Building a Better Airbnb in Belize: What Guests Want

A private pool, a comfortable king bed and a bathroom you do not have to share can change the way a holiday feels. They also sit at the centre of Will Mitchell’s approach to creating a better Airbnb in Belize.

“If they want the king-size bed, you want to give them the king-size bed,” Will says. It is a straightforward way to think about a rental: understand the people you want to host, then give them a home that makes their trip more enjoyable.

In his October 26, 2025 rental-market walkthrough, the Regional Owner of RE/MAX Belize combines rental data with visits to actual homes and conversations with property manager Eliot Budd and interior designer Trisha Fox. Their advice gives owners specific things to look for, whether they are choosing an existing home, planning a new build or deciding what to improve.

The opportunity is in the kind of stay you offer

Will’s October 2025 presentation reported average annual rental revenue of US$54,900 across his Ambergris Caye market snapshot. Within that broad picture, the figures varied considerably with the size and features of the homes.

For two-bedroom homes with a pool, he reported average annual gross revenue of US$54,500. For the two-bedroom category with a pool and at least two bathrooms, the figure was US$63,800.

These are the gross revenue averages Will presented in 2025, with property operating and ownership costs still to account for. They describe different groups of properties; they do not establish what adding one amenity would earn at a particular home. Their practical value is showing which combinations deserve a closer look.

The opportunity becomes clearer when you picture the guests. Two couples sharing a home may want two comfortable bedrooms, their own bathrooms and somewhere appealing to spend an afternoon together. A larger group needs those same comforts at a larger scale. The floor plan and outdoor space should make that stay feel easy.

A pool belongs in the plan from the beginning

During the walkthrough, Will asks Eliot to choose between a well-executed two-bedroom home with a pool and a three-bedroom home without one.

“I would choose the two bed with a pool,” Eliot replies.

That is useful guidance when a budget cannot cover everything. An extra bedroom adds capacity, but a pool changes what guests can do at the property. It gives them somewhere to spend time between excursions, cool off after a day out or enjoy the home without organizing another trip.

Eliot also emphasizes matching the pool to the size of the home. A villa intended for a large group needs outdoor space that can comfortably accommodate that group. Seating, shade and circulation deserve attention alongside the pool itself.

For someone planning a build, this makes the outdoor area part of the original design brief. For an existing owner, it creates a practical question: does the property give guests a compelling reason to spend time there?

Privacy makes a larger home work

Will puts the bathroom issue plainly: “Everybody wants to have that privacy in their bathroom.”

His walkthrough includes a three-bedroom home with a large deck and a view of the Caribbean. Inside, the bedrooms share one bathroom. The setting is attractive, but the layout makes several adults’ morning routines, showers and privacy more complicated.

The numbers he presents reinforce why he pays attention to this distinction. His three-bedroom category with a pool and multiple bathrooms averaged US$93,000 in annual gross revenue. The more specifically defined three-bedroom, three-bathroom category with a pool and en-suite bathrooms averaged US$102,400.

For owners, the useful exercise is to walk through the house as the intended guests would. Which bedrooms have private bathroom access? Can people get ready at the same time? Are the rooms comfortable enough that each couple feels equally well accommodated?

As Will says during the property visit, “We got to get out. We got to touch, feel the real estate. This is a hard asset.” A floor plan, a site visit and a conversation with the manager can reveal things a beautiful exterior photograph leaves out.

Design should photograph well and feel good

“Every room in a house is an opportunity for a design,” says Trisha Fox.

She demonstrates her approach through a coordinated corner of a room: a chair, artwork, a pillow and a blanket that make the space feel inviting. Her attention extends into kitchens, where presentation and usefulness belong together. Guests should find a well-equipped room that is pleasant to spend time in.

The bedroom gets the same attention. Mattress comfort, pillows and sheets are part of the experience the photographs promise. Will’s conclusion is direct: “Reviews drive your return on investment.”

That is his investment perspective on a very ordinary guest experience. Someone who sleeps well, finds what they need in the kitchen and enjoys the outdoor space has more reasons to remember the home positively.

For an owner furnishing a rental, this provides a sensible order of priorities. Make the home comfortable and functional, give the rooms a coherent design, then photograph that experience accurately. A few well-planned spaces can communicate much more than a collection of expensive furnishings.

Choose materials that make ownership easier

The design discussion also addresses the reality of maintaining a home in a tropical coastal setting. Trisha explains why she has moved toward aluminum outdoor furniture and durable fabrics for the homes she furnishes.

Will carries that advice into his closing recommendations: “Make sure you’re using materials that will weather storms, wear and tear.”

This is an area where attractive design and practical ownership can work together. Ask how outdoor pieces will handle exposure, how fabrics can be cleaned and what replacing a damaged item would involve. Include maintenance access when choosing equipment and finishes.

The same thinking belongs in the rental budget. Management and booking charges, utilities, cleaning, pool care, insurance, HOA fees where applicable, taxes and licensing, repairs and replacement reserves all affect the income remaining for the owner. Check which charges have already been deducted from a revenue statement before counting them again. Financing adds another commitment. When comparing a pool, an extra bathroom or a higher-end finish, price the installation and ongoing care alongside its rental appeal.

There is room for larger homes, too

Will’s 2025 presentation also highlighted the larger-villa segment. He reported average annual gross revenue of US$149,000 for four-bedroom homes with pools and US$227,600 for the category of homes with five or more bedrooms and a pool.

Those figures illustrate the scale of revenue in the larger-home categories. They also describe properties with different acquisition costs, furnishing requirements and operating budgets. The next step is to compare genuinely similar homes and obtain their booking records and expenses.

The consistent advice throughout the video is to get the essentials right at the scale you can support. A larger villa needs enough bathrooms, comfortable beds, appropriate outdoor space and service that works for a larger party. An existing owner can apply the same thinking to a smaller home.

Make the experience worth returning for

Will’s closing recommendations bring the discussion back to the guest: “Make sure that the experience the customer has is great.”

For an owner living elsewhere, delivering that experience means choosing people who can keep the home ready, respond to guests and deal with maintenance. Ask to see how a manager reports income and expenses, handles problems and keeps owners informed.

The owner interviews in the video show why this matters personally. Carrie Sutton Johnson describes receiving monthly rental income from her three-bedroom, three-bathroom Mahogany Bay home while looking forward to visiting with her children and family. Her account captures a goal that will feel familiar to many people considering Belize: a home they can enjoy that also earns income while others enjoy it.

Will’s guidance gives that ambition practical shape. Start with the guests, choose the right layout and amenities, invest in comfort and durability, and understand the full cost of operating the home. If you are exploring an Airbnb in Belize, those are useful priorities to bring to a conversation with Will Mitchell and the RE/MAX Belize team.