Short-term rentals in the United States that apply a minimum length of stay of three or four nights record significantly higher revenues compared to properties that accept one-night bookings, according to new research by Hospitable and IntelliHost.
The study was based on the analysis of more than 4.1 million Airbnb listings and 342,000 bookings, recording significant changes in traveler behavior and in revenue management strategies in the short-term rental sector in 2026.
Higher revenues with minimum length of stay
According to the findings, one-bedroom apartments with a minimum stay of four nights achieved a median annual revenue of 32,060 dollars, compared to 23,822 dollars for similar properties that allow one-night bookings. The difference reaches 35%.
An even larger gap was observed in four-bedroom homes, where properties with a minimum stay of four nights recorded revenues increased by 41% compared to properties that accept one-night bookings.
The research also highlighted an increased risk of cancellations in longer bookings. Specifically, bookings of more than 30 nights made two to three months before arrival showed cancellation rates approaching 32%.
Changing demand and platform strategies
Changing demand and platform strategiesAt the same time, the data shows that high visibility in Airbnb searches does not necessarily translate into more bookings. Conversion rates from search to booking remained between 1.2% and 2.4% throughout the year, suggesting that guests are increasingly focusing on host reliability, response speed, and the overall booking experience.
Changes are also recorded in demand capacity. Searches for accommodation on the VRBO platform for March 2026 increased by 74% year-on-year, while demand for the traditionally strong summer months July and August showed a significant decline.
The CEO and founder of Hospitable, Pierre-Camille Hamana, stated that property managers are now required to compete less on visibility and more on trust, responsiveness, and ensuring the guest experience.
The findings suggest that the strategy of minimum stays is evolving into an important revenue optimization tool for owners and managers of short-term rentals, in an increasingly competitive and demanding market.
Obviously, the main finding of the research is particularly relevant for Airbnb managers in island and popular destinations in Greece, where increasing the minimum number of nights is already used as a means of improving occupancy and reducing operational costs per booking.
