ALOS (Average Length of Stay)

Definition

ALOS is the average number of nights per booking. Total room nights divided by total bookings. A hotel with 1,000 room nights from 400 bookings has an ALOS of 2.5 nights.

What it tells you

ALOS shapes the operational rhythm — short ALOS (1.5–2 nights, typical urban) means high check-in/check-out turnover; long ALOS (5–7 nights, typical resort) means fewer transitions per occupied night. Rising ALOS typically improves margin; falling ALOS usually means short-trip segments are growing.

How to track it

PMS reports surface ALOS by default. Track separately by segment — corporate ALOS is usually 1–2 nights, leisure transient 2–4, resort 5+.

Where it fits

Length-of-stay controls (minimum-night rules) work directly off ALOS patterns. Pricing strategies that incentivize longer stays (multi-night discounts, weekly rates) push ALOS up.