Client Success: The Turnaround Success of "Sawtooth Summit Lodge" in Sun Valley, Idaho
Located in the heart of Sun Valley, Sawtooth Summit Lodge is a luxury 5-bedroom short-term vacation rental that has quickly become one of the most sought-after properties in one of Idaho’s most competitive vacation markets. Despite its stunning alpine architecture and prime proximity to ski lifts, the property once struggled to gain visibility and consistent bookings in a saturated market. That changed within six months of partnering with Vacaygency, whose full-service marketing expertise transformed the lodge’s online presence and direct booking strategy.
Vacaygency’s tailored, data-driven approach took this underperforming rental from hidden gem to headline-worthy performer. The partnership focused on optimizing performance across multiple channels, elevating the property’s brand, and implementing Vacaygency’s proven digital systems for increasing revenue and occupancy.
Vacaygency Services Applied to Sawtooth Summit Lodge
1. Brand Identity and Content Overhaul
Developed a bespoke brand story, emphasizing the property's seclusion, luxury, and adventure proximity.
Created new professional photography, drone videography, and a lifestyle-focused video walkthrough.
Crafted optimized listing copy for Airbnb, Vrbo, and the property’s direct booking website to appeal to high-intent travelers.
2. OTA Optimization and SEO Strategy
Refreshed and keyword-optimized OTA listings using Vacaygency’s proprietary OTA Ranking Booster™.
Implemented a content-rich blog strategy targeting regional travel queries (e.g., “best hikes near Sun Valley”).
3. Paid Media + Social Engagement
Ran targeted social ad campaigns focusing on high-income audiences in Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver.
Designed automated retargeting funnels to drive cold traffic into direct booking conversions.
Curated a cohesive Instagram strategy including Reels, testimonials, and influencer stays.
4. Direct Booking Platform Buildout
Deployed a custom direct booking site with calendar sync, integrated reviews, and exclusive promos.
Launched an email and SMS campaign targeting past guests and abandoned cart users with seasonal offers.
Key Performance Metrics (Before vs. After Vacaygency)
OTA Performance (Airbnb, Vrbo):
✅ Listing views: ↑ 226% (from avg. 2,100 to 6,850 per month)
✅ Occupancy rate: ↑ 107% YoY (from 42% to 87%)
✅ Avg. nightly rate: ↑ 19%
Direct Booking Growth:
✅ Direct bookings: ↑ 700% (from 3 quarter to 21 per quarter)
✅ Email subscribers: ↑ from 0 to 850+
✅ Average Monthly Bookings: ↑ 13/month
Social Media Impact:
✅ Instagram engagement: ↑ 260% (reels and UGC reposts drove interactions)
✅ Follower growth: ↑ 450% (targeted geo + lookalike audiences)
✅ Facebook ad ROAS: 12.7x
Guest Sentiment & Reviews:
✅ Average review score: From 4.5⭐ to 4.9⭐
✅ Review volume: ↑ 45% quarter-over-quarter
The Bottom Line
The success of Sawtooth Summit Lodge isn’t just about a beautiful property—it’s about visibility, messaging, and conversion strategy, all hallmarks of Vacaygency’s marketing system. In an oversaturated destination where dozens of cabins compete for attention, Vacaygency’s holistic strategy created a distinct brand, built trust with new and repeat guests, and dramatically increased profitability.
Vacaygency didn’t just drive more bookings—we built a lasting business asset.