Sustainable Stays Are Driving 2026 STR Bookings

Happy Friday!

Your weekly pulse check on what’s moving the short-term rental world is here. Let’s get into it.

Read Time: 4 mins

By The Numbers
Data...and what you should do about it.

45% of travelers now prefer sustainable short-term rentals.

And it's not just lip service—they’re even willing to cut down energy use during their trips.

According to AirDNA, 78% of guests—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are actively look for sustainable stays.

How can hosts capitalize?

Not everyone can go solar overnight. But small, visible upgrades can make a real difference:

• EV chargers
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Smart thermostats

These aren’t just cost savers—they’re conversion boosters.

But that’s not all. We break down the biggest guest behavior shifts and booking trends shaping 2026 in our full market report. Check it out here.

Host Headlines
The latest stories and takes in the world of short-term rentals

Hospitable Launches Trip Insurance—And Hosts Get a Cut

Hospitable just launched a new trip insurance feature—and this one actually puts money back in hosts’ pockets.

Guests can now buy trip insurance directly through the Guest Portal. When they do, hosts earn a commission on every policy sold.

The rollout started quietly with beta users in December, followed by a wider release last week.

It's fully automated and operators really don't need to lift a finger.

One host reportedly earned ~$160 in commission from a single booking.

Read the full story to see how it works, who’s eligible, and how much hosts can earn.

US Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Level Since 2022

On Friday, January 16, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped to ~6.06%—the lowest since September 2022 and down from over 7% a year ago.

The 15-year fixed rate also eased to ~5.38%.

What does that mean in real terms?

With 20% down on a $450k home, you’d save around $230 per month compared to buying last year.

Read the full story to find out:

✔️ What’s actually driving the interest rate drop

✔️ How this could shape the 2026 housing market

✔️ What this means for STR hosts and investors (and their next move)

Hosts Lost Over $1 Billion in 2025 to OTA fees

A new study found that STR operators paid over $1 billion last year in OTA fees on repeat guests alone.

HostAI’s data shows that ~77% of repeat guests still rebook through OTAs like Airbnb and VRBO.

But the fees aren’t even the worst part—it’s conversion.

Guests who book direct return 28.3% of the time.

Guests who rebook through OTAs? That number drops to 8.9%.

That’s 3x the loyalty when they book direct with hosts.

Read the full article to find out why guests and hosts are moving direct faster than ever and how you can start optimizing your direct booking strategy.

Deal of the Week: Banner Elk, NC Luxury 1 Bedroom Cabin

234 Wild Daisy Ln, Banner Elk, NC, is a brand-new, design-forward 1-bedroom cabin that competes with larger listings through killer design and amenities.

This turnkey retreat comes fully furnished with a hot tub, cedar sauna, and wood-burning stove—positioned to outperform the top stays in the Boone/Beech Mountain luxury market.

And the returns are unbelievable.

The Property

▪️ Purchase Price: $459,000

▪️ 1BD / 1BA + Loft (Sleeps up to 4), 325 sq ft | Built 2026

▪️ 0.35 acres | No HOA

▪️ Fully furnished with hot tub, cedar sauna & modern design.

The Strategy

Position this as a premium couples’ retreat where experience justifies higher nightly rates.

It’s move-in ready for STR use with no repositioning required—ideal for investors targeting NC's high-demand luxury 1BR segment.

The Numbers (Stabilized)

▪️ Target Gross Revenue: ~$110,000

▪️ Estimated NOI: ~$72,600

▪️ Cash Flow (after debt): ~$43,800/year

▪️ Total Cash In: ~$99,800

▪️ Stabilized Cash-on-Cash: ~44%

Why Our Coaches Love This Deal

▪️ Competes with ADRs of ~$350–$400 at 75–82% occupancy.

▪️ Simple operations + turnkey setup + no major initial CapEx makes it perfect for new investors

▪️ High cash-on-cash returns paired with low execution risk.

View the full listing on Zillow →

Peek the Playbook
Real host strategies you can steal (tested in the wild)

How Seth and Tori Turned One Treehouse into a Luxury STR Empire

Seth and Tori started with $55,000, a quiet piece of land in rural Walhalla, South Carolina, and zero hospitality experience.

They invited friends and family to help them build a one-of-a-kind treehouse using reclaimed materials.

It went viral—and booked out six months in advance.

That single treehouse became Bolt Farm: a 24+ unit luxury destination brand.

The results:

•  ~93% average occupancy

•  ~$775–$825 ADR

•  ~$2.4M in NOI (before debt)

•  $30M+ potential valuation (for 24 units)

Read the full playbook to see:

✔️ The genius strategies driving year-round bookings

✔️ The fatal mistake that nearly shut it all down—and how they bounced back

✔️  Strategies + construction hacks STR hosts can steal right now

👉 Get the full Bolt Farm playbook here

Airbnbs we ♥️
Our favorite listings that stop the scroll + raise the bar!

A mansion…made of shipping containers?

The House of Pi in Vermont is bold, gravity-defying, and tucked deep in the woods of Whitingham.

Turning containers into this luxe, megalithic structure is no small feat—and guests are noticing. Check it out here

Got a Few More Minutes? Dive Deeper.

The Airbnb We know is Dead (+ New Rules for 2026)

The old playbook is obsolete. Rob Abasolo breaks down the 8 new rules for surviving and thriving in 2026—from building your own brand to creating micro-resorts.

▶️ WATCH THE VIDEO

The $107K/YR Airbnb That Was Built for the Apocalypse

A decommissioned nuclear missile silo, bought for $55k, now generates over $107,000 a year.

Kai breaks down the incredible 56% cash-on-cash return and the simple move that could double its revenue.

▶️ WATCH THE VIDEO

That’s it for this week.

Now it’s your move—take these insights and turn them into results.

Cheers,

The Host Camp Team

‍