If you own a cabin near Red Lodge, a property along the Beartooth Highway corridor, or a short-term rental anywhere in southern Montana or northern Wyoming, you already know that guests are choosy. They scroll past dozens of listings. What makes them stop and book yours?
More often than not, the answer is a hot tub.
The Numbers Are Hard to Argue With
Across the short-term rental market, properties with hot tubs consistently command higher nightly rates and better occupancy than comparable listings without one. In mountain and outdoor recreation markets like the Billings, Red Lodge, and Cody areas, the gap is even more pronounced. Travelers who come to hike the Beartooths, explore Yellowstone, or ski Red Lodge Mountain are already in a wellness mindset. They are tired, they are sore, and they want to soak.
The data behind this is compelling. According to AirDNA’s amenity analysis, hot tubs boost revenue per available rental (RevPAR) by 34% in mountain destination markets, making them the single highest-performing amenity in that category, ahead of pools, washer/dryer, and everything else they measured. That figure is specific to mountain and resort markets, which is exactly the category that covers the Red Lodge, Beartooth, and Cody areas.
Across all market types, AirDNA found that listings with hot tubs achieve roughly 14.3% higher average daily rates compared with similar listings without them. Analytics platform Airbtics found that occupancy rates for properties with hot tubs can run 7 to 10% higher than comparable listings without one, with the biggest gains showing up during shoulder seasons when the pull of outdoor activities starts to ease. On an annual basis, Airbtics data suggests property owners can see anywhere from $6,000 to $34,000 more in revenue simply by adding a hot tub to their listing. In a market like the Beartooth corridor, where guests are already seeking an elevated experience, that kind of return is hard to ignore.
When you look at the return on investment over two to three seasons, a quality hot tub often pays for itself.
Why This Region Is Different
Destination markets near national parks and mountain recreation areas have a specific guest profile. These are not budget travelers looking for the cheapest room. They are planning experiences, and they want their accommodations to be part of the experience.
A guest who just spent a day on the Beartooth Pass or a night stargazing in the Absaroka Range does not want to end their evening watching TV. They want to be outside. A hot tub gives them a reason to stay in the yard, look at the sky, and feel like the trip was worth every dollar they spent.
That emotional payoff translates directly into reviews, repeat bookings, and word of mouth.
What to Look for in a Vacation Rental Hot Tub
Not all hot tubs are created equal, and for a rental property, durability and low maintenance are just as important as the soaking experience. Here is what matters most:
- Energy efficiency: A hot tub that runs efficiently keeps your utility costs predictable year-round, even through Montana winters.
- Water care simplicity: Systems like the FreshWater Salt System reduce the time you or your property manager spend balancing chemicals between guests.
- Durability: Quality cabinet and shell materials hold up to heavy use and wide temperature swings without fading or cracking.
- Jet performance: Guests notice the difference between a hot tub with excellent hydrotherapy jets and one that just circulates warm water.
Hot Spring Spas are built with exactly this kind of use in mind. The brand is one of the most trusted in the industry, and the lineup includes options at multiple price points so you can find the right fit for your property and your budget.
Installation Is Easier Than You Think
One of the most common hesitations rental property owners have is the logistics of getting a hot tub set up at a remote or rural property. The team at Montana Hot Spring Spas handles delivery and installation across the region, including properties outside of Billings in the Red Lodge, Cody, and surrounding areas. They will work with you on site preparation, electrical requirements, and placement so the whole process is straightforward from start to finish.
Ready to Add a Hot Tub to Your Property?
Come visit the Montana Hot Spring Spas showroom at 2217 Grand Ave. in Billings. The team can walk you through the options that make the most sense for a rental property, talk through the numbers, and even let you do a private test soak so you know exactly what your guests will experience. Call 406-652-7727 or stop in any time during showroom hours.