Providing a Welcome Book to your guests is an essential amenity in any Airbnb you operate. Not only is it a chance for hosts to provide a personal touch in their guests’ stay, but it shows them why you call this special place your home. This enables you to build a strong foundation with your guests by setting the tone of their stay.
Every welcome book should provide all the information needed to stay at your property as well as any detailed instructions for anticipated problems that may arise. This sets you up for success in avoiding any upset phone calls from your guests, which gets you closer to that five-star review! Listed below are our top recommendations of what to include in your welcome book.
Welcome Page:
First and foremost, creating a personal welcome note shows your guests how excited you are to have them stay at your property. This is a friendly way of introducing yourself and giving a little information about your property. It’s always important to show your guests warm hospitality, even if you are not there to personally greet them. As they always say, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression, so make this one count!
Here are some ideas on what you can also include on the Welcome Page:
- Check in/out times
- Guest Wi-Fi information
- Your personal contact information
This gives them a brief introduction to your property which you can go into more detail later in the book.
Table of Contents:
Including a table contents page in your Welcome Book will make it easier for your guests to quickly find what they are looking for. Whether its activities in the area, favorite restaurant recommendations, or a how-to appliance guide, your guests can easily navigate to the information, saving you any upset calls.
Make sure to number all your pages and include the following:
- Table of contents
- Important information
- Emergency contacts
- House Rules & Safety
- Checking in/out
- Home Instructions
- Local Transportation
- Things to Do
House Rules:
This section is very important as it includes any policies or rules that are strict within your home. You should label clear instructions of what is expected from every guest, ensuring that there is no miscommunication between you.
You may incorporate a list of:
- Local ordinances (quiet hours, no fireworks, etc.)
- Trash Days
- Smoking policy
- Pet policy
- Parking instructions
Here, you are ensuring that guests know how to leave your property in the condition it was found, leading to less issues during/after their stay.
How-To Appliance Guide:
You may have the most amazing, unique amenities, but if nobody knows how to use them, you may end up doing more harm than good. Your how-to appliance guide should include any appliance that is not a simple on/off. When guests spend more time trying to figure out how to work your appliances than actually enjoying their vacation, it may be taken out in their review. In order to avoid this, create a handy guide for your:
- Property entry process (gates, lockboxes, garage codes, etc.)
- Thermostat
- Kitchen appliances
- Washer and Dryer
- Hot tub or fireplace
- BBQ
- Netflix/Hulu/HBO
This is also a great time to make note of anything you do not want your guests touching. The clearer you can be on your expectations ahead of time, the more seamless each guest experience will be!
Transportation:
An easy way to help your guests get around is by providing a local transportation guide. Leave a list of tips with schedules, fees, and contact information for your:
- Taxi & shuttle services
- Uber/ Lyft pricing to get to local spots
- Bus Routes
- Nearest Airport/Train station
- Car Rental
- Local Maps
To add a personal touch, you can also include tips on how to get around and explore your area the “locals’ way” so they feel right at home! If your rental is far out of reach, this gives your guests a great start to exploring the area around them.
Things to Do:
A great way to have your guests living like a local is to provide a curated list of your favorite bars, restaurants, and activities in the surrounding area. Your list should include a range of items that many types of guests can enjoy whether it be your favorite museum, thrifting store or the best restaurant in town for a date night. Make sure to include the address and phone number of each recommendation as well as an estimated time to get there so your guests can plan accordingly.
Your suggestions may include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Grocery stores
- Night life
- Shopping malls
- Outdoor activities
- Attractions
- Local fairs and festivals (Sunday farmers market, street fairs, etc.)
Be sure to distinguish between which places you have/have not been too. That way, if your suggestion is not what it was hyped up to be, your guests can pass on the information and are less likely to hold you accountable for an underwhelming experience.
Designing a Welcome Book for your guests provides a great introduction to the area, your property, and the many amazing activities happening in the city. This book will make a lasting impression on your guests with its personal touch and local recommendations, so investing the time and effort here is essential. Make sure your book is highly visible in your home by placing it on either the kitchen counter or coffee table so guests can utilize your specially curated amenity. Your guests will thank you!