How can I add/delete a manual calendar block?

Managing your calendar keeps your availability accurate and prevents double bookings. This guide explains how to add and remove manual calendar blocks in your Holidu Host account.

How to Add a Manual Calendar Block

Follow these steps to block dates on your calendar:

1. Log in to your Holidu Host account.
2. Go to the Calendar section at the top of your dashboard.
3. Click Block in the Availability panel on the right side.
4. Select dates — click your start date, then your end date.
5. Confirm dates — click Confirm dates on the right side.
6. Enter details in the pop-up form that appears.
7. Save to apply the block to your calendar.

Once saved, the selected dates will be marked as unavailable on your calendar, preventing guests from booking those dates.

How to Remove a Manual Calendar Block

To delete a calendar block and open those dates for bookings again:

1. Go to the Calendar section in your Holidu Host account.
2. Click on the blocked dates you want to remove.
3. Select Remove Block from the menu that appears and confirm if prompted.
4. The calendar updates automatically.

Once removed, the dates will become available for new bookings immediately.

Important Considerations

• Keeping your calendar up to date prevents double bookings and maximises occupancy.
• There is currently no way to automatically open or close availability based on lead time (e.g., after 9, 12, or 18 months). To control availability beyond a certain timeframe, manually block or unblock the relevant dates.
• If you need at least one day between stays for cleaning, block that date manually as soon as possible. Automatic gap rules between check-out and check-in are not currently available.
• Review your calendar blocks periodically to make sure you're not missing booking opportunities.

Example Use Cases

When to add a calendar block:

• You have a direct booking received via email or WhatsApp and want to reserve those dates
• You need time for property maintenance or cleaning between bookings
• You're planning to block the property for personal use during specific weeks
• You want to prevent bookings during seasonal periods when you're unavailable

Example: If you want to block your property for the upcoming week (for example, December 10-16, 2024), you would follow the steps above, select December 10 as your start date and December 16 as your end date, then save the block. This ensures no guest can book during those dates.

Manage Direct Bookings More Effectively

Instead of relying solely on manual calendar blocks for direct bookings, consider using Holidu's direct booking tools. The Direct Booking feature, Host Website, and Booking Module let you receive, manage, and track direct bookings in one place, with automatic calendar sync, secure payments, and guest messaging built in. This eliminates the need for manual blocking and keeps all your bookings organized in a single system.