When I did STRs I found vacationers use more energy than normal.

A number of our offerings are secluded; many vacationers are looking for that experience.

Local agent swear it's the best thing that ever happened to Airbnb and Americans and European vacationers.  

I need to reach people looking for temporary housing, but not vacationers - because Castle Rock is not a place people go for extended vacations, especially in winter.

The down side is that STRs are more work, need to furnish it, pay for utilities and WiFI but in the right market (vacationers and business travelers) it could work. - If I were looking at cash flow as a really important important metric, I'd consider starting a business.

The appeal, in my experinence, is a steady local base plus some vacationers passing through.I’ve got a freind who scooped up a place near the Ozarks and found that while huge cash flow was harder to come by, the consistent occupancy gave them fewer headaches over time.

Instead of living in it they sublease it to vacationers. 

Condos are cheaper than houses, and to my mind, a vacationer wouldn't care much about staying in a bigger place for their short stay, and would be more concerned with a good location and a nice view.Thoughts?

For that time frame it would not make sense to turn it into a STR as there won't be enough time to establish a history to attract good vacationers.

Both could be vacationers or business travelers or anything else.No matter what you quantify your STR is, you need to fully furnish it well, have plenty of amenities etc etc.