Airbnb Rehab: How We'd Turn The Viral UFO Airbnb Into a 5-Star Destination Brand
For this week's playbook, we're looking at one of the most famous stays on Airbnb.
A flying saucer landed in the Welsh countryside. A 1970s Futuro pod, fiberglass, egg-shaped, undeniably cool. The rental sits among rolling green hills, steps from the beach. It's wildly unique, and that's why it's the star of Airbnb's OMG! category.
But while the UFO Futuro Home is an excellent example of how to stand out, we think there's room for improvement, and it's still leaving cash on the table.
So this week, we're showing you how we'd turn one of Wales' most viral stays into a highly profitable travel brand and 5-star short-term rental.
Welcome to the UFO Futuro Flying Saucer
This Pembroke home in Redberth, United Kingdom, is literally shaped like a flying saucer. The 2-bedroom property sits on a 4-acre estate featuring other quirky builds. Kids and families love the one-of-a-kind experience, plus the beach and nearby attractions and activities.
But despite the fame, the UFO Airbnb sits at a 4.67-star rating. And the lowest score tells a story: Value.
Guests love the novelty, but many leave feeling like they paid a premium for a gimmick that hasn't kept up with expectations.
We think this Airbnb is perfectly located and has the potential to become a brand guests will obsess over. Here's how we'd transform it.
What's Already Working
The unfair advantage. It's a literal UFO. You cannot scroll past it. This is the kind of visual marketing hook most hosts dream about.
Location and nature. Tucked in rural Wales with beach access and natural surroundings, guests come here to escape. The quiet countryside does half the work. It's not just a cool UFO stay. It's also a UFO stay in a place you already want to go.
The compound effect. The investors have diversified units on the land to capture different types of guests and maximize STR seasonality. Every unit is unique: a private jet, a train carriage, a submarine, dome tents.
Clever use of small spaces. The Futuro pod is compact, but the layout makes it functional and even spacious.
Pet-friendly. Allowing dogs is a huge win for family travelers. It's a differentiator they should lean into harder.
So why isn't this a 5-star property? Because the novelty is doing all the heavy lifting. And novelty fades fast when the fundamentals slip.
The Airbnb Rehab: 7 Upgrades to Boost Revenue and Unlock 5-Star Potential
1. Go All In on Immersion
Right now, the UFO theme is carried by the shape and a few alien toys. That's a gimmick, not a story.
Who "lived" here? A friendly alien family? A 1970s astronaut who crashed and never left? Guests want to step into a world. And in a rental attracting kids and families, white minimalist walls aren't as immersive as a truly designed experience.
The Fix: Build a narrative. Add things like a retro control panel with working buttons or a "captain's log" guest book with hidden details. Turn the stay into a story guests can live inside. Embrace more colors and textures inside while staying on theme to make it stand out and feel more lived in. A simple theme doesn't mean you don't need to create a bold and Instagrammable Airbnb interior.
2. Build a Kid-Friendly Alien Play Zone
Families are a core demographic here. But aside from the beach and a few games, there's not much for kids to do on-site. And if there is, it's not in the listing photos.
Kids don't care about the architecture. They care about whether they can run around, climb things, and feel like they're part of the adventure.
The Fix: Dedicate part of the property to a UFO-themed play area. A mini "crash site" playground. Alien climbing structures. A space-themed scavenger hunt. This turns a one-night novelty into a multi-day family destination.
Understand your guest avatar and always exceed expectations. The indoor arcade games are a nice touch, but in a small space, families will spend most of their time outside. Add group games, multiple seating areas, and a firepit and deck for late-night s'mores and stargazing.
3. Solve the Privacy Problem
Multiple unique stays on one property are great for revenue. But sharing spaces (and even amenities like showers) isn't premium.
Bad reviews aren't just a host's worst nightmare. They're also data you can use to improve. In this home, the communal showers are the biggest friction point.
For a premium stay (especially for families) shared bathrooms kill the luxury feel.
The Fix: Install privacy screens, strategic fencing, or native hedges to give each unit its own defined zone. Guests pay a premium for a UFO stay. They should feel like they're on another planet, not in someone's backyard. Add a private, beautifully designed outdoor shower or spa-like bathroom pod that feels intentional, not like a compromise.
Even if you've got the quirkiest Airbnb, you still need to check the boxes for the things guests need and expect.
