The WanderHut—a Glamping Oasis in Central Pennsylvania
Want to offer your guests amazing experiences? If so, you’re in the right place.
We recently took the opportunity to sit down with Jason King and Merlin Stoltzfus—two property owners in Central Pennsylvania who recently began hosting guests in their new WanderHut A-Frame Park Model cabin.
Over the course of our conversation, we dove into:
- Jason and Merlin’s inspiration for providing a unique Airbnb rental
- The design process working with Marlin Fisher at CabinPro
- Unexpected challenges they hit along the way setting up their rental
- Financial, ROI, and all the stuff property owners want to know!
Enjoy the backstory behind the WanderHut. It may be the perfect unit for your rental portfolio.
What Were Your Initial Goals With a Rental Cabin?
Both Merlin and I [Jason] came into the WanderHut project from a real estate background. At the moment of inspiration to open a short-term cabin rental, we were more focused on apartment rentals, and staying in that lane for the long haul.
Back around 2022, we were hanging out in a local coffee shop in a small rural town in PA and got an idea.
“What if we create something modern and hip like this coffee shop in a remote area?”
We figured something trendy would attract good people and higher-end clients looking for an experience to remember. The phrase “experiential hospitality” became a sort of mantra for us and we began brainstorming.
Your Initial Idea Was to Retrofit a Shipping Container, Is That Right?
Yes. Some time after our coffee-shop experience, we were enjoying time together on a hill overlooking a 50-acre farm Merlin owns. As we gazed over the property, we were struck by the privacy, serene atmosphere, and calming presence the land had.
And that’s when it happened. We got the idea of putting a rental up there on the hill. I already had a friend retrofitting storage containers and his numbers were impressive. We went into the project with the idea of fixing up a container for ourselves and setting up a unique Airbnb.
You Switched Away from the Idea of a Shipping Container—Why?
When we started researching shipping containers, we discovered just how much time and energy it takes to retrofit an existing structure. With our other businesses and busy schedules, neither of us was willing to put in the amount of time and energy it would take.
The catch was we didn’t have much cash lying around to purchase a pre-made unit. But lo and behold, after attending an educational real-estate meeting, we learned you can apply for specialty loans available for cabins—and we could get into one for only 5% down.
We ran the numbers and were sold.
I’m Thrilled You Decided to Work with CabinPro… Why Did You?
The first cabin we purchased came from a competitor, mainly because they were the only company offering financing at the time. The cabin is more of a traditional Park Model, and after that initial experience, we wanted something more custom and unique.
We met Marlin Fisher through a mutual friend and all of us got together for lunch. The group hit it off, and we spent the afternoon excited about the idea of designing a modern rental experience in nature.
Almost immediately after that lunch we started brainstorming design ideas, and the project kind of took off.
You Decided on a Fully Custom Cabin. How Was Your Experience Designing the WanderHut?
We had a blast designing the WanderHut.
At the beginning, we knew we wanted something modern. After studying trending cabin designs, we fell in love with the A-frame concept. It fit perfectly with our goal of creating something small, unique, and on a tighter budget than a larger unit.
Once we had our initial idea, we found working with Marlin a treat. He’s an outside-the-box thinker and brings all sorts of creativity to the project. The sauna was his idea. Our guests love it.
Does It Pay to Invest in a Unique Cabin Rental?
Since its inception, the Airbnb market has exploded. In 2025, 9 million active listings competed for visibility on the site—with design-driven rentals outperforming traditional lodgings by a long shot.
Modern customers aren’t paying Airbnb fees for generic lodgings. They want something unique and niche. What this means for property owners is that you are nearly always better off financially paying for the added upfront costs of a uniquely designed cabin.
Here’s why:
- Greater Visibility: Bland, traditional designs blend into the background. A unique build and amenities stand out and attract more guests to your listing.
- Higher Rates: Hip, trendy cabins with luxury amenities vastly outperform generic rentals in nightly rates—often demanding 100%–300% premiums.
- Better Reviews: Guests love a unique experience—and are more likely to leave beaming reviews and share Instagram photos of thoughtful, clever designs.
- Higher Lifetime Income: Design isn’t just about aesthetics. Investing in a unit built for year-round comfort (winter rentals) vastly boosts your ROI.
What Unexpected Challenges Did You Face Setting Up the WanderHut?
Our biggest mistake—and one we wouldn’t repeat—was going off-grid.
We thought off-grid cabins were cool and figured guests would be willing to pay more for a secluded experience, and so we put the WanderHut a ½ mile off the main road.
We knew digging a high-power line wouldn’t be cheap, so instead purchased a generator for the site. Unfortunately, the generator kept breaking down. And after a fair amount of negative guest experiences, we explored other options. Solar didn’t make sense for our location, so we tried a propane generator. But the cost of burying the tank, purchasing additional propane, and upkeep eventually became cost-prohibitive.
In the end, we dug the high-power line: A painful experience that cost us about $20K–$25K all-in.
Any Other Setup Issues Property Owners Might Like to Know About?
I think property owners should also know it takes time to set up your site.
Both of us run other businesses and long-term rentals, so finding time to get together was always a challenge. Additionally, our plumber and electrician, while amazing, is booked solid, so be prepared for initial setup to take longer than you might expect.
It did for us.
How Long After Initial Concept Did It Take to Book Your First Guest?
