🦁 Case Study: Lion’s Lookout

From Outdated to Outstanding — How This Penn State-Area Home Became a 5-Star Destination

When a great location meets the right design, guest experience, and operational strategy… magic happens.

Located just 12 minutes from Penn State University, this home had all the right bones—but needed to evolve into a true short-term rental standout. The owner-investors completed much of the renovation before bringing us in, and their eye for potential set the stage for success.

From there, WE ARE Vacation Rentals helped take it across the finish line: creating a compelling brand identity, completing the full furnishing and theming of the home, and launching it as Lion’s Lookout—a bold, family-friendly retreat with school spirit, wow-factor design, and amenities that spark 5-star reviews.

This case study highlights the full transformation—from its pre-renovation state to the fully realized, guest-ready destination it is today—and how it’s now positioned for strong year-round revenue.

📍 Before & After: Exterior Transformation

Visual story starts here

The home’s structure was strong, but its exterior lacked the kind of warmth and curb appeal that converts in listing photos. We enhanced the visual impact with thoughtfully placed up-lighting and subtle exterior upgrades that elevated the property's nighttime charm. Most importantly, we captured it all with professional, high-conversion photography—dramatically improving its presence in search results and first impressions with potential guests.

🛏 The Lion’s Den: A Bedroom That Makes a Statement

For the primary bedroom, we delivered a dramatic, head-turning transformation. The centerpiece is a massive Nittany Lion (mountain lion) wall mural, perfectly positioned above the king-sized bed—perched, intense, and looking like it’s ready to pounce. It’s bold, unexpected, and instantly unforgettable.

Combined with rich Penn State–inspired accent colors, upgraded textiles, and a cleaner furniture layout, the space was completely reimagined into the ultimate Penn State fan’s dream bedroom.

🌄 Back Deck Transformation: Gas Fire Pit, Luxury Lounge & Private 6-Person Hot Tub

The back deck was completely reimagined from a basic outdoor space into a true extension of the home’s living area. We added luxury patio furniture arranged around a sleek gas fire pit, creating an upscale outdoor lounge ideal for relaxing evenings and social gatherings.

The space is anchored by a 6-person hot tub, thoughtfully tucked behind custom privacy fencing for a secluded, resort-style feel. To take it to the next level, we also installed a 65″ outdoor TV, allowing guests to catch the big game, playoffs, or prime-time matchups without ever leaving the hot tub.

With ambient lighting and an intentional layout, the deck now delivers a true “wow” factor—designed for comfort, entertainment, and memorable game-day experiences.

🛋 Living Room: From Bland to Bold (and Built for Gathering)

The living room was completely transformed from a dated, disconnected space into the true heart of the home. We replaced the generic sectional and conversation chairs with premium leather sofas offering seating for up to 10 guests, instantly creating a comfortable, social layout designed for large groups.

To take full advantage of the home’s setting, we added dual coffee bars positioned in front of the oversized picture windows, giving guests a front-row seat to sweeping mountain views—perfect for slow mornings or mid-game refills. Green accent tones throughout the space tie the design together, bringing warmth and balance while complementing the surrounding landscape.

We also swapped out the traditional circular dining table for a dual-purpose poker, board game, and dining table, allowing guests to host game nights, card games, or family dinners without ever missing the action of the big game or movie playing in the adjacent living area.

The result is an Instagram-worthy, high-function gathering space that feels intentional, elevated, and built for memorable group stays—from kickoff to late-night cards.

🐾 Guest Bedrooms: From Basic to Memorable Penn State Tribute Rooms

These guest rooms were previously basic, underwhelming, and largely forgettable. We completely reimagined them as Penn State–themed tribute rooms, each designed to celebrate a different piece of the university’s history, spirit, and culture—bringing vibrance, personality, and fun into every stay.

Highlights include a Blue Band–inspired room honoring one of Penn State’s most iconic traditions, a Historic PSU Pink & Black room paying tribute to the university’s original colors, and a dual-queen State College bar–themed room—a former musty office—transformed into a lively, social space inspired by favorite local watering holes.

Rather than generic sleeping quarters, each room now feels intentional and immersive. Together, they create a home where every guest gets a unique experience—one that sparks conversation, nostalgia, and connection to Penn State the moment they walk in.

💼 Office Nook & Flex Space: The Paterno Library Experience

At Lion’s Lookout, every space was designed with the modern guest in mind. Rather than dedicating this area to a formal dining room (with ample dining space already available elsewhere in the home), we chose to create something far more valuable and memorable.

This awkward, underused nook was transformed into a Paterno Library–inspired dual workstation and reading library, giving Penn State alumni the nostalgic feeling of studying for a big exam.

With two dedicated workstations, comfortable seating, curated shelving, and natural light, the space is perfect for remote work, students, or guests who need to knock out an important email without missing a moment of their vacation. It’s functional, thoughtful, and deeply connected to the Penn State experience—another example of how Lion’s Lookout was designed to feel personal, not generic.

✅ What We Delivered

📦 Scope of Services by WE ARE Vacation Rentals:

Themed room setup + layout optimization
Photography-ready staging
Outdoor feature upgrades (fire pit, patio, lighting)
Listing creation & pricing optimization
Transition to full-service management under WE ARE Vacation Rentals

📈 The Results (So Far)

📌 Averaging $600+ weekends in the off-season
📌 Already outperforming comps on Rankbreeze & AirDNA

📌 Projected to rank in the TOP 5% of the entire State College area vacation rental market by summer!

🏡 Want to See It for Yourself?

Whether you’re a potential guest looking for your next unforgettable getaway, or a property owner curious about what’s possible with the right team behind you—Lion's Lookout is proof of what happens when vision, design, and full-service management come together.

👉 Check out the full listing or book your stay here:
Lions Lookout

🚀 Want to Bring Your Property Back to Life?

Whether you’re sitting on an underperforming asset or scouting a new opportunity, we can help. From full remodels and furnishing to seamless management and marketing.

📞 Call us at 814-806-3192