Fine-tuning your calendar settings for longer stays

Today’s guests are searching for longer stays, which allow them to spend more time visiting family or enjoy the perks of remote work in a new location.

As a Host, these stays are a great opportunity to fill your calendar and make tasks like cleaning, communicating with guests, and managing your bookings more efficient. Here’s how to adjust your availability and welcome guests who are hoping to enjoy your space for a few weeks or more.

Once you’ve updated your listing description to mention that you accept longer stays, make sure your calendar is up to date. Any restrictions placed on trip length must be updated to reflect your desire for longer stays.

Here’s how to review your availability

To create a hosting strategy that meets your needs and accommodates your monthly guests, try updating your availability settings. Just a few simple tweaks can make all the difference.

• Advance notice: Set how much notice (one day, two days, etc.) you need before each booking so you’re never surprised. Advance notice also gives you more time to discuss logistics with guests enjoying longer stays. Learn more about advance notice

• Preparation time: Adding time between stays to thoroughly clean helps you create a welcoming environment for guests. “Henry and I both have day jobs and hate being rushed when we clean. We block several days off after a stay of more than two weeks so we can take our time and do an intense deep clean,” says Jessica, a Host in Seoul, South Korea. Learn more about preparation time

• Availability window: You control how far in advance you want to accept bookings. For instance, you can choose to block dates three, six, or 12 months from today. “I like to open my calendar for longer stays six months in advance with a 30-night minimum,” says Oliver, a Host in New York City. Learn more about setting your availability

• Rule-sets: Hosts with six or more listings can create and edit rule-sets. You can use rule-sets to automatically adjust your price depending on the time of year, give discounts to guests who book longer stays, add trip length requirements, and more, saving you time as a Host. Learn more about rule-sets

Longer stays can help you meet guest demand, fill your calendar, and reduce your workload, all while still helping you connect with guests from around the world.