Is a Barrel Bath Worth It for Your Airbnb? (Australia Guide)
If you’ve ever scrolled through Airbnb looking for something that stands out, you already know the feeling. The listings with the barrel bath, the outdoor hot tub, the cold plunge — those are the ones that get saved, shared, and booked first. But is adding a wine barrel hot tub or ice bath to your short-stay property actually worth the investment?
Barrel baths handcrafted in Victoria from 100-year-old reclaimed French oak — a natural fit for any outdoor space
What the numbers say
The Airbnb Australia market now has over 161,000 active listings — up 5.6% in the past year alone. In that kind of competition, standing out isn’t optional. Premium outdoor features are one of the clearest ways to do it, and the data backs this up.
Hot tub is also one of the most searched filters on Airbnb — meaning your listing actively appears in more searches the moment you add one.
What Australia’s best Airbnbs have in common
Airbnb’s Australian Host Awards give us a clear picture of what guests love most. In 2025, the Best Nature Stay winner was a tiny home hidden on a 100-acre Blue Mountains property — celebrated specifically for its private outdoor tub where guests could soak under a clear starry sky.
“Hidden on a 100-acre property in the Blue Mountains, this off-grid retreat is the perfect place to reconnect with the wild beauty of the Australian bush. We’re particularly crushing on the private outdoor tub, where you can soak under a completely clear starry night sky.”
— Time Out Australia, Airbnb Host Awards 2025
The year before, the 2024 Best Nature Stay winner in Bermagui was highlighted for its outdoor hot tub overlooking the lake — a property that earned a near-perfect 4.99 rating. The pattern is consistent: outdoor bathing experiences don’t just enhance a listing, they define it.
A barrel bath transforms any outdoor space into a memorable guest experience
Which barrel bath is right for your property?
Wine barrel hot tub
Guests love heating the water themselves with the fire keg — it becomes part of the experience. Ideal for cooler months, rural retreats, and properties that lean into the rustic, nature-connected aesthetic.
Wine barrel ice bath
Cold plunge therapy is one of the fastest-growing wellness trends in Australia. Health-conscious travellers actively search for properties offering cold immersion — it sets your listing apart from the vast majority.
Hot tub + ice bath
Many of our Airbnb customers choose both. Contrast bathing — alternating between hot and cold — is a sought-after experience that appeals to wellness travellers and couples looking for something special.
Chiller & Wi-Fi upgrade
For hosts who want a hands-off setup, our chiller and heater with Wi-Fi control lets you adjust temperature remotely and have the bath ready for each new arrival without being on-site.
What about maintenance between guests?
This is the most common question from Airbnb hosts — and the honest answer is that it’s very manageable. With our chiller and filtration system upgrade, water only needs to be changed approximately once every 12 months. The filtration keeps the water clean between guests without constant attention from you.
For full maintenance details, visit our Customer Care page.
Every barrel bath is built by hand in Victoria — no two are identical
The return on investment
A barrel bath is a one-off purchase built to last well in excess of 10 years. If it allows you to increase your nightly rate by just $40–$60 per night, and you’re booked for 150 nights per year, that’s $6,000–$9,000 in additional annual revenue from a single addition to your property.
Most Airbnb hosts who add a premium outdoor bathing feature find it pays for itself within the first season — and continues generating returns for a decade or more.
Why a barrel bath beats a standard hot tub
Plastic and acrylic spa tubs are common. A handcrafted wine barrel bath is not. That distinction matters enormously on Airbnb, where standing out in search results and in guest memory is everything.
Each Barrel Bath is made from 100-year-old reclaimed French oak — the same timber used in Australia’s finest wineries. The result is a sculptural centrepiece that guests photograph, share on social media, and talk about in their reviews. No plastic tub achieves that.
Ready to make your listing unforgettable?
Every Barrel Bath is handcrafted in Victoria, Australia. Delivered nationwide. No two are the same.
Talk to us about your property