Length of stay tells you how many days, on average, guests are staying in a market.
Understanding whether your market is geared toward quick weekend getaways or longer destination stays can guide your investment choices and help you fine tune your operations.
Spot the Market Type: Tourist hubs built for quick trips might see an average stay of only 1–2 nights, while family-heavy destination markets typically see guests stick around for 3–4 nights or longer.
Plan Your Investment Approach: If you prefer fewer turnovers at your property, a market with very short stays might not be ideal. Knowing the typical length of stay can help you decide if a market fits your management style.
Manage Your Calendar: Understanding these averages helps you set smarter minimum and maximum stay policies. For example, requiring a 3-night minimum during peak summer months can help you maximize occupancy and avoid "orphan nights," those awkward unbooked gaps between reservations.
Tailored Discounts: Length of stay data helps you decide when to offer "extended stay" discounts. If you know your market attracts winter snowbirds who stay for a week or more, a weekly discount can be a powerful tool to keep your calendar full.
Let’s take a look at the unique story the length of stay data tells about Orlando, Florida:
Snowbird Long Stays: In January and February, Orlando sees its longest stays of the year, averaging between 5 and 7 days. This is driven largely by snowbirds and remote workers heading south for the winter to escape the cold. You might consider implementing a longer minimum stay to capture the snowbird demand without the constant turnover costs of shorter bookings.
May & November Shorter Trips: You’ll notice the average stay drops under 5 days in May and November. These are transitional shoulder seasons in Orlando, where travelers are more likely to visit for shorter bursts rather than full-week vacations. Being more flexible with shorter stays in May and November can help you capture those quick getaway guests when the market is a bit quieter.
Summer Mid-Length Stays: June through September, stays average between 5 and 6 nights. This confirms that Orlando is a premier summer destination for families who typically book for nearly a full week to hit all the major theme parks. Implementing a 4 or 5 night minimum might help you maximize occupancy during these peak months.
Slight Shortening of Stays: In 2025, the average length of stay declined year over year for all months. The biggest declines happened in January, February, and March, which could mean snowbirds are shortening their trips. Keeping an eye on these changes is key for setting smart minimum stay rules and deciding what discounts to offer.
Length of Stay Pro Tip
To get the clearest picture of your specific niche, use our filters to drill down into how stay patterns change based on bedroom count, property type, price tier, and much more.
Looking at market averages can be misleading, since different property types tend to have very different average lengths of stay and require different strategies. A 6-bedroom property may require a longer minimum stay policy to protect your calendar, while a 1-bedroom condo may need a much more flexible stay policy to capture high demand for shorter stays.