Hamilton’s Short-Term Rental Gap: Aspire PRO’s Strategic Solution

by: Scott Mears

Hamilton is facing a significant short-term rental (STR) shortage, with an estimated demand for 595 additional rooms (source: Waikato Times, June 2024). While the Pullman Hotel has announced a 191-room development for the CBD, its completion in 2026 still leaves a substantial shortfall of 404 rooms in the immediate term. 

Aspire PRO Enterprises (Aspire), a Hamilton-based property investor and manager, sees this gap as a clear opportunity. 

By targeting around 75 property conversions by December 2025, Aspire aims to add up to 150 high-quality rooms per night, addressing a portion of the city’s growing demand while delivering strong yields for property investors.

Despite the number of properties listed on Airbnb in Hamilton (611 as at December 2024), they currently make up only around 2% of Hamilton’s estimated long-term rental stock (source: Hamilton City Council, 2023 Annual Economic Report). This figure highlights the untapped potential within the STR market and underscores the pressing need for additional short-term accommodation. 

Figure 1. One of Aspire’s STR accommodations.

Aspire’s approach — converting underutilised properties into high-performing short-term rentals — will help fill this gap while maintaining flexibility for property owners and investors. Even after Aspire’s targeted conversions, Hamilton will still face an estimated shortage of around 254 rooms, ensuring continued demand for STR properties well into the foreseeable future.

Aspire’s solution not only addresses Hamilton’s immediate accommodation needs but also positions investors to capitalise on a thriving market. By leveraging Aspire’s expertise in property assessment, management and yield maximisation, investors can meet the city’s pressing demand while enjoying higher occupancy rates and rental returns. 

Now is the time to invest in Hamilton’s STR sector — an opportunity that blends profitability with the ability to meet a real and growing need.