What it means
Minimum stay is the fewest nights a booking must satisfy under a rule. It differs from actual stay length. Providers may apply restrictions based on arrival date or dates crossed by the stay; confirm how your configuration behaves.
Why it matters
The rule balances demand, turnover costs and calendar continuity. A longer minimum can reduce cleaning frequency but leave short gaps unsold. Evaluate the whole calendar instead of assuming more nights per booking always improve results.
An example in practice
Two nights remain between a Tuesday departure and a Thursday arrival. A three-night minimum may prevent selling that gap. A two-night exception could permit a compatible booking, provided the channel applies the rule as expected and the unit can be prepared in time.
A mistake to avoid
Changing one calendar and assuming every channel received the restriction is a common mistake. Do not confuse minimum nights with minimum advance notice: one limits duration, while the other limits how close to arrival a guest may book.
Put it into practice
- Identify the dates and listings covered by the restriction.
- Test a real search with specific arrival and departure dates.
- Compare incremental revenue with preparation costs and cleaning capacity.
A common question
Should I always lower the minimum to fill a gap?
No. Check the rate, preparation cost and team capacity. An extra booking may not justify its cost or may prevent a more suitable sale. The rule should reflect the calendar context.