‘Tiny hotel’ built by 25-year-old in Texas makes $500,000 in bookings in just one year
The property has gained over 50,000 followers on social media
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A ‘tiny hotel’ built by a 25-year-old has made $500,000 (£441,282) in bookings in a single year.
Isaac French, a bookkeeper and contractor, co-owns the tiny hotel in Texas, which is made up of seven cabins and opened earlier this year.
He began his project after buying a five-acre plot in March 2021, he told Business Insider.
French has since created what is now known as Live Oak Lake at the site near the city of Waco in central Texas. Cabins are all between 550 and 650 sq ft, and built in his signature Scandinavian architectural style.
French explained that much of his success came from marketing the properties through social media thanks to partnerships with travel influencers. Live Oak’s Instagram page now has over 50,000 followers, which he said is their “main funnel for bookings”.
Nearly 70 per cent of bookings come directly through Live Oak’s website, and the other 30 per cent come through Airbnb.
His father also owns a construction business, he explained, which allowed him to cover costs. He said: “I was surrounded by lots of incredible people as well, as far as contractors and landscapers.”
Live Oak Lake has generated $500,000 (£441,282) in bookings since it was built, after French used $138,000 (122,020) to purchase the plot of land.
He initially predicted that constructing the tiny hotel would cost around $1.6m (£1.4m); after being hit by rising lumber prices, the tiny hotel ended up costing more like $2.5m (£2.2m).
The seven cabins are identical and spread out over the five-acre area, along with a common area with picnic tables and kayaks surrounding a small dock.
Each cabin has two bedrooms, one bathroom, an open-plan kitchen and a living room, as well a private entrance, parking space, floor-to-ceiling windows, a hot tub, fire pit and a hammock.
French said: “It was very high cost per square foot because these are very high-end — we chose very nice finishes. I’ve always loved design. I wanted to be an architect when I was younger.”
Cabins cost from just under £500 per night and sleep up to four guests.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments