Minimum stays and gap nights around peaks

Why a minimum stay matters around a peak

When one night is in high demand, guests who want only that night can block your calendar and leave nights on either side that nobody will book on their own. A minimum stay that covers the core of the peak turns one valuable night into a stay of several nights.

Match it to how people travel

The right minimum is the length most guests for that event actually want. Look at your own past bookings for the same period, and at the event itself: a multi-day festival supports a longer minimum than a single match. A minimum longer than that does not create longer stays, it sends guests to homes with more flexible conditions.

Use it only where it is needed

Apply the longer minimum to the peak nights only, and return to your usual setting on normal nights. Many channels let you set a minimum per night or per arrival day; use that rather than changing a rule for a whole month.

Gap nights: the single nights in between

A gap night is a free night trapped between two bookings, too short for your usual minimum. Close to the date, nobody can book it unless you allow a one-night stay. Two common options: accept a one-night stay on that specific night, or offer the night to the guest before or after. Either is usually better than leaving it empty.

Revisit as the date approaches

A minimum that made sense months ahead can block bookings in the last weeks. If the peak nights are still free close to the date, loosening the minimum is often a better first move than cutting the price.