The original spark came about 4 years before opening the cabin to guests. That said, after our first on-site meeting with Marlin (February of 2025), we opened the WanderHut in July of that year—about five months after we really committed to the idea.
How Did it Feel to Bring Your Dream to Life?
“Putting the WanderHut online for booking was awesome! We got it open right in the middle of the Airbnb July rush and we were rejoicing!”
_websize.webp)
Any Growing Pains After You Started Booking?
Yes, and a word of warning: in our excitement, we opened too quickly. We were so pumped up to get going that we didn’t fully understand the amenities. This led to a few unfortunate issues for our guests.
For one, we didn’t fully understand how the hot tub and sauna worked. Some malfunctions led to a stressful experience for our host and some negative feedback from guests.
Additionally, we did not have Wi-Fi on-site. Our Airbnb listing clearly stated we didn’t offer Wifi, but that came as an unpleasant surprise to some of our early guests who were expecting it.
Okay… Let’s Talk About the Good Stuff. What Surpassed Your Expectations?
The first thing that comes to mind is winter bookings.
You’ve got to understand that the WanderHut is glamping. There’s no indoor shower or bathroom—basically just a latrine. We weren’t intending to have the unit open during the winter.
It was Marlin who encouraged us to leave the unit open. He explained the special insulation process he uses in all his cabins and then suggested we let the guests decide for themselves. I’m glad we listened.
The WanderHut has performed beyond our wildest expectations in the winter and those additional months of income make a significant impact on our bottom line.
What Do Guests Love About the WanderHut?
Our host—who’s amazing—would be better suited to answer that question. In the meantime, you can check our listing for more reviews like the following.
What Guests Are Saying
My best friend and I love staying at Susan’s rentals (Glamping Oasis and the Pineview Get-Away). The Glamping Oasis is just that. The deck and yard provide a beautiful secluded space to enjoy bird song and peepers. We were awed by the mists over the field at twilight. The Breeo fire pit is so nice. The hot tub and sauna were easy to use and functioned perfectly. The A-frame lets in starlight and moonlight for your romantic sleepover! Susan is super thoughtful and has all the little things you didn’t think to bring. The space is neat and everything is pleasing to the eye. Truthfully, I just got home and want to go back.
— Gabrielle
This stay was one of the best I’ve had through Airbnb! It was so peaceful in the middle of the woods and the sauna and hot tub pushed it to be the perfect stay for a couple. Everything was as described and she even went the extra mile to help me have an anniversary surprise ready upon arrival! Would definitely recommend this to other travelers. Susan’s communication was amazing!
— Christopher, Eldersburg, MD
How Are Your Finances Looking Since Booking Guests?
The WanderHut is working out well as a long-term investment. The price of the cabin with sauna cost us around $70K. With site prep, driveway installation, and all the issues with the power, our total upfront costs sat at about $130K.
After our 15% Airbnb fees, the WanderHut pulls in around $2,500/month. We’re on track to have the unit fully paid for in a little over 3 years.
One other thing I’ll mention is that our LLC means we pay higher commercial power rates, and energy bills are our greatest expenditure—costing us $350–$400 a month.
Should You Pay Off Your Cabin As Soon As Possible?
Paying off a rental cabin in three years is extremely fast. While we didn’t get into how the WanderHut fits into Jason and Merlin’s larger financial picture, quick payoff may not be for everyone. In some cases, it’s better to invest excess monthly cash flow into additional units.
That being said, everyone’s long-term goals are different, and you should do what makes sense for you.
For financial clarity, we suggest seeking the counsel of a financial professional well-versed in real estate and small cabin ventures.
What Are Your Long-Term Rental Goals with the WanderHut?
We’re looking to the fall of 2027 for the next phase of our site development. The short-term goal is to open another 2–3 units in the spring of 2028, most likely a mix of WanderHut-influenced designs and more traditional cabins.
Eventually, we’d love to develop the entire 50-acre site. To do that, we’re creating a long-term plan and finishing it in phases as we have the funds. What we don’t want is to figure it out as we go. The risk feels like missing out on some potential or having to redo a site later.
Aside from more units, we’d love to get our own website and marketing going. Airbnb charges steep commissions and fees and it’s difficult to keep up with the algorithm changes. We don’t want to have to rely on an external app long-term.
Beyond that, we’d potentially sell the entire property once it’s fully developed.
What Changes Will You Make to Future WanderHuts at Your Site (Jason and Merlin)?
For future renditions of the WanderHut, we’re making the A-frame section larger and including a private bathroom—with a shower—inside the unit. We’re also making the sauna smaller (the original design is massive and expensive to heat) and increasing the deck footprint.
I’m glad we started small with a single unit. Through the process, we’ve gotten a clear picture of how to make future versions of the WanderHut even better for our guests.
How Has the WanderHut Evolved Along with CabinPro (Marlin Fisher)?
We take our partnerships with clients seriously at CabinPro. As a result of working with Jason and Merlin, we’ve taken the lessons learned from the WanderHut and come up with the WanderHut Deluxe—an upgraded A-Frame with a full bathroom, stand-up shower, kitchen, reduced sauna size, and large skylights in the main A-Frame.
Check out our available models. And when you’re ready to offer your guests an amazing experience, reach out today. I’m happy to take your call, learn about your dream rental, and help come up with something your guests rave about.
Book a Stay in the Wanderhut!
Want to experience a rejuvenating stay in the WanderHut? Book a stay in Jason and Merlin’s listing on Airbnb!
_websize.webp)