Do you set a minimum number of nights for bookings?

[Paula]

Hello hosts 😊

There are many strategies to implement when trying to get as many bookings as possible. One of them is setting a minimum number of nights per stay.

Some of you allow one-night bookings, while others suggest a 2-night minimum. Some hosts even prefer much longer stays.

What is your strategy? Feel free to share it in the comments and let us know why you decided on that specific number of nights per booking.

Regards,

[Sue2623]

@Paula I've been seriously hosting for 2 years in this house. I tried hosting in my old home but stopped after two guests. That was probably 7 or 8 years ago.

[Stacie96]

We have a private suite that we let on Airbnb, which is located in a separate section of our home.   Our travelers/guests are a mix of business and leisure, as we're located in a coastal + business community.  We want to be flexible so that we may have the maximum bookings when our private suite is available.  We allow one-night rentals, up to two weeks.  The experience has been very good with each of our guests, and we also use Airbnb as travelers and appreciate that one night is acceptable.

[Paula]

Hello @Stacie96, glad to hear you’ve had great experiences on Airbnb both as a guest and a host! Have you ever had to use your flexible policy, or have you not had any cancellations so far?

[Stacie96]

Yes @Paula , we have been slightly burned by the flexible policy.  We have had cancellations at the last moment on our flex policy, which is a bummer.  However, we researched the unflexible policies and it seems punitive to the guests, which could give a bad vibe.

[Sudeep22]

Hi, I have not set minimum nights. I think, it may not work here.

Regards Sudeep 

[Paula]

Hello @Sudeep22, thank you for sharing your opinion. I'm curious to know why you think this wouldn't work for you.

Keep us posted

[Sheila905]

Yes I set minimum 3 nights. I do the changeovers myself , it’s a 4 bedroom property , so anything less is too much work and not cost effective . 

[Xinyi15]

Hi Paula,

I usually set my nights to 2 nights at least, until the days approaching, that I have found out there still some single date haven’t been booked due to this reason, I will unblock this one night to put it on available as well. I hope this can help you!

[Su104]

Hi

no I don’t have a minimum nights rule 

su

[StayIn2]

Depending on the location and target group and cleaning costs. And if it is a new location. Then i will start with 1 night and when bookings are increasing, change the minimum stay 

[Ilona216]

Hi,

I think it depends on what kind of property you have , location etc. 

 for example if you’re in a big city or close to airport 1 night stay is reasonable because people might be passing through and prefer Airbnb vs hotels 

if you’re resort or just a regular city or small town minimum or 2-3 nights seems logical . Simply because it eliminates those who wants to have parties or smth like that and people come for longer stays to begin with . 

when I just started I didn’t have minimum because I wanted to get it rolling and get reviews etc now I have 2 night minimum 

peopel come for weekend games or family reunion and 2 nights are convenient for them

[Yulia209]

I have 2 properties on the list, 1 villa with 4 bedrooms that I didn’t set up for minimum stays, and other are wooden cabin I set up minimum stays for 3 nights, and it goes well. Even the villa the guest so rare booking just for 1 night. I put the price a bit lower than AirBnb pricing. 

[Sid1303]

I have always allowed one night stays as it’s helped fill in gaps and it keeps my cleaning person happy.  But honestly, although I allow it, I don’t get many one night stays.  

I think the general rule is how busy your the is.   If it’s high demand you set the rules as strict as you like but might want to be more flexible if that’s not the case.   

sid