How strategic hosts are unlocking new revenue streams by rethinking how their properties are used.

Most hosts think of revenue in one way: overnight stays.

But what if your property could generate income without anyone sleeping there?

For strategic hosts, overnight bookings are just one piece of a bigger revenue picture — especially during shoulder seasons, slower days, or midweek gaps.

In this episode of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah and Annette walk through unconventional ways hosts are making money by leveraging their properties differently, without sacrificing control or guest experience.

Commercial Photography and Content Creation

One of the highest-paying non-overnight uses hosts are seeing is commercial photography and content creation.

Brands, photographers, and marketing teams constantly need beautiful, private spaces for:

• Brand shoots
• Product photography
• Website refreshes
• Social media campaigns

These bookings often happen on weekdays, command higher hourly or daily rates, and create minimal wear compared to overnight guests. The key is having clear rules, usage agreements, and insurance awareness before saying yes.

Day Use for Coworking and Strategy Days

Short-term rentals are becoming an attractive alternative to coworking spaces and coffee shops.

Entrepreneurs, consultants, and small teams are booking properties for:

• Planning days
• Strategy sessions
• Remote work meetups

Why? Privacy, quiet, parking, kitchens, comfortable seating, and reliable Wi-Fi. Hosts who offer structured day-use bookings can turn otherwise empty weekdays into revenue — as long as start times, end times, and access rules are clearly defined.

Private Events Without Overnight Stays

Not every event needs to be an overnight booking.

Hosts are successfully offering their spaces for:

• Executive interviews and offsite meetings
• Bridal party prep
• Baby showers
• Small, intentional gatherings

These bookings are often short, controlled, and easier to manage than full stays — but only when boundaries around guest count, parking, timing, and cleanup are crystal clear.

Pools, Outdoor Spaces, and Amenities

If your property has a pool, yard, or standout outdoor feature, that amenity alone can become a revenue stream.

Daytime pool access, birthday parties, and family gatherings can turn zero-revenue days into meaningful income — especially in hot-weather markets or slower seasons.

As with all non-overnight uses, insurance, safety, and neighborhood impact must be carefully considered.

Small Wellness and Experiential Retreats

Another growing opportunity is small, daytime wellness experiences.

Think:

• Yoga or breathwork sessions
• Sound baths
• Cooking classes
• Private chef experiences

These events attract local communities, don’t require overnight stays, and allow hosts to partner with professionals who already have built-in audiences.

The Reality Check

These strategies aren’t an easy button.

They require:

• Clear house rules
• Strong communication
• Insurance conversations
• Thoughtful layering — not adding everything at once

And they’re not right for every property.

But for hosts willing to think beyond overnight bookings, these unconventional uses can create flexibility, diversification, and resilience in their hosting business.

Download a transcript of this episode.

Resources:

• Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist!
• #STRShareSunday: @saltandskylodgingco
• Submit your property for our next #STRShareSunday at strshare.com

#STRShareSunday

@saltandskylodgingco

If you love stays that feel design-forward and deeply intentional, Salt & Sky Lodging Co is such a standout. What we really admire is how they’ve built their brand around creating an exceptional travel experience that blends beautiful design, immersive experiences, and a genuine commitment to sustainability — and you can feel that philosophy in everything they do.

And one little detail we love (that’s honestly so smart): the way they name their properties. Instead of generic titles, you’ll see names like OB Surfer’s Paradise or Velvet Surf, and you instantly get a feel for what you’re booking and who it’s for. It sets expectations in the best way — you can practically picture the vibe before you even click through, and it clearly attracts the right kind of guest.

Their spaces are carefully curated with a focus on comfort and aesthetics, and we also appreciate that sustainability isn’t an afterthought here. They highlight things like eco-friendly supplies, a plastic-free environment, and thoughtful upgrades like organic coffee, loose-leaf teas, stainless steel cookware, and chemical-free toiletries — the kind of details that feel elevated and aligned.

They also do that rare “all under one roof” thing really well: short-term rentals, management, and design services — with a consistent design POV across everything they touch. It’s hospitality with heart, and you can tell they’re building something that’s meant to feel memorable, not mass-produced.