Short Term Rental Trends to Watch in 2025
The vacation rental landscape is shifting fast. If you’re a host, vacation rental owner, guest, or investor, keeping up with the short term rental trends to watch in 2025 is the key to staying ahead. Travelers are choosing experiences over square footage, and unique properties are winning the bookings. Here’s what’s changing this year and how Big Bear Lakefront Cabins plays right into these trends.
1. Unique Stays are Dominating the Market
Standard homes aren’t cutting it anymore. Guests want rentals that feel like part of the adventure. A-frame vacation rentals, treehouses, and creatively designed spaces are leading the way. They’re not just beautiful spaces, they create instant connection and photo worthy memories.
In Big Bear, this means A-frame vacation rentals with hot tubs and fireplaces are getting booked faster and commanding higher rates. At Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, guests are choosing these one-of-a-kind stays because they combine natural beauty with cozy, elevated design.
2. Rural and Small Town Destinations are Surging
The era of urban saturation is fading. Travelers are looking beyond big cities and heading to smaller destinations that offer nature, space, and privacy. Big Bear is a prime example—an accessible mountain town with lakefront charm, winter sports, and year-round appeal.
With short term rental supply growth slowing nationwide, markets like Big Bear are benefiting from lower competition and strong guest demand. This creates pricing power for existing hosts and opens opportunity for those looking to invest in vacation rentals that stand out.
3. Bigger Isn’t Always Better… But It Still Pays
While guests want unique stays, they’re also seeking multi-bedroom homes that can accommodate families or groups. Listings with three or more bedrooms are showing higher occupancy and Average Daily Rates (ADR). In Big Bear, larger vacation rentals continue to attract holiday travelers and weekend groups, especially during ski season and summer events.
4. Climate Concerns are Changing Where Guests Travel
Climate instability is pushing travelers away from high-risk areas. Coastal regions prone to hurricanes or wildfires are seeing volatility in bookings. Meanwhile, stable, year-round destinations like Big Bear are emerging as safe bets. With outdoor recreation, winter snow, and lake access, Big Bear offers four-season appeal without the extreme weather disruptions seen elsewhere.
5. Guests Want Amenities that Feel Luxurious
Today’s travelers expect more than just a bed and a roof. Wellness-focused spaces, high-speed WiFi, smart home features, and stylish interiors are no longer just nice to have, they’re expected. At Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, many properties now offer 5-star amenities, hot tubs, lake views, pet friendly stays, and smart home integration.
6. Direct Bookings are on the Rise
One of the biggest short term rental trends to watch in 2025 is the rise of direct booking. Guests are getting savvy—they know booking direct often means better rates, better service, and no third-party fees. vacation rental owners in Big Bear who offer direct booking options (like at Big Bear Lakefront Cabins) are increasing revenue and building stronger guest loyalty.
7. Smart Hosts are Winning with SEO
Standing out on search platforms means optimizing your listing with strong keywords, photos, and pricing. Hosts who stay active updating their calendars, adding seasonal photos, and refining descriptions rank higher and book more. This strategy is especially useful in a competitive destination like Big Bear, where a little SEO polish can push your vacation rental to the top of the results.
8. Interior Design is now a Key Booking Factor
Guests care about how a space looks and feels. Clean, cohesive design wins bookings. In 2025, the trend is toward comfort-driven style, think warm lighting, modern-rustic décor, and natural materials. Vacation rentals with a clear design identity, especially in scenic areas like Big Bear, are thriving.
9. Events Drive Bookings and Smart Hosts Know It
From Oktoberfest to fishing tournaments to Big Bear’s famous snow season, local events drive surges in short term rental demand. Savvy hosts plan for these, adjusting rates and minimum stays to capture peak revenue. Whether it’s a winter getaway or a summer lake trip, timing your listing with Big Bear’s event calendar pays off.
10. Smart Tech & Automation Matter More Than Ever
Guests want smooth check-ins, instant support, and no surprises. In 2025, properties that offer contactless entry, automated thermostats, and voice activated controls are staying booked longer. At Big Bear Lakefront Cabins, these features are becoming standard, not extras.
Big Bear Is Right in the Center of 2025’s STR Shift
With the rise of direct bookings, guest experience focus, and unique rental demand, Big Bear is uniquely positioned to thrive. From lakeside retreats to iconic A-frames, travelers want more than a place to stay, they want a story to tell.
Whether you’re looking for a getaway that’s different or considering an investment in a high-performing market, the short term rental trends to watch in 2025 all point to Big Bear.