Minimum stays protect a portfolio from inefficient short bookings. Applied without review, they also create gaps that no guest can book.
How gaps form
An orphan gap is a short run of open nights between two bookings. If the gap is shorter than the minimum stay, it cannot sell at all. Over a season, these nights add up across a portfolio.
Rules that usually help
- Allow a gap-length minimum stay when a gap is shorter than the standard rule.
- Tighten minimums far out, when longer stays are still likely, and relax them closer to arrival.
- Set different rules for peak weekends, shoulder periods and weekdays.
- Review check-in and check-out day restrictions alongside minimums.
An example rule set
| Period | Far out | Inside 14 days | Gap rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season | 5 nights | 3 nights | Fill any gap of 2 or more nights |
| Shoulder | 3 nights | 2 nights | Fill any gap of 1 or more nights |
| Low season | 2 nights | 1 night | Fill all gaps |
These values are an illustration, not a recommendation. The right rules depend on turnover cost, cleaning capacity and how guests book in each market.
Track it
Measure how many gap nights appear each month and how many convert. If conversion is low, the rule, the price or both need attention.