How do you avoid unbookable gaps with instant book?

[Chris1245]

I have to leave instant book on to not appear at the bottom of the listing as I live in an area full of holiday homes. 

I rent out a home all year around, but during the peak July and August months I have a four night minimum stay. How do I manage guests leaving one day gaps between bookings while leaving Instant book on ?  Irs it’s not viable ( time or cost ) to have it ready again for a new guest the very next day, but could do for a two or three day stay if I had to. I don’t want to set prescriptive check in days across two whole months. Each unbookable day costs me over £100 so across two months that could work out very expensive. 

I couldn't see an option to select so It wouldn’t  allow a booking that left less than the minimum four night stay between certain dates whilst leaving Instant booking on. 

I can’t be the only host with this issue ?

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Chris1245

when you go to your calender you can select desired date-s / period and then , on the right side of your window you will be able to set:

minimum and maximum stay

price

availability (available/blocked)

and rule sets - here you can set :  days when check in/out is not possible

So for example you got the reservation from 13 - 17th.

Go to your calendar and select dates 10, 11 and 12th / add rule set / days when check out is not available: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday / save

So guests who will book prior this reservation will have to check out until 9th or 13th so you will have min 4 nights gap or you will have back to back bookings.

Then go back to your calendar and select dates  18 , 19 and 20. / add rule set / days when check in is not available: Monday, tuesday, wednesday / save

So guests who will book after this reservation will have to check in either on 17th or 21st or later.

See the picture:

[Chris1245]

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I had also considered your solution , but it means extra work every time a new booking comes in and I have to be quick unless another booking comes in straight afterwards.  It’s a shame Airbnb Don’t have a tick box to set a minimum night stay across. a large date range whist not alllowimg under the minimum night stay gaps to be created. 

Thanks Chris 

[Jacqueline450]

Hi, sorry I'm new to this but couldn't you message the guests and offer them the extra days at a discount, just a thought

[Helen3]

Have you called Airbnb to ask them for a solution? Or looked in the Help Centre

I thought they did have something but I can't remember where to look as it's not something I need to use.

[Chris1245]

My guests usually just want the days they actually book as often visit other places in Cornwall and we are part of a bigger visiting jigsaw 

[Chris1245]

I have called Airbnb but they said I need to raise it and if enough people do the same they will maybe do something. 

I didn’t want to Just offer Saturday to Saturday like everyone else and the flexibility suits me and my guests. 

Last year I jiust launched in peak time July  so didn’t have instant book on so had total control of my bookings / gaps between guests, but was appearing on the top of the listings as was in the new listing grace period. Taking instant book off to help manage gaps will just leave me languishing in the middle of page four even with 5* reviews etc 

Damed if I do and damed if I don’t ! 

[Mrs--Maria0]

Change settings to: (#1) Same day check when instant booking

(#2) minimum days to stay to - one day min

[Chris1245]

Sorry I don’t see how that helps. I don’t want the pressure of same day check in on instant booking or can afford a minimum stay of one day.  Confused me that reply ! 

[Chris1245]

I am renting out a two bed appartment so time and overheads to consider