors to hyper-local touches, the best stays now feel personal, memorable, and worth sharing.

Melissa Joan Hart Lol GIF by Lifetime

The End of the “Vanilla Airbnb”

The days of generic, one-size-fits-all short-term rentals are numbered. Travelers are increasingly skipping listings that feel interchangeable in favor of spaces with personality—unique design, thoughtful details, and an atmosphere that feels intentional rather than accidental.

In a crowded marketplace, “fine” is no longer enough.

Travelers Want Stays That Feel Personal

This shift mirrors a larger change in how people travel. Guests are seeking trips that feel immersive and meaningful, not transactional. They’re drawn to charming rural homes, character-filled city flats, and stays that offer easy access to local culture, food, and outdoor experiences.

Where you stay is now part of the adventure—not just a place to recharge.

Why Experience-Driven Rentals Are Outperforming

The strongest-performing rentals are investing beyond the basics. Elevated aesthetics, standout amenities, and curated hospitality touches—like local guides, partnerships with nearby businesses, or personalized welcome moments—create stays guests remember and recommend.

These experiences don’t just delight guests; they drive better reviews, higher occupancy, and stronger pricing power.

What This Means for Hosts

➡️ Think beyond “basic lodging.”
As we head into 2026, success in short-term rentals is increasingly about differentiation. Hosts who lead with vibe, story, and guest experience—rather than just square footage and price—are the ones positioned to win.

Because in today’s market, the most valuable amenity isn’t another smart TV—it’s a stay that feels unforgettable.

Woodstock, New York

Downloadable Woodstock, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report

Woodstock STR Market Report.pdf1.87 MB • PDF File
  • Average Daily Rate (ADR): $304 per night

  • Occupancy Rate: 49%

  • Annual Revenue Potential: Around $64,404 per year

Read our full Woodstock, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

Saratoga Springs, New York

Downloadable Saratoga Springs, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report

Saratoga Springs STR Market Report.pdf2.22 MB • PDF File
  • Average Daily Rate (ADR): $508.47 per night

  • Occupancy Rate: 40.68%

  • Annual Revenue Potential: Around $77,472 per year

Read our full Saratoga Springs, New York Short-Term Rental Market Report attached above.

📬 See our collection of 120+ market reports here: Prior Trending Market Reports

📝 No Vote on NYC Bill to Ease Short-Term Rental Rules
A City Council bill in New York City that would let permanent residents of one-and-two-family homes offer short-term rentals will not get a vote in 2025.

🏡 Hawaii island passes Bill 9 to phase out thousands of rentals
Maui County Council has passed legislation that aims to phase out more than 6,000 transient vacation rentals (TRVs) in West and South Maui.

💸 Investment opportunities at highest level since 2021, AirDNA report finds
Short-term rental investment conditions in the US are expected to improve in 2026, with AirDNA forecasting the strongest market environment since 2021, according to its newly released 2026 Outlook Report.

💸Mortgage Rate Watch – December 22nd, 2025

Current Mortgage Rates (updated as of December 19, 2025):

  • 30-Year Fixed: 6.25% (+0.03%)

  • 15-Year Fixed: 5.75% (+0.01%)

  • 30-Year Jumbo: 6.41% (+0.01%)

  • 30-Year FHA: 5.88% (+0.02%)

  • 30-Year VA: 5.89% (+0.02%)

  • 7/6 SOFR ARM: 5.82% (+0.02%)

Market Overview: Mortgage rates inched slightly higher heading into the holiday week, with the 30-year fixed rising to 6.25%. Overall movement remains modest, reflecting a quiet market with limited economic data and relatively steady bond market conditions. Lenders appear comfortable holding pricing steady as year-end approaches.

Rate Trends & Forecast:

  • Short-Term: Rates are likely to remain in a narrow range through the end of the year, with only small day-to-day adjustments unless unexpected economic news emerges.

  • Long-Term: There is still potential for gradual improvement if inflation continues to cool and long-term Treasury yields trend lower, but meaningful rate declines remain unlikely without a clearer shift in economic conditions or policy direction.

    For real-time mortgage rate updates, visit Mortgage News Daily.

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Subscriber Perks:

📖🏡💰 Go Live Playbook

The "Go Live Playbook" is your all-in-one guide featuring a beginner’s guide e-book, messaging templates, Airbnb welcome book, STR buy box template, and tax savings tips to kickstart your short-term rental success.

Community Perks with The STR Report

🏠 Top-Tier Property Management â€“ Lower fees, higher payouts, and premium service. Built for investors who want performance and peace of mind. See how much more your property could earn—click to get your free performance assessment.

🔎 Personal Airbnb Investment Finder â€“ Connect with an expert to handpick profitable Airbnb properties that match your criteria. With 213+ successful deals, all cash-flowing, you’re in good hands. Take 15 seconds to fill out the form to see how all of these properties are experiencing a 10-15% Cash-on-Cash return.

🤑 STR Loans & More – Need funding for your next short-term rental? Expect expert guidance, personalized service, and the best possible rates.

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