Becky and Tim create five-star Airbnb let with help from TruDomes:
TruDomes’ market-leading geodesic domes have become a fixture at commercial glamping sites throughout the world, but they are also becoming a popular choice for homeowners seeking to boost their income with a private holiday let. It’s easy to appreciate why: with their quick installation and virtually maintenance-free durability, our domes are designed to provide a fast and reliable return on investment, making them an ideal option for anyone seeking to use spare land to generate revenue.
A couple in Chew Magna, Somerset, is reaping the rewards of that approach after turning to TruDomes to turn part of their five-acre plot into a high-end glamping retreat. Tim and Becky Lear purchased the dome, listed it on Airbnb and watched their business boom.
Becky is a big fan of TV series, Escape to the Chateau, and the programme’s creativity inspired her own vision to transform the space on their property. When they moved into their home, the gardens included an expanse of land which was formerly a nursery used to grow Christmas trees. Becky and Tim dismantled a series of polytunnels and cleared a large tangle of brambles to make way for their dome, perched within a secluded tree-lined setting next to an attractive wooded area. They set up a sheltered field kitchen and an outdoor toilet/shower room to complement the dome. The result is an idyllic escape with beautiful interiors and rural charm. They fitted a wood-burning stove to keep the dome warm on chilly nights and a solar fan to control the temperature. The property was initially 100% off-grid, using a gas-heated shower, but Becky and Tim decided to switch to an electric shower and subsequently fitted a power supply.
Becky said: “It has always been a dream to own glamping accommodation and moving here, with the old nursery land, presented the opportunity. It has been very successful – we’re located close to various popular tourist destinations including Chew Valley, Cheddar Gorge, Bristol and Bath. The dome has attracted a high volume of bookings and we’ve managed to achieve a five-star Airbnb rating as well as Superhost status.
“TruDomes have been very impressive right from day one. When we contacted them, they advised us to take a look at a dome owned by a nearby customer to get a feel for the accommodation and the product. We went to view it and the obvious quality of the dome convinced us to buy one. TruDomes provided a fast, efficient delivery and excellent after-sale care, responding very quickly to any questions we had. They are always happy to support and advise.”
Becky and Tim decided to source their own bathroom facilities, but TruDomes offer the option to incorporate integral wet-room showers within our domes, providing a self-contained solution. We can also supply our own temperature regulation in the form of porthole windows, roll-up vents, stable doors and solar extraction fans, as well as log burners to keep domes toasty in winter and facilitate year-round bookings. Since Becky and Tim purchased their dome, TruDomes have opened a set of show domes at our head office in Nuneaton, enabling prospective customers to view the accommodation before starting their journey as holiday hosts.
The rapid growth of Airbnb has been mirrored by TruDomes’ growth in the private holiday lettings market. Like Becky and Tim, numerous homeowners have discovered a simple and hassle-free route to the hospitality market with help from TruDomes.
To see their listing on Airbnb CLICK HERE
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