What to include in an Airbnb welcome book: a complete checklist

The essentials at a glance

Start with a short welcome and the three facts every guest looks for first. If a guest reads nothing else, they should come away knowing:

• Check-in time and checkout time.
• How to get in.
• The Wi-Fi network and password.

Arrival and check-in

• The full address, plus what3words or map coordinates if the postcode covers a wide area.
• Directions for the last mile, with visible landmarks.
• Where to park, how many cars fit, and anywhere guests must not park.
• How to collect keys: key safe location, lockbox, smart lock or meeting in person.
• What to do first: light switches, the heating, or a door that needs a firm push.
• Early check-in or luggage drop policy, if you have one.

Wi-Fi and connectivity

• Network name and password, written exactly (case matters).
• Where the router is, in case guests need to restart it.
• Mobile signal notes for rural properties — for example, which room or spot gets the best reception.

A digital guide makes this easier: in GuestsGuide guests copy the password with one tap rather than typing a long string from a card.

House rules

Rules are easier to follow when they're short and explained. Cover:

• Smoking and vaping — including whether the garden counts.
• Pets — whether they're welcome, any rooms that are off limits, and towels for muddy paws.
• Noise and quiet hours.
• Maximum guests and visitors.
• Rubbish and recycling — which bin is which and collection days.
• Anything specific to your property, such as the hot tub or wood burner.

How things work

List anything a guest might struggle with. Short numbered steps beat long paragraphs:

• Heating and thermostat, including any timer or boost button.
• Hot water — whether it's on demand or needs time to heat.
• Oven, hob, dishwasher, washing machine and any unusual appliance.
• TV and streaming — inputs, remotes and whether guests should sign in to their own accounts.
• Wood burner or open fire — how to light it safely and where the fuel is.
• Where the stopcock, fuse box and spare bulbs are.

Local recommendations

This is where your guide stops being an instruction manual and becomes a welcome. Pick a handful of places you'd genuinely recommend rather than a long list copied from a search engine:

• Restaurants and pubs, with a note on booking and opening days.
• Cafés and bakeries for breakfast.
• The nearest supermarket and anywhere open late.
• Walks, beaches and attractions — with distances and a tip on the best time to go.
• Rainy-day options.

Opening hours change. A digital guide lets you update a recommendation the moment you hear a place has changed.

Safety and emergency information

• Emergency services: 999. For urgent medical help that isn't an emergency, NHS 111.
• The nearest A&E or minor injuries unit and the nearest pharmacy.
• Where the fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first aid kit are.
• Escape routes and what the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sound like.
• How to reach you, and a backup contact if you're unavailable.

Safety requirements for holiday lets vary across the UK — Scotland, for example, requires short-term lets to be licensed. Check the rules that apply to your property with your local council.

Checkout

Keep the checkout list short and reasonable. Typical items include loading the dishwasher, taking rubbish out, closing windows, turning the heating down and returning keys. In GuestsGuide, guests can tick items off on their phone as they go; their ticks stay on their own device.

Reviews and feedback

End with a short thank you and links to where guests can leave a review. If you'd rather hear about problems privately first, say how to contact you.

What to leave out

• Your home address or personal details you don't want shared.
• Alarm codes or security information.
• Key safe codes, if your guide link could be forwarded — send them separately before arrival.
• Long legal terms; link to your booking terms instead.

Ready to put it together? See how GuestsGuide works or explore the sample guide.