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Top 6 Airbnb Welcome Book Ideas

An Airbnb welcome book helps your guests have the best stay possible. You are ensuring that each guest can explore your city properly and enjoy their stay at the same time.

Whether it’s instructions for electronics, WiFi passwords, favorite restaurant menus, or local things to do, your welcome book should be the place your guests can find the important information.

Since every Airbnb listing is different. You should put all the small details that make your listing different in the welcome book.

It’s also important to place your Airbnb welcome book in an area where your guests can clearly see it and mention it to them upon check-in

Items that are unique and will help guide your guests to have a pleasant stay. This will increase your reviews and get you more bookings.

In this article, we will cover our favorite tips we have used in our Airbnb listings.

airbnb welcome book

What Should Be Included In An Airbnb Welcome Book?

An Airbnb welcome book should include any complicated electronic instructions, welcome page, WiFi passwords, local restaurant menus, local attractions, check-out procedures, and unique experiences in your area.

Here is a list of what you can put in your Airbnb welcome book:

  • Welcome Page (a little about yourself with optional pictures)
  • WiFi Passwords
  • House Rules
  • Check In / Check Out Instructions
  • Electronic Manuals (any complicated instructions)
  • Local Restaurants Menus
  • Transportation (bus, train, taxi, etc)
  • Essential Phone Numbers
  • Your Contact Information
  • Tv Channels or streaming services (If you provide them)
  • Hikes/Attractions
  • Front Door Passcodes
  • Checkout Procedure
  • Parking Information

What Is An Airbnb Welcome Book?

An Airbnb welcome book is an instructional guide for your guests while they stay in your Airbnb listing

Benefits Of An Airbnb Welcome Book

  • Guests can find all the information needed about your city and Airbnb
  • Helps guests feel at home and increase quality of your listing reviews
  • Less damage to your property in the long run.
  • Not as much clean up after guests check out on average
  • Your guests won’t message you as much about common questions

Tip #1 – Keeping your welcome book inviting and small gestures such as details about the local coffee you provided them can go a long way

 #1 – Welcome Page

One of the most important and overlooked features of an Airbnb welcome book would be the welcome page. This gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself and invite your guests to enjoy their stay.

This should always be the first page in your welcome book and include a short message about yourself, welcome your guests, and include information guests are looking for such as WiFi passwords and contact information.


If you have provided anything unique such as gifts, then mention that on the welcome page. 

Here is an Airbnb welcome page example:

“Hi! Thank you for booking a stay with Airbnb Universe.

We are Devin & Sarah and welcome to your new Airbnb! 

If you need anything don’t hesitate to contact us at 976-463-xxxx. We’d love to help.

  • WiFi password username/password: Airbnbuniverse843
  • Nearest hospital is: St Peters Hospital
  • Parking: In anywhere front or across the street
  • The front door code is: 4390

Sincerely,

Devin & Sarah”

#2 – Local Restaurants and Attractions

Many guests will travel without putting too much thought into plans. Normally, they have a few busy days and a few unplanned relaxing days.

If you add very unique experiences that might only be offered in your area. This could be seasonal attractions, local restaurants, hikes if you have mountains, beautiful beaches, or some way to experience the culture of your area.

You can break everything up into distance, time, or prices. 30 minutes walk, 30-minute drive, $20, etc

For us, there is a place called Granary Road within a 15-minute drive from our listing. It’s a theme park with live animals, slides, and a farmer’s market. 

Great for anyone traveling with kids and the best part is the coffee is locally made at the farmers market.

Here are some ideas for your area:

  • Favorite Restaurants
  • Trips You Can Do In A Day (hiking, wineries, hot springs, mountains)
  • Local Attractions (art galleries, parks, libraries, museums, historical places)
  • Beaches or Seasonal Attractions (beaches, lakes)
  • Shopping, Malls and Unique Grocery Stores
  • Fairs and Festivals (farmers’ markets, music festivals, local fairs)
  • Nightlife (local breweries, bars, clubs, live music)
  • Kid-friendly (science center, animal parks, playgrounds, national parks, picnic spots)

Tip #2 – With our Airbnb welcome book, we put everything in a binder. This way it lasts longer from guest spills. You should include sticky notes or section markers as well.

