First impressions are lasting impressions. Making an Airbnb welcome book is a great way to make those first impressions unforgettable for your guests. It is one of the most important amenities for your rental, containing useful information about how things function around your home and what your area has to offer.
Property listings cover a lot of useful info, yet an Airbnb welcome book can provide even more. It is an important resource that can help free your guests from encountering any unpleasantness during their stay.
Even though it sounds pretty simple to make a welcome book, there are some common things Airbnb hosts tend to overlook. That is why we decided to create this guide to emphasize the key components that every host must include in this essential amenity for their rental.
Why You Should Make an Airbnb Welcome Book
Putting together essential information in a welcome book for Airbnb has a great impact on your guests’ overall experience. A guestbook should provide information about local highlights and hidden gems to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. Think of it as giving your guests advice on how to make the most of their stay at your place.
Compiling a list of all the necessary information and highlighting the house rules will guarantee that your guests have fewer questions during their stay. Providing instructions on how to navigate your property (such as how to use the appliances – e.g. adjust the temperature on the AC/furnace, which washer/dryer cycle to choose, etc.) will show them that you care to make their stay in your rental as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness and show their gratitude in their reviews.
How to Make an Airbnb Welcome Book for Your Guests?
When it comes to how to create a welcome book for Airbnb guests, there are several options:
- The simplest way is to use an Airbnb welcome book template, fill it out, print it, and have it ready for your guests in no time. This is the most convenient way to highlight the essential info about your property. Also, you can share the link of the online version of the template (with ‘view only’ sharing option) with your guests so that they can download it to their smartphones and have it at hand.
- If you’re artistic and have a solid knowledge of graphic design software, you can create a custom design for your welcome book. You can implement the color scheme that matches the interior of your rental and make a unique, visually pleasing guestbook. Simple things such as personalized design can leave a great impact on your guests and ensure more positive reviews for you.
- Another great option is a DIY project. Creating a DIY guidebook takes more time, but your guests will certainly appreciate the end result. Handcrafting gives a warm and personal touch to the guidebook and makes visitors feel more welcome. You can include booklets, brochures, and flyers from the local tourist bureau, as well as the map of the city, to make sure that your guests have an exceptional stay at your vacation rental.
Don’t forget to place your welcome book in a visible location so that your guests can easily spot it and always have access to it.
What to Include in an Airbnb Welcome Book?
Here are the 8 key components that you must include in your guestbook if you wish to awe your guests.
1. Personalized Welcome Page
A personalized welcome note is a thoughtful way to make your guests feel welcome at your rental. You can use this page to present yourself and thank them for choosing to stay at your property. Writing a note to welcome guests is what will bring that personal touch unlike staying at a hotel – it will reinforce their decision to book with you again.
Pro tip: create a .pdf welcome page template that you can edit. With each new booking, print out a new page with the greetings to your guests using their names.
2. Important Information for Guests Upon Arrival
Providing helpful contacts is probably the most important component of a guestbook. Here’s what you should include:
- Your contact information
- Contact information of a property manager or a neighbor/friend (someone local who is easily reachable and can come on short notice if needed)
- Emergency services addresses and phone numbers
This page should also contain the following information:
- Property access codes (front gate access code, lockbox, garage, gate code, etc.)
- Parking information
- Wi-Fi password
3. Property Policies
Your guests must be aware of house rules. It is important to emphasize the property policies and display them at your rental because this can help you prevent common issues and possible complaints. It is crucial to define the following in your welcome book:
- Check-in and check-out procedures
- House rules (quiet hours, smoking policy, pet policy, etc.)
- Subdivision, community, and complex rules
4. Instructions for Appliances and Electronics
This page(s) should include helpful instructions for:
- Thermostat
- Fireplace or hot tub
- Washer and dryer
- Kitchen appliances
- TV remote control
5. Local Transportation Information
- Recommendation for reliable taxi services
- Airport shuttle schedules
- Local bus and train schedules and routes
- Car rentals in the area
- Near bicycle rentals
- Map of the city and public transport map
Pro tip: highlight the location of your rental on the map as well as some of your favorite places in the area, and leave a note for guests to feel free to take the map with them.
6. Tourist Information
Include the following:
- CityPASS prepaid ticket booklet (if available)
- Tourist bureau location(s)
- Where to buy tickets for annual events
7. Things to Do
- Market and shops in the area
- Local parks and dog parks
- Great pubs, bars, cafes, and clubs
- Restaurants recommendation
- Annual local events
8. Things to See
Mention the following:
- Local attractions
- Famous places around the city
- Museums and art galleries
Pro tip: Your guests will appreciate a personal recommendation. You should mention some of your preferred places in the neighborhood and in the city.
A good vacation can easily become the best ever for your guests if you put an effort into creating a guidebook with great recommendations of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, etc. Applying a personal approach when making a guestbook, i.e., sharing your favorite places around the city, will guarantee that your guests will want to book with you again.
An informative Airbnb welcome book can make a great addition to your amenities, offering an extra level of service and enhancing the guest experience.