STR Game Room Amenity Payback Calculator

Game rooms differentiate larger family/group STRs at moderate capex.

Install cost

Annual maintenance

Current ADR

ADR uplift %

Annual booked nights

Payback

11 mo

Annual uplift

$6,300

5-year net

$25,000

How the math works

Net annual = uplift − maintenance. Payback = install / net annual.

$350 × 10% × 180 = $6,300 − $200 = $6,100 net. $5,500 / $6,100 = 11 mo payback.

How to Use

Enter install cost.
Enter annual maintenance.
Enter current adr.
Enter adr uplift %.
Enter annual booked nights.
Read payback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Game room ROI?

Best fit: 4+ bedroom group/family STR. Pool table $1,500–4,000 + felt replace every 5–7 yrs. Foosball $400–1,500. Arcade cabinet $1,500–3,500. Air hockey $800–2,000. Shuffleboard $2,000–6,000. Golden Tee/multi-cab $2,500–4,500 with 50+ games. ADR lift in family/group markets: 8–18%. Maintenance: $50–200/yr per item. Best photographed in marketing — drives conversion even when not used.

How does this fit STR underwriting?

Short-term rental investors stack this calculator with AirDNA market data, channel mix analysis, seasonal pricing, and HOA/regulatory review. Net contribution after PM, cleaning, supplies, utilities, taxes, insurance and platform fees should be the underwriting target — gross revenue alone is misleading. Always validate with at least 12 months of comp performance.

Airbnb vs VRBO vs Booking economics?

Airbnb: 3% host fee + 14% guest fee, strong urban demand, cancellation policies host-controlled. VRBO: 8% per booking, family/group oriented, longer stays. Booking.com: 15% commission, instant book required, more international. Direct booking: 0% but requires marketing investment. Most STRs use 2–3 channels for 15–30% lift.

Regulatory risk?

STR regulation is fragmenting fast: outright bans (NYC, Honolulu certain zones), licensing caps (SF, Boston, Santa Monica), occupancy taxes (most cities now), HOA bans (private). Always verify zoning, licensing, and HOA rules before underwriting. Insurance and liability waiver also critical. Owner-occupied vs investor STR rules differ materially in many jurisdictions.