Length-of-Stay Restrictions are reservation rules that control the number of nights a guest must or may book at a hotel.
Hotels use these restrictions to manage demand, protect room inventory, encourage longer stays, and optimize revenue during periods with different booking patterns.
Common restrictions include minimum length of stay (MinLOS), maximum length of stay (MaxLOS), and minimum length of stay through a specific date (MinLOS Through).
How It Works
Revenue managers may apply length-of-stay restrictions when demand is expected to be particularly strong on certain dates or when short stays could leave less desirable gaps in the hotel’s booking calendar.
For example, a hotel may require a three-night minimum stay during a major event weekend. In other circumstances, it may allow shorter stays to capture demand that would otherwise be lost.
Restrictions can be configured by arrival date, rate plan, room type, or booking channel, depending on the hotel’s reservation systems.
Practical Example
A hotel expects strong demand during a three-day festival weekend.
The revenue manager introduces a two-night minimum stay for arrivals on Friday and Saturday.
A guest attempting to book only Saturday night may be unable to complete the reservation under the affected rate plan. A guest booking Friday and Saturday nights may satisfy the restriction.
The exact result depends on the dates covered by the rule and how the restriction is configured.
How to Interpret It
Length-of-stay restrictions can help hotels protect inventory and encourage booking patterns that better match expected demand.
However, restrictions may also discourage potential guests from booking. A minimum stay that is too high can result in unsold rooms if demand does not materialize as forecast.
Revenue managers should evaluate restrictions using booking pace, length-of-stay patterns, demand forecasts, and the potential revenue from alternative bookings.
Related Terms
- Length of Stay (LOS): The number of nights a guest stays at a hotel.
- Average Length of Stay (ALOS): The average duration of stays during a specified period.
- Minimum Length of Stay (MinLOS): A restriction requiring guests to book a minimum number of nights.
- Maximum Length of Stay (MaxLOS): A restriction limiting the number of nights that can be booked.
- Minimum Length of Stay Through (MinLOS Through): A minimum-stay requirement that applies when a reservation includes a specified date.
- Closed to Arrival (CTA): A restriction preventing guests from arriving on a specified date.
- Closed to Departure (CTD): A restriction preventing guests from checking out on a specified date.