Hot Tub Photography For Airbnb Hosts

As a pioneer in the vacation rental industry, my journey began two decades ago when, with the introduction of the digital camera, I founded a villa photography firm. Over the years, I have authored several influential books on rental photography and delivered keynote presentations at major conferences. My expertise focuses on harnessing the power of photography to dramatically boost booking rates.

At HiChee, our recent focus has been on cabins featuring hot tubs—an amenity that significantly enhances guest experiences. However, we’ve observed a common shortfall among hosts: the quality of hot tub photography often fails to do justice to this luxurious feature.

We’ve curated a selection of exemplary and poor hot tub photographs to help you elevate your property’s appeal and increase your bookings. This visual guide will refine your photographic skills and enrich your portfolio, ensuring your listings meet and exceed guest expectations.

Here’s a little-known fact that you should live by regarding your online property portfolio:.

If potential guests can’t imagine themselves at your rental
They won’t book your rental.

To secure bookings, it’s crucial that potential guests can effortlessly envision themselves relaxing in your vacation rental. The appeal of your property hinges on this vital connection.

This concept extends to every feature of your rental, including the hot tub. The hot tub loses its allure if guests can’t picture themselves unwinding in its soothing waters.

It’s not just about having luxurious amenities; it’s about making them irresistible. Let your imagery and descriptions tempt and invite, transforming interest into bookings.

Take this image as an example

These hosts have spent thousands of dollars on a hot tub and gazebo, but they haven’t spent two minutes taking the cover off to show the hot tub at anything near its best. This is quite a common error.

These next two photos are almost as bad. Ok, they’re not as bad, but the same rule applies. The hosts show a half-covered jacuzzi in each case. Ask yourself, who wants to relax in a half-covered jacuzzi?

So, suggestion No. 1 – Take the bloody cover off.

You wouldn’t show a bed half-made or a pool that’s been half-cleaned. Show your tub as it should be used.

Suggestion No. 2 – Turn the hot tub and lights on.

Hot tubs look waaay more appealing if they are switched on, lights on, and bubbling away.

Look at the photo below. This hot tub is calling your name even from a distant drone shot.

Here’s that same hot tub bubbling away during the day. These are two great examples of hot tub photography.

Shots taken around dusk can work really well as the water becomes more of the show’s star.

These two images would look much better if the tubs were switched on. They are both in great locations, but they don’t look as inviting as they could.

Hot tubs may not win beauty contests on their own, but their appeal lies in the experience they offer. It’s not about aesthetics; it’s about the soothing warmth and gentle massage of bubbles that promise relaxation and serenity. Your imagery and descriptions should vividly communicate these sensations, inviting guests to indulge in the comforting embrace of your hot tub. This is the experience that captivates and converts browsers into bookers.

Suggestion No. 3 – Check out the view

I’ve noticed that many hosts take a photo of the hot tub, which, on the face of it, sounds like a good idea. This photo sends a message that says, we have a hot tub.

But you get the real money shot when you take a photo of what guests will see from the jacuzzi.

The photos below send a message that says, you can sit in this hot tub and enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings.

Suggestion No. 4 – Add some props

Now this next photo isn’t the best example of good hot tub photography in the world. The hosts have removed the cover and switched the hot tub on, but they’ve blocked the view with the cover.

I know that this is how some hot tubs stow their covers, but it’s worth bearing this in mind when orientating your tub. Ask yourself, will the stowed cover block the view? If so, think about turning it through 90 or 180 degrees.

That said, they get bonus points for a little staging. The wine, glasses and candle add a temptation factor. As I say, it’s not the best photo, but it sends the ‘A glass of wine and a soak’ message, and that message sparks the imagination.

Again, a couple of glasses and some sparkles can help. The addition of some towels can add that spa feeling.

As a photographer, I may have opened the window that you can see in the top right of the image and looked to take a photo from there. The outlook may have been better.

Here’s another photo along the same lines, but staged and taken by a professional photographer. This really nails the whole staging concept.

Suggestion No 5. – People can help

The first image on this page (shown below) may be the best hot tub photo I found.

It doesn’t even really show the tub, but it conveys that hot tub spa feeling. The frangipani flower adds a touch of the exotic.

This image illustrates that with some creativity you don’t need the most expensive tub or have the greatest views in order to tempt potential guests. You just need them to imagine themselves using the amenities at your property.

There’s a lot of debate as to whether or not you should show people in vacation rental photos. I, for one, am a fan of this technique if it’s done correctly. I wouldn’t show faces in most cases, but even that is a guideline and not a rule.

Sometimes, the hot tub is up against a wall, so photos from behind aren’t possible.

Here’s a clever technique where the props are in focus, but the tub and faces are blurred. If you are using a professional photographer (and you should be), he or she should be able to replicate this shot quite easily.

Here’s another in a similar vein. This reduced depth of view effectively conveys a feeling without showing the detail.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering hot tub photography is more than just a technical skill—it’s an essential marketing tool that transforms your vacation rental from just another listing into a must-visit destination.

By removing the cover, turning on the hot tub, and ensuring it’s beautifully lit and bubbling, you present an irresistible invitation to relax and unwind. Moreover, framing these features within the context of their surroundings and adding thoughtful props can elevate your photos from good to exceptional.

Remember, it’s not just the hot tub itself but the promise of relaxation and enjoyment it offers that captivates potential guests. Let your images speak volumes and make your property the obvious choice for anyone looking to enhance their vacation experience.