Setting Up your Hostelworld Profile
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      2. Setting Up your Hostelworld Profile

      How to Set Up Your Property for High-Demand Dates (e.g., New Year, Carnival)

      High-demand periods like New Year and Carnival require careful planning. To maximize revenue and avoid operational issues, review and adjust your rates, cancellation policies, and restrictions in advance.

      Follow the steps below to correctly set up your property in line with Hostelworld guidelines:

      1. Set Minimum Night Stay Requirements

      You can apply a minimum stay restriction to ensure guests book for several nights during peak dates.

      • If you don’t use a Channel Manager → set minimum nights directly through the Hostelworld Inbox.

      • If you use a Channel Manager → apply the restriction in your Channel Manager.

      ✅ Important: Apply the restriction across all rates you want available for the high-demand period.

      🔗 How to Set Up a Minimum Night’s Stay – Hostelworld

      2. Adjust Your Rates (Standard and Non-Refundable)

      Standard Rate

      • Follows your usual cancellation policy (e.g., free cancellation up to X days before arrival).

      • Allows charging the first night in case of late cancellation or no-show (unless otherwise stated on your profile).

      Non-Refundable Rate (NRR)

      • Can be charged at any time after booking using the guest’s card on file.

      • If you use alternative payment methods (PayPal, payment link, etc.), these must be clearly stated on your profile.

      • You can make NRR the only option during peak dates by disabling your Standard Rate.

      🔔 If payment fails or the guest doesn’t follow your payment instructions:

      1. Contact the guest via email to request a valid payment method.

      2. Flag the payment issue via your Hostelworld Inbox.

      3. Wait at least 24 hours before cancelling if there’s no response.

        How to report a booking or cancel in Hostelworld 

      3. Manage Close to Arrival / Close to Departure Restrictions (CTA / CTD)

      Hostelworld does not automatically apply CTA/CTD restrictions set in Channel Managers.

      📌 To manage these restrictions:

      • Contact Hostelworld Support to request a Special Event Policy. This will be visible on your property’s page.

      ⚠️ Important:

      • Guests may still be able to book outside of these restrictions.

      • If that happens, you can request a cancellation citing violation of your Special Event Policy contacting Hostelworld Support.