Mindestaufenthalt bei Airbnb: Die besten Tipps und Strategien

Managing an Airbnb property involves many important decisions. One of the most crucial is setting the Airbnb minimum stay. This choice requires careful consideration and a strategic approach. It will directly impact your Airbnb-Auslastung and the guest experience.

In this article, we will explain the concept of “Minimum Stay,” explore relevant setting strategies, and provide effective tips to help you determine the appropriate minimum stay for your Airbnb.

What is the Airbnb Minimum Stay Policy?

The minimum stay is a restriction you can set for your Airbnb property. It defines the least number of nights guests must book to stay at your short-term rental.

For example, if you set a minimum stay of 2 nights, guests will not be able to book your Airbnb for fewer than 2 nights.

Difference in Minimum Stay Between Airbnb and Booking.com

For Airbnb, the minimum stay refers to the minimum stay on arrival. This means that the length of the booking must not be less than the set number of nights for reservations starting on that date.

In contrast, Booking.com has two different specifications for minimum stay:

• Minimum stay through: This means that any booking that includes the specified date must have a length of stay that meets the set minimum.

• Minimum stay on arrival: Similar to Airbnb, this specifies that the length of the booking must not be less than the set number of nights for reservations starting on that particular arrival date.

If a booking timeframe encompasses both types of restrictions, the shorter minimum stay applies.

Why is the Airbnb Minimum Stay Policy Important?

1. Increasing Occupancy Rates

For hosts in areas with clear seasonal trends, extending the minimum stay during peak seasons can help offset low occupancy rates during the off-season.

Additionally, experienced hosts often adjust the Airbnb minimum stay based on gap days. This flexibility can further boost occupancy rates.

2. Cost Savings

By encouraging longer bookings, hosts can reduce guest turnover and associated cleaning costs. This is especially important in high-demand areas, where short stays may not justify the time and resources spent preparing the property for new guests.

3. Enhancing Guest Satisfaction

Longer stays often provide hosts with more stability. Fewer check-ins and check-outs mean less disruption to the host’s schedule. It also allows for building better relationships with guests. This can lead to positive reviews and repeat customers, which are crucial for success on the platform.

4. Filtering More Reliable Guests

Setting a minimum stay requirement can help filter out guests who are less respectful of the property or house rules. This is particularly relevant during holidays, when short stays may attract temporary guests who pose potential risks, such as those looking to book a one-night stay for a party.

5. Maintaining Scheduling Flexibility

The minimum stay policy can align with the host’s personal schedule. For those managing rentals alongside other commitments, a longer minimum stay can create a more manageable routine.

As a vacation rental host, you have many daily tasks to juggle. Finding time to handle everything while ensuring your Airbnb property performs at its best can be a challenge. This is why savvy hosts utilize vacation rental software like Hostex to automate their daily operations.

How to Set the Airbnb Minimum Stay

If you need to set the minimum stay for your Airbnb listing, you can easily do so by logging into the Airbnb website:

1. Klicken Sie auf Airbnb Calendar and select the listing calendar you want to change.
2. Klicken Sie auf Availability.
3. Unter Trip length, update your minimum stay nights.
4. Klicken Speichern.

If you are listing your property on multiple OTA platforms to increase booking potential, using Hostex to manage different platforms’ minimum stay policies can provide maximum convenience.

In addition to setting the overall minimum stay for your listing, you can also set a minimum stay for specific dates through Hostex:

1. Gehen Sie zum Hostex Price Calendar.
2. Select the property and date range.
3. In the right sidebar, update your minimum stay nights.
4. Klicken Speichern.

Best Strategies for Setting the Airbnb Minimum Stay

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to deciding on the minimum stay nights. It’s essential to find a delicate balance based on various factors, including:

• Property type
• Current occupancy rate
• Market demand
• Seasonal fluctuations
• Local events
• Type of destination

Here are some tips to help you succeed.

1. Seasonal Strategy

If your property is located in a seasonal tourist destination, such as a beach that attracts visitors in summer or a ski resort that draws crowds in winter, you should consider adjusting the Airbnb minimum stay accordingly.

• During high-demand seasons, such as holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, or local special events (like sports games or major conferences), it’s advisable to set a longer minimum stay. This can help maximize your income and reduce the risk of revenue loss due to one-night stays or unbooked gap days.

• Conversely, during low-demand periods, allow for shorter stays. If feasible, consider reducing the minimum stay to one night to attract more guests and maintain steady bookings and income during the off-season.

• Additionally, for many vacation rentals, weekends can be seen as a “peak season.” It is recommended to set the minimum stay for weekends to two or three nights. This can improve occupancy rates and optimize your revenue.

2. Consider the Target Guest Type

Different types of properties suit different stay strategies. The minimum stay length also depends on who frequently books your Airbnb rental.

For example, an apartment in the city center often attracts business travelers during the week or weekend tourists. In this case, it’s suitable to set a shorter minimum stay (like 1~2 nights).

On the other hand, a vacation villa or a rural guesthouse typically appeals to families or groups, so a longer minimum stay (like 3~7 nights) would be more appropriate.

3. Monitor Your Competitors

In any business, analyzing competitors is essential, and vacation rentals are no exception.

You should set your minimum stay based on the policies of nearby competitors and adjust as necessary to gain an advantage.

For instance, if you find that direct competitors have a longer minimum stay than average, you might benefit from setting yours relatively shorter. This could help your Airbnb stand out, making it more attractive to guests who value flexibility.

However, while implementing this strategy, ensure you maintain normal operations. Avoid falling into “price wars” that could harm your business in the long run.

4. Consider Turnover Costs

Shorter stays often mean more frequent cleaning and turnover, so it’s crucial to ensure that your minimum stay is financially reasonable after accounting for vacation rental housekeeping costs.

Remember, larger properties typically incur higher cleaning fees. If you own a bigger property, such as a large family home or a three-bedroom apartment, setting a relatively longer minimum stay can help ensure you don’t overspend on maintenance. Additionally, guests usually tend to book larger properties for longer durations.

5. Managing Gap Days

In practical operations, regardless of how well-crafted your strategy is, gap days on your calendar are inevitable. If not managed properly, these gap days can become a significant barrier to your income.

For instance, if you set a minimum stay of 5 nights but have 3 gap nights between two bookings, Airbnb won’t show those 3 nights as available for booking.

To address this, you need to adjust your minimum stay in real-time based on gap days to fill vacancies and optimize occupancy rates.

Alternatively, you can use Hostex’s automated gap management feature to adjust the minimum stay automatically based on the number of gap days. This ensures you maximize your bookings and minimize lost revenue.

Optimizing your Airbnb minimum stay settings is an ongoing process, not just a one-time adjustment. It requires careful consideration and planning. Be prepared to continuously analyze your property’s performance and regularly review your strategies to remain competitive and responsive to changing market trends.