Have you opened your availability for 2026 yet? If not, now is the perfect time to start thinking about it. But be careful: “opening availability” doesn’t just mean clicking a button and putting your rooms online – especially not by simply copying last year’s prices.
NB: This is an article from Smartness, one of our Expert Partners
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It means taking a moment to analyze your past performance and make data-driven decisions based on your 2026 goals.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 3 essential steps to do just that. And even if you’ve already opened your calendar, this is a great chance to double-check your setup and adjust prices where needed – before the bookings really start rolling in.
Step 1: Check that your base rates are accurate
The base rate, or starting rate, is the internal reference price that reflects the value of each room or unit type across the year. It’s not the final selling price, but the starting point from which all your rates are calculated.
This makes it a crucial tool – it sets the boundaries for your pricing strategy and protects you from underselling your rooms.
You don’t need to constantly adjust base rates. If you’re in a stable market with clear seasonality, reviewing them quarterly may be enough. But before opening 2026 availability, it’s essential to give them a fresh look.
That means:
- Making sure they still align with your planned opening and closing periods for 2026.
- Checking last year’s performance: maybe spring holidays went well in 2025, but June and July underperformed. Now’s the time to adjust.
- Reflecting any improvements made to the property: if you added a pool, renovated rooms, or upgraded breakfast in 2025, your base rates should reflect that enhanced offering.
Step 2: Review events and holidays and set minimum stay rules
Holidays and events can be double-edged swords: they attract high demand, but if not managed properly, they can leave you with gaps in your calendar that are hard to fill.
That’s why it’s worth taking the time to research all local events and movable holidays in 2026.
Once that’s done, you can plan your minimum stay rules.
A practical example
In 2026, June 2 falls on a Tuesday, creating the potential for an extended weekend from Friday, May 29 to Tuesday, June 2.
