Length of Stay (LOS & ALOS): Stay Duration as a Revenue Lever
Length of Stay (LOS) is the duration of a booking in nights; the Average Length of Stay (ALOS) is the mean across all stays: room nights ÷ arrivals. The metric matters more for profitability than many think: every arrival day costs check-in, departure cleaning, linen change and OTA acquisition — a higher ALOS spreads these per-stay fixed costs across more nights.
The formula
ALOS = room nights ÷ arrivals (stays)
Interactive: your ALOS — and what one extra night is worth
ALOS calculator
Enter monthly figures from your PMS — ALOS and the effect of longer stays calculate live.
2.0nights ALOS
€15,750turnover costs per year
€5,250annual saving at ALOS +0.5 nights
The saving comes from fewer guest turnovers at equal room nights — plus unquantified effects: fewer OTA commissions per night, more plannable housekeeping, higher ancillary spend from long-stayers.
How to extend stays
Tiered rates: discounts from 3 or 7 nights (e.g. −10/−15%) — featured more prominently on your own website than on OTAs (see direct booking).
Targeted minimum stays: min-LOS rules on strong dates (trade fairs, weekends) fill the shoulder nights — a classic yield management tool.
Extension offer at check-in/out: "One more night at a preferred rate?" — the cheapest extra night is the guest already in the house (upselling).
Workation & bleisure: a desk setup, weekly rates and late checkout turn 2 business nights into 4 with the weekend.
Make Sunday night attractive: the weakest night of the week is perfect as the free or discounted night in packages ("3=4").
Interpreting ALOS correctly
Split by segment: business (short) vs. leisure (longer) vs. groups — one overall ALOS hides where the lever sits.
Don't maximise at any price: very long stays at discount rates can depress RevPAR. The goal is the mix that optimises RevPAR AND cost per night.
Read with the season: rising ALOS in low season is a win; in high season it may mean you are selling too cheaply.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ALOS?
Highly concept-dependent: business-focused city hotels often run 1.5–2 nights, resort hotels 3–7. More important than benchmarks: your own trend per segment and season.
Where do I find the numbers?
Every PMS reports room nights and arrivals as standard; many show ALOS directly. Note it monthly next to occupancy and ADR — that's all it takes to start.
Is an extra night really worth more than a new guest?
Per night, almost always: no acquisition cost (OTA commission!), no linen change, no check-in — and the guest already knows the house. That's why the extension question is the most profitable sales conversation in a hotel.
