The Airbnb Welcome Book: What to Include (with a Copy-Ready Checklist)

Call it a welcome book, a welcome guide, a house manual, or a digital guidebook — it's the single document that decides whether a guest feels oriented and cared for or confused and annoyed. Done well, it answers questions before they're asked, which means fewer messages for you and better reviews from guests. Done poorly (or left as a coffee-stained binder no one opens), it's a missed opportunity at the exact moment guests form their first impression.

The complete welcome book checklist

1. A warm welcome

• A short, genuine note — who you are and that you're glad they're here.
• The property's name and full address (guests need it for rideshares and deliveries).
• Your preferred contact method and how fast to expect a reply.

2. Getting in (the most important section)

• Check-in time and step-by-step entry instructions.
• Door / lock code or key location, with a photo of the entrance.
• Parking: exactly where to park, permits, and any street-cleaning gotchas.
• Wi-Fi network and password — put this everywhere; it's the #1 question.

3. How everything works (the house manual)

• Thermostat / heating / AC, with the actual quirks ('the upstairs unit runs cold').
• Kitchen appliances, coffee maker, dishwasher, and where supplies live.
• Laundry: washer/dryer steps and where detergent is.
• TV and streaming: how to turn it on and log in.
• Trash and recycling: where it goes, which day it's collected.

4. House rules (kindly stated)

• Quiet hours, maximum occupancy, and guest/visitor policy.
• Smoking, pets, and any candle/incense rules.
• Anything specific to your building or HOA (elevator hours, shared spaces).

5. Your local recommendations

• Coffee, breakfast, and the dinner spot you'd send a friend to.
• Groceries, pharmacy, and the nearest convenience store.
• One or two 'don't miss' experiences unique to the area.
• Getting around: transit, rideshare notes, bike or beach access.

6. Checkout

• Checkout time and a short list of checkout steps.
• Where to leave keys, trash, and used towels.
• A friendly line inviting the review.

7. Safety & emergencies

• Fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and smoke/CO detector locations.
• Water and electrical shutoffs.
• Local emergency number and nearest urgent care / pharmacy.

Why a digital guidebook beats the printed binder

The binder on the counter has three problems: guests have to be in the room to read it, they have to flip through it to find anything, and it's out of date the moment your Wi-Fi password changes. A digital guidebook fixes all three — and adds the two things paper never can.

• It's searchable. Guests find 'Wi-Fi' or 'checkout' instantly instead of scanning pages.
• It's reachable anywhere. A QR code by the door and a link in your message means guests have it on the drive over, not just in the living room.
• It's always current. Update once and every guest sees the new version.
• It can answer back. Pair it with an AI concierge and guests don't even scroll — they ask 'what's the Wi-Fi?' and get the answer, in any language, in seconds.

A few things that separate good from great

• Photos beat paragraphs. A picture of the entrance, the parking spot, and the thermostat prevents more confusion than any wall of text.
• Write for a stranger at 11pm. Assume no context and a little stress. Clarity is kindness.
• Anticipate the 'quirks.' Every home has them. Naming them up front turns a potential complaint into 'wow, they thought of everything.'