One Night Stay on Airbnb, Should You Allow It?

As an Airbnb host, deciding on your rental property's minimum night stay policy is an important consideration. While some hosts prefer longer minimum stays, others value allowing guests to book for just one night. One common question is whether or not to allow guests to book for just one night.

This article will explore the advantages and disadvantages of allowing one-night stays on Airbnb, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your hosting goals.

Understanding Airbnb's Minimum Night Stay Policy

The minimum night stay policy on Airbnb refers to the minimum number of nights a guest can book a short-term vacation rental. As a host, you have full control over setting this requirement, allowing you to align it with yearly, monthly, and weekly trends.

Some hosts prefer longer minimum stays, such as three days or even a week, while others opt for a one-night minimum, choosing a "set it and forget it" approach that works for them.

The Impact of Adjusting Minimum Night Stay Policies

Based on data analysis, being proactive and adjusting the minimum night stay policy in response to market demand, seasonality, and upcoming events can significantly increase monthly revenues.

While popular strategies vary among hosts, it's essential to recognize that the most profitable approach may differ from standard practices.

Maximizing rental revenue often involves leaving no money on the table.

How to Set up Minimum and Maximum Night Requirements

To set the minimum and maximum night requirements for reservations on Airbnb, follow these steps :

• Visit airbnb.com and access your listings.

• Select the listing you want to manage.

• Click on "Manage listing."

• Navigate to the "Availability" section at the top of the page.

• Click on "Edit" next to "Trip length."

• Enter the desired minimum and maximum night requirements.

• Use the "Customize by day of the week" option to create specific rules for each day.

• If necessary, add custom rules for seasons or specific dates.

  Side Note:

When multiple minimum night requirements apply to the same day, Airbnb prioritizes the more specific requirement.

For example, if you have a minimum one-night requirement for all reservations but a minimum three-night requirement for weekends, a guest requesting a Friday reservation will be required to stay for three nights.

Current State of Airbnb Minimum Night Stays

In seasonal markets, three-night minimum stays are prevalent during the summer months (April to August), accounting for over one-third of the market.

One- and two-night stays are equally popular, with one-nighters experiencing a significant boost towards the end of summer. Additionally, listings with 7-27 night minimums outnumber those with 4-6 night minimums.

Non-seasonal markets typically exhibit a consistent trend throughout the year, with one-night and two-night minimums dominating market share. Month-to-month fluctuations are minimal in these areas.

Benefits of Allowing One-Night Stays on Airbnb

Filling gaps

Allowing one-night stays helps maximize occupancy by filling gap nights, which are nights between bookings shorter than the minimum stay requirement. You can avoid unbookable lost revenue by accommodating shorter stays during these gaps.

Increased occupancy

Leveraging shorter minimum stays can boost occupancy and revenue. Lower prices can attract different market segments like backpackers or business travelers who are in town for just one night, potentially leading to repeat bookings from their families in the future.

Attracting different market segments

One-night stays cater to travelers seeking a short-term accommodation solution, expanding your potential customer base. This strategy can lead to higher revenues by appealing to diverse market segments.

Efficient cleaning management

One-night stays allow for more efficient cleaning management, ensuring your property remains clean and presentable at all times. If you have on-site cleaning capabilities or are willing to handle daily cleaning tasks, this arrangement can work well for you.

Downsides of Allowing One-Night Stays on Airbnb

Potential impact on longer stays

Allowing shorter stays may hinder longer stays, reducing overall occupancy. For example, consecutive two-night bookings can block an entire week, preventing potential week-long reservations.

Higher turnover rate

Short stays may result in increased work and inefficiencies for your staff. Concentrated check-ins and check-outs over the weekends can create more demanding schedules for cleaning personnel, potentially causing stress and turnover.

Risk of party bookings

Offering one-night stays might attract party makers who book your property solely for hosting events. This can be undesirable, especially if you live on-site. Implement guest screening procedures to mitigate this risk.

The Bottom Line on One-Night Stays

Deciding whether to allow one-night stays on Airbnb is a decision that should consider the specific dynamics of your property and hosting goals. While allowing one-night stays can attract a broader range of guests and increase revenue, it also comes with challenges such as increased cleaning and maintenance, the potential for party bookings, and the impact on longer stays.

Carefully evaluate your property's capacity, your ability to manage short-term turnovers, and the preferences of your target market before making a decision. By finding the right balance, you can optimize your occupancy and revenue while providing a positive guest experience.

How Hostaway Can Help

A thorough assessment of your hosting goals and the unique characteristics of your property is essential before deciding whether to allow one-night stays on Airbnb. In addition, you can streamline your hosting experience with tools like Hostaway, an online vacation rental management platform.

Using Hostaway, hosts can automate tasks such as guest communication, pricing optimization, and cleaning coordination.

It provides hosts with tools and features to manage their short-term rentals efficiently. In addition to helping mitigate some potential challenges associated with one-night stays, these features give you greater control over your property's operations. Hosting one-night guests with Hostaway can maximize your benefits while minimizing your workload and risks.

Ultimately, the decision to allow one-night stays on Airbnb should align with your overall hosting strategy and the specific needs of your property. You can choose a hosting solution appropriate for your hosting style and objectives if you carefully weigh the pros and cons and use resources like Hostaway.