Glossary · Calendar

Orphan night

Orphan night · definition
  • An orphan night is a lone unbookable gap — a single free night trapped between two bookings that your minimum-stay rule prevents anyone from taking.
  • Category: Calendar

Why they matter

A 2-night minimum plus a busy calendar mechanically manufactures single-night holes. Across a season, orphan nights routinely cost several percent of revenue — silently.

The fix

Rules or tools that drop the minimum to one night (often with a small premium or automated pricing) specifically for gap dates. Most OTAs and channel managers support this.

Part of the Stays short-term rental glossary.

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