#3 – House Rules

Your guests are obligated to read your house rules and agree with them right before they book your Airbnb listing.

With that said, your guests might have booked months ahead and by the time they arrive, the house rules aren’t as clear.

By placing them in your Airbnb welcome book, you are reminding your guests but you will also save yourself headaches in the future

Here are examples of Airbnb house rules you can include:

  • Do you allow parties or events
  • Are unregistered guests allowed
  • Broken or lost keys requiring a replacement fee
  • Is smoking allowed
  • No illegal substances
  • Do you allow pets
  • Specifics on lost, stolen, damaged property exceeding damage deposit
  • Not rearranging furniture
  • Placing linens in the wash before guests leave
  • Where to put the keys upon checkout
  • Should your guests take out the garbage before checking out
  • What time checkout is
  • Enjoying your stay!

Tip #3 – Reminding your guests about your house rules can be used in an Airbnb claim and should be reminded upon check-in

#4 – Local Maps, and Transit

The one thing that stands out comparing hotels to Airbnb listings in the local guidance. Most guests may have an idea of what they would like to do while staying at your listing but nothing is certain.

For us, anytime we have traveled, we have found the best advice from Airbnb hosts. Sometimes online is fine but if you want a true cultural experience or to find the hidden gems then asking the host is key.

They have eaten at all the nearby restaurants and drank at the pubs to feel the environment etc. Locals have experienced the surroundings which are usually best.

I add my favorite places to eat/nearby grocery stores with their address and phone numbers. At the very back of the Airbnb welcome book, I place the takeout menus the restaurant has. I also let my guests know upon check-in

Tip #4 – Share your favorite coffee shops, breweries, bars, and restaurants so guests have something to leave a review about

#5 – Complicated Electronic Manuals

As technology becomes more complicated, so do the instructions. If you have any complicated electronics or even old electronics as a luxury, include a guide in your Airbnb welcome book.

Not all guests have the exact same remote control or are able to figure out something complicated electronic you provided. If they take extended periods of time trying to figure it out, this could dampen their initial experience.

Another option is to add instructions right on the complicated electronics. If your t.v is hard to operate, place instructions on the back of the remote or on the t.v. itself

Which Electronics Could You Put Instructions On?

  • T.v. or cable instructions
  • Numerous remote controls that aren’t clear
  • Thermostat
  • Complicated washer,dryers or kitchen appliances
  • How to connect to your WiFi
  • Any smart devices

Tip #5 – If you do provide stream services such as Netflix, add login information in incase your guests log out accidentally.

#6 – Checkin / Checkout Instructions

We have always found that putting clear Airbnb check-in/checkout instructions helps your guests checkout on time and with the cleanup

If your guests know what to expect on checkout day such as piling the bedsheets in the middle of the bed, putting the dishes in the dishwasher, where to put the keys, etc, They are much more likely to prepare, leave your place cleaner, and overall it will a smoother transition

Examples of an Airbnb check-in/checkout instruction:

  • Checkin anytime after 3pm
  • Checkout in before 11am
  • 2 towels in each bathroom for guests
  • Dishes in the dishwasher before you leave
  • Bed sheets piled in the middle of the bed
  • Keys left on the counter
  • Take out the trash before checking out
  • Pile any dirty towels on the bed

Tip #6 – We suggest using a hardcopy binder instead of a soft one. If your guests spill anything on a hardcopy, it should be protected and save you time.

Where Should You Place Your Airbnb Welcome Book?

Place your Airbnb welcome book in an area your guests will notice. The dining room, coffee table, or kitchen counter are the most common places.

What Should You Include In Your Airbnb Welcome Page?

  • WiFi Password
  • Emergency Hospital
  • Your Contact Information
  • Front Door Code

Canva is a great way to make a welcome book. You can do further ones and purchase templates here

Conclusion

With an Airbnb welcome book, you can’t go wrong. We will leave a link to highly recommended templates here.

Remember to leave your welcome book in a spot your guests will notice right away. If you enjoyed this article, then we think you’d like our Airbnb kitchen essentials one next! Thank you.