Elf Haus: From A-Frame Wreck to Short-Term Rental Success

Think short-term rentals are passive income?

Amy and Rob thought so too. Until they bought a dilapidated A-frame with plans to turn it into their dream rental.

Spoiler: it wasn’t passive. It was intense. But it was also 100% worth it.

Today, Elf Haus is a beautiful mountain escape with 5-star reviews, raving guests and a standout brand. It’s a perfect example of what happens when you start with a solid blueprint and great design.

Here's how they did it—and what you can learn from their journey.

How Amy and Rob Started Short-Term Rentals

The dynamic team behind Elf Haus: Rob, Amy and Elf

With a listing like this, you'd think Amy and Rob were short-term rental pros.

They weren’t.

During COVID, Rob decided he needed a project. So they bought a neglected A-frame in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It had water damage and everything was falling apart or dated.

They had zero experience with short-term rentals. But they jumped in anyway—armed with a dream, a budget, YouTube, and Host Camp.

Step Inside the Elf Haus: The Outdoor Lover’s Dream

Welcome to the Elf Haus. Nestled at 11,000 feet in rural Colorado, in the heart of the Rockies.

Elf Haus is a custom-renovated A-frame Airbnb located just outside of Fairplay and Alma. It’s only 20 miles from the premium ski destination, Breckenridge.

Its cozy, hygge vibes create an immersive guest experience.

Airbnb Property Stats:

• Sleeps up to 6 | 2 dedicated bedrooms + basement Murphy bed
• 2.5 bathrooms with spa-like features
• Outdoor Hot tub (NEW!)
• Radiant in-floor heating + a wood-burning fireplace
• Record player, Sonos speaker, board games, and curated books
• Remote-work friendly + Smart TV
• Fully stocked kitchen, beverage fridge + artisan coffee bar
• Dog-friendly and surrounded by 2.5 acres of private forest

This isn’t just another cabin in the woods. It’s a mountain escape designed with luxury, comfort, and Instagram moments in mind.

The Results: Reviews That Speak for Themselves

Since launching, Elf Haus has earned mostly 5-star ratings and became a Guest Favorite on Airbnb within months.

In June, they had 80% occupancy. Not bad for their first-ever STR.

Key Lessons from the Elf Haus STR Journey

Amy & Rob crushed it with their very first listing. Getting started with Airbnb and short-term rentals? Here’s everything you can learn from their story.

1. Pick the Right Airbnb Location

Amy and Rob didn’t chase the biggest markets.

They chose a remote spot with natural beauty, year-round demand and proximity to a major ski resort.

This gave them a lower entry cost, unique appeal and no city saturation to compete with.

2. Don’t Underestimate the Renovation

Elf Haus before…

The project ran over budget, past the timeline, and maxed out their personal bandwidth.

“We had NO idea how stressful the renovation process would be and how much more it would cost + take longer.”

Elf Haus after!

What saved them? They didn’t rush to launch. They prioritized quality—even if it meant delaying the launch.

Elf Haus Airbnb renovation tips:

✅ Add a 20–30% budget buffer

✅ Expect delays—they will happen

✅ Start simple but don’t sacrifice quality

✅ Launch when you’re proud—not when you’re “over it”

3. Build Something That Stands Out

Elf Haus isn’t just functional—it’s unforgettable.

Amy and Rob didn’t build for everyone. They designed it for high-end guests who care about comfort and style. They invested in luxury touches like in-floor heating, an outdoor hot tub and Zinus memory foam mattresses.

From the custom mural wall and curated furniture to the blacksmith-forged front door handle, everything tells a story. Rob also brought in a talented friend and carpenter to handcraft the sliding barn door and custom spiral staircase handrails—details that add both style and character.

Remember, in Airbnb hosting, design IS the product.

4. Create an Experience, Not Just a Stay

Guests don’t just stay at the Elf Haus. They trail run, ski, hike, stargaze, or relax in the hot tub while they enjoy the forest views.

As true outdoor lovers, Amy and Rob designed the amenities to support the full outdoor experience. It works, whether you need an outdoor adventure or a natural retreat.

Want return guests? Sell an experience and become the destination, not just a pit stop.

5. Treat It Like a Business From Day One

“This is a proper business. We always knew that but there are never-ending details that we want or need to attend to.”

Amy and Rob built systems, automations and a guest-first brand—before they launched. They had a plan for how they would deliver consistent excellence.

Too many hosts treat Airbnb like a side hustle and wonder why it doesn’t profit or scale. They treated it like a business and planned to create a 5-star experience from the beginning. It paid off.

6. Invest in Learning, But Don’t Stay in Research Mode Forever

Amy and Rob knew nothing about short-term rentals. But they:

• Studied Host Camp resources
• Binge-watched YouTube videos
• Asked for help in the community
• Took action and adapted on the go

“There’s no such thing as too much knowledge.” - Amy.

Knowledge and proven strategies are a game-changer in STRs. Just don’t get stuck in research mode. Learn, then build.

Need helpful Airbnb resources, guides and promo codes? Visit our resources page for free STR tools.

7. Build Community Before You Think You Need It

“ We have learned so much invaluable information from this group. We absolutely credit much of our final design & first-year success to it!”

The fastest way to grow your business is to learn from people who’ve done it.

When guest drama happened or they needed advice, Amy and Rob reached out to the Host Camp community.

Airbnb isn’t a solo sport. Find your support system early.

8. Use Instagram to grow your brand

The Elf Haus Instagram page is not all house tours.

@Elf_haus shares their journey, their space and their story with posts like:

• Behind-the-scenes renovation updates
• Seasonal Christmas and Halloween decor and content
• Guest reviews and milestones
• Wildlife sightings + lifestyle shots
• Influencer stays + partnerships
• Pictures of Elf, their dog  (always a winner)

An Airbnb Instagram strategy is about staying top-of-mind and creating a connection. Their page shows guests what to expect and what type of hosts Amy and Rob are. It sells the guest experience before they even book.

Follow Elf Haus on Instagram to keep up with Amy and Rob’s (and Elf's!) adventures.

9. Personal Touches Go Further Than Upgrades

Elf Haus guests don’t just arrive. They’re welcomed—with handwritten notes and tiny gestures that say: you matter.

“We always leave cards for our guests, and try to personalize as many as we can. That is very important to us.”

These personal touches make Amy and Rob’s cabin memorable. It’s the little moments that create 5-star reviews—and repeat guests.

Our Favorite Elf Haus Features

The Rocky Mountain views.

The perfect blend of cozy + luxurious design

But our absolute favorite feature? The hosts.

“We love sharing our home. The experience that we can give to others brings such a smile to our faces.” - A+R

💡Amy & Rob’s Top Hosting Takeaways

• Focus on the small stuff
• Renovations always take longer—be ready
• Invest in learning and knowledge
• Treat it like a business
• Add personal touches
• Ask questions, community is your unfair advantage
• You don’t need to be an expert to stand out

Want to Do It Too?

You don’t have to wing it.

At Host Camp, we give you the coaching, community and tools to build profitable STRs.

Whether you're building your first tiny house or scaling your real estate portfolio—Host Camp is your shortcut. Join us now (or try it out for $1).

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