Definition
A reservation made directly with the hotel — on its own website, by phone, by email or at the front desk — rather than through an online travel agency (OTA) or another intermediary. Direct bookings carry no OTA commission and give the hotel the guest's contact details and relationship, which makes them valuable for repeat stays and upselling. Hotels usually encourage them with added value and member rates rather than by undercutting the prices shown on OTAs.
Related Terms
CTAClosed to Arrival
A stay control that blocks new check-ins on a specific date while allowing guests already in-house to continue their stay. Hotels use CTA during high-demand periods to prioritize longer stays and maximize revenue—for example, closing arrivals on Saturday to capture more valuable Friday-Saturday bookings rather than Saturday-only stays.
Learn more →CTDClosed to Departure
A stay control that prevents guests from checking out on a specific date, requiring them to extend their stay through that date. CTD is used to fill gaps in occupancy—for example, if Tuesday shows low demand, closing departures ensures guests checking in Monday must stay through Tuesday, improving overall occupancy patterns.
Learn more →LOSLength of Stay
The total number of nights a guest stays during a single visit. Average LOS varies significantly by segment and destination—resort guests may average 5-7 nights while city business hotels see 1.5-2 nights. Understanding your LOS patterns helps optimise pricing strategies and apply appropriate stay controls during high-demand periods.
Learn more →MLOSMinimum Length of Stay
A stay control requiring guests to book at least a specified number of nights. MLOS protects high-demand dates from being blocked by short stays—for example, requiring 2-night minimum over a weekend ensures you don't sell Saturday-only and leave Friday unsold. Apply MLOS strategically based on demand patterns and booking pace.
Learn more →Want to improve your Direct Booking?
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