Hospitality business ideas with a startup cost over $20,000

109 ideas

These 109 hospitality ideas suit people who have real savings, a lender or investors behind them, and want to build a venue or service guests come back to. Higher budgets usually go toward a lease, build-out, equipment, licensing and a cushion for slow early months.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Narrowboat moored on a canal during a relaxing holiday trip.

Single houseboat rental on a lake

Buy one used houseboat and rent it by the weekend or week to vacationers at a nearby lake or river.

  • $30k-120k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year

Houseboat rental business with a small fleet

Run a few houseboats from your own dock or marina slips, renting by the day or week to vacationers.

  • $150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,936 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.4% in a year
Tents pitched in a green field beside a working farm with grazing animals.

Farm campground with RV hookups and glamping tents

Turn farmland into a year-round stay with RV hookups, a bathhouse and a few glamping units.

  • $120k-500k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Tourists sitting aboard a tour boat on calm water.

Small-boat sightseeing and charter tours

Run scenic, wildlife or sunset trips for small groups from a local dock on your own licensed boat.

  • $15k-75k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Visitors riding horses across open pasture at a rural guest ranch.

Small ranch stay with a few guest rooms

Host a few guests at a time at your ranch or farm for riding, chores and country meals.

  • $8k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,967 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year

Full-service dude ranch with cabins and week stays

Run a small all-inclusive guest ranch with cabins, daily rides, meals and a few staff.

  • $400k-1500k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,967 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year
Hot air balloon rising over countryside at sunrise with passengers in basket.

Hot-air balloon flight operator

Fly paying passengers in your own balloon with a small crew, selling seats and private flights for tourists and celebrations.

  • $90k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
255 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.5% in a year
Tents, caravans and motorhomes on pitches at a busy countryside campsite.

Small campground with tent and RV sites

Run a small campground with tent sites and RV hookups, paid nightly or weekly, plus a bathhouse.

  • $150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
Bright furnished flat living room with sofa, table and kitchen corner.

Guest suite or backyard unit short-stay rental

Rent a spare suite, basement apartment or backyard unit you own to visitors and business travelers, with cleaning included.

  • $1.5k-40k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Bright self-catering holiday cottage living room with a no-smoking sign.

Non-smoking whole-home vacation rental

Furnish a house, condo or cabin as a self-catering stay for families and groups, with a firm no-smoking rule.

  • $8k-30k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Tidy furnished apartment bedroom ready for holidaymakers arriving for a short stay.

Furnished vacation apartment in a tourist area

Furnish a dedicated apartment, with the landlord's written consent if you rent it, and let it to visitors by the night.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Students learning cocktail making from an instructor behind a bar.

Bartending school with a training bar

Open a small classroom with a practice bar and run regular courses for aspiring bartenders.

  • $10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Tourists on a boat deck watching a whale surface near the coast.

Small-boat whale watching tours

Run small-group whale and dolphin trips from your own boat for tourists in a coastal town.

  • $25k-120k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,217 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.2% in a year
Neat hotel bedroom with a made bed and soft window light.

Small bed and breakfast or guesthouse

Run a few guest rooms with breakfast in a larger home or small property.

  • $30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
55,895 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.8% in a year
Customers ordering quick meals at a fast food restaurant counter.

Small counter-service fast food restaurant

Open a small shop serving a short menu of quick, low-cost meals for eating in, taking away or pickup.

  • $60k-300k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
270,088 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year

Fast food truck or trailer

Serve a short menu of quick, affordable meals from a truck or trailer at lunch spots, events and breweries.

  • $30k-120k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
270,088 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.8% in a year
Self-catering wooden chalet holiday let surrounded by trees with a welcoming porch.

Whole-home vacation rental

Furnish and run an entire house, condo or cabin as a vacation rental for guests.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Tour guide leading a group of tourists past famous landmarks.

Small-group van sightseeing tours

Drive visitors to the best sights in your area in a van, with commentary and set pickup points.

  • $35k-120k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,584 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
Bunk beds with colourful bedding fill a clean hostel dormitory room.

Small house hostel

Turn a leased house or small building into a friendly hostel with shared dorm beds and a common kitchen.

  • $25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

Boutique city hostel with private rooms

Run a 30 to 50 bed hostel with dorms and private rooms in a busy city or gateway town, with a small team.

  • $100k-400k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
Motorhomes parked on a campsite with electric hook-up posts.

A few RV sites on your own land

Set up a handful of RV parking spots with power and water on spare land and rent them by the night.

  • $10k-50k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year

Small RV park with full hook-ups

Run a small park with 15 to 40 RV sites, hook-ups and basic facilities for overnight and longer stays.

  • $150k-1000k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
A cosy guest bedroom with a breakfast tray in a small country B&B.

Full-time B&B or small inn

Buy or lease a larger house and run it as a full-time B&B with several guest rooms.

  • $150k-600k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,304 US businesses with employees in this field, -6.5% in a year
Timber log cabin with decking in a woodland setting.

Small log cabin getaway on your own land

Build or place one to three cabins on land you own and run them as a small nightly-rental retreat.

  • $40k-200k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year

About these ideas

You will find venue-based ideas such as a neighborhood cocktail bar, a private-room karaoke lounge or a sit-down fish and chips restaurant, plus service-led options like guided multi-day hiking trips. Before you commit, think about location, how long you can cover costs before sales build, and whether you want to manage staff and late hours. Check what permits, alcohol licenses and insurance your city and state expect, because these can shape both cost and timeline.

More ideas

Questions

What costs should I plan for beyond the build-out?

Look at your lease deposit, equipment, insurance, licenses, opening inventory, payroll and marketing. It also helps to set aside several months of operating cash, since many hospitality businesses take time to build a steady customer base.

Do I need a license to serve alcohol?

Often yes, but rules vary by state, county and city. Check with your state alcohol control agency and local government about license types, costs, wait times, zoning limits and whether a venue's location affects eligibility.

Should I lease or buy a venue for a hospitality business?

Leasing usually lowers upfront cost and keeps you flexible, while buying can build equity but ties up capital. Compare lease terms, zoning, renovation rules and your cash reserves, and consider asking an accountant or attorney to review the numbers.