What to put in an Airbnb welcome book: the complete checklist
A good welcome book answers your guests' questions before they even ask. That means fewer late-night messages, smoother check-ins and better reviews. Here is exactly what it should include.
Why a welcome book makes such a difference
Most messages hosts receive are about the same few things: “How do we get in?”, “What's the Wi-Fi password?”, “Where can we eat nearby?”. A well-built welcome book (also called a house manual or guidebook) answers them once and for all. Your guests feel at home faster, and you get your evenings back.
It also has a direct impact on your reviews. Guests rate cleanliness and location, but also communication and check-in. A clear welcome book improves exactly those two scores.
The 10 essential sections
1. A short welcome message
Two or three warm sentences are enough. Introduce the place and let guests know everything they need is in this guide. That first read sets the tone for the whole stay.
2. The address and how to find the place
Give the full address, then the details that actually help: floor, door, the name on the buzzer, the colour of the gate. Add a Google Maps link so guests can get directions with one tap.
3. Step-by-step check-in instructions
This is the most-read section of any guidebook. Number the steps in the order guests will actually follow them: parking, building code, key box, lift. State your check-in time and what to do if they're running late. For more detail, see how to write clear check-in instructions, with a template.
Tip: never show your door codes in plain text on a page anyone could see. Keep them for your guests only, for example behind a code they receive with their booking.
4. Wi-Fi
The network name and password, written exactly as they must be typed. Say where the router is and what to do if the connection drops (unplugging it for ten seconds fixes most problems).
5. House rules
Smoking, parties, quiet hours, pets, maximum number of guests, recycling. Keep it short and friendly: “Please keep noise down after 10 pm, our neighbours start work early” lands better than “No noise”.
6. How to use the appliances
Anything that isn't obvious: air conditioning, hob, washing machine, TV, boiler or water heater. One line per appliance is plenty, plus where to find the remote, the detergent or the coffee pods.
7. Your local recommendations
This is what makes your welcome book truly yours. Bakery, supermarket, pharmacy, your favourite restaurants, things to see. For each place, one sentence on why you recommend it and how far it is from the property.
8. Getting around
The nearest bus or tram stop, the train station, how to get to the airport, the closest taxi rank and parking options. Guests without a car will thank you.
9. Emergency numbers
The local emergency number (112 across Europe, 911 in the US and Canada), the nearest hospital and pharmacy, and your own phone number. Hopefully never needed, but they must be easy to find.
10. Check-out instructions
Your check-out time, then a short checklist: start the dishwasher, take out the rubbish, switch off the lights, close the windows, return the keys. Finish with a thank-you and a gentle invitation to leave a review.
Examples you can copy
A welcome message
“Hello and welcome! We're so glad to have you. The place is all yours: this guide has everything you need for your stay, from check-in to our favourite spots in the neighbourhood. Any questions? Just message us, we reply quickly. Enjoy your stay!”
House rules with a friendly tone
- This is a non-smoking home, balcony included. Thank you on behalf of the next guests!
- Please keep noise down between 10 pm and 8 am: our neighbours are early risers.
- No parties or events, please.
- The home sleeps a maximum of 4 guests.
- The yellow bin is for packaging; the bin room is on the ground floor.
A check-out message
“Thank you for staying with us! Before you leave, please start the dishwasher, take out the rubbish and put the key back in the key box. No need to clean, we'll take care of it. If you enjoyed your stay, a short review would mean a lot to us.”
When and how to share it
The best moment is before arrival: send the link to your welcome book in your booking message two or three days before check-in. Guests can plan their journey and arrive relaxed.
Inside the property, a poster with a QR code by the entrance or the Wi-Fi router lets them find it again at any time. And mention it in your check-out message: that's where your instructions and the review request live.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too long. Guests are looking for one piece of information, not reading a novel. Keep it scannable.
- Out of date. A closed restaurant or an old Wi-Fi password damages trust. Update your guide whenever something changes.
- Only one language. If you host international guests, an English-only guide leaves some of them guessing.
- Codes anyone can see. A guide left at the entrance or shared online should never expose your access codes.
Printed binder or digital guide?
A printed binder has its charm, but it gets damaged, goes missing and is out of date the moment anything changes. A digital welcome book opens on your guests' phones, even before they arrive, and can be updated in seconds. Many hosts combine both: a poster with a QR code inside the property that opens the digital guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an Airbnb welcome book be?
The essentials fit on a few screens: welcome, check-in, Wi-Fi, house rules, appliances, local tips, emergencies and check-out. A short, up-to-date guide beats a long document nobody reads.
Should I translate my welcome book?
If you host international guests, yes: at least into English, ideally into your most frequent guests' languages. A digital welcome book can be translated automatically.
Where should I put my welcome book?
Send it before arrival in your booking message, and keep a version in the property, for example a poster with a QR code near the entrance or the Wi-Fi router.