Project Spotlight: St. George Vacation Rental Pool with Year-Round Use

Location: Hurricane, Utah (Sand Hollow community)
Pool type: Premium fiberglass with attached spa
Size: 16 by 32 feet, plus 6×7 attached spa
Project budget: $145,000 turnkey
Timeline: 7 weeks signed-to-swim (winter build)

The Challenge

An out-of-state owner of a Sand Hollow vacation rental wanted to upgrade from “pool nearby” to “private pool” — a major rental-rate driver in the Southern Utah STR market. The pool had to be:

• Renter-proof (durable, simple controls, no fragile features)
• Year-round usable (Southern Utah supports this)
• Cool in summer (St. George August can overheat pools)
• Auto-managed (owner is in another state)
• Sand Hollow HOA approved

The Design

16 by 32 Latham premium fiberglass shell with built-in tanning shelf and attached 6×7 spa with sheer-descent waterfall. Light blue gel coat (reflects heat, looks great photographed). 700 sq ft travertine deck (cool underfoot — important in St. George heat).

Renter-friendly automation: Hayward OmniLogic with limited-control guest interface — guests can only adjust spa heat and lighting. Owner has full remote control via app. Pool chemistry monitored daily by local service contract.

Heat management: Hayward HeatPro chiller-capable heat pump (can cool pool 5-8°F below ambient when needed in summer). Auto cover for night insulation.

STR-Specific Features

• Auto cover that closes nightly (safety for guest’s kids)
• Camera monitoring (insurance requirement)
• Quick-clean robotic vacuum runs daily
• Pool service visit weekly
• Lockable equipment pad (renter can’t tamper)
• Large pool deck capacity for groups (12+ loungers)

HOA Approval

Sand Hollow has design review. Submitted with full 3D renderings showing how the pool, spa, and deck integrate with the home’s existing exterior. Approved on first submittal.

Construction in Winter

Started early February — Southern Utah supports year-round building. Excavation Week 1, shell set Week 2, plumbing and decking Weeks 3-5, equipment and finish Weeks 6-7. Owner’s first guest of the season had a pool ready for spring break.

The ROI

Owner reports nightly rate jumped from $385 (no pool) to $625 (private pool) — a 60%+ rate increase. Pool paid for itself in 3 rental seasons.

Cost Breakdown

• Latham premium fiberglass shell + spa: $32K
• Excavation, plumbing, backfill: $24K
• 700 sq ft travertine deck: $26K
• Equipment package (Hayward) + heat pump chiller: $26K
• Permits + HOA + design: $4K
• Auto cover: $20K
• Camera + STR-specific automation: $5K
• Site prep, restoration, fence: $8K
• Total: $145K

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