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Hot Springs short-term rental news
Short, sourced updates on what affects hosts in Hot Springs: city rules, taxes, platform fees and the events that fill calendars.
What we cover
- Changes to the City of Hot Springs short-term rental ordinance, license cap and enforcement
- Arkansas and local lodging taxes, and how Airbnb and Vrbo collect them
- Airbnb and Vrbo fee and policy changes that reach Hot Springs listings
- Visitor demand: Oaklawn's racing season, festivals, and Hot Springs National Park
Every story links to its original source. We skip obituaries, general business news and anything that does not bear on hosting here.
Latest
June 12, 2026An Arkansas Family's Hidden Camera Case, and What Hot Springs Hosts Should DoAn Arkansas family found a camera in a smoke detector at an Airbnb in Scottsdale. Here is what Airbnb's camera rules mean for Hot Springs hosts.June 3, 2026The state STR bill Hot Springs could accept, and what happened to itIn April 2025 Hot Springs said it could live with an amended state STR bill. The bill then failed, and the city's 400-license residential cap still stands.June 2, 2026The Arkansas AG's case against a Hot Springs vacation rental companyThe Arkansas Attorney General sued a Hot Springs vacation rental company over misleading Airbnb and VRBO listings. What the case alleged and what hosts can learn.May 22, 2026Miss Fancy, a downtown Victorian rental, gets a travel featureOnly In Your State featured Miss Fancy, a late-1800s Victorian Airbnb off Central Avenue. Notes for Hot Springs hosts running older homes.May 20, 2026Visit Hot Springs changes leaders after Steve Arrison's 28 yearsSteve Arrison, Hall of Fame tourism leader, retires after 28 years at Visit Hot Springs. Devin Heath took over June 15, 2026. What hosts should know.May 19, 2026Hot Springs National Park has two places to sleep. Most visitors stay in town.Hot Springs National Park logged about 2.5 million visits in 2025 but has only a campground and one bathhouse hotel. What that means for rental hosts.May 18, 2026Oaklawn's hotel and spa keep their Forbes recognition in 2026Oaklawn's hotel is in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide and its Astral Spa kept a Four-Star rating. What that means for Hot Springs rental hosts.May 16, 2026The Reunion Resort Villas adds golf-focused rentals in Hot Springs VillageThe Reunion Resort Villas rents seven villas near three Hot Springs Village golf courses. What it offers and what Village rental hosts should keep in mind.May 12, 2026A Garland County farm stay gets travel-press attentionA Garland County farmhouse on Airbnb where guests feed goats and a mini donkey got press. What hosts with land near Hot Springs should check first.May 10, 2026Joey Lauren Adams Plans a Bistro and Small Hotel DowntownActor Joey Lauren Adams and Brian Vilim are opening Lyle's at 1016 Central Ave. in Hot Springs, with a 15- to 16-room Hotel Algoma planned next.May 7, 2026Arkansas Cities Still Write Their Own Short-Term Rental RulesArkansas has no state law preempting city short-term rental rules. 2025 bills to limit local control failed, but the issue could return in 2027.May 1, 2026Arkansas lands on Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 places-to-go listCondé Nast Traveler named Arkansas one of its best places to go in 2026, citing Hot Springs National Park. Practical notes for Hot Springs hosts.April 14, 2026Arkansas tourism tax revenue slipped a little in 2025Arkansas's 2% tourism tax brought in $26.6 million in 2025, down 0.24% from 2024, while tourism jobs grew. What it means for Hot Springs hosts.April 14, 2026Short-term rental rules in Arkansas are still set city by cityArkansas has no statewide short-term rental law, and 2025 bills to limit city rules failed. Here is how Hot Springs regulates STRs now.April 14, 2026Where to Run a Short-Term Rental in Hot SpringsHow downtown, Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Hot Springs Village compare for short-term rentals, starting with where the city will still license one.April 14, 2026How to Calculate Short-Term Rental Returns in Hot SpringsA line-by-line way to estimate short-term rental returns in Hot Springs, including Airbnb's 15.5% host fee, city license costs and lodging taxes.April 14, 2026Furnishing a Hot Springs Vacation RentalFurnish a Hot Springs short-term rental around the city occupancy limit and per-bed license fee, buy for durability and set up rooms for good photos.April 14, 2026The Hot Springs Short-Term Rental MarketWhat drives short-term rental demand in Hot Springs, Arkansas, how the city's license cap limits supply, and which costs and taxes apply to hosts.April 14, 2026Hot Springs Short-Term Rental Rules: Licenses, Taxes, HSV and HOAsHot Springs short-term rental licenses, the residential-zone cap, occupancy limits, lodging taxes, Hot Springs Village registration and HOA checks.April 14, 2026Seasonal Pricing for Hot Springs Short-Term RentalsSet Hot Springs STR rates around the 2026-27 Oaklawn meet, summer lake weeks, October festival dates and holidays, with a pricing tool inside your limits.April 14, 2026Common Short-Term Rental Investment Mistakes in Hot SpringsAvoid the costly mistakes Hot Springs STR buyers make: unlicensable addresses, HOA bans, missing costs, the wrong insurance and overbuilt renovations.
Recent changes worth knowing
Vrbo moves to a 12% commission on Oct. 29, 2026
Expedia Group announced on Sept. 29 that Vrbo hosts will pay a flat 12% commission, replacing the roughly 8% pay-per-booking fee and the annual subscription.
Oaklawn opens Nov. 27, its earliest start yet
The 2026-27 live racing season runs Nov. 27 through May 1, so race-weekend demand arrives before Thanksgiving.
Residential STR licenses remain capped
The city's residential-zone cap of 400 licenses is full, with no waitlist. Non-residential zones are still accepting applications.
Airbnb's single host fee
Airbnb has moved most hosts to one 15.5% service fee, with no separate guest service fee.
Questions about short-term rentals in Hot Springs?
Call or text 501.365.1001, or send a note and we will get back to you.