4. Level Up the Outdoor Experience
They've got acres to play with, the backyard here is a goldmine. It's their biggest missed opportunity. Badass amenity-packed backyards drive bookings. Now imagine pairing that with a UFO-shaped home? Yep, a no-brainer.
The Fix: Design around your amenities. Turn a standalone grill into a grilling area with tables, decor, and comfortable seating. Add a stargazing deck (perfect for a UFO theme), a fire pit, outdoor games like cornhole or giant Jenga, and a hot tub.
Every square inch of this property should sell an experience. With interiors as small as this house, elevating the backyard is essential. It could double your ADR and set you apart from the competition.
5. Make Pet-Friendly Actually Pet-Friendly
Pets are allowed. But reviewers note:
"They welcome dogs but no poo bins…or in fact any big bins we could see anywhere."
Being pet-friendly isn't a checkbox. It's a promise. Add pet-friendly amenities so pets aren't just allowed, but comfortable and welcome.
The Fix: Add a pet station with waste bags, a dog-washing station, maybe a welcome basket with treats and a toy. These affordable add-ons can have a big impact on your reviews and ranking.
6. Keep Refreshing for a True Futuristic Look
You can't really be a futuristic-themed Airbnb if your interiors are stuck in the past. Multiple reviews mention outdated furniture. Novelty fades fast when comfort lags.
The Fix: Regular interior refreshes. New linens, updated decor, comfortable seating. A wow theme is never an excuse to skip the basics of hospitality.
7. Professional Photos That Sell the Experience
Having a one-of-a-kind space is one thing. Knowing how to sell it is another.
The current hero photos do a great job showcasing the UFO shape. But they don't sell the experience.
What do guests do here? What does it feel like to stay overnight in a spaceship? These questions aren't answered in the first few seconds.
The Fix: Add lifestyle shots. A family playing in the alien zone. Kids discovering the "crash site." A couple stargazing on the deck. Guests laughing around the fire pit. These images let guests mentally insert themselves into the story. That's FOMO, and FOMO is an irresistible booking magnet.
Airbnb Listing Quick Fixes
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Listing titles: Add 3 to 4 amenities in your title, not just the name. This gives guests the highlights fast and can boost your search ranking.
Listing descriptions: Go long and get specific. Warn guests about things like communal showers to manage expectations. List all amenities. A short listing leaves guests with questions, and some won't book without certainty.
Photos: Use ALL your allocated photos. For a stay as cool as this, show off your amenities, acres of land, themed interiors, and even nearby attractions. Let your photos tell guests everything they need to know (and get excited about).
Check out our guide on how to create an Airbnb listing that actually gets booked for more tips.
The Revenue Play: A Direct Booking Website
A property this unique is begging to be a recognizable brand with its own website.
Right now, it lives on Airbnb. Airbnb takes a cut. More importantly, Airbnb owns the guest relationship. You can't email past guests. You can't offer them a return discount. You can't tell your story the way you want to.
The Opportunity: Build a simple direct booking website. Tell the full story of the UFO, the compound, the history, and the surrounding area.
Capture guest emails. Offer a small discount for booking direct. Build social media accounts to showcase how incredible and immersive your Airbnb really is.
With a property this visual and unique, you're selling an experience people will travel across the world for. That's the kind of stay that builds a loyal audience, if you own the relationship.
Check out our Airbnb direct booking guide to see how hosts are keeping more revenue and building real brand equity.
Bonus: Cow Meet & Greet Upsell Opportunity
From the listing pictures, it looks like the property has cows on the land. For a unique upsell experience kids and families will love, offer guided cow meet-and-greets. Low cost. High delight. Picture that on the listing photos!
Quick STR Hosting Lessons to Steal From This Rehab
You probably don't own a UFO. But the lessons here apply to any stay, anywhere.
- Your theme should be a story, not a gimmick. Guests want to live the experience, not just look at a few toys and posters.
- Kids and pets aren't checkboxes. If you market to them, invest in the amenities that make their stay memorable.
- Privacy is a premium. If guests share space, define boundaries with intentional design.
- Never stop improving. Regular refreshes keep you competitive.
- Use your land. Every inch of your property should sell an experience and boost your ADR. Use it!
- Own your audience. A unique property is a brand. Build the infrastructure to capture that value.
Your Turn: Want Your Listing in the Hot Seat?
Think your Airbnb could use a Rental Rehab? Join Host Camp for $1 and post your listing in the Heart My Listing page. Our coaches and community will give you honest, actionable feedback to take your stay to the next